Bodhi tree crashes down at busy Ho Chi Minh City intersection, causing major traffic jam

Thuy Ngoc, a resident of Tan Dinh Ward, said she heard a loud crash at around 6:15 am and initially thought two cars had collided.

When she rushed outside to check, she was shocked to see the tree sprawled across the road.

Ngoc said it was fortunate that the tree fell early in the morning, when traffic was still light. Only a few people suffered minor scratches. 

Had the incident occurred during rush hour, when the roads are packed with people and vehicles, the consequences could have been far more serious.

The Ho Chi Minh City Greenery Parks Company Limited said the tree stood within the grounds of a building outside the city’s management. The company sent workers to the site to clear the fallen tree after the incident.

The tree’s massive root system has made the cleanup time-consuming. 

In areas close to the building’s structure, workers have had to dig by hand instead of using machinery.

Authorities have temporarily blocked the road to clear the site. The incident occurred during the morning commute, causing traffic congestion in the surrounding area.

Residents are advised to choose alternative routes to avoid disruptions.

As of 9:30 am on Wednesday, the scene had yet to be cleared.

Many people traveling from Dien Bien Phu Street and normally turning onto Dinh Tien Hoang Street toward Vo Thi Sau Street were unable to make the turn as usual. They had to move slowly through crowded traffic or find alternative routes.

As more cars backed up, traffic police officers began directing vehicles to make U-turns at the Dien Bien Phu-Dinh Tien Hoang intersection, while motorbikes squeezed through gaps to continue on their way.