CaliToday (30/12/2025): Vietnam’s southern transport landscape is set for a significant upgrade this week. As Ho Chi Minh City prepares to inaugurate a critical flyover branch at its busiest southern intersection, authorities on the neighboring National Highway 51 are finally moving to dismantle obsolete toll stations that have hindered traffic for years.
Easing the Southern Bottleneck In a major development for Ho Chi Minh City’s urban traffic, the Project Management Board for Traffic Works is finalizing preparations to open the "C-shaped" branch of the Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho interchange.
Known as the city’s largest intersection, this area has long been a notorious choke point connecting the city center with District 7 and the Hiep Phuoc Port urban area. The new C-branch is designed specifically to allow vehicles to turn left from Nguyen Huu Tho onto Nguyen Van Linh without clashing with opposing traffic.
The timing of the opening is strategic, aiming to alleviate gridlock just ahead of the New Year holiday rush. "This overpass is not just about concrete; it is about unblocking the economic artery of the South," a project representative stated. Once operational, the structure is expected to reduce congestion by approximately 30% during peak hours, separating heavy container trucks from motorbike traffic.
Clearing Obstacles on National Highway 51 Simultaneously, the Ministry of Transport has issued a directive to dismantle the physical structures of toll plazas on National Highway 51, a vital route connecting Dong Nai province and Ba Ria - Vung Tau.
Although toll collection at these stations ceased years ago upon the expiration of their financial contracts, the physical booths remained standing. These "ghost stations" have deteriorated into safety hazards, narrowing the roadway and causing numerous accidents in low-visibility conditions.
The demolition order aims to restore the highway's full width and aesthetics. "Removing these barriers is overdue," said a local transport official. "It returns the road to the drivers, ensuring a safer and smoother journey for the millions of tourists heading to Vung Tau beaches this coming spring."
These twin developments signal a concerted effort by Vietnamese authorities to modernize infrastructure and eliminate historical inefficiencies as the country moves into 2026.