VIET NAM 2009. HO CHI MINH CITY [SAIGON]
All dressed up and going nowhere?
It’s understandable why Honda is the ubiquitous name for motorcycle. With a population of over 80 million, more than ten percent of the people ride the two-wheel transportation vehicle. There are 500,000 motorcycles in Hanoi alone, with double in Saigon and motorcycle usage is increasing annually, along with casualties at the rate of 300%.
I took these pictures from a bus and we were also going nowhere fast. I didn’t have to worry –we were on vacation. But what about the people who have to work for a living and rely on transportation to get there? Chaos can sometimes result, along with insane driving habits: riding on the wrong side of the road, making left turns from the right side of a lane, weaving, speeding, using high beams, inconsiderate passing and overloading. And the effect is a cacophonous, mind boggling, ear splitting medley of sounds that defy imagination.
Only 3% of riders use helmets, even though they are mandatory. Result? The most common accident fatality is due to a broken skull!
Now this is a place I'd like to visit. The people must be fascinating.
ReplyDeleteWow! Talk about congestion...
ReplyDeleteGreat picture!