How to Cross the Street in Vietnam

How to Cross the Street in Vietnam

Besides the stunning landscapes, delicious cuisine, and hospitable people, Vietnam’s traffic is another impressive, and often challenging, aspect for visitors.

Vietnam – The Kingdom of Motorbikes

Khách Tây chia sẻ bí quyết sang đường ở Việt Nam

The first and most significant impression for most visitors to Vietnam is the abundance of motorbikes on the roads. The number of motorbikes far outnumbers other vehicles like cars and bicycles. Foreigners have never seen so many motorbikes as in Vietnam. Therefore, it’s no surprise they call Vietnam the kingdom of motorbikes. So, how do you cross the street in Vietnam?

With a little experience and caution, you can completely master the situation. Here are some tips to help you cross the street safely in Vietnam:

Observe carefully: Before stepping onto the road, take a few seconds to carefully observe the moving vehicles. Don’t be subjective, pay attention to motorbikes, cars, bicycles, and even other pedestrians.
Find a gap: Find a wide enough gap for you to cross the street safely. Avoid crossing when there are too many vehicles moving.
Follow the crowd: If many people are crossing the street together, you can follow them. This will make you feel more secure, and vehicles will also easily notice you.
Maintain a steady pace: Once you start crossing the street, keep a steady walking pace. Stopping suddenly or accelerating suddenly can make it difficult for vehicles to handle and cause accidents.
Make eye contact: Make eye contact with the drivers. This helps them notice you and adjust their speed or direction.
Pedestrians have priority: Although traffic in Vietnam is quite complicated, according to traffic laws, pedestrians always have priority. Therefore, be confident and walk straight, and vehicles will yield to you.
Choose a safe crossing point: If possible, choose sections of the road with pedestrian crossings or traffic lights to cross.
Most importantly, you must always stay alert and cautious. Don’t worry too much, just follow the above rules, and crossing the street in Vietnam will become much easier.