GENERAL RULES FOR MOTORBIKE RIDING IN VIETNAM
It is claimed that riding motorbike in Vietnam is not easy, especially for the inexperienced ones. However, it would be much easier for motorcyclists if they follow the rules and traffic laws of Vietnam rigidly. Please note, persons aged under 18 years must ride as a pillion when on a Easy Rider Travel tour. To ensure that you have a safe motorcycle trip and lifetime experience in Vietnam, there are some regulations that you need to bear in mind:
Helmet is a compulsory equipment for motorbike riding.You should use the high-quality helmet which was certified by traffic safety management bureaus or helmets following international standards. If you use the cheap helmet, it could be dangerous in case of injuries and accidents. There are many very cheap helmets available in Vietnam that are completely useless
Follow the right hand side rule of traffic
Be confident and decisive when riding
Ride carefully and control the speed in different circumstances. Ride slowly and expect the unexpected at all times.
Using horn smartly because it could help you avoid undesirable cases. In some routes, there might be blind corners or crossroads, so it would be useful to utilize horn.
Give ways to bigger vehicles such as trucks, cars, buses or cart-transporting vehicles. It can ensure your safety and one thing for sure, they would take up for big parts of road surface.
Ride slowly when making a turn. It is important for you to push the light signals and sound so the left-behind vehicles are aware of your turn. However, you are advised to use your hand gesture and body language also because it would be more noticeable
Show your respect and friendliness to people on the roads. Avoid conflicts with others If there is a problem, assume that you are the one who is most likely in the wrong.
Be friendly and chummy to other vehicle controllers when they greet you.
Be polite with the police. Don’t show out your abnormal or strange and suspicious behaviors on the road and the police will get no attention on you.
Never ever drive and drink
How about driving when it is traffic
Please don’t make any sudden directional or speed changes. Ride consistently and slowly and Vietnamese people will know what you’re doing.
Always keep your eyes forward and slow down at every intersection
Only two people per bike are allow, if you have three people on bike or more police will caught you
Watch for people running red lights.
You can’t turn right when the light is red.
If someone is crossing a busy street slow down a bit and go behind them. This enables them to keep moving forward instead of having to stop. This rule applies to other backs and vehicles as well and is the real reason why Vietnamese traffic flows the way it does.
If crossing a busy intersection then move into the ‘down traffic’ side of another vehicle. The guy’s ‘traffic shadow’ will buffer you against other traffic and you can then cross no problems. Otherwise do what the Vietnamese do, which is to cross right in the middle of it.
If you are behind a larger vehicle, people in front of it can’t see you. Do not make any sudden overtaking manoeuvres.
When you’re turning make a long, curved turn – never slow down to an ‘almost’ stop and then turn sharply – you’ll be taken out.
Slow down when passing a school. Children will walk or blindly ride bicycles out on to the road.
Driving on road in the countryside
Assume a large vehicle will come around every bend and drive in anticipation of it. Never drive wide! The scenery will usually be either beautiful or extremely interesting. Do not daydream.
If the roads are wet, slow down and keep big distances between you and other obstacles. Be very careful if there is a light shower as this is when the roads are the slipperiest.
Assume the condition of the road surface can change at any moment.
Try to avoid driving after dark whenever possible. You are likely to encounter locals riding drunk or with no lights or both!
Be aware that large animals can appear at any time. Slow down when you see them.
Do not honk your horn at cattle as this can spook them.
Do not swerve to avoid chickens or you will hit them every time.
Never drink and ride.!!!
