Hanoi gateways jammed as people return home for Tet

A swarm of vehicles have inundated several gateways of the capital as people seek to leave Hanoi and return to their hometowns for the seven-day Tet break starting on February 8.

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Roads leading to these routes out of the city are left congested as hordes of vehicles make the journey to return to their hometowns.

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Lines of cars and motorcycles can be seen slowly departing the capital.

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A long traffic jam can be seen on Giai Phong street at 4 p.m. on February 6, or the 27th day of the last lunar month.

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Traffic policemen must be on duty for the whole day as the Lunar New Year, known locally as Tet, fast approaches.

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Drivers take up to 30 minutes to escape the traffic built up in Linh Dam area before facing further congestion on the national highway.

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Motorbikes carrying with them personal belongings slowly make their way to these gateways to leave the city.

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With temperatures at around 18 degrees Celsius on the afternoon of February 6, people don warm clothes as they carry peach blossoms and kumquat trees, both of which are indispensable decorations during Tet in the north.

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A scene of traffic congestion is recorded on Thanh Nien street in Tay Ho district at 4:30 p.m. on February 6.

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Despite having to wait in standstill traffic on roads, many people are happy at the prospect of being able to return to their hometown to celebrate Tet.