Traffic snarled key intersections of Hanoi on the last day of the Tet holiday as city folk began returning to work on February 24, or made the traditional good luck visit to temples around the city, with auto crashes and breakdowns blocking key lanes.
Nguyen Trai Road experienced congestion at several points, with construction of the elevated railway narrowing road lanes.
Le Ngoc Mai, a resident from Van Quan residential area in Ha Dong District, said, “I tried to leave my house early at 7:15am, hoping to beat the traffic, but I still didn't reach my office until 8:20am."
Traffic jams on February 24 morning
Le Van Luong Street was slowed to a crawl at crashes at several intersections from 7:30am, and the Xuan Thuy-Tran Thai Tong intersection was jammed from 7:10am. Chua Boc, Truong Chinh and Thai Ha streets also experienced traffic jams.
Work goers were not entirely to blame. Thousand of people headed for Tay Ho palace to pray for good luck in the New Year, and traffic was paralysed in roads in the precinct, car and scooter drivers weaving through side streets trying to find ways.
Nguyen Trai Road
Traffic accident due to the construction of the elevated railway
Nguyen Trai-Khuat Duy Tien intersection
Chaotic traffic
Le Van Luong Road
Some parked their scooters by the roadside to carry offerings on their heads while others made their prayers from a distance.
Overcrowding at roads leading to the West Lake palace
Ninh Quang Vi, 45, from Hoang Mai District, said, “I often go to West Lake palace in early New Year to pray for good luck of the whole year for my family and relatives. I also pray for peace and development for our country.”
West Lake palace honours the Lieu Hanh Princess, one of the Four Immortals of Thanism, and a leading figure in the mother goddess cult Dao Mau, said to govern the celestial realm.
