Traffic congestion is a driving reason for Ho Chi Minh City stalling in its efforts to bring in more foreign investment, according to HCMC police.
The city has been plagued by 56 large traffic jams so far this year, doubling the number of the same period last year, police said.
The number of traffic jams is in fact much higher if congestion during rush hours, or is caused by flooding and road works is included.
HCMC is home to an estimated 250 roadwork barricades blocking the streets, a primary driver of heavy congestion here.
During the first half of September alone, the city had seven major traffic jams, one of which lasted more than 7 hours.
Deputy chief of HCMC Traffic Police Office, Vo Van Van, said there are 113 hot spots listed as “most likely to have congestion” inside the city.
Van said the area for urban transportation in HCMC only makes up four to five percent of the total land, compared to the world standard of 10-20 percent, while more vehicles are licensed inside the city each day.
Meanwhile, environmental experts said the indexes of carbon dioxide, dust and other poisonous substances in HCMC have reached alarming levels.