Traffic in Vietnam - Crossing street

It is said that the traffic in Viet Nam is the nightmare of foreigners.

Almost Vietnamese people travelling on the road don’t follow any rules.

Roads are always full of vehicles which are often small to facilitate drivers. There are many kind of vehicles which include modern ones or handmade ones . 

The rush hours in Hanoi are from 7.30 am - 8.30 am and 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm.

There are some tips for you to cross the street safetly:

_ Don’t expect to find zebra crossing or the entrance for pedestrians because many road don’t have them. Try to find the gaps and move through road steadily that all thing is needed.

_ Just move forward or stop. Don’t retrograde or go back suddenly.

Crossing the streets in Vietnam is the test of your judgement:

_ Remember that drivers see you and they also don’t want to crash on you. Let them have time to shunt and go around you . 

If the distance is too short about less than 3 kilometers, let’s them go first. They will think you stop.

_ And if the distance is more than 3 kilometers, you should come through as fast as possible.

_ If they drive too fast, you should stop and wait until they pass.

_ Don’t try to pass big vehicles (bus, car…),  it is very dangerous.

_ Fortunately you can meet people locals, crossing the street with them. You can wait or  gather on groups to cross the street, that makes you safely.

_ If the roads are too crowded, you should find a intersection with the traffic lights. Not 100 percent Vietnamese will stop but at least, you can cross street more safely.

_ Sometime you will meet polices (wearing light green uniforms ) on the roads. They are very kind and ready to help you cross.

_ Remember, you must concentrate when travelling on the road . Although there are traffic lights or you go on the sidewalk, you can hitted. Almost Vietnamese do not  comply the rule.

_ Lastly, don’t try to pick up somethings when you are crossing.

Travelling on the road seems to be dangerous. But it is very interesting as you play adventure game. Besides, you will discover many things about Vietnamese as they wear, style hair… So why don’t you try?

Posed by: Than Thi Huong - Hanoi memory
                 thanthihuong.vy@gmail.com

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Get help in Hanoi - How to solve a big trouble on streets.

When travelling somewhere, nobody want to relate to the local authority such as: police or other administrative organizations. But sometimes, you are in dangerous situations, so always being free to contact with local authority to protect yourself.

In case you are in big trouble when travelling around The old quarter, such as: being robbed, losing your passport or being cheated by bad vendors and restaurants.

You want to find someone who have right to solve your problems or at least, they can contact with the right organizations such as: your country's embassy in Vietnam.

You should know that the only organization in Vietnam having right to solve problems listed above is police.

You can see that symbol in front of each police station in Vietnam.

On the Old Quarter, there are four police stations which is willing to give you a hand.

Or you can see traffic policeman standing at cross streets who are in the custom like this:

Actually almost policeman in Vietnam are not good in English, we will provide you some reports in Vietnamese, so you can give them these report when you are in trouble. They can understand  or they can find someone is good in English to translate and help you.

1. Being robbed

"We are foreign tourists. We are robbed. Please help us or contact with our national embassy in Vietnam"

2. Losing your passport:

"We are foreign tourists. We have lost our passports. Please help us to contact with our national embassy in Vietnam"

 

3. Being cheated by vendors or restaurants

"We are foreign tourists. We are cheated by those people *pointing out to people who cheat you*. Please help us to contact with our national embassy in Vietnam"

Or you can ask the policeman call for the receptionist of your hotel to get help.

Or you can ask the policeman call for us to become your translator.

Be free to contact to us.

Posted by: Hanoi memory
                   Tel: 0965-275-265

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