TRAFFIC IN VIET NAM Like many economic activities that are intensive in infrastructures, the transport sector is an important

component of the economic development and the welfare (phc li) of populations. When transport systems are efficient, they provide economic and social opportunities and benefits that result in positive multipliers effects such as better accessibility to markets, employment and additional investments. Efficient transportation reduces costs, while inefficient transportation increases costs. The transport sector has contributed positively to the economic growth of Vietnam over the past decade and has helped reduce poverty directly through better linkages to markets, education and health facilities and indirectly through its contribution to growth. This is evidence from surveys indicating that investment location in northern Vietnam, for example, was heavily influenced by transport improvements. The impact on poverty reduction is reflected in studies showing that investing 1 percent of provincial GDP in transport infrastructure could reduce poverty by 0.5-1.0 percent and that an investment of US$50 million in transport in the 15 poorest provinces could reduce poverty by 6-7 percent. Nevertheless, the transport sector faces several challenges such as the high traffic accident rates, roads in bad condition, traffic jam. Other impediments reside in the sectors policy, planning, budgeting, regulatory, and implementation frameworks. 1. ROAD The road network in Vietnam is 210,000 km, of which 17,300 km are national roads(from national road 1 -100), 17,450 km are provincial roads, 36,400 km are district roads, and 7,000 km are urban roads. The remaining 131,500 km are rural roads. The road network is relatively limited and opportunities to increase road capacity in the urban areas is limited. Both the country's major cities would face serious congestion problems if private auto ownership and use continues to grow in conjunction with currently forecast rates of economic growth. 2. MEANS OF TRANSPORT ( VEHICLES) Motorcycles are presently the primary mode of transport in the major Vietnamese cities. In both Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, motorcycles account for 65 percent of vehicular trips (34 MILLION UNITS), with bicycles accounting for another 20 percent. Automobiles account for less than 8 percent of trips in both cities and ownership is relatively low though growing rapidly.The number of registered automobiles is about 1.5 million. Buses account for about 7 percent of vehicular trips in Hanoi.

3. TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS Traffic accidents have increased by the day, with almost 30 reported fatal motor crashes every day in Vietnam. According to the statistics presented by the National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC) in 2012 , the country reported 13.476 traffic accidents that killed 11.325 people and injured 10.362. On an average, the country was reporting 30 deaths each day. There are many reasons explaining for traffic accidents in Viet Nam: drunk-driving, violating speed limits, not wearing helmets, roads in bad condition. 4. CONGESTION ( Traffic Jam) Congestion ( Traffic jam) is not only unique in Vietnam. Its occurs in the developed countries such as Japan, China, England, Germany, the Netherlands and the developing countries such as Thailand, Brazil and the Philippines, Viet Nam. On average, Vietnam has more than 100 serious congestion affair and over thousands of traffic jam. Hanoi and HCM have the biggest number of congestion affair in Vietnam. Congestion occurs at peak/ rush hours : 7 am - 9 am, 5h30 pm - 6h30 pm. In Hanoi, some of roads always happens congestion such as Thai Ha street, Gii Phng Street, Trng Chinh Street, Lng Street, Xuan Thuy streets. QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION 1. Which vehical do you use in your daylife? What is its convinience and inconvinience? 2. Have you ever been punished when you break traffic laws ? And have you ever been in traffic jam? How did you feel in this situation? 3. What is the consequence? In your opinion, what are the reasons? 4. Tell about how to decrease traffic jam affair in Viet Nam ? DEBATE Increase the fine when broke the traffic law is the best way to raise awareness of the people. Do you agree or disagree ? Tell about what you think.