Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City are considering limiting the number of mini trucks allowed in downtown areas.

The municipal People’s Committee has tasked the Department of Transport with planning the ban of mini trucks from the city center during the day.

The applicable areas are roads within the boundary formed by Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ton Duc Thang, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Thi Nghia, and Cach Mang Thang 8 Streets.

According to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on October 1, many trucks weighing less than 2.5 metric tons currently travel on these streets.

Most of the vehicles were carrying frozen foods, building materials, vegetables, and other types of consumer goods.

Aside from downtown areas, Ngo Hai Duong, head of the Road Infrastructure Management and Exploitation Division under the transport department, is also mulling over similar prohibitions on streets close to Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

A map showing the area where mini trucks are to be banned during the day. Photo: Tuoi Tre

To prevent major impacts on the supply of merchandise to residents living in the areas affected by the plan, mini trucks carrying certain types of goods will be granted a license to travel.

Nguyen Huu Dat, one mini truck driver, said that he had to deliver products to many customers on a daily basis, and banning the vehicle during the day would significantly affect his job.

Most of Dat’s clients, namely supermarkets, convenience stores, and electronics shops, require their goods shipped during the day, not at night, he stated.

Dat suggested that delivery trucks be allowed to travel during specific times from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm for example, to ensure the operation of local business.

As per current regulations, trucks weighing over 2.5 metric tons are not allowed to travel on most streets in the inner city between 6:00 am and midnight.

Mini trucks, weighing less than 2.5 metric tons, are banned from restricted areas during rush hours, from 6:00 am to 8:00 am and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

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