Severe Traffic Jam After Motorcycle Ban at Expressway Ramp in Ho Chi Minh City

On the morning of June 9, severe congestion occurred at the An Phu intersection in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Thousands of vehicles, especially motorcycles, were trapped in gridlock following the enforcement of a new policy banning motorcycles from entering the ramp to the HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway.

While the policy aims to enhance traffic safety by reducing motorcycle accidents on the expressway, it appears to have been implemented without sufficient preparation. No viable alternate routes were provided, causing motorcycles to flood nearby streets like Do Xuan Hop, Nguyen Thi Dinh, and the expressway frontage road—already notorious for congestion.

The result was chaos. Commutes were prolonged, tempers flared, and citizens expressed frustration over what felt like a poorly planned change.

To make matters worse, a container truck broke down on Long Thanh Bridge that same morning—one of the narrowest, most heavily used sections of the expressway. The incident caused complete paralysis of traffic heading to the southeastern provinces.

Though traffic authorities responded quickly to tow the vehicle away, the aftermath led to hours-long congestion that affected thousands.

The incident exposes a bigger issue: banning motorcycles without systemic improvements is unsustainable. Ho Chi Minh City needs long-term, integrated planning, including:

• Expanding public transport (bus rapid transit, metro)

• Building alternate feeder roads and ramps

• Widening existing roads and improving road quality

Only by doing so can the city realistically reduce its dependence on motorcycles, which remain a primary mode of transport for most residents.

Traffic jams are often made worse by reckless driving. Many riders ignore rules—riding on sidewalks, going the wrong way, or blocking intersections. Stronger enforcement is needed, as well as campaigns to improve traffic culture.

Moreover, real-time traffic updates should be more accessible to commuters to avoid surprise road closures or detours.

This incident serves as a reminder: quick fixes like banning vehicles cannot solve deeper issues. Sustainable urban mobility requires a combination of physical infrastructure, public education, and smart governance.

Without addressing all three pillars, Ho Chi Minh City will continue to struggle with its ever-growing traffic problem.