The problem of cars parked on roadway across Vietnam cities

Every morning when I step outside my home in Hanoi, the first thing I see is a row of cars tightly parked, occupying almost half the street.

My street, which used to be peaceful, has become crowded and chaotic, especially during rush hour. Cars occupy half the road, motorcycles weave through limited space, and pedestrians are left without sidewalks.

During peak hours, my street becomes an "escape route" for drivers trying to avoid traffic jams. As a result, children cannot safely play outside, adults hesitate to go out, and the neighborhood's sense of security gradually fades away.

This is not an isolated issue. From small alleys to major streets, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, similar scenarios play out everywhere as private car ownership rapidly rises, while parking spaces remain as limited as during the subsidy era.

Many car owners "forget" to think about parking or find it inconvenient to park in distant parking lots, choosing instead to leave their cars illegally on the street, despite the risk of fines.

Cars are parked in designated spaces on a street in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Phong

According to regulations, cars face fines ranging from VND600,000 to VND1 million for parking violations. Yet, despite frequent ticketing and towing, the problem persists.

Fines alone have not proven effective because people often have no alternative. Parking lots are either too far from home, too expensive, or simply unavailable.

Car purchases do not require proof of parking space. Thus, tens of thousands of cars are left on the streets at night, temporarily, illegally, or carelessly.

To solve this parking crisis at its root, comprehensive and practical measures must be implemented. I can propose several things.

First, fully utilize existing space. Basements of buildings, apartments, and shopping centers could be made available to local residents after working hours. Unused spaces under bridges, stadiums, parks, and government offices could also be converted temporarily or permanently into parking lots. Implementing a "parking sharing" system via mobile apps, allowing residents to rent out private spaces such as yards or garages, can further ease pressure.

Second, build smart parking facilities. High-rise or underground smart parking facilities, similar to those in Japan or South Korea, offer large capacity in limited space. City planning authorities should prioritize dedicated parking zones as a key component of urban development.

Third, offer incentives to businesses developing parking facilities. Tax exemptions, low-interest loans, and reduced land rental fees should be provided to encourage businesses to build parking infrastructure.

Fourth, integrate technology and transparency. Urgently map public land, review transportation planning, and develop temporary and permanent parking solutions. Authorities can utilize technology and digital platforms to transparently display parking availability, capacity, and pricing in real time.

The fifth solution has to do with individual responsibility and awareness. Before buying a car, individuals should ask themselves: "Do I have somewhere to park?" If the answer is no, they should consider car-sharing, rental services, or public transportation. Current car owners must be responsible, parking respectfully and legally for the sake of the community, not just personal convenience.

When every car parked on the street resembles "a homeless child," cities inevitably descend into disorder and incivility. No modern city can thrive if sidewalks are occupied by parked vehicles, leaving pedestrians without pathways and children without safe play spaces.

Infrastructure, penalties, and public awareness must advance hand-in-hand. Without sufficient infrastructure, people have no choice but to park improperly. Strict penalties without providing adequate parking solutions solve nothing long-term. Raising public awareness is crucial to maintaining sustainable improvements.

Only when infrastructure, governance, and community consciousness align can we achieve streets free of illegal parking, smoother traffic flows, and genuinely civilized urban spaces.

Let's give people proper places to park before penalizing them for violations. Let's build infrastructure alongside public awareness. By starting from our own small streets, we can create cities that become more civilized, not because residents fear fines, but because they've embraced responsible behavior and no longer need to be fined.