Vietnam's HCM City-Long Thanh Expressway Gridlocked After Public Holiday

Vietnam's major transportation routes experienced severe congestion as many citizens returned to major cities, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, after the National Day holiday on September 2nd. The Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh Expressway was gridlocked with returning holidaymakers, causing extensive delays. This situation highlights the high demand for travel during public holidays in Vietnam and the need for infrastructure development. Under its one-party system, Vietnam has achieved remarkable economic growth in recent years. However, the concentration of population in urban areas and the resulting pressure on transportation infrastructure are consistently pointed out as a shadow of economic development. Particularly in the Ho Chi Minh City region, traffic congestion has become a daily challenge due to population growth and the advancement of industrialization. This congestion clearly illustrates the travel patterns of people during the National Day holiday, suggesting that the pace of infrastructure development is not keeping up with the acceleration of economic activity and urbanization. While Vietnam has strong economic ties with China, it also faces geopolitical tensions, such as those in the South China Sea. Domestically, the development of social infrastructure is an indispensable element for sustaining economic growth and ensuring the stability of people's lives.