CaliToday (27/12/2025): The "Great Escape" for the 2026 New Year holiday has officially kicked off earlier than expected. This Saturday morning, main gateways connecting Vietnam’s two largest metropolises to the provinces are witnessing severe congestion as thousands of citizens rush to leave the cities.
1. Hanoi: A "Sea of Red Lights" in the Cold Rain
Despite the biting cold and light drizzle sweeping through Northern Vietnam this morning, the volume of vehicles leaving the capital has skyrocketed since 7:00 AM.
- The Hotspot: The Phap Van - Cau Gie Expressway (the southern gateway) is currently the biggest choke point. A stream of cars stretching for kilometers is moving at a snail's pace.
- The Scene: Traffic police have been deployed at key intersections like the Ring Road 3 ramp to regulate flow, but the sheer density of vehicles makes dispersal difficult.
- Observations: Many families are choosing to leave this weekend (Dec 27-28) to avoid the peak rush on December 31st, inadvertently creating an early gridlock.
2. Ho Chi Minh City: The Struggle to Reach the West
In contrast to the cold in the North, the atmosphere at the western gateways of Ho Chi Minh City is heating up, both literally and figuratively.
- Highway 1A Gridlock: The section of National Highway 1A leading towards the Mekong Delta provinces (Long An, Tien Giang) is packed with motorbikes.
- Visuals: It is a familiar yet chaotic sight: motorbikes laden with luggage and Tet gifts weaving through buses and container trucks. The Binh Chanh District area is reporting local congestion, forcing vehicles to move inch by inch.
- Ring Road Issues: Routes connecting to the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong Expressway are also experiencing heavy traffic as personal cars flood out of the city center.
3. Why the Early Rush?
Although the official New Year holiday spans 4 days from January 1st to January 4th, 2026, many workers and students have combined their annual leave with this weekend to create a longer break. This shift in behavior has spread the traffic pressure out, but Saturday morning remains a critical peak time.
4. Travel Advisory for Expats and Tourists
If you are planning to travel out of Hanoi or HCMC today, please note:
- Check Navigation Apps: Use Google Maps or local traffic apps to check for "red zones" before driving.
- Consider Alternative Routes: For HCMC, consider using the N2 route through Long An to avoid Highway 1A. For Hanoi, old National Road 1A might be a slower but moving alternative to the jammed expressway.
- Drive Safely: Maintain a safe distance. The mix of cold rain in the North and heavy motorbike density in the South requires high alertness.