The Art of Crossing the Street in Ho Chi Minh City

[beteltree]

Have you considered surrendering? That's right...raise both hands above your head. I did it once or twice out of sheer frustration, though not in front of Ben Thanh Market thank God.

[pgmountain2010]

hahaha get used to it dudes i am 14 and i do it everyday!!!!!lol

[thuylee77]

It's fun actually. You'll feel like you are a superman after you try it

[joele1402]

Tôi yêu Việt Nam <3

[garygarybeers]

Went to Vietnam and Cambodia with a few friends a couple of years back and the first stop on our trip was Ho Chi Minh City. A complete mind fuck as you are used to traffic lights, crosswalks etc. But after one day of getting in amongst it, you find yourself crossing busy street, roads and roundabouts like it was econd nature. The secret is to walk in a steady pace on watch the oncoming traffic, the other stuff will go around you. Found that Hanoi was very westernized in terms of traffic rules

[leoray1234]

You did it wrong on the last one...you're supposed to keep moving at a steady pace, without stopping or jerking. It's dangerous if you change your pace. We were in Saigon and saw a 90 year old woman with a cane cross a crazy street without even looking! Haha

[EarthquakePrep]

The guy is simply crazy or he is try to prepare himself for circus.What kind of wish is that to cross the traffic crowded road ,I could not understand.There are some mads still in normal way....

[aznjokernerd]

been to vietnam 3x never in my life and on baby buddha life i will ever step a foot to walk across a street with a whole bunch of motorcycles driving and car passing D;!!

[LAHrebirth]

if this was america they'd run you over and then flip you off XP

[Mystep]

Been there done that. I even drove one of those little motorbikes in that kind of traffic. My wife once told me I'm no angel,now I am...

[williamjeffersonreid]

Every quarterback should go to HCMC and train over there.

[stowsux]

One word: Frogger.

[Midnightryder7]

Probably the best drivers in the world

[l8erh8er420]

@Midnightryder7 i highly doubt that. in bigger cities you have ppl like this driving more crazy an more dangerous, ppl call them good drives. its not good, a good driver refuses to drive like that.

[IgnoredComment]

who knew crossing the street could be this exciting, ONLY IN VIETNAM!

[noxure]

@IgnoredComment Everything is more exciting in Vietnam. A simple cup of coffee hits you like a line of coke, taking the bus turns into a near death experience, walking on the pavement can break your legs. They sell all sorts of drugs on the street, rent out motorcycles with no brakes and some people try to rip you off all the time because you're white.

But it's still by far the most awesome country ever. ^^

[nmgscp]

I've been myself in this situation in Ho Chi Minh City. I wanted to buy some batteries and there was a supermarket on the other side of the street. A guy working in the hotel took me to the other side of the street, but the problem was that I didn't get the batteries because there wasn't any in the supermarket and I had to cross back the street to go to the hotel again. A truck failed me by a nail. It's scary but ppl in Vietnam are quite relaxed, for them this is normal, they take all it easy.

[khucbanchieu1981]

If you live in vietnam long enough, you would found out that pedestrian is one of the most powerful in traffic here. We have to keep our eyes open wide for them, and sometime a cluster of bikes get group hit because of avoiding a pedestrian. They even don't care to watch the traffic, just cross on their own will. And many of accidents are because of the pedestrians faults. That's why the government now issue stricter rules for pedestrians.

[hellven89]

@khucbanchieu1981 yes, you really have a right point, I've never noticed that. But we all know that our rules are a fail, no pedestrians are gonna be fined..........we need something like...a change in mind...

[nhostyle]

Its like a challenge for us to cross a traffic in vietnam but for people who live there they cross like hundred of times per for the past years

[MinhKhai1]

Búa Liềm Là Liếm Buồi

[thefrigidkiller]

well, rules're different now ! pedestrians must walk on zebra -crossing if they want to cross a street. If not, they'll have an exciting meeting with the policeman. haha,

[thaolinh362]

Haha, foreign people come to VN and they usually video traffic. I think just because there are too many motorbikes in VN that make the crossing seems dangerous, not like cars in other countries which does not seem crowded like this. But anyway, in the traffic like this, you foreign people will not get hit because they ride very carefully......I've never seen accidents at this time of traffic in VN.

[garlex134]

 That's what my mom told me, just be confident. I'm like, how could i be confident if I could barely cross a street without running even with street lights in Canada?LOL!

[neko3796]

haha.....I'm Vietnamese and I live in Hanoi

I must cross the street 2 times a week....

so if you want to cross the street in Vietnam, plz be careful and walk slowly. Don't ever run as fast as you can or stand, you will.....

[chosanbo]

You call this art =)) ?

Real Art is run cross =))

[duyet]

You made it \m/ haha \m/

Not scary at all when u cross the railway =))

[nothingatalla]

here we go, dont kill me dont kill me ha ha :))

[SparklySunset]

my dad said to not stop or ull get owned LOL just keep walking at a constant speed

[alvinus23]

how many times did he say Oh Jesus XD , omg i miss my country so much...thx guy, u made it good job ! But be careful with traffic in VN, somtimes u can be hit suddenly when u're crossing street.

[dondean55]

I never saw a pedestrian got hit by traffic in Saogon. Accidence only happened from vehicles to vihicles. So go ahead cross street with full confidence, any style that you like. If you are tourists on foot, you are even safer. Locals automatically give you diplomat immunity from accident in traffic. In very rare cases, you might encounter with some Saigonais who are not aware this rule.

[tamgiang]

find yourself a stick a dark pair of sun glasses and everyone will yield to you. Good luck.

[commmmnnnnbbbb]

thats my daily life

[KatiushaVN4]

Hey White/Latino boy! When you cross the streets, make sure to come to traffic lights where you may find crosswalk. Don't ever cross at will and then complain. Got it stupid White/Latin boy?!!

[MrDoubleD11]

Keep moving forward that's all you have to do.

[GUNAM2]

i been doing that when i was 5 lol.... is scary but u will get use 2 it

[XirOa]

lawl that is scary!

[coolmanken]

and i saw a local woman around 50+ crossing it while texting on her handphone..... pro

[t4nvmind]

@coolmanken haha, really? sure she didn't get her phone stolen?

[littlekiwi11]

awesome, worst is when you go to a country that drives on the opposite side of the road and you get cleaned up from the other way you naturally turn your head towards

[nictophobia1]

The key is a slow and steady pace. You only stop for cars. The bikes will go around you, but you must keep moving. There's no doubt it's dangerous you may as well close your eyes and walk slowly. In effect it's what you're doing anyway

[TOMP66666]

Prosperity only exists in big cities in Vietnam like Hanoi and Saigon, but 80% of Vietnamese population live in poor, underdeveloped rural areas. While corrupt communist leaders like Prime minister Nguyen tan Dung and President Nguyen minh Triet are multi-billionaires, a regular Vietnamese earns only $1 per day. More than 200,000 Vietnamese women from poor families, many as young as ten, are working as prostitutes and sex slaves in China, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Korea.

[floodgateman]

very true!!! i stayed there for one year!!!

[AndyHan888]

hahahaahahahahahahahaahahahaha­hahahahahahahahahahahaahahhaah­ahahahah

that's so funny! lol! hohohohhoho! finally huh? finally u made it huh? hohoho! YEAH,dawn!  ONLY in VIET NAM!!!!!

[TheSchoseff]

crossing strees in Saigon is easy, just take the courage and walk in, all will float around you. only rule: steady and slowly. abrupt moves can be painful and too quick will make it impossible for them to go around you as there is millions of things to watch. I am a regular saigon streetcrosser and driver as I lived there for some time and initially i learned it form an old lady, just walked in the 'shade' and was really surprised to make it.This video is quite lame, not much traffic...

[badaboomstick32]

wow man, that was so cool, you are so cool

[Catsfaith]

Crossing streets in Vietnam, takes some courage. Two main points would be to constantly be moving foward, and look the Vehicle driver in the eye. The looking of the driver in the eye conveys that you note them as a moving being and respect that they might not slow down, turn or evade you. Most times given a choice they would avoid you with turning, slowing down, speeding up or outright stopping. But as long as you don't walk into their handlebars while still moving foward, you should be ok.

[juanmedin]

Great ! I still have to master it, though. It gets in my nerves.

[Jamietran123]

jsut close your eyes n walk slowly it works

[vniikstar]

@Jamietran123 Yeah, walk slowly. Don't be scared. DON'T EVER RUN. Nobody wants to hit you.

But hey, don't close your eyes.

[nomad18psycho]

@Jamietran123 lol

[natureloverdude]

@Jamietran123 never close ur eyes

[grhovane]

Pretty good......but crossing your fingers in HCMC is worse than giving the finger in the states.....its think it means "go eff yourself"....but the besides that, very good!

[davidnodavid]

hahaha I love the title

[carlosbethoo]

hahaha intentas eso en mexico i quedas abajo de un camion

[overmidnight]

I think I saw you

[Enerjee]

It looks very similar to Cairo, but in Cairo there are fewer motos and more cars, lorries and buses.

There are quite a few people walking around Cairo with permanently damaged limbs which I suspect are from being hit by traffic. Is it the same in Saigon?

[christophmb]

Great movie. Hope you got to try the Pho'

[hotjj100]

This is crazy!!! nothing like New Zealand!

[hnguyen3k]

Just walk straight accross. Don't run. They will avoid you.

[jblue2000]

Now, that wasn't so hard was it?

[qia0kelixXxp0cky]

heh wish i had watched this video before i decided to go to HCMC for the summer...

[hgorman]

hahaha, you should use your Frogger skil to cross this street.

[inlacrima2013]

like you said, confidence is key, if you act all sketchy and do a lot of stop and go foot stepping you throw the bikers off and increase your chance of getting hit,

[lansangelegg]

Hehehe, crossing that street is the same as crossing any busy street here in the Philippines. Good job in crossing the street.

[matthewgist]

If it helps you feel any better, crossing the street is as much an ordeal for the locals as it is for you.

[evanesced8]

Not bad. From my experience, I'd say the mistake you are making is turning your head to look at oncoming motorists. When they realize that you see them, they just keep coming, knowing that you will stop. If you just keep your head forward and use your peripheral vision, more will swerve around you and you'll get across faster.

[TOMP66666]

Prosperity only exists in big cities in Vietnam like Hanoi and Saigon, but 80% of Vietnamese population live in poor, underdeveloped rural areas. While corrupt communist leaders like Prime minister Nguyen tan Dung and President Nguyen minh Triet are multi-billionaires, a regular Vietnamese earns only $1 per day. More than 200,000 Vietnamese women from poor families, many as young as ten, are working as prostitutes and sex slaves in China, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Macau, Taiwan, and Korea.

[MrAfriend1994]

Đụ má mày con chó ăn nói đàng hoàn nha!!

[ntn1987]

look, advance slowly, and NEVER EVER look back

[BCT911]

ahhahaha funny

[trammai717]

Lol you are way better than me. I'm the local here but I always find it difficult to cross the street alone =/

[dakarateboi]

In 1972 ,Ho Chi Minh once boasted: March forward and defeat American Imperialists we would build our Communism tenfold better than capitalist society! Now, 2009 the fact that is it! Is that the heaven on earth? so million young Vietnamese got killed for this HEAVEN ? Bastard Ho is liar! You see that?

[rickslik]

the key is to walk at a 45 degree angle as your cross.

walking towards the traffic at a 45 degree angle.

[theDRaKKaR]

Oh, it is like Rome, Italy...

[jellofast]

lol that's just one crossing

[sacredemma]

hanoi is worse than that, if possible.

[Markymarkus060994]

lol went to ho chi minh,cant even remember seeing a traffic light there,only officers to blow their whistles to the vehicles..

[happyboyy8k]

good job. everybody have to wear helmet now in Saigon City. I love Vietnam

[kk1000v]

The most incredible traffic I have ever seen. It's like big trial of ants.

[Killnem301]

good video

[jetcityprince]

Yeah, you are so brave just like that lady.... we're all so proud of you

[JBobVN]

Picturesque spot but too easy! Up the street is the Nguyen Trai "Traffic Circle of Death."

Not only is Sai Gon a dangerous city to travel in, it is by far the noisiest. And you can count the number of traffic police on duty using just one hand! Nuts!

[Gooner74]

hilarious video! just got back from Saigon and its really like this.. when you first arrive there you actually consider staying on one side of the road and never crossing.. but its fun when you do!

[Number1BSArtist]

Yes, they have a helmet law now.

[alexander0025]

im vietnamese and the city is actually called Saigon from now on

[AmericanYankees]

Nice city

[zen75zen]

It could save times. Nobody has to stop. You go your way. I go my way. Nobody has the right of way. Every one has to keep an eye on each other. Everything will be ok. Life is thrilling...Don't you think.

[phudao41]

the secret of the famous trick, is to walk camly, and let the poeple dodge u

[DianeRules]

there are traffic lights in Vn

[Kabuki0Kozou]

Its true traffic, but thats nothing, the good part is the traffic is very smooth because most people are using Bikes.

Unlike here in Dubai, Its pretty Damn Traffic because its filled with thousand of cars and Heavy Mobiles...

[jaketassie]

mental

[jonmahoney04]

It can be about the same in Russia.

[ChineseElf]

Know what was going on in my head first? 'no pedestrian crossing?? how primitive', But turn it around, change of perspective, then I started seeing how the traffic willingly slowed down for that one pedestrian. Have that here in Singapore, people start honking like mad. People are here are more distrustful, because they rely too much on machines to do their emoting. Life is wonderful =)

[jhogy]

been there, done that. Just don't hesitate. It screws them up as they anticipate your crossing and you will more likely get hit.

[firstcybermind]

he's smart thou. Just watch out for non-stoppers (fast-riding teens)

[iglyduckling]

You know what, in Vietnam, bikes and cars will go around you when you cross the street, why? because there 're tons of jay walkers in Vietnam, if you ride a bike, you will see, sometimes a dog crossing, sometimes a street vendor suddenly rush across the street, or the bike ahead stops right on a 1 dollar bill to pick it up. expect many objects can be thrown out from other bikes or cars like trash, nilon bag, even fruit...hehe, that's crazy but lot of fun

[walkalonelx]

hahaha he's funny.

[vinnymatrix]

Vietnamese population are 87 millions and they have 34 million motobikes + 1.8 million car only.That is why it looks like this. Imagine, If they can change 34 million motobike to 6-7 million car, the city would be ok.... spend 3 thousand for bike is better 25 thousand for car...Infrastructure and economic make people use it.

[BayAreaBiker2001]

No pedal bikes? $25000 sounds a little steep for a car. My most expensive bike costs only $350, most are about $100.

[SaraTGinMD]

If you want to see the real Vietnam get out of that tourist district you are in in that video

[Gava05]

hey lucky you notget hit .hahahahha nice clip thank.

[xaberz]

I remember one time I was riding a bus in Vietnam, and this bus was trying to pass this woman on a motorbike. Well she showed no signs of moving, so when the bus finally passed her, the attendant whose job was to get people on the bus stuck his arm out the window and hit the lady in the back of the head with a newspaper as she was driving. O_O

passing a motor bike, and one of the bus attendants that tried to get people on the bus actually stuck his arm out the window

[Commiessux]

hahahah, i know what you mean, i did that everytime.......jk i've never able to drive while i lived in VN....anyway, sometime forget to give signal while you drive cus cost your live, that's why the number of car accident in VN over a months is much higher than US over a year....

[andydaicavn]

đúng là Tây, cùi bắp wá.

[Commiessux]

andydaicavn , you think that's lame? for you yes but for other living in a place where the order and rule being obey that sin't lame.

[xaberz]

haha, that was pretty good. I love how you can do that and people just swerve around you and it's no big deal. In America if you do that everyone looks at you like a lunatic and cars don't know what to do.

[shiningyrlife]

cu`i ca'i da^`u, vietnam cha.y xe kieu do', co' dan vietnam moi di noi, duong nhien Westerner ko di duoc roi, noi chuyen kieu gi` ma` ngu vay.

[sebsebvn]

khung wa troi oi

[nguyxua]

LIE-how do they built the concrete tunnel in the war time . Where are the construction equipments? Are they do it by hand . They actually build it by mouth !!!!! what a lie !!! Shammed

[pjebarakus]

lool

[bietphailamsao]

It is easily mate. I used to cross the steet like that many times!!!

[hothuyhoang]

He is brave!!! My boss have worked in Saigon for more than 1 year and still could not be like him.

[tubeyourbutt]

yea man, like i posted on the other video like this one, just move a couple steps, and then stand still for couple seconds, then move again, keep repeating the steps... otherwise just dodge the coming scooters like Keanu Reeves dodging bullets... ur not gonna get hurt from a scooter hit LOL

[vitconbubam]

that guy is xDDDD silly... Can't he see that they slow down whenever he came near a vehicle?

[sazji]

Heh, I'd rather deal with that then hyper-polite masochistic Seattle drivers, who sit and wave you on at the intersection when they have the right-of-way! What is eternity? Four Seattle drivers at a four-way stop...

[austpers]

Now, let's see if you can do same in Tehran. You're invited, Meet you at Azadi Square 8am. I'll film and promise not to laugh. Paramedics will be standing by...

[vnduck]

pussy, that's nothing man.

not like they're aiming for you. Just keep walking!

[hanoirock]

Man, this was an easy level, if you wanna do normal, try rush hour at around 8am or 5pm. And hard and world-class level is crossing in heavy rain at around 9pm, when no one really cares a thing on a road.

[Pablitchus]

Que pasa... no hay semáforos??? Eso es una cosa de locos!!

[tomngoz]

The area he walks is not an intersection, so there is no trafic light.

[anhchangsh]

that's aight bro , you know nobody 's gonna crash you if they see you in da traffic... absolutely!!!

[vietsoul8x]

oye... this kind of art crossing reminds me of my childfood in Saigon lolz

[bphendri]

When I was there, I would hail a cab to go down the street and make a U-Turn and get out. It's just THAT crazy.

[Dayvit78]

No kidding, that's the most touristy part of HCM, right in front of Ben Thanh market. Go to some of the farther out parts of town during rush hour, and people are driving on the sidewalks and everything. It's mad crazy, but they do have traffic lights...

[battlesick]

hey man, you picked a very simple spot to cross. do it downtown at 5pm

[kennethcmdk]

Really funny video, I had no idea that you didnt have traffic light in Ho Chi Minh City..

[hrmmmm]

nice!

[philsebben7]

it would be funny if they got smoked by a car while explaning it

[Oneshot112]

lol

[lanzemurdok]

lol that's awesome