I have come up a few traffic and motorbike observations. This is what I love about travelling really. Observing and learning new things from a different culture and trying to understand why local people practice this in their daily lives. There is a lot to see, experience and learn every day, especially when you are out there travelling and enjoying and exploring the world.
MOTORBIKES
Motorbikes are the primary mode of transportation in Saigon. I have never seen so many motorbikes in my life than here! When we arrived, it became quickly clear that motorbikes are a household thing. This somewhat reminded me of our visit in the island of Palau Bintan in Indonesia where the main mode of transportation there is a motorbike. But of course, the island pales in comparison to the mob of motorbikes that takes over the roads and streets of Saigon.
Le Loi street motorbike lane.
FACIAL MASK
From the standard surgical masks to cartoon character inspired and Louis Vuitton, many local motorists don’t go out zipping the streets of Saigon without any smog protection. I guess it’s like fashion. It goes with the motorbike. Many I noticed wear helmets as well, which I would always highly recommend.
Motorbikes are not like bikes, they go fast and if something happens, the impact on the vulnerable passenger can be catastrophic.
At the Ben Thanh market I saw a vendor selling them:
SPECIAL MOTORBIKE PARKING GARAGES
Because of the influx of motorbikes in the city comes a huge demand for motorbike parking.
We have seen a couple of motorbike parking garages which were very similar to a car parking garage. They have parking posts and barriers as well, and they are very busy! Around Ben Thanh area locals make use of street parking and there is usually someone manning it. They really make use of every inch of space. This reminds me of the Philippines, but instead of motorbikes, it would be cars.
RUSH HOUR
Watch out for the motorbikes taking over the pedestrian lanes!
We noticed that during rush how when the traffic is really bad, and this is usually after work hours, many motor bikers use the pedestrian lane. I was petrified at first as I didn’t see the motorbike coming from behind me until I heard a toot. This practice seems to be a very normal thing!
I have the evidences below:
Hey pedestrians, step aside and give us motorbikes some space!
MOTORBIKE RENTAL
We noticed locals on the street randomly offering motorbikes to rent to us. We have not entertained them really because there is no point since we make use of the taxis instead. I do not think I would dare rent a motorbike unless the Dutchman is driving, but Dutchman is not with me in this trip, helaas.
Many locals hawk their bike rentals on the streets to random tourists.
NO TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND ZEBRA PATHS
One of the most interesting thing we noticed in Saigon traffic is there are very little traffic lights in the city? Most areas operate on a free flowing basis traffic. It took us sometime to realise this as after trying to find out how to cross the street. There are zebra paths but nobody stops to give way to a pedestrian standing on a zebra path! As a pedestrian you will have to hustle a bit.
One thing for sure. There seems to be an unseen method to all this traffic madness.
Saigon's free-flowing no traffic lights traffic. Amazing there were no accidents! This is around the rotunda in front of the Ben Thanh market.
TAXIS
Taxis were our main mode of transportation. My mom could not walk that far, so most days we take a cab even if we are just going to the next block. We found the taxis in Saigon cheap and reliable. The popular taxi operators are Vinasun and Mai Linh but we have also tried the lesser known ones such as Happy taxi which was fine.
Older cars have a cheaper flag down rate than the newer ones which are equipped with an interactive GPS map.
Travel Period: December 2016
Destination: Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City (Southeast), Vietnam
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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
All pictures were taken by a point and shoot pocket camera or a smartphone.
