Prime Minister orders nationwide traffic safety crackdown ahead Tet travel surge

THE HANOI TIMES — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered ministries and local authorities to step up traffic safety and transport management nationwide during Tet, Vietnam’s Lunar New Year and the 2026 spring festival season, as the country braces for a sharp surge in holiday travel.

The directive aims to curb traffic accidents, reduce congestion and ensure smooth movement of people and goods during the peak travel period, traditionally the busiest of the year in Vietnam.

Under the order, the Ministry of Construction was tasked with tightening oversight of passenger and freight transport services, improving vehicle safety standards and ensuring adequate ticket supply for road, rail and air travel to meet public demand.

Accident- and congestion-prone sections of major national highways will be closely monitored, with enhanced inspection of passenger buses and cargo vehicles.

Major gateways, including Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai international airports, are required to apply stricter safety and traffic management measures during the festival period.

The Ministry of Public Security was directed to step up patrols, strictly handle traffic violations and reinforce forces to ensure security and public order, while swiftly preventing illegal street racing and other disruptive acts.

Authorities were instructed to prevent transport shortages during Tet, ensure smooth travel for people returning home and strictly curb fare gouging and unlawful price hikes.

Uninterrupted goods circulation before, during and after Tet was emphasized, particularly to remote, mountainous, ethnic minority, border and island areas.

Proactive measures were required to reduce traffic accidents and congestion during peak travel periods, alongside close coordination with health agencies to implement border health quarantine in line with regulations.

The health sector was told to mobilize personnel, equipment and medical supplies to respond promptly to traffic accidents.

The prime minister also called for stronger public communication, including the public disclosure of traffic safety hotlines to receive and address public feedback during the holiday.

Firefighting forces were instructed to refine response plans and remain on high alert to minimize damage from fires and explosions.

Ministries and localities will submit traffic safety and order reports covering the nine-day holiday from February 14 to the National Traffic Safety Committee, which will consolidate and report to the prime minister.