The photos below speak volumes about how eager a number of residents in Ho Chi Minh City are to violate traffic rules in disregard of their own and their families’ lives.

The chaotic traffic situation in large Vietnamese cities, and Ho Chi Minh City in particular, is nothing out of the ordinary to residents, but may boggle visitors, particularly foreigners, and may even put them off from sightseeing in the locales.

Rampant infringements include speeding, trespassing on lanes, running traffic lights, driving in the wrong direction and overloading bikes with three or four people.

Violators are eager to showcase their ‘flair’ while overtaking fellow passengers or even bus or truck drivers, or mounting sidewalks just to save a few minutes.

Minor accidents and ensuing rows or scuffles have become daily routines in the ‘urban jungle.’

Serious and fatal accidents are not rare either.

Over the recent six-day holiday which ended on Sunday, 263 traffic accidents occurred nationwide, killing 162 people, injuring 184 others, and leaving three more missing, the National Traffic Safety Committee reported the same day.

Tran Tu Oanh, who resides in Binh Thanh District in Ho Chi Minh City, said she never dares to let her guard down while driving.

“A full day’s work is not as stressful as one hour of traffic,” she commented.

A man carries a woman on a high-capacity bike without wearing helmets. Photo: Tuoi Tre.

A group of students are seen trying to cross Le Duan Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City while chattering and staying heedless of the passing traffic. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Three youngsters with no helmets on are pictured riding a bike on Vu Tung Street in Binh Thanh District. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Another man is seen holding a little boy with his left arm while driving his bike with the other on Vu Tung Street, Binh Thanh District. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A woman is pictured carrying four kids, none of whom are wearing helmets. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Another woman is shown crossing the Cay Go Roundabout in an unpermitted area while the red lights are still on. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A group of young men are pictured perched precariously on a vehicle. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Two peddlers park their bicycles on the street at their own will amidst the passing traffic. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A motorcyclist who has just run a red light is seen trying to ride past law-abiding fellow bikers on Hong Bang Street. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A coach driver and a cyclist are pictured during a heated row following their minor collision at the Cay Go Roundabout. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A biker is shown making his way through several tractor-trailer at the My Thuy Roundabout. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Peddlers display their wares on the sidewalk while several bikers freely ride in the opposite direction on a section of National Highway 1 in Binh Tan District. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The drivers of an overloaded bike and a three-wheel cart try to overtake tractor-trailers. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Bikers drive in the opposite direction beneath the An Suong Flyover. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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