Hanoi struggles with traffic chaos as floodwaters persist on Wednesday morning

The travel situation in Hanoi remains challenging on Wednesday morning as the city grapples with lingering floodwaters, as water levels in many areas still 30–40 cm deep, leading to severe traffic congestion during the morning rush hour.

Residents continue to struggle with delayed commutes, while military and emergency services work to ensure the safe passage of vehicles and people through the affected areas.

At 8:30 a.m., vehicles lined up on Luong The Vinh Street in Thanh Xuan Ward, where the water reached over 20 cm. Motorcyclists struggled to make their way through the flooded streets, while some residents opted for forklifts to transport people and vehicles across Pham Tu Street, where water levels were reported to be nearly 40 cm deep.

Me Tri and Le Quang Dao streets experienced significant flooding by 7:50 a.m., causing heavy traffic jams as vehicles waded through the water. The flooding was particularly severe on Thang Long Boulevard, a major route connecting western Hanoi to the city center. The boulevard was severely congested around 7 a.m., with traffic crawling along the central lanes as vehicles attempted to navigate the flooded sections. The congestion stretched almost to the overpass, creating a bottleneck for commuters.

The Mai Dich Overpass, which connects several busy neighborhoods, also began to snarl around 7 a.m. due to flooding at the entrance of the interchange. Vehicles had to shift to the left lane to avoid the water. The area is home to a bus station, office buildings, and apartments, leading to a high volume of commuters. Water levels in some areas remained up to 30 cm deep, affecting the flow of traffic.

Flooding also persisted at My Dinh Bus Station and the nearby stadium, nearly half a meter deep in some parts. Military vehicles were deployed to assist residents and transport them through the floodwaters, particularly in the Phung Hung Street and Ha Dong Ward areas, where water levels remained high.