Midday on 4/2, traffic surged at the rest stop on the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway, heading towards Nha Trang. This increase was due to people from southern provinces traveling to the Central and Northern regions for Tet.

At the Xuan Que commune rest stop, many drivers were surprised to find the gas station temporarily closed. Nam, 38, a truck driver who had just transported goods from Phan Thiet to Ho Chi Minh City, said he stopped to refuel as his tank was nearly empty but could not be served.

Nam being directed by staff to the nearest interchange for refueling while traveling to Phan Thiet midday on 4/2. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

"Staff informed us of the closure, leaving us no choice but to exit at the nearest interchange to refuel and then return to the expressway," Nam said, expressing concern that the closed gas station would confuse drivers, disrupt their journeys, and cause inconvenience.

Similarly, Hong, driving a family car, pulled into the rest stop for fuel and was dismayed to learn the gas station had stopped selling. She was transporting three people from Ho Chi Minh City to her hometown for Tet, planning to rest and then fill up before continuing.

"My car only has enough fuel to reach Phan Thiet, so I'll have to turn off at an interchange to refuel before I can continue my journey," Hong stated.

The Ho Chi Minh City – Dau Giay expressway, 55 km long, sees an average of 60,000–70,000 vehicles daily. It is one of five expressways connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang and is considered a vital route. However, currently, only the Ho Chi Minh City – Dau Giay section has a rest stop with gas stations, a joint investment between Vietnam Expressway Development Investment Corporation (VEC), Thai Son E&C Joint Stock Company, and Chau Thanh Petroleum Trading and Service Co. Ltd.

During operation, disputes arose between the parties, leading to litigation. On 8/12/2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Region 1 People's Court applied a temporary emergency measure, ordering the preservation of the assets' status quo at the rest stop until a ruling is made. Consequently, the two gas stations there have not met the conditions for retail license renewal and have been temporarily closed for over 10 days.

The store is barricaded and temporarily closed. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

According to many drivers, information about the gas station's temporary closure at the rest stop had been shared on social media groups for about a week, allowing some to refuel proactively before entering the expressway. However, many were still unaware and continued to pull into the station asking for fuel.

Staff members are present to explain the situation and direct drivers to the nearest National Highway 56 interchange for refueling. "In some cases, vehicles didn't have enough fuel to reach the interchange, so we had to help them buy temporary retail fuel," said Ho Van Quy, a gas station employee at the Ho Chi Minh City – Dau Giay expressway rest stop.

A representative of the store's management unit proposed that authorities consider granting a temporary license during the peak Tet holiday period to meet public travel needs and ensure essential fuel supply on the expressway.

Two days prior, the Dong Nai Department of Industry and Trade sent a document to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, requesting support for fuel supply solutions for this special situation on the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway.

Two rest stops on the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

According to the department, the simultaneous closure of the two gas stations at the rest stop has disrupted the entire route's fuel supply, posing potential traffic safety risks. As VEC and related departments have not found a suitable solution, the Dong Nai Department of Industry and Trade recommended that the Ministry of Industry and Trade provide guidance and support for VEC to organize temporary fuel supply while awaiting the court's decision.

In response to the proposal, the Domestic Market Management and Development Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) stated it does not have the authority to issue or extend retail gas station licenses. The department advised the Dong Nai Department of Industry and Trade to report to the provincial People's Committee for consideration and decision according to regulations.

If necessary, Dong Nai could coordinate with the provincial People's Committees and Departments of Industry and Trade in neighboring localities to supplement fuel supply at stations near the Ho Chi Minh City – Dau Giay expressway. Additionally, the department should coordinate with VEC to increase early warnings and widely publicize the closure of the two stations so drivers can refuel proactively before entering the expressway.

The agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade also urged the involved parties to cooperate with the court to quickly resolve the civil dispute, facilitating the early resumption of operations for the gas stations at the rest stop.

Currently, the expressway from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang only has a gas station at the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay section's rest stop. Graphics: Dang Hieu

Phuoc Tuan