On May 4, 2025, traffic in Ho Chi Minh City was surprisingly smooth on the last day of the April 30 - May 1 holiday, defying earlier predictions of congestion. Reports from the An Phu intersection in the eastern part of the city indicated that traffic was clear for most of the afternoon, with no prolonged congestion observed.
Many residents had proactively returned to Ho Chi Minh City on the afternoon and evening of May 3, helping to alleviate traffic pressure. The presence of traffic police, who were on duty to regulate the flow, contributed to the smooth conditions in the area. According to the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Traffic Management and Operations Center, traffic began to increase after 5 PM, particularly on the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong Expressway near the Cho Dem toll station and the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway from Ba Dat Bridge to the An Phu intersection. While vehicles moved slowly in these areas, no significant congestion was reported.
In Hanoi, the situation mirrored that of Ho Chi Minh City. On the same day, the gateways to the South of Hanoi experienced a similarly smooth traffic flow. Contrary to expectations of severe congestion, roads were clear and vehicles moved easily in the afternoon. Reports indicated that between 4 PM and 5 PM, traffic at the end of the Phap Van - Cau Gie expressway through Thanh Tri district was sparse, a stark contrast to the congestion seen the previous day.
The National Highway 1B - Do Muoi intersection in Hoang Mai district also reported no congestion, according to Road Traffic Police Team No. 14. They noted that the traffic volume on the last day of the holiday was significantly lower than the same period last year. This reduction in traffic was attributed to early returns by residents and effective traffic management by authorities, who organized diversions to ease pressure on the gateways.
By around 6 PM, while there were more motorbikes than usual on National Highway 1A heading towards the city center, the situation remained manageable with no congestion. Even the ring road, which is typically prone to traffic jams during peak hours, was clear on the afternoon of May 4.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, air transport operations also saw impressive growth, with double-digit increases during the holiday period. This spike in air travel reflects an overall trend of increased mobility among the population during the holiday.
During the five-day holiday from April 30 to May 4, 2025, various cultural, artistic, entertainment, and culinary activities took place, meeting community needs and leaving a lasting impression on tourists. The tourism industry estimated that approximately 10.5 million visitors were served during this holiday period, marking a 31.2% increase compared to the same time in 2024.
As the holiday came to a close, updates on sports events were also highlighted. On May 5, 2025, there were scheduled football matches, with updates on domestic and international fixtures being provided.
Overall, the traffic situation during the holiday period was a pleasant surprise for many, as authorities successfully managed to keep the flow smooth and safe. Authorities encouraged residents to be proactive with their travel plans, adhere to lane regulations, and follow guidelines to ensure safety and avoid congestion.
The successful management of traffic during this holiday period serves as a model for future events, demonstrating the effectiveness of early returns and strategic traffic regulation. As the nation continues to recover from the pandemic and citizens engage more in travel and leisure activities, the experiences from this holiday offer valuable insights for managing increased mobility in the future.
