Traffic networks are a key component of a country’s infrastructure and play an important role in socio-economic development, but building and maintaining these links is a difficult and ongoing task. The cost of a quality traffic network is huge, and traffic planners must have a strategic vision and adopt clear plans in both the short and long terms. 

The inadequate nature of transport networks in Vietnam’s major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are clear to see and feature regularly in the local media. According to Mr Jan Mucke, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Urban Development in Germany, Hanoi’s problematic traffic is caused primarily by increasing urbanisation, too many motorbikes and inadequate transport infrastructure. “The inner city roads are not sufficiently prepared for the traffic growth that goes along with rapid economic development,” he said. “Settlements that have grown over centuries do not provide sufficient space for new and wider roads.” 

Unfortunately, the consequences of having an inadequate transport network will be felt in terms of economic development. In Vietnam, especially in Hanoi, traffic is a controversial issue for policymakers and solutions are not easily identifiable. Mr Hirokazu Yamaoka, Chief Representative of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), said the problems are almost unavoidable for a developing country like Vietnam, as “history tells us that every developing country faces traffic problems in the process of developing its economy.”

Hanoi authorities recognise the problems and consider road infrastructure as a potential investment opportunity for local and foreign investors. A range of transport projects (belt roads, urban railways, trams, etc.) have been approved in the capital, but many are simply quick fix solutions.

Moreover, construction progress tends to be quite slow and at times projects fail to meet the quality criteria and begin to degrade as soon as they’re completed. For example, the Thang Long Highway, considered the most modern stretch of road in Vietnam, at a length of over 29km and one of the key projects completed to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi, was already showing signs of degradation early this year. The asphalt has cracked in many parts and pot holes are all too common. 

Construction progress, or lack thereof, has become an issue. The building of the Nhat Tan Bridge, a road linking the bridge with Noi Bai Airport, and the Hanoi urban railway project were initially scheduled for completion in 2015 but were later pushed back to 2016. Bidding packages have been delayed by as long as two years. According to Mr Yamaoka, the delays are mostly the result of capital shortages and problems with site clearance. 

According to a senior official at the Ministry of Transport, construction progress in 12 out of 13 key transport projects, including eight road projects, one aviation infrastructure project, two highway projects, and one elevated highway project, have fallen way behind schedule due to a lack of space. These projects are very much needed to address the city’s traffic problems, especially the project connecting Nhat Tan Bridge and Noi Bai Airport and the Cat Linh - Ha Dong No 2 urban railway line.

With many infrastructure projects falling behind schedule, Hanoi authorities and the Ministry of Transport have introduced other measures such as blocking intersections and dividing roads, etc. Mr Yamaoka said that such traffic controls are effective to some extent.

Controlling traffic has proven successful in other countries, “but it is not the fundamental solution to addressing traffic problems,” he said. He believes that Hanoi should improve its public transport system, like buses and urban railways. “Public transport is an alternative to private transport and will contribute to fixing the traffic mess,” he said.

Mr Mucke said that in recent years Germany has not only promoted large-scale projects in major cities but also many smaller projects in rural areas. “I believe that we have to improve living conditions in rural areas if we want to reduce rural depopulation,” he explained.

In order to achieve these aims and ease urbanisation pressures, the transport sector must make a contribution. If there is good transport infrastructure and enough jobs in rural areas, people will be less tempted to migrate to large cities.

Nevertheless, investment has to be made in urban infrastructure, and short- and medium-term projects are needed in addition to long-term projects. 

Trams are experiencing something of a renaissance in European transport networks. “Why shouldn’t this also be the case in Hanoi?” Mr Mucke asked. “It is easily adaptable to existing structures and can even fit in the small streets of the Old Quarter.

If it was combined with the development of pedestrian precincts and cycling paths, it would considerably increase the city centre’s attractiveness and amenity value, provided that necessary restrictions on motorised private transport are also implemented, observed and monitored.” 

Besides the above measures, the Hanoi Department of Transport has also approved a fund of over $7 billion to build infrastructure and expand roads from now to 2015. The city aims to invest in infrastructure to connect satellite towns to the central area, easing population density, build new rural areas, diversify public transport, reduce private vehicle use and invest in building additional transport works to reduce traffic congestion in urban areas.

But having a good traffic system takes time, and Mr Mucke believes that construction and maintenance of existing infrastructure is a task that never ends. Hanoi is Vietnam’s cultural, political and social centre and for this reason the government should use the city as an example to show that it is able to master the enormous challenges facing the transport sector.

In the years to come, he said, tens of billions of euros will be needed to implement the measures planned for Hanoi and if the general conditions are right, the international community and particularly Germany would be very happy to assist Vietnam with this daunting task, including support in organisational and management matters. “Sometimes improved traffic management is more important than a new road,” he said. “When I visited the urban development museum I saw some very impressive plans for Hanoi’s transport in the future. What’s important now is that these plans be implemented as soon as possible.”