My next trip to Vietnam is coming up, and I'm seriously thinking about hopping on a motorbike to get around instead of blowing money on taxis and drivers.
They drive nuts over there, but I think it is actually controlled chaos. I rode with friends on motorbikes, and found that they don't go all that fast, the natives rarely get into accidents and teenage Viet girls manage the traffic there effortlessly. That in mind, I want to tap into the 'secret' of diving in Vietnam.
So tell me if you drove or drive in Vietnam, and what advice can you give to drive like the natives.
Ong Jon - I'm especially looking for a great answer from you...
2006-07-05 09:26:55 · 3 answers · asked by MojaveDan 6 in Travel ➔ Vietnam ➔ Other - Vietnam
I was born, growing up there driving it then daily. Yet, I still get really nervous & scared driving one of those scooters (or motorbike as you call it) now when I go back there, & I've been back several times.
There are a lot of scooter rental places where you can rent one @ US$5.00 /day. You're only allowed to drive one which has a horsepower of 50cc or less. You must have a valid Vietnamese issued driver license in order to drive anything w/ stronger horsepower (believe me, with traffic in VN, 50cc hp is good enough...)
Check with the local renters or even @ the hotel where you'll be staying, they'd show you all the essential do's & don't's.
The traffic cops love pulling over people whom they spot aren't the locals (So, dress down when driving one, & try to blend in like one of the natives :). I'm half American & I don't look Vietnamese; So, I was often pulled over every time I was on one of them thing. Even when my wife - a Vietnamese - was the one who drove, I was just sitting in the back of the bike, they still pulled us over !?...).
It'd be fun driving a scooter in Vietnam, though, you must take extra caution because traffic there is beyond chaos.
Anyway, good luck, take care, stay safe, & have a good time in Vietnam.
Bon voyage !
2006-07-05 12:48:57 · answer #1 · answered by Saigon Giap 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
him dan.... glad you asked... never having riden a motor bike anywhere before, i though like you i might give it a try. the hotel i was staying at ,"villa bao dai" in nha trang was kind enough to lend me one. i practiced riding around the empty villa for about 1/2 hr , till i got the hang of it, so i took it out on the street, where i emiediately drove it right into a wall... with about 20 people watching and laughing at me!... is that what you wanted to hear dan ? lol... true story... i still have designs on learning. even though i have many friends and trust many xe om drivers to take me around.. and its very affordable.. i like the idea of the independace of having my own... but i dont know if that'll happen.. i see other tourest get around quite well. but they all look like expeitenced riders.. if you already know how to ride , give it a shot... but you know you wouldnt want to get in an accident there, or hit a kid. you know you 1st have to learn how to "walk "across the street there, then ride a bike.. i can do that, as well as drive a cyclo[ vang ong lai xich lo duoc].. and i would feel ok driving a car or truck cause i "know" how to do that.. anyway good luck dan .. and let me know when your going to try this so i can stay out of town..lol..
.. "azngurl" what happened to your face?!?! LOL!
2006-07-05 11:02:42 · answer #2 · answered by ong jon 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lolz.. I was too young to drive one... and now... NO.. ppl drive like crz on the street.. 2 much trafic.. they kept bumming into you..
2006-07-06 11:06:56 · answer #3 · answered by AzNgUrL 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋