Traffic jams are hindering the economic development of Ho Chi Minh City –the country’s largest commercial hub– and of the whole country, said a high-ranking government official.

The remark was made by Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai in a meeting with local leaders on December 28 in an effort to ease the burning issue in the city where the total number of registered vehicles topped 4.4 million.

The current traffic congestion is not only a problem of HCM city but also an issue concerning the whole nation, Hai stressed while instructing the city’s leaders to consider researching and working with ministries and branches to put forward new initiatives and solutions to the issue.

He suggested the city enhance the local people’s awareness, strengthen traffic inspection and management work, speed up transport infrastructure development projects and improve the city’s bus service.

According to the municipal Department of Transport and Communications, there were 69 serious traffic congestions in the months to December this year, up 25 in comparison with the same period last year./.