….. as in crossing that is. Our guide was very specific about instructions for negotiating the streets of Hanoi. “Always cross at the zebra crossing. Once you start crossing the street keep going but slowly. Do not run. Walk slowly so motorbikes will have a good chance to avoid hitting you.”
Now that’s pretty good advice if you ask me. Forget about traffic lights. They work for the most part but don’t be surprised to find scooters, motor bikes or even cars driving around you, in front of you and behind you while crossing at a pedestrian crossing. Oh and don’t get too relaxed walking down the sidewalk. Many bikers use this as a handy way to avoid the traffic. Go figure.
I use the term “bikers” loosely. For us in North America it conjures up Hell’s Angels or mid-life crisis executives clad in black leather from head to foot sitting confidently astride beautiful Harleys or BMW’s. In Hanoi a biker could be literally anyone wanting to get from point A to point B. Lots of girls. Pretty office workers in stockings, suits and heels. Moms and Dads with one or even two babies wedged between them. It’s amazing what these bikes can do and how the riders can balance huge bags of rice, baskets piled sky-high and very long unwieldy aluminium ladders with no sight of that familiar red cloth tied to the end. It’s pedestrian beware and the sight is enough to make any North American traffic cop want to hang up his radar.
I was astonished to see a group of tourists on a bicycle tour through the city. Truly they deserve a medal – maybe this is going to become an Olympic sport one day. It would certainly call on athletes with nerves of steel and great balance – qualities unfortunately that I do not possess. So you won’t be seeing me on the bike in Vietnam – at least not in Hanoi that is.
The Travel Lady's Blog 