A Literal Crash Course: The Lessons of Driving in Ho Chi Minh City
As a born and raised westerner of California, USA I would say I’m not a stickler for the rules, but I follow majority of them all the time. Especially as a black person, I’m always hyper aware of consequences when it comes to deviations. Well, here in Saigon.... just throw the whole rule book out of what you think driving is and drive baby drive!
In the last month of driving on a motorbike here, this is what I have learned.
Initially, I had all of the apprehension towards driving because none of it made any damn sense to me. Everything felt like chaos with cars coming this and that way. I didn’t like that signaling isn’t a thing here, and that someone could be AAAALLLLL the way on the right side, trying to make a U turn?? Are you kidding me, right?
But once I realized that the money I spent on Grab drivers every week is about double what I would pay for just learning how to conquer these uncertain streets... I was logically and financially forced to reevaluate my stance on driving. So, I took a deep breath and just said, “ Fuck it, I’m gonna do it!”
A decision I have only regretted about 4 or 5 times.
1. It’s important to brake, but more importantly to know how to brake!
My first accident happened because it’s hot and our security guards like to wet the cement going to the garage. Well, It is also a down hill to this garage I might add. In my innocence of how motorbikes really work I only used 1 brake as I’m coming down this hill. My grave mistake. I tumble off of the motor bike and the bike scrapes down the garage, luckily not hitting the ominous parked SUV.
The Security guard witnessed it all. He ran to the bike first as I lay on the ground assessing if I had died or not. He then goes to give me a lecture that I must use both brakes when going down the hill (I would assume by his demonstration because he was speaking in vietnamese).
Scraped up my knee, but I was alive without any monetary nor serious physical damage.. Just a bit of hurt ego. Nonetheless, I have been braking with both brakes like a champ and conquering downhills ever since.
2. If you’re gonna make bold moves commit to them, and everything else will align.
Remember when I said there aren’t really rules here? Well, people like to make some bold likes driving on the wrong side of the road, driving on the sidewalk with pedestrians, or even making a U/Left turn from the right lane. If you partake in these moves just have the confidence like you’ve been doing this forever and keep it pushing. DO NOT HESITATE,I repeat, DO NOT HESITATE! The reason for this is simple: if you’re going to do it people will make room for you to do it, but if you hesitate they take advantage of the opportunity to make their own moves.
3. Be aware, but really just mind your business
Driving here is like draining the ball pen at Chuck E Cheese. We are crowded and cramped and all just trying to get to where we gotta go. People are always coming from the right, left, in front and behind you. Know where all the traffic is coming, but at the same time just keep moving in your own direction. When worrying about the what the next person is doing there is a greater chance of getting in an accident or collision. I just keep moving and they do the same thing.
4. Assertive Patience, I’m coining this term
In HCMC all of the traffic lights have timers counting down when it’s your turn. While you are waiting for the light, when the timer get to about 5 seconds people have restarted their engines and already making their way into the intersection. People are creeping up behind and one the side to get closer to the front.
At the end of the day, people are patiently waiting to get to where they have to go. They blatantly cut you off all the time here, but it’s not really cutting you off if you have room here. When I say room legitimately like 1 foot between you and the next bike from all sides.
They are patiently waiting so make some usually bold moves. In time, I have started using this philosophy when I drive. I’m on this road, too. Make some room!
I’ve only been driving for little bit, but I’m already encouraging Cody to get on the bike. I was filled with anxiety about doing this, but in the end learning these few things has given me a confidence that I got this! If I can drive in Vietnam, I actually believe I can do anything!