Capital's southern exits congested as people leave for Tet

Crowds of people have been leaving Hanoi for their hometown to celebrate the Lunar New Year, causing severe gridlock for streets in Hanoi’s southern gateway.

Crowds of people have been leaving Hanoi for their hometown to celebrate the Lunar New Year, causing severe gridlock for streets in Hanoi’s southern gateway.

Four days before Tet, Giai Phong Street saw serious traffic jams 

Many motorbike drivers had to go on pavements to avoid the congestion 

Cold and wet weather further challenged drivers 

Bulky vehicles leaving Hanoi

 

The road section in front of Nuoc Ngam Station

The city of 7.5 million has around seven million vehicles, with two million more coming in from other places. Severe traffic congestion during rush hour has long been a problem in Hanoi, particularly before Tet.