From August 1st, new regulations regarding truck ban hours in Ho Chi Minh City’s inner city officially take effect. These regulations are expected to alleviate traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. So, what are the specific truck ban hours and which routes do they apply to?
Truck Ban Hours by Load Capacity
The new regulations classify trucks by load capacity and apply different ban hours:
- Small Trucks (under 2,500 kg): Prohibited from circulating in the inner city from 6 AM to 9 AM and 4 PM to 8 PM daily. These are peak hours with high traffic density. Restricting small trucks will help reduce congestion and ensure traffic safety.
Small 2-ton truck on a city street
- Heavy Trucks: Prohibited from circulating in the inner city from 6 AM to 10 PM daily. However, some corridor routes along the inner city outskirts still allow heavy trucks. Restricting heavy trucks for a longer period helps reduce pressure on transport infrastructure and environmental pollution.
Corridor Routes Allowed for Truck Traffic
Trucks are allowed to circulate on the following corridor routes along the inner city outskirts:
- 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 intersection, 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 elevated road, from Phu My Bridge to Area A South Saigon intersection), Nguyen Van Linh Street (section from Area A South Saigon intersection to National Highway 1).
Traffic sign indicating truck restrictions
Reasons for Tightening Truck Ban Hours
The number of trucks in Ho Chi Minh City has increased rapidly in recent years. Unrestricted operation within the city is a major cause of traffic congestion on many routes. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has introduced regulations to restrict truck operations during the day to reduce the load on the transportation system. This decision is also based on the previous request of the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to study a plan to ban small trucks from operating during the day and switch to operating at night on major corridors that are frequently congested.
Conclusion
The implementation of new truck ban hours in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to contribute to improving traffic conditions and reducing congestion, especially during peak hours. Residents and transportation businesses need to understand the new regulations to comply, avoid penalties, and contribute to building a safe and smooth transportation system.
