Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) Traffic

Much has been said about traffic in HCM city and you may have some sense that the traffic is fierce and nearly unmanageable for a foreign visitor.

Having taken quite a few cab rides and two trips on the back of a motorbike I can say myself the traffic is truly incredible. Two videos are below so that you might get your own sense of what it is like.

Being in traffic a number of times now my impression has changed from a frightening vision of unimaginable chaos to appreciation for a level of harmony and courtesy that isn't immediately apparent. Look at the videos and you will likely share my first impressions. There ought to be accidents happening every few moments, but there aren't.

Once you've seen and been in the traffic a bit you'd appreciate what isn't apparent by watching from the curb, there are almost no aggressive drivers. With the terrible congestion from all the vehicles, if you think about it for a bit, it makes sense. Plus the vehicles aren't metal behemoths with the driver and passengers wrapped in a protective shell. In most cases flesh and blood would be hurt by a crash, not only metal. Drivers must be conscious of this and adjust their driving techniques accordingly.

In the videos watch for traffic in the "wrong" lanes, going the "wrong" way, crossing against oncoming traffic, doing U-turns, pulling into traffic from driveways and, perhaps most impressive, all of the traffic at some intersections proceeding through the intersection without stopping! Somehow traffic from all three, at T's, or four directions makes it through without disaster.