12 killed in traffic crashes on first day of holiday in Vietnam
A total of 12 people were killed and seven other were wounded in traffic accidents across Vietnam on April 28, the first day of the four-day holiday marking the Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labor Day (May 1).
Traffic police officers dealt with more than 8,500 traffic violations in this day alone, issuing fines worth a combined VND6.4 billion (US$281,600) and revoking 371 driver’s licenses.
Waterway police units also discovered 302 offenses and collected fines worth a total of VND100 million (US$4,400).
Due to the high demand for transportation during the holiday, major bus stations in Hanoi including My Dinh, Giap Bat, and Nuoc Ngam were overcrowded on April 28, while passengers had to wait long hours to be able to get into their buses.
Journeys from the capital to the northern provinces of Nam Dinh, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh and the north-central Thanh Hoa Province were among the trips that had the highest number of travelers.
Traffic jams occurred along streets at entrances to Hanoi, including Truong Chinh, Giai Phong, Pham Van Dong, Pham Hung, Khuat Duy Tien, and Ring Road 3.
Meanwhile, in Ho Chi Minh City people also rushed to the Mien Dong (Eastern) and Mien Tay (Western) Bus Stations to buy tickets to their hometowns or travel destinations.
A majority of travelers were heading to the beach cities of Vung Tau and Phan Thiet, as well as Da Lat in the Central Highlands.
Congestion was also recorded on streets nearby the two bus stations.
Nearly 40 reports regarding overcharging and traffic gridlocks were made via the hotline of the National Committee for Traffic Safety within April 28.