Saigon Roads, Vietnam
42 images Created 5 Apr 2017
I was standing on the sidewalks in Saigon in the sweltering heat, sweat dripping down my back and the air heavy with the smell of exhaust. I was in awe of the traffic patterns, the amount of traffic and what people carry on their motorbikes. The amount of motorbikes out numbers the amount of people here. There are around 8.5 million motorbikes to a population of around 8 million.
The noise was deafening with horns honking, people talking and engines roaring. Sunscreen is not widely used here, instead you will see them covered head to fingertip to toes in clothes. Hats, masks, gloves, long pants/skirts, socks are all worn in the 39 degree heat and humidity.
Crossing the roads here will give you a slight heart attack as you just have to step out onto the road when there is a break in the constant traffic and continue through to the other side without hesitation. The rule of thumb I used, I could walk out with motorbikes coming near, as they can quickly go around you, but do not step out with cars or trucks near, as they do not have the quick mobility and I am pretty sure they may run you over. All modes of transportation work well with one another on the road even when pushing carts. There are unwritten rules of the road because to the western person it can look like chaos. With motorbikes being the prevalent mode of transportation, the ability to carry things from one place to another becomes a balancing act. With no regard to safety, as long as they can secure it or hold it on the bike, in their minds, they are good to go. Who cares if something can turn into a rocket launcher if an accident occurs, or if you are carrying fuel, or if you can’t see around what you are carrying or if you can only use one hand to steer your bike. All of this is normal for everyone that lives here, which in turns makes it mesmerizing for outsiders to watch all day long.
The noise was deafening with horns honking, people talking and engines roaring. Sunscreen is not widely used here, instead you will see them covered head to fingertip to toes in clothes. Hats, masks, gloves, long pants/skirts, socks are all worn in the 39 degree heat and humidity.
Crossing the roads here will give you a slight heart attack as you just have to step out onto the road when there is a break in the constant traffic and continue through to the other side without hesitation. The rule of thumb I used, I could walk out with motorbikes coming near, as they can quickly go around you, but do not step out with cars or trucks near, as they do not have the quick mobility and I am pretty sure they may run you over. All modes of transportation work well with one another on the road even when pushing carts. There are unwritten rules of the road because to the western person it can look like chaos. With motorbikes being the prevalent mode of transportation, the ability to carry things from one place to another becomes a balancing act. With no regard to safety, as long as they can secure it or hold it on the bike, in their minds, they are good to go. Who cares if something can turn into a rocket launcher if an accident occurs, or if you are carrying fuel, or if you can’t see around what you are carrying or if you can only use one hand to steer your bike. All of this is normal for everyone that lives here, which in turns makes it mesmerizing for outsiders to watch all day long.
