Search online and you will find many videos of tourists filming themselves crossing the busy streets of Vietnam. Whether it is at a traffic light, zebra crossing, or just a regular road, the separation between vehicles and pedestrians is non-existent in Vietnam. And for a foreigner, this brings confusion, fear, and sometimes pedestrian rage.

Many believe that the process of crossing the road comes without order or logical function in the cities of Vietnam, but that is actually not true. 

There is one clear difference between crossing the streets in Vietnam and other countries like the U.S. and Australia: the concept of ‘Right of Way.’ This means when a traffic light turns red, for example, a pedestrian has the right of way to cross the road unchallenged by vehicles. 

The law in Vietnam is to stop at a red light. The law is also that a person may cross the road on a green walk signal, but in the middle of this are motorbikes not stopping and turning right at the same intersection.

This is the spirit of Vietnam when it comes to traffic laws. Instead of having the right of way, people all have a responsibility to follow the rules and, at the same time, show concern and consideration for everyone around them. It sounds strange but it works. 

Vietnam is one of the countries that have the most users of motorcycles per capita in the world. Finding a space in traffic long enough to safely cross is impossible, and this drives the close interaction between vehicles and pedestrians. 

I love Vietnam and I love that Vietnamese people are able to exist alongside one another. This is apparent in the way people cross the road. It is not about 'I have the right to go' but rather a sense of community where we all need that little bit of space to find our way to our destination. Enjoy the experience with confidence on your next visit to Vietnam. 

A new decree released recently has created massive changes to the way pedestrians and motorcyclists interact. Fines were increased for things like riding on the sidewalk, not stopping at traffic lights, wearing earphones whilst riding, and wrongly turning right at red lights. All of these new regulations play a part in making the roads safer.   

Vietnam has a population of around 100 million people and is similarly sized to New Mexico in the U.S.. In contrast, New Mexico has around three million residents. This means that the mass congestion of big cities like Ho Chi Minh City will never change, nor will the experience of dodging traffic as you cross the streets. 

I believe the changes to fines and new road rules implemented this year will impact the habits of motorists. But for the tourist, the best advice is to turn to the online videos, learn to raise your arm and wave, look at the eyes of every rider that drives by, and walk slowly. 

And the number 1 rule that has kept me alive all these years: don’t step backwards when you panic. Unless it is an extreme situation, just stand still and let motorcyclists go around you. It works!

For those tourists who are brave enough to take on the pandemonium and ride a motorbike, treat your fellow commuters with respect and show concern for those with families and children on their motorbikes. This care and consideration is what keeps the traffic flowing in Vietnam.

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