HCMC – The HCMC Department of Transport has announced the temporary closure of the Saigon River Tunnel for three nights to test the automatic fire safety system.

According to the authorities, the tunnel will be closed from 11 p.m. on October 22 to 4 a.m. on October 23 for vehicles traveling from District 1 to Thu Duc City.

Vehicles on the other direction, from Thu Duc City to District 1, will be banned from 11 p.m. on October 23 to 4 a.m. on October 24.

The tunnel will be closed for both directions at the same time frame on October 24 and 25.

The restriction will impact vehicular traffic, as motorbikes are not permitted to cross the tunnel between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. daily.

The authorities have suggested alternatives for vehicles during the given schedule. From District 1 to Thu Duc City, autos may follow the route Vo Van Kiet – Ton Duc Thang – Thu Thiem 2 Bridge – To Huu – Mai Chi Tho.

Conversely, vehicles traveling from Thu Duc City to District 1 can use the route Mai Chi Tho – To Huu – Thu Thiem 2 – Le Duan – Nam Ky Khoi Nghia – Vo Van Kiet.

The automatic fire protection system project was constructed in mid-2021, with an investment of VND95 billion. It is expected to promptly carry out firefighting operations with fire detection sensors and a high-pressure water mist system.