Are you struggling from traffic in Ho Chi Minh city?

Hello Nhung,

I first returned to Vietnam in 1999, too.  I still remember it vividly:  my friends and I came into HCMC on a late night flight, when traffic wasn't all bad.  But, when I stepped out of the hotel the following morning, Lords, I thought I was in an African jungle with the herds.

I quickly ran back into the hotel, grabbed one of the front desk people and asked him to show me how navigate the chaos in front.  After the show me, then walked me across a couple of times and several tries on my own, with him watching, I had my problem solved.

Similar thing with the motorbike.  I gave the guy a tip and asked him to lead me through city traffics for a couple of hours and I was good to go.  Although, on my own, I did crashed twice and suffered some bumps and bruises.  But they were direct results of my ignorance and mechanical failure.

The only problem that I had, and still do in high traffic, was in the squares.  I often missed my turns and, sometimes, ended up right next to the curb in the middle.  But, like you said, I lost my focus on where I was supposed to go.

Howie

Ha ha. You guys are a bunch of pure amateurs

Kidding aside. This is what I have observed:

Always look out for some crazy nuts betting on their life while driving: on the wrong lane, crossing the street illegally (several times, when I was trying to take over some bikes, sure enough, some guys will turn up from nowhere trying to cross the street right in front of those guys, right in my blind zone. In addition, many of them just believe that by tooting their horns at their highest volume automatically gives them the rights of way). The most dangerous spots are crossroads: you need to look to your right, left AND front since people in the opposite lane will cross to your lane prematurely to turn (AND back if you wait for the stoplight because of people running red light)


There is no concept of queuing or yielding. If there is a space then someone will take it immediately while it is ‘obvious’ that you are waiting for it. Therefore, deadlocks often happen when two streams of traffic collide and no one wants to yield, so everyone is standing there screaming and waiting instead of backing up to give way to the other side to unclog.
I have seen collisions where both driving straight into each other because no one wants to yield!!! I would rather yield but be safe instead of insisting on being right and hit by those crazy nuts.

Always be mindful. It is the best zen exercise I know of (thinking about it: the streets reminds me of Japanese samurai movies with all the ladies on bikes covering their faces, arms and legs like real ninjas and guys having their tennis racquets on their back like real swords). You just have to go with the flow and do not resist, then everything is actually quite smooth. Always notice of what is going on around you. Worry about something else and you’ll guarantee get collision.

Otherwise than that, you will do ok after you get your hands-on experience through some Saigon tattoos (skin souvenirs from Saigon traffic) like the ones Howie got .

@ Anatta: You described the truth with good observation. Good job!!

@ Howie: 1999 ---> 2012: More and more motorbikes now. I take part in the busy traffic on my motorbike as well, but I just can do my best and hope for a better perspective. Lots to do.

Anatta,

You are a funny, very funny, man!!!

It had been quite awhile since I last chatted with you.  I was going to inquire about your Christmas times and wish you a good Lunar New Year.  But, since you made a mockery out of me...  Forget it!!!  The gloves are off now.

I crashed, the first time, was only because I forgot to put my legs down when I came to a traffic stop.  The darn bike just fell to its side, OK?  Silly motorbike!!!

The second time...  Well, the brakes on my rental bike didn't work.  In an effort to avoid rear-ending others, I plowed onto a pile of rubbles.  Hey, hey, I avoided injuries...  To others, of course!  Wait until I get a hold of that mechanic!

At least, I earned my tattoos, OK?

All kiddings aside...  How are you, Anatta?  It has been quite awhile since I last chatted with you, how was Christmas in your neck of the wood?  Are you all set for the Lunar New Year now?

In regard to, not just HCMC's but the entire Vietnam's, traffic.  The intersection is the scariest spot for me.  It seems like, at every one of them, there is always a knucklehead that thinks he owns the joint.

Next on the list are the jay-walkers.  Granted that the pedestrians have the right of ways.  But, most of these guys just come out of nowhere.  With the way homes and businesses are situated here, there are no way for a rider or driver to avoid many of these folks.

Last, but not least, is the use of the horn.  I mean...  Most of these guys use it like it was going out of fashion the next day, or something.  You can sneeze on the side of the road and the guy would honk at you.  Some of them even amplify their horns. 

I can go on and on.  But, now, I must let Anatta rest.  I hope that later on, he will figure out that we are talking about Vietnam, and not Thailand, where people ride on the wrong side of the road:  "look to your right, left AND front..."

I have zero tolerance for crazy vehicle drivers when riding my bike.

If there is a gap wide enough to get the frame of a motorcycle between you and the kerb, they will go.

Taxis treat you with contempt and cut you off. Green transit bus drivers respect cyclists more than blue transit buses.

One thing is in your favour - car drivers are very protective of their car paint work.

I exploit this by having a one metre wide stainless steel 10 mm fitted at right angles across the width of my bicycle attached to the handlebar vertical support.

I have another rod pointing out ahead of my front wheel by about 15-20 centimetres. On the end of these rods I attach short trips of red cloth attached with Tie-Wraps.

The intent is that is that if some idiot comes too close or cuts you off they will sustain damage. Either scratches to a motorcyclists legs or scratches on cars.

Might not be too friendly but at least you minimise the chances of getting hit. Always wear a helmet and gloves (to protect your hands if you fall).

Howie
Nice to hear from you.
Sorry, I should have said Can Tho tattoos instead. How could I mix the classy Can Tho tattoos with the kitsch Saigon ones. My sincere apology for the unintentional slights.

Wild_1 wrote:

Anatta,
I hope that later on, he will figure out that we are talking about Vietnam, and not Thailand, where people ride on the wrong side of the road:  "look to your right, left AND front..."

True enough, in Thailand, I am the one worrying about whether I am driving on the wrong side of the road. While here, I am worrying about the others driving on the wrong side.

Wait, No......., could it be? How could I have missed? Can those guys be Thai special agents unintentionally revealing themselves by driving like they are still in Thailand? No wonder why those duds look tough as shit.
How else can you explain their military intelligence from this coup, as mentioned in the Washington Post yesterday?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asi … story.html

Wild_1 wrote:

How are you, Anatta?  It has been quite awhile since I last chatted with you, how was Christmas in your neck of the wood?  Are you all set for the Lunar New Year now?

Thank for asking. My Christmas was very uneventful. I spent New Year’s Eve stuck in traffic (rather standing in non-moving sea of bikes and cars) as narrated in another thread.  Work was as usual. I was actually not happy since my employer has not paid me a dime for the last 4-5 months, until I read another employer still has not paid its employees their last 10 months’ wage and I talked to yet another one working for a state agency. She told me that she too had not received her salary for the last 4 months. Misery loves company, right. Anyway, that is how it is working for Vietnamese companies.

At last, Lunar New Year is approaching. The police are out in force looking for contributors to their Tet charity fund even as early as 5AM in the morning everyday, so unless you want to be unwilling donors to their funds, drive conservatively.

Happy New Year to everyone.

PS: Jaitch, was it you driving the other day?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3509/396 … f6a641.jpg

Dear Jaitch,

I think the issues you mentioned in your posts above are already well-known. I guess it happens in most developing countries. Individually change? Possible! Systemically change? Impossible!

I know there are a lot of shortcomings in my country, but we people are trying to go with the flow and do our best. We also complain much over chats or forums. If you do not believe me, go to thanhnien.com.vn and see what people comment there.

Do not let it add more stress to your days pls!

Somehow, home is in our heart, with peace in mind and positiveness from our own eyes to see the world around. Without inner peace, wherever you live, you will feel the same way.

The traffic here is suck, we all know. But it will not be suck like that forever.

Hope you enjoy things here. :-)

Regards,

Nhung

Nhung,

Anatta: You described the truth with good observation. Good job!!

How can you say that?  Iron Jay there can't even tell his left from his right.  He can't even get pay for his works.  Do you blame his employer?  I can't.  All he does is joke around all day.  Whenever he is off The Tonight Show, he turns to 007 movies:)

Hey gang,

I think little Nhung over there brings up a really good point:  If things here are just like at home, would any of us be here?  Personally, I don't think I will.  It is just ways too hot and humid. 

Take it for what it is and just roll with it.  Afterall, that is how one experiences life, is it not? 

That is why this one just went and renewed his motorbike and automobile licenses today.  This time they are good for 10 years!  And both only cost 30.000 VNDs.  This one will be rolling along here for awhile now.  Haaaaaaa!!! 

Watchout Anatta, he might come for you... 

Howie

Wild_1 wrote:

Watchout Anatta, he might come for you... 

Howie, all I have to say is to quote from Bubba: "Bring it on"