Congestion charges may be hugely controversial in London but the concept appears to be catching on abroad with Ho Chi Minh City authorities deciding to introduce an electronic congestion charge.

The idea is to reduce traffic in the congested zones of the megalopolis as, according the Communication and Transport Office of Ho Chi Minh City, there were 61 cases of traffic jams lasting 30 minutes or more over the first nine months of the year, of which 12 were considered to be ‘extremely heavy’ – meaning they lasted for four-nine consecutive hours.

Last month, the President of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, announced the roll out, on a trial basis for six months, of a congestion system in heavily congested areas.

The plan comprises three main elements – installing radio beacons at major trouble spots; a transponder in vehicles; and a control network with cameras and computers.

The premise behind the plans is not totally environmental however, with Le Hoang Quan, the President of the People’s Committee, admitting that traffic jams have a negative influence on the socio-economic development of the city.