"Thirteen visits to Vietnam over the past 21 years have taught me many interesting things about a country enjoying peace and prosperity after decades of war in the 20th century: Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk and fresh lime soda are two of the best drinks in the world; waking up at dawn for a walk; the ancient city of Hue should be on every itinerary; Saigon tailors are the best; and crossing the street is simply a matter of confidence," she wrote.
In addition, she advised tourists never to drink tap water, to count the zeros when handling money, to wash their hands thoroughly before eating, and to be wary of pickpockets...
The streets of Ho Chi Minh City are always crowded with vehicles.
However, knowing how to cross the road in Vietnam is not a simple matter.
Sarah Nicholson shared that the key is to wait until there's a safe distance between cars, trucks, and motorcycles, then deliberately step off the pedestrian walkway and walk straight ahead at a steady pace. "Local drivers are trained to go around pedestrians, and collisions happen when tourists nervously stop or suddenly change direction," she emphasized as the deciding factor for success or failure.
Her advice was to make eye contact with approaching drivers and gesture to indicate where you want them to pass. A simpler approach is to wait for a local, then discreetly follow them to avoid the traffic and continue onward.
"In large cities, there are always automatic traffic lights at some major intersections, but don't assume that because there's a red light, all vehicles will stop and yield to pedestrians. 'Crossing the road blindly' is something to avoid, and you should always be aware that some motorcyclists and car drivers might run red lights and cause collisions," she added.
Crossing the road in Vietnam is a source of fear for many tourists.
Additionally, she shared tips on how to safely hail a taxi and avoid scams. For example, in Ho Chi Minh City, only take taxis from Vinasun or Mai Linh, ensuring the driver starts the meter and writes the destination in Vietnamese, as drivers rarely speak fluent English. If you don't choose a reputable company, you risk being taken on a roundabout route.
When leaving tourist attractions, such as the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City or the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, don't jump into the first taxi you see. Instead, stop at a cafe for a drink and ask them to call a reputable taxi for you.
However, you should get yourself a good pair of shoes and be ready to walk anytime. Because walking is also a way to explore the scenery and local life in Vietnam…
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