With the Lunar New Year Festival approaching fast, Ha Noi traffic has been facing increasing congestion in recent days, giving rise to stress among drivers and adding to the pollution.

Traffic jams in Thai Ha-Chua Boc conjunction. — Photo dantri.com.vn

Many roads in Ha Noi have become extremely overcrowded with cars, taxis and motorcycles combined with a huge influx of shoppers and business people leading to a gridlock several times a day.

Traffic congestion in the past three days has occurred even outside rush hours in streets of Thai Ha, Chua Boc, Nguyen Luong Bang, and Ton That Tung, in addition to Truong Chinh, Cat Linh and Giang Vo, among others.

Vehicles have slowed to a crawl as they try to find their way through the smoky air with some even taking to driving along the pavement, putting the lives of pedestrians at risk.

Despite all the efforts from the traffic police, the situation seems to have spiralled out of control at many junctions. 

VNS