Life in Ho Chi Minh City is similar to that in most big cities (or so we assume, because neither of us really have any experience of living in a big city). Things are fast-paced, bigger, shinier, smellier and noisier than little old Howick, and it is fantastic. Maybe it's because its all so new and exciting or because we are in a foreign country. Either way, we have made it through our first month in Nam and are still glad to be here on this adventure. We continue to learn new things, and try to share little insights to help you to picture our experiences and imagine life here as a newbie expat.
Sooner or later you will need to be brave and become a member of the massive flocks of scooters on the terrifying roads of Saigon. What follows are some tips and guidelines. Firstly, there are no real rules to driving in Vietnam, except stay out of the way of any vehicle bigger than your own, as they have right of way by default. People ride their scooters on the wrong side of the street as often as they ride on the correct side, so it is imperative that you look in EVERY possibly direction when crossing the road or joining the traffic.
Helmets are compulsory (but not really for locals - especially children). There is a nifty manoeuvre when turning your scooter across traffic, we’ve called it shielding. It’s when you find other riders (or better yet, a car) that are also turning across the traffic. You then stay ‘down stream’ of them so that they block the on-coming traffic and clear a path for you to cross in their wake. The local, kamikaze scooter riders use a very effective tactic when turning across traffic. They aim their scooter right at the on-coming bikers and go for it. The on-coming riders (fearful of a head-on collision) generally change course and let the maniac turn in front of them (along with other riders using the shielding tactic mentioned above). Legally, a scooter is allowed to carry only two people. In reality, you see families of four or even five cruising around - no problem. Some people have even acquired seats which fit between the driver and the handlebars for a small child to sit on, while others use a towel-like strap to secure a child behind them.
Traffic lights count down how long the light will stay red or green. This is handy for the majority of motorists (or scooterists?). However for some people, traffic lights are just inconvenient places in the road where cautious drivers stop and get in their way. These people often mount the pavement, ride around all of the people patiently waiting for the light to turn green and then continue through the red light without hesitation or trepidation.
It is common to see street vendors pushing their mobile stalls down the road, and even through busy intersections! These fearless entrepreneurs must have nerves of steel, because it is terrifying just crossing a road here, never mind while pushing a mobile stall.
While driving, you can hear loads of hooting. This is not (generally) done in anger or frustration. Instead, it is a friendly warning, letting you know that that person is there. Awareness is everything when navigating these chaotic mosh-pits of exhaust fumes, tight squeezes and sudden lane changes.
Something that never gets old is seeing the variety of cargo that is carried on scooters and bicycles in this city. If you can think of it, these guys will transport it! We have seen gas bottles (sometimes up to 5 at a time!), T.V.s, panes of glass, doors, boxes upon boxes, tables, enormous bags of recycling and fresh produce to name just a few.
Sooner or later you will need to be brave and become a member of the massive flocks of scooters on the terrifying roads of Saigon. What follows are some tips and guidelines. Firstly, there are no real rules to driving in Vietnam, except stay out of the way of any vehicle bigger than your own, as they have right of way by default. People ride their scooters on the wrong side of the street as often as they ride on the correct side, so it is imperative that you look in EVERY possibly direction when crossing the road or joining the traffic.
Helmets are compulsory (but not really for locals - especially children). There is a nifty manoeuvre when turning your scooter across traffic, we’ve called it shielding. It’s when you find other riders (or better yet, a car) that are also turning across the traffic. You then stay ‘down stream’ of them so that they block the on-coming traffic and clear a path for you to cross in their wake. The local, kamikaze scooter riders use a very effective tactic when turning across traffic. They aim their scooter right at the on-coming bikers and go for it. The on-coming riders (fearful of a head-on collision) generally change course and let the maniac turn in front of them (along with other riders using the shielding tactic mentioned above). Legally, a scooter is allowed to carry only two people. In reality, you see families of four or even five cruising around - no problem. Some people have even acquired seats which fit between the driver and the handlebars for a small child to sit on, while others use a towel-like strap to secure a child behind them.
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| A small child's seat for a scooter. |
Traffic lights count down how long the light will stay red or green. This is handy for the majority of motorists (or scooterists?). However for some people, traffic lights are just inconvenient places in the road where cautious drivers stop and get in their way. These people often mount the pavement, ride around all of the people patiently waiting for the light to turn green and then continue through the red light without hesitation or trepidation.
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| The traffic lights count down the red and green lights. |
It is common to see street vendors pushing their mobile stalls down the road, and even through busy intersections! These fearless entrepreneurs must have nerves of steel, because it is terrifying just crossing a road here, never mind while pushing a mobile stall.
 |
| This lady is about to push her mobile stall through a busy intersection. |
While driving, you can hear loads of hooting. This is not (generally) done in anger or frustration. Instead, it is a friendly warning, letting you know that that person is there. Awareness is everything when navigating these chaotic mosh-pits of exhaust fumes, tight squeezes and sudden lane changes.
Something that never gets old is seeing the variety of cargo that is carried on scooters and bicycles in this city. If you can think of it, these guys will transport it! We have seen gas bottles (sometimes up to 5 at a time!), T.V.s, panes of glass, doors, boxes upon boxes, tables, enormous bags of recycling and fresh produce to name just a few.
YOU TWO ARE VERY BRAVE DRIVING OVER THERE !!!
ReplyDeleteWELL DONE !!!!