A bridge along an essential route in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta became heavily gridlocked on Monday afternoon as the Lunar New Year holiday came to an end.

Many people were traveling back to Ho Chi Minh City on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, causing severe congestion at the Rach Mieu Bridge, a major bridge connecting Ben Tre and Tien Giang Provinces over the Tien (Front) River.

The situation forced the tollgates at both ends of the structure to shut down since 3:00 pm, as part of the effort to alleviate the traffic jam.

Congestion at the tollgate of Rach Mieu Bridge. Photo: Tuoi Tre

According to Ha Ngoc Nam, deputy director of the firm which developed the Rach Mieu Bridge project, the congestion was mainly brought about by the large number of vehicles coming from Ben Tre and Tra Vinh Provinces.

They were heading toward the other end of the bridge in Tien Giang Province as part of their journey to Ho Chi Minh City along National Highway 60, Nam continued.

Traffic police had to block vehicles traveling in the opposite direction at certain periods to ease the bottlenecks.

Toll collection at the toll station was ceased in order to alleviate the traffic jam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Despite the efforts, vehicles were stuck for about five kilometers at both ends of the bridge.

Another traffic jam also occurred at the Vam Cong Ferry Station, which provides transportation service between Dong Thap and An Giang Provinces across the Hau (Back) River, on Monday afternoon.

The gridlock lingered until the evening of the same day.

Many people head back to Ho Chi Minh City as the Lunar New Year ends. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Vehicles along the Ben Tre-Tien Giang direction are allowed to travel on both lanes of the bridge. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Vendors occupying roadways exacerbates the situation. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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