The Ministry of Transport has issued an urgent directive instructing local Departments of Transport, project management units, and the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) to inspect, adjust, and standardize road traffic signs nationwide to enhance traffic safety.

The move comes after reports highlighted confusing and misplaced road signs on major highways and in cities such as Hanoi, where some signs are obscured by trees or utility poles, while others have unclear or misleading instructions, creating hazards for drivers.

Under the directive, the Vietnam Road Administration (VRA) and local Departments of Transport must:

Review and adjust traffic signs on roads under their jurisdiction.

Ensure logical, clear, and visible placement of road signs.

Develop a phased plan to replace outdated or unclear signage.

"All road signs must be placed scientifically, be easy to recognize, and align with traffic management strategies," the directive emphasized.

The Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) and BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) investors managing toll roads have also been instructed to:

Inspect and maintain road signs on highways they oversee.

Fix or replace faulty signage that could endanger drivers.

The Vietnam Road Administration had previously ordered transport departments and private road operators to:

Identify and fix problems with road signs at critical locations, including: Intersections, School zones, Steep inclines, Sharp curves with poor visibility.

Authorities have been warned to take immediate action to correct unclear or hidden signs that could contribute to accidents.

N. Huyen