In the days leading up to the 2018 Lunar New Year (Tet), Hanoi implemented a strong measure to address the persistent issue of traffic congestion, particularly during the peak shopping and travel season at the end of the year. The ban on trucks, container trucks, and semi-trailer trucks operating on certain key routes during rush hours was enforced, bringing initial positive changes to the capital’s traffic flow.
Traffic Congestion “Hotspots” Reduced
On the morning of February 5, 2018, Hanoi officially implemented the ban on container trucks and semi-trailer trucks on Road 70 (section from Phuc La – Van Phu intersection to Ngoc Hoi – Van Dien intersection) and the elevated Ring Road 3 (section from the Thang Long Avenue interchange to the Phap Van interchange). Reporters noted that on the first day of implementation, traffic pressure on these routes significantly decreased, and the traffic flow improved noticeably compared to before.
At the gate of Tan Trieu Hospital K, a notorious traffic congestion “black spot” in Hanoi, reporters observed that traffic flow became smoother. The usual scene of vehicles being stuck for dozens of minutes waiting for traffic police to regulate flow was no longer present. Similarly, along the Ngoc Hoi intersection direction, smooth traffic conditions were also recorded. Although there was no traffic police presence in the early morning, most container trucks proactively stopped to wait until the ban hours ended before continuing their journey into the inner city.
“Hoang Mai District Inspectorate will concentrate forces, coordinate with traffic police to strictly handle violating vehicles on the elevated Ring Road 3. Previously, we also sent documents to businesses in the area requesting strict compliance with this ban.” Mr. Le Quang Vinh, Head of Hoang Mai District Inspectorate Team
Senior Lieutenant Do Manh Cuong, Traffic Police Team No. 7, Hanoi City Police, who regularly directs traffic at the gate of Hospital K, said that before the ban, due to slow-moving heavy vehicles such as container trucks and semi-trailer trucks, this road section often fell into localized congestion. Functional forces including traffic police, mobile police, and traffic order police had to stretch themselves to direct and clear the vehicle flow behind.
“Today, overload is almost non-existent. Although on duty in teams, only one comrade is needed to regulate traffic at the gate of Hospital K,” Senior Lieutenant Cuong shared about the effectiveness of Hanoi’s 2018 truck ban hours.
On the first day of implementation, the majority of trucks complied strictly with the regulations on ban hours. However, there were still some cases of deliberate violations. For example, container truck with license plate 15C-148.04 took advantage of the traffic police directing traffic to speed up and turn into the Song Nhue apartment complex alley (next to 166C Phung Hung). At the section in front of Van Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, container truck with license plate 51R-196.89 openly operated and turned around to block the road, causing traffic congestion for nearly 10 minutes.
The elevated Ring Road 3 also became significantly smoother. Cars moved more conveniently. However, some trucks still ignored the regulations, blatantly entering during ban hours, especially the section from the Thang Long Avenue interchange to the Phap Van interchange. Many vehicles with license plates from Hai Phong and other provinces still deliberately traveled during restricted hours.
Strict Handling of Violations to Reduce Congestion
Speaking to the press, Mr. Ngo Manh Tuan, Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Transport, said that the Department had issued a traffic ban notice for semi-trailer trucks and container trucks on two routes: the elevated Ring Road 3 (section from the Thang Long Avenue interchange to the Phap Van interchange) and Road 70 (section from the Phuc La – Van Phu intersection to the Ngoc Hoi – Van Dien intersection).
Accordingly, the heavy truck ban was divided into 2 phases: Phase 1 from February 5-8, 2018 (ie, December 20-23 of the lunar calendar) and phase 2 from February 20-21, 2018 (ie, January 5-6 of the lunar calendar). During this time, semi-trailer trucks and container trucks are not allowed to circulate on the above 2 routes during rush hours: Morning from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and afternoon from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Mr. Tuan explained that even on normal days, the elevated Ring Road 3 and Road 70 often experienced congestion due to excessive traffic volume. During the 2018 Lunar New Year, traffic pressure on these two routes was expected to increase dramatically. Therefore, the Department of Transport and related units carefully studied and advised the Hanoi People’s Committee to allow the implementation of truck ban hours to minimize congestion, ensure traffic order and safety, and serve the travel needs of people during Tet.
Chief Inspector of Hanoi Department of Transport, Mr. Tran Dang Hai, also affirmed that he had directed the inspectorate teams of Hoang Mai, Thanh Xuan, Nam Tu Liem, and Thanh Tri districts to strengthen forces, coordinate with traffic police to strictly handle violations according to the regulations of the Hanoi People’s Committee. Previously, on January 29, 2018, the Inspectorate, Traffic Police, and People’s Committees of some related districts had met to coordinate the implementation of effective handling of violations of Hanoi’s 2018 truck ban hours.
