My personality is just perfect for riding a motorbike in Hanoi.  I am not one to like rules much; I am a creative being so love to try new things.

It's rush hour and everyone is in a rush to get home. Officer is on crowd control duties. Vietnamese Policeman tries to direct the traffic in Hanoi.
It’s rush hour and everyone is in a rush to get home. Officer is on crowd control duties.
Vietnamese motor bike rider is loaded up but still prepared to take on oncoming cars is his style. Hanoi, Vietnam.
Loaded up but still prepared to take on oncoming cars is his style.

I have ridden a motorbike for 3 years in Hanoi and I always had my own rules, never drink at all if driving and wear a helmet.

Lots of people rent motor bikes, please just be mindful as 2 people a day die by accident a day and that would just wreck everyone’s day if something happened to you.

 

Traffic near Buoi Market, Hanoi seems to flow like water and never stop.
Traffic near Buoi Market seems to flow like water and never stop.

Driving Tips

  1. Almost anything is feasible.
  2. Driving on the right hand side is the general rule.
  3. When turning left, it is ok to approach that
  4. from the far right lane.
  5. As soon as the light turns green start tooting at anyone in front of you. Actually there is no need to even wait for the light to change, just do it anyway.
  6. Everything you learned at home, forget it – drive like a local.

Poor Vietnamese Policeman tries his best to keep everyone going in the right direction. He has a mission on his hands, but slowing the rules are being adhered to. (pre 2007 helmet law).
Poor Policeman tries his best to keep everyone going in the right direction. He has a mission on his hands, but slowing the rules are being adhered to. (pre 2007 helmet law).

Driving Joke

Here’s a driving in Hanoi joke — or maybe it’s a driving tip?

A Vietnamese guy drives through a red light as normal, but this time a cop stops him and says ‘Didn’t you see the red light’??, the man replies ‘Yes’, ‘Well why didn’t you stop?’ the cop asks, and the man replies ‘I

Cutting in front of others is normal on a motorbike ; your defensive driving skills are the most important to use on Vietnamese roads. (2007 pre- helmet law)
Cutting in front of others is normal; your defensive driving skills are the most important to use on Vietnamese roads. (2007 pre- helmet law)

didn’t see YOU’.

It's a traffic jam from hell !! A complete gridlock, the old road at Lac Long Quan, Hanoi was being upgraded and everyone wants to get home. Luckily the guy on the bicycle can carry his bike through the masses to get out of this mess.
It’s a traffic jam from hell !! A complete gridlock, the old road at Lac Long Quan, Hanoi was being upgraded and everyone wants to get home. Luckily the guy on the bicycle can carry his bike through the masses to get out of this mess.