The surge of traffic deaths in Ho Chi Minh City is linked to how drivers stop and park their vehicles. Understanding this link helps explain why road safety is worsening despite recent investments in infrastructure.

Ho Chi Minh City recorded 106 traffic accidents linked to improper stopping and parking between January and October. Those crashes caused 62 deaths and injured 45 people.

The city now has about 13.3 million vehicles, of which more than 1.5 million are cars. The remaining vehicles are motorcycles and other transport types.

Rapid growth in private vehicles has outpaced the development of roads and parking areas. As a result, existing facilities struggle to handle traffic flow, stopping and parking, increasing the risk of illegal parking and fatal accidents.

The data show that illegal parking and improper stopping are major contributors to the high death toll in Ho Chi Minh City. Addressing the mismatch between vehicle numbers and road capacity is essential to improve safety.