From 4 p.m., the western gateway to Ho Chi Minh City on National Highway 1 became crowded with vehicles pouring in from the Mekong Delta provinces. The line of vehicles stretched from the Binh Thuan overpass to the Nguyen Huu Tri intersection, with cars and buses moving slowly, and traffic jams occurring in several sections.

Motorcycles weaved between cars or drove onto the sidewalks to navigate the congestion.

As evening approached, the number of people returning to Ho Chi Minh City for work and study increased, causing a roughly 2 km stretch of National Highway 1 through the former Binh Chanh district to become gridlocked. Authorities implemented traffic management measures and adjusted traffic signal timings to alleviate the congestion.

Many people returning to Ho Chi Minh City by motorbike after the 2/9 holiday carried large amounts of belongings. Children appeared tired after the long journey in the sweltering heat.

Also this afternoon, thousands of motorbikes and cars returned to Ho Chi Minh City and the eastern region from the Mekong Delta provinces after the holiday, causing a surge in traffic on National Highway 1 and the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway.

The photo shows the chaotic scene at the intersection connecting the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong Expressway with National Highway 62 in Khanh Hau ward, Tay Ninh province.

On the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong Expressway heading towards Ho Chi Minh City, heavy traffic caused kilometers-long backups. Traffic police directed vehicles to National Highway 1 to ease the congestion.

Reporting team