Hundreds of motorcyclists taking shelter from the rain inside the Saigon River Tunnel in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday evening were surprised to receive free rain ponchos from traffic police.

The free ponchos were part of the local Youth Union’s scheme to help prevent traffic congestion caused by commuters stopping to avoid the rain inside the tunnel.

“I was waiting inside the tunnel for the rain to stop when a traffic police officer came up to me and handed me a rain poncho,” said Truong Van Huan, who was heading from District 2 to District 1 when the rain came. 

“I was surprised and delighted to see police officers caring about the people.”

According to the tunnel’s management, thousands of rain ponchos are available at the tunnel to supply commuters in need at any time of the day.

The free ponchos are part of an initiative by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union aimed at tackling the problem of people stopping inside the tunnel when rain hits, causing traffic congestion and increasing the risk of accidents.

In just one hour on Tuesday night, hundreds of the ponchos were handed out to motorcyclists so they could continue their journey.

“We try our best to help commuters get home safe and dry,” said Senior Lieutenant Tran Tuan Anh, an officer from the District 1 Traffic Police division.

“We will continue the activity throughout the rainy season.”