Traffic in Hanoi, Hanoi Traffic, Traffic Hanoi, Traffic in Hanoi Vietnam, Traffic in Hanoi Viet Nam

Traffic in Hanoi

Traffic in Hanoi: When one first arrives in Hanoi the traffic is terrifying. There is far too many honking motorbikes and cars in the narrow streets and the only "Traffic Rule" that seems to apply in Hanoi is to " fill the gap " ! The pavements are cluttered with parked motorbikes and street vendors selling their goods; all making it quite an adventure for the pedestrians to navigate their way around.

Busses:
Modern buses with air conditioning cross the streets of the big cities; particularly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The fare is 3.000 - 5.000 VND. More information on bus routes can be found in the Hanoi Guide.

Buying Cars / Motorcycles:
It is easy to get a motorcycle/moped here. For a 50cc you won't need a driving license. But for a more powerful motorcycle or a car, you will enquire with the authorities for up to date information on their requirements. Wearing a helmet is compulsory.

Cyclos:
They are less numerous than before in Hanoi. Current urban legislations forbid them access to some streets. Traffic becomes heavier with an increasing number of motorcycles and more recently, of cars. Expats usually don't have time to use this kind of transportation and prefer to use xe om or taxi when they don't have their own vehicle. Local Vietnamese still use cyclos, especially to carry heavy loads.

Honk:
The use of horn is not considered "aggressive". When someone is behind you, he will use his horn to tell you that he is there and about to pass you making the city very noisy.

Responsibility:
When you have an accident, you are responsible if you are "bigger". (Example: car > bicycle or motorcycle) than the other whoever's fault it is. Ask your insurance company to know exactly how they cover you in case of problem.

Taxis:
Very convenient and fairly cheap. Taxies have trip metres that usually starts at 12.000 VND. There are some problems with taxies fiddling with the metres and advice is to use taxies from well-known companies. Avoid taxis during rush hours if you are in a hurry (16:00 PM - 19:30 PM).

Xe Om:
They are motorbike taxis on which you ride behind the driver. They can be found very easily in the streets, and it's often they who find you and propose their services. An average 10.000 VND should be expected to go in a place in the same district, from 15.000 VND to cross the city. 

Traffic in Hanoi Vietnam :
Traffic in Hanoi was extremely, extremely challenging. As a pedestrian, it was the most stressful city we'd ever been in (only to be topped in a week's time by Saigon). All the bicycles that you see in postcards of Vietnam's cities have been replaced by scooters and motorbikes. Unforunately, the government hasn't really kept up with that rate of change. There are no pedestrian crosswalks, no traffic lights, and no traffic police. There is a real sense of anarchy as soon as one steps onto the street. Basically, as our guidebook explained, the only way to cross the street is to just walk into the oncoming stream of traffic, and walk at a slow, steady pace across the road, trusting that they will weave around you. If you slow down mid-way, you will confuse them and are more at risk. If you wait for a break, you'll never get anywhere as the crowds of teens loop their way around the city, cruising. As in many cities, sidewalks are mostly non-existent, having been taken over by parked vehicles, shops, or restaurans

Traffic in Hanoi Vietnam :
Traffic in Vietnam was really crazy. Basically they still follow a rule - drive on the right and stop while red traffic light. However, bike drivers were not obliged to wear helmet, and they just didn't have the habit to give way, to other pedestrians or other motorists. So what they did is (and they do have a great skill in) avoiding clash with other people or vehicles.