Mr. Bui Phi Long, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Transportation Association, stated that around 10 years ago, Hanoi implemented a pilot program to adjust school and work hours. However, due to its limited scope and time frame, the initiative’s effectiveness was not fully realized, and its advantages remained unclear.
While supporting the proposal to stagger school and work hours, as suggested by Colonel Tran Dinh Nghia from the Hanoi Traffic Police during a seminar at the Department of Construction (October 21), Mr. Long emphasized the need for a comprehensive and well-structured plan.
Experts note that while the staggered hours proposal is not new, it could yield immediate results.
Mr. Long explained that between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM, students, office workers, and government employees all commute simultaneously. This high volume of traffic overwhelms the transportation system, leading to congestion.
To maximize the effectiveness of staggered hours, Mr. Long suggested allocating 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM for students and 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for workers. For the evening commute, he proposed extending the timeframe from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM instead of the current 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
“Implementing this adjustment would immediately reduce the number of people and vehicles on Hanoi’s roads by at least 30% to 50%. This has been evident during summer breaks when students are on vacation, and traffic in Hanoi tends to flow more smoothly,” said the Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Transportation Association.
Dr. Phan Le Binh, a lecturer at the Vietnam-Japan University (with extensive experience at Japan’s JICA), suggested that offering flexible work hours could help disperse traffic demand and alleviate congestion.
Citing Japan’s commuting practices, Dr. Binh noted that while students attend classes at fixed times, offices operate more flexibly. Some departments start work at the standard 9:00 AM, while others begin earlier or later, reducing overcrowding on trains during peak hours.
Comprehensive Solutions Needed to Tackle Traffic Congestion
Dr. Tran Huu Minh, Head of the Office of the National Traffic Safety Committee, remarked that staggering school and work hours is just one component of a broader strategy to reduce traffic congestion.
The Head of Hanoi’s Traffic Police confirmed that staggering school and work hours would significantly ease congestion.
Over the years, Hanoi has made considerable efforts to mitigate traffic jams, including subsidizing bus services, optimizing traffic management, adjusting school hours, and developing transportation management projects and urban rail systems. However, there is room for improvement.
Referring to “the most expensive roads on the planet,” Dr. Minh pointed out their inefficiency, with 90% of the budget allocated to land clearance. “Unfortunately, such projects only provide localized congestion relief, shifting the problem from one area to another without addressing the root cause.”
Instead of investing in these costly roads, Dr. Minh suggested that the city focus on completing ring roads, enhancing public transportation, segregating motorcycle lanes on suitable roads, and deploying camera systems for violation detection and automated fines.
Hanoi to Commence Construction of Two Underpasses on Ring Road 3 in Early 2026
The Hanoi People’s Committee has tasked relevant units with initiating preparatory steps for the construction of two underpasses at major intersections along the Ring Road 3, slated to commence in early 2026.
Upcoming 2026: Underground Tunnels Planned for Two Key Intersections on Ring Road 3
The Hanoi People’s Committee has directed relevant departments to prepare for the construction of underpasses at two critical intersections on Ring Road 3: Dương Đình Nghệ and the Tây Thăng Long axis. Slated to begin in early 2026, this initiative aims to alleviate severe traffic congestion and frequent vehicle conflicts caused by the high volume of traffic at these junctions.
Hanoi Installs 247 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Across Multiple Streets
Transerco, Hanoi’s leading transport corporation, has announced impressive results for the first nine months of the year. Their bus services have operated smoothly, transporting over 162 million passengers. Notably, the company has made significant strides in its green transition efforts, installing 247 charging stations across various locations and streets.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Hanoi’s $32 Million, 6-Lane Underpass at Notorious Traffic-Congested Intersection
The highly anticipated $32 million underpass project has officially broken ground, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion at the Co Linh – Vinh Tuy Bridge interchange. This significant infrastructure development is set to transform the daily commute for thousands of residents.
Appointing the CEO of Hanoi Metro
The Hanoi People’s Committee has officially appointed Mr. Le Bang An, a member of the Board of Directors at Vietnam Railways Corporation, as the new General Director of Hanoi Metro.
