The Hai Phong People’s Committee said trucks and cars with 4-7 seats will no longer be allowed to go to Cat Ba Island from April 30 to May 3, and during the weekends from May 6 to July 30, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
During the suspension period, people can travel to the island using ships, ferries and cable cars, and move around the island using public buses.
Cars can be parked for free at a parking lot near the Got ferry port.
On April 15, a bus route from the Cai Vieng ferry port to Cat Ba Town started operation. Every day, Cat Ba sees 40 bus rides in and out of the area.
Hoang Trung Cuong, deputy chairman of Cat Hai District, said the new bus route was intended to reduce congestion at the Got-Cai Vieng ferry port.
For several years, the port area has frequently been congested due to the high number of tourists during the holidays and the weekends. Peak periods may see around 10,000 vehicles, including 1,300 cars, using the ferry each day.
Since 2018, Hai Phong has restricted car access to the ferry during peak periods to reduce congestion.