Story: Commuting hour

We were sitting in a van on the way back from the Cu Chi tunnels and looked out the window. Is that a marathon?!? All we saw were heads, and such a mass of people in a small space. Commuting hour in Ho Chi Minh city. There are so many people on scooters, and it is both breathtaking and unbelievably daunting. Crossing the street is so daunting to most foreigners that they have policemen to help you out. We watched scooter and after scooter pass by and wondered what to do -- until an 8 year old girl started walking across the street. "Okay, we have been shown up, time to cross"

Even knowing that all you really need to do is simply start walking doesn't mean that it is an easy step (after looking both ways of course). Overall it is amazing how the traffic just parts around you, almost like Moses and the sea of scooters. It isn't always perfect, but the only accident or issue I have seen is a small hit between scooters. And given the number of scooters there are, that is very impressive.

Of course, I did feel a lot more comfortable as a pedestrian than on a scooter. I rented one in Nha Trang (only available in manual, which added another level of discomfort/adventure). Thankfully Nha Trang did not have the sheer number of scooters as Ho Chi Minh city, and it was possible to drive without fearing too much for a mistimed shift or acceleration. Crossing the street however turned out to be a task that my friend and were not willing to do. We got off our bikes and walked them across the intersection. I trust my feet for walking more than for braking.

And in the end, perhaps what is the most fascinating is what will happen as Vietnam continues to develop. All that means more cars and less scooters. Can you imagine what rush hour would look like then?