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.