Hanoi's Vĩnh Tuy Bridge Grinds to a Halt Amid Heavy Rain and Construction

Hanoi experienced severe traffic congestion on the Vĩnh Tuy Bridge on the evening of July 31, as heavy rainfall combined with ongoing construction work beneath the bridge narrowed the roadway. From around 4:30 PM, intermittent heavy rain affected many areas of Hanoi. The downpour coincided with the end of the workday, causing significant gridlock on routes from Times City to Long Biên. At the intersection of Cổ Linh and Ring Road 2, the water level reached half the height of vehicle wheels, exacerbating the standstill. Thousands of vehicles, primarily cars, were backed up for kilometers, with some drivers exiting their cars to wait. One resident reported taking nearly an hour to cross the Vĩnh Tuy Bridge from his workplace in Ngã Tư Sở back to his home in Việt Hưng. Although the flooding at Cổ Linh had subsided by 8 PM, the reduced road width due to the tunnel construction at the Cổ Linh-Ring Road 2 intersection continued to cause difficulties for thousands of vehicles. Satellite roads, especially those leading to National Highway 5, were also heavily congested with cars and motorbikes. By 9:30 PM, vehicles were still queuing through the Cổ Linh intersection area, near Aeon Mall Long Biên. The heavy rainfall was attributed to a trough of low pressure affecting northern Vietnam, with Long Biên recording 115 mm of rain on the afternoon of July 31, and other areas like Gia Lâm receiving 71 mm. Hanoi's Hanoi Sewerage Company stated that the high intensity of rain in a short period exceeded the immediate drainage capacity in some low-lying areas, leading to localized flooding. However, most flooded areas cleared after the rain decreased and drainage pumps were continuously operated. The Vĩnh Tuy Bridge spans the Red River, connecting Vĩnh Tuy ward with Long Biên ward.