Gridlock conditions began to form along Phu My Bridge, which crosses the Saigon River and connects District 2 and District 7, by around 9:00 am on Monday and persisted until 11:00 pm that night.

According to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters' observations, hundreds of trucks and cars were bumper to bumper and moving at a very slow pace.

A driver reacts to the congestion on Phu My Bridge in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Lines of vehicles formed at the foot of the bridge and snaked all the way back to the My Thuyroundabout near the entrance to the Cat Lai ferry wharf in District 2.

Many drivers, exhausted and frustrated by the hours-long congestion, sat on the median strip or on the roofs of their vehicles.

“We arrived at Phu My Bridge at 1:00 pm. It took us five hours to reach the tollgate on the other side,” said Huynh Van Nghia, a truck driver heading to the south-central province of Binh Thuan to receive goods.

A truck driver buys snacks from a vendor while being stuck in the traffic jam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Meanwhile, Khue, a seasoned driver, was unsurprised, explaining that the route is notorious for traffic jams.

“Some days I won’t make it home until midnight because of congestion on the bridge. I cannot take a detour at Thu Thiem Tunnel as I drive a five-ton truck,” he added.

Traffic police officers were helpless to prevent the severe bottleneck.

Vendors took the opportunity to sell snacks and drinks to the drivers.

A driver gets out of his vehicle to check the traffic jam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Frustrated drivers sit on the median strip. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A man drives his motorbike through the gridlock to sell his wares. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The gridlock continued into the evening. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A driver stands on the roof of his truck. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A vendor rides his motorcycle in the middle of the congested bridge. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Tipper trucks travel in the motorcycle lane to avoid the congestion. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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