Tan Tuc traffic police, working with Binh Chanh Commune officers, set up checkpoints on key routes, signalling motorists to pull over for breath tests at 8 pm. Motorists were signalled to pull over for breath tests.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, deputy head of PC08, said citywide drink-driving inspections had been launched from 10 am on the first day of Tet under a plan issued by the national traffic police department.
At around 9 pm, officers stopped a 40-year-old motorcyclist in Binh Chanh Commune who tested 0.069 mg of alcohol per litre of breath, saying he had drunk two beers earlier and thought it had worn off.
He said he had consumed two cans of beer earlier in the day while visiting relatives and believed the alcohol would have cleared by evening.
Ten minutes later, another motorcyclist, aged 30, recorded 0.208 mg per litre of breath after drinking at a gathering earlier that afternoon.
Under current regulations, both face fines of 2.5 million dong (about USD 100), a four-point deduction on their driving licences and temporary seizure of their vehicles.
Tan Tuc traffic police continued patrolling key roads, strictly enforcing regulations to maintain order and safety during the New Year period.
From the first to third day of Tet, police handled 1,735 drink-driving cases, impounded the same number of vehicles, suspended 347 licences and deducted points in 539 cases, with most violations occurring between midday and midnight.
Drink-driving was most prevalent after New Year gatherings, mainly between 12 pm and midnight.
Police said they would also intensify checks on speeding, lane violations and overloading to curb traffic accidents during the holiday.
Authorities urged the public not to drive after drinking, advising the use of public transport or a sober driver to avoid accidents.