Hanoi pushes to eliminate remaining traffic bottlenecks and illegal sidewalk use

Hanoi’s city authorities have intensified efforts to clear traffic congestion and restore urban order. After six months of implementing Plan 383/KH‑UBND, police reported that 39 of 51 chronic bottleneck points have been resolved, achieving a 76 % success rate. The remaining twelve locations, described as especially difficult, involve construction barriers and traffic volumes that exceed current road capacity. Police chief Lieutenant General Nguyễn Thanh Tùng has ordered clear responsibility and deadlines for these sites.

Parallel to the bottleneck work, the city continues to combat illegal occupation of sidewalks and roadways in narrow alleys, where vendors and small businesses increasingly set up stalls, blocking pedestrian paths and endangering safety. While main streets have seen improved signage, reclaimed sidewalks and cleaner streets, the smaller lanes remain problematic.

To support traffic management, Hanoi has deployed a staged AI‑camera system, with the first phase of 1,837 cameras active since December 2025 and a second phase adding 2,460 cameras from July 2026, bringing the total to 4,297. Electronic traffic boards are also being installed to display real‑time congestion levels and guide drivers to alternative routes.