The Department of Construction is preparing to seek feedback from relevant agencies on a draft regulation outlining the operating times and scope for certain vehicle types. Under this proposal, cargo vehicles, specialized vehicles, prime movers, and trailers with a payload up to one ton would be prohibited from the inner city during two peak periods: 6h-9h and 16h-20h. For vehicles exceeding one ton, the restriction period would extend from 6h to 22h.
Compared to current regulations, the new draft lowers the control threshold from 2,5 tons to one ton, meaning more transport vehicles will face tighter operational restrictions.
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Small trucks, along with cars and motorbikes, in a traffic jam on Chau Van Liem Street, former District 5, in 2025. *Photo: Quynh Tran* |
The proposed inner-city scope is expected to be within the belt formed by the routes Do Muoi - Le Duc Anh - Le Kha Phieu (former National Highway 1) - Nguyen Van Linh - Phu My Bridge - Vo Chi Cong - Dong Van Cong - Mai Chi Tho - Vo Nguyen Giap - Ha Noi Highway.
Vehicles will still be permitted to operate on the belt corridor but will face restrictions when entering the inner area during specified hours, with exceptions for special cases such as vehicles providing electricity, water, medical services, infrastructure repair, and postal services.
The draft also proposes prohibiting passenger vehicles with more than 29 seats from the inner city between 6h and 22h. However, they will still be allowed to operate on specific routes connecting inter-provincial bus stations, such as Kinh Duong Vuong and National Highway 13.
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The belt of roads surrounding Ho Chi Minh City's inner city. *Graphics: Hoang Dung* |
Three-wheeled vehicles and rudimentary vehicles are also proposed to be banned from the inner city, except for special cases. Meanwhile, priority vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, police vehicles, rescue vehicles, and funeral vehicles, along with certain pickup models and light cargo vans under 950 kg, are not subject to these regulations.
In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City has continuously increased restrictions on trucks and large passenger vehicles entering the city center to reduce traffic congestion and accidents. In addition to limiting heavy trucks during the day, since 2023, the city has also banned sleeper buses from the inner city between 6h and 22h. If approved, the new regulation will further restrict the operating scope of goods transport vehicles within the urban area.
Giang Anh
