Hanoi Madness

Hanoi traffic is not something I was prepared for, Egypt is bad, Turkey is bad, Hanoi is in a class of its own. Couple of things I’ve seen/lived through:

1. 40 km/h on a moped is not very fast; 40 km/h on a moped going the wrong way with incoming traffic is very fast.
2. 6 people in a car is many; 6 people on a motor bike is ... many.
3. Crossing a 6 lane road in Brisbane is doable; crossing a 6 lane road in Hanoi is unfeasible.
4. In Hanoi 3 moped drivers can carry what will take 2 trucks in Australia.
5. Sleeping in a car is easy, sleeping on a moped is... apparently easy.
6. 20 cm between cars at 60 km/h is close, in Hanoi they can fit a moped in there (with 3 people on it)

Crossing the road is done as follows: You take a deep breath and walk at a constant pace. The stream of vehicles will flow around you, like a stream around a rock. The trick is to stay relaxed and trust the vehicles to miss you. Best not to look to the incoming traffic.

Off we go!

Our trip is going to be fast paced trek through Vietnam and Cambodia. The plan is to see the major sights and go native in about 15 days. Travel methods: Car, Plane, Train, Tuk Tuk, Boat, Fast Boat, Motor bike, foot and ULM.

Looks like a challenging trip? You betcha...

KL, Hanoi, Sapa, Danang, Hoi An, HCM city, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, KL and Home