From August 1, 2017, new regulations banning trucks in Ho Chi Minh City officially took effect, significantly impacting freight transport in the inner city. This decision by the HCMC People’s Committee aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve road safety in the area.
A 2.5-ton truck driving on the road
Truck Ban Hours in Ho Chi Minh City’s Inner City
Specifically, the regulations banning trucks in Ho Chi Minh City are applied according to two different time frames, depending on the vehicle’s load capacity:
- Small trucks (under 2.5 tons): Prohibited from circulating in the inner city from 6 AM to 9 AM and from 4 PM to 8 PM daily. These are peak hours with heavy traffic density.
- Heavy trucks: Prohibited from circulating in the inner city from 6 AM to 10 PM daily. This regulation is stricter because heavy trucks often cause congestion and traffic unsafety.
Permitted Truck Corridor Routes
Despite the truck ban in Ho Chi Minh City, some corridor routes on the outskirts of the inner city still allow truck traffic. These routes are planned to reduce traffic pressure on the city center.
- North and West Directions: National Highway 1, the section from Hanoi Highway to Nguyen Van Linh Street.
- East Direction: Hanoi Highway, the section from National Highway 1 to Cat Lai traffic junction, Mai Chi Tho Street – the section from Dong Van Cong Street to Vo Chi Cong Street.
- South Direction: Vo Chi Cong Street (from Dong Van Cong Street to Phu My Bridge, Phu My Bridge to the elevated road, from Phu My Bridge to Area A South Saigon intersection), Nguyen Van Linh Street (the section from Area A South Saigon intersection to National Highway 1).
Map of the inner city area and permitted truck corridor routes in Ho Chi Minh City
Reasons for the Truck Ban in Ho Chi Minh City
The number of trucks in Ho Chi Minh City has increased rapidly in recent years, along with continuous transport activities, putting great pressure on the traffic system. Banning trucks in Ho Chi Minh City during peak hours is seen as a necessary solution to reduce traffic congestion, traffic accidents, and environmental pollution. Previously, the Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, Nguyen Thanh Phong, requested the Department of Transport to study options to restrict small trucks from operating during the day and shift them to night on key corridors that are frequently congested.
Conclusion
The regulations banning trucks in Ho Chi Minh City are an important step in urban traffic management. The implementation of this regulation requires close coordination between functional agencies and the people. It is hoped that this regulation will contribute to improving the traffic situation in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing a better living environment for the people.
