Top Vietnam Vacation

This is a great article on how to cross the streets in Vietnam. Or in any other city in Southeast Asia for that matter. When I first arrived in Southeast Asia on my Vietnam vacation, crossing the streets was an intimidating and fearful endeavor I’d rather not attempt. But after a while you just do it. Sometimes it helped when I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and took the first few steps. Read here how you can best succeed in Vietnam.

Crossing the Street in Vietnam
By Tobias Peciva

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.

* Don’t hesitate. Waiting for a lull in traffic is hopeless, so if you want to get across, just go. And when you’re in the middle of the street, don’t stop: Traffic will immediately adjust to you as a stationary obstacle, and you could be stuck for a while.

* Don’t run! If anything is going to get you killed in Vietnam, it’s attempting to run across the street. Take it slow, walk in a straight line, keep a steady pace, and traffic will flow smoothly around you.

Crossing the street in Vietnam is anything but pedestrian. But if you approach the problem with a healthy dose of mock confidence and not a small amount of reckless abandon, you too should live to tell the story.