>> New hours proposed for Gov. office workers and students to ease traffic

>> Hanoi urged to curb traffic congestion

Hanoi authorities are drafting a plan to amend office and school hours for submission to the Government for approval.

Hours of state officials and school students may remain unchanged

According to the city’s Party’s Committee, once the proposed plan is approved, the city will start to amend office and school hours beginning from December 1, 2011 or January 1, 2012.

The city plans to have students at universities and colleges hold classes from 7am-6pm.

Private offices and banks would be compelled to work from 9am to 7pm.

Central Government agencies, local government agencies, and students at preschools, primary schools and secondary schools would maintain their current 8am-5pm hours.

The municipal government would also request the city’s Department of Education and Training to amend student hours of particular schools to facilitate studying and their parental work patterns.

In late October, the Ministry of Transport proposed a new timetable for students and state officials in Hanoi as a simple traffic solution.