From August 1, 2017, new regulations regarding truck restrictions in Ho Chi Minh City officially came into effect, significantly impacting freight transport activities in the inner city. According to the decision of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, small trucks (under 2.5 tons) are prohibited from circulating from 6 AM to 9 AM and 4 PM to 8 PM every day.
A red 2-ton truck parked on the street
Larger trucks over 2.5 tons are prohibited from circulating in the inner city from 6 AM to 10 PM daily. This regulation applies to most inner-city routes, except for some permitted corridor routes. Understanding truck restrictions in Ho Chi Minh City is mandatory for transport businesses and drivers to avoid penalties.
Permitted Truck Traffic Corridors
The permitted corridor routes for trucks circulating on the outskirts of the inner city are specifically regulated as follows:
- North and West: National Highway 1, the section from Hanoi Highway to Nguyen Van Linh Street.
- East: 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: Vo Chi Cong Street (from Dong Van Cong Street to Phu My Bridge, Phu My Bridge to the overpass, from Phu My Bridge to Zone A South Saigon intersection), Nguyen Van Linh Street (the section from Zone A South Saigon intersection to National Highway 1).
A red and white road sign indicating a truck ban
The regulation of these corridor routes helps to distribute traffic flow, reducing the load on the inner city during truck restriction hours in Ho Chi Minh City.
Reasons for Truck Restrictions in the Inner City
The number of trucks in Ho Chi Minh City has increased rapidly in recent years, along with unrestricted operation in the city, is one of the main causes of traffic congestion on many routes. Truck restrictions in Ho Chi Minh City are issued to minimize traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.
Previously, at the review meeting on traffic safety in the first 6 months of 2017, the Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Nguyen Thanh Phong, requested the Department of Transport to preside over and coordinate with departments and agencies to study a plan to prohibit small trucks from operating during the day and completely shift to night operation on major corridors that are prone to congestion. The decision on truck restrictions in Ho Chi Minh City is the result of a thorough research and evaluation process to find the optimal solution for the city’s traffic problem.
Conclusion
Implementing truck restrictions in Ho Chi Minh City is necessary to reduce traffic congestion and improve the quality of life. However, close coordination between functional agencies and transport businesses is needed to ensure that the transportation of goods takes place smoothly, without affecting production and business activities. Businesses and drivers need to understand the regulations on truck restrictions in Ho Chi Minh City to comply, avoid penalties, and contribute to building a civilized and safe city traffic.
