Traffic backed up along Dien Bien Phu Street toward central Ho Chi Minh City after a large tree fell from the grounds of a corner cafe.
The incident occurred at the intersection of Dien Bien Phu and Dinh Tien Hoang Streets in former District 1, a busy area where several major thoroughfares meet.
The old tree stood more than 20 m tall with a wide canopy. Local residents said it fell at around 6 a.m., despite there being no rain or strong wind.
The incident severely disrupted the morning commute, creating difficult conditions for people heading to work and bringing their children to school.
The traffic jam spread to Vo Thi Sau, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Hai Ba Trung and Pham Ngoc Thach streets.