"One unfortunate habit many Vietnamese share is irresponsibly blaring their horns. Personally, I don't use my horn even once a year, whether I'm riding a motorcycle or driving a car," stated one of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper's readers.

Tuoi Tre reported on common negative transportation behaviors, such as blowing horns to hurry up and move forward at the last seconds of a traffic light.

The newspaper received numerous reactions from readers about the article, indicating that the public not only recognizes this poor behavior as common but also disapproves of it.  

Honking horns at traffic lights

One reader, Hai Dang, recounted a story of being honked at while he stopped at a red light.

He remembers stopping at the intersection of Tran Hung Dao and Ham Nghi Streets as the traffic light turned yellow.

At that moment, a white taxi approached and the driver honked the horn.

"I was so startled that I sped up, and coincidentally, the traffic light on Ham Nghi Street turned green," Hai Dang said.

"Looking in the rear-view mirror, I saw the white taxi stopped at the red light, while I had inadvertently run the red light."

Another reader, My Toan, points out that blaring the horn is more common in cars, buses, and taxis.

Toan believes that the negative behavior "seems to be hard to change" because he frequently hears deafening horns day and night, even on empty roads.

"That some people honk incessantly in an air-conditioned car is unbelievable, while there are still a few seconds before the traffic light turns green," My Toan wrote to Tuoi Tre.

Another reader named Duong agreed with My Toan that blaring the horn on hot days exhausts everyone and causes headaches.

Tan Thi has a complaint regarding bus drivers.

"Bus drivers honk the most," Thi said.

"They run the red light, weave in and out of traffic, and honk their horns when the red light is still on for a few seconds."

One reader, with the nickname Nghieptran, stated that despite the prohibition against honking in the Saigon River Tunnel, many people continue to do so.

It is not surprising to hear honking horns on the streets, they added.

Traffic culture and education

Reader Thanh Nguyen remarked that horn sounds contribute significantly to noise pollution.

Binh Son expressed concerns about delivery workers who frequently run yellow and red lights.

These drivers often honk their horns incessantly, despite their vehicles being loaded with merchandise that obscures their license plates.

"Police should crack down on these drivers," Binh Son stated.

Reader Triet Nguyen agreed, advocating for traffic safety education to be taught in elementary schools rather than during driving lessons, which he believes is too late.

Reader Khanh added that driving lessons are focused on passing the driving test rather than instilling a culture of road safety and adherence to traffic rules.

Huygo suggested leveraging the popularity of social media to raise awareness about road etiquette.

"Road safety culture and environmental consciousness have seriously degraded," Huygo stated.

Dangerous driving habits

According to reader Chanh Tin Nghia, Vietnamese drivers should change two particularly risky habits: honking carelessly and driving against traffic.

Many people frequently drive on the wrong side of the road to take the shortest route, endangering everyone.

Noisy roads

Reader Tran Tuan noted that buses beep excessively, often startling road users and causing some to fall.

Despite this, nobody gets punished for such behavior.

Another reader, Hoang, reported that horns begin sounding five seconds before the red light changes.

"Dump trucks and trucks are the most aggressive vehicles, with their drivers sometimes hiding or coating registration plates to avoid being fined," Hoang stated.

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