Crossing the Street in Vietnam

Crossing the street in Vietnam is anything but pedestrian. But follow these basic guidelines, and you should stay safe from Saigon to Hanoi.

Crossing the street in Vietnam is something of an adrenaline sport: The traffic is mad, there are no discernible traffic rules, and accidents are an all too common sight. As a result, getting around Hanoi or Saigon on foot can be a pretty daunting project.
To help you cope with the traffic chaos and cross the street safely, here are a few tips that we picked up along the way:
* Don't look both ways. In fact, it's better if you don't look at all, lest you lose your nerve. It's also a mistake to focus on the oncoming traffic. If you make eye contact with other road users, you automatically forfeit the right of way. read more.................

Saigon Traffic - Saigon motorcyclists temporarily stopped in a dramatic break with tradition at a red light.

Multidirectional foot and motorcycle traffic in the middle of a Hanoi intersection.

Lining up for a busy intersection in central Saigon.

Night time Crossing - Central Hanoi, the only thing scarier than crossing the street in Vietnam is crossing the street in Vietnam at night.

Unsafe Crossing surrounded by speeding motorcycles on a pedestrian crossing in Hanoi.