June 17, 2014 — The Adventure Begins

It’s safe to say that I may be enjoying this time between school terms just a little bit too much…

So much that I actually agreed to buy a moped and drive down the entire length of the country, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City — which is over a 1,700km (over 1,000 miles). 

YES.

I fully acknowledge that this plan may sound like an absolute nightmare to most, but I could not be more excited for this crazy adventure. We have a ton of cities and landmarks on our map that we want to stop and check out. We estimate the trip will take about three weeks, but that is most definitely a rough estimate. It very well could end up taking a bit longer than that. I guess that’s the luxury of being on vacation, who cares! As long as I’m back for the first day of school in August?!

How I I get a my hands on a moped? That’s a fair question.

As previously noted, there are in fact no (enforced) rules in this country. A little bit of money will get you anything you want, literally. So it is extremely common for foreigners to come to Vietnam and just hours after landing, have their very own moped and be zipping around this crazy city.

Is it safe?

No, not really. The driving here can’t be explained. You’ll be shocked to hear that there are no rules on the road, either. But it is the only way to get around Vietnam, I’d estimate (at least) 75% of drivers here use mopeds. So foreigners really have no choice but to join the moped world or else there is no way to get around.

When I bought the moped I got driving lessons. Funny, yes I know. I needed them since the bike is semi-automatic (meaning it has four gears that you switch between, but no clutch) — I don’t know anything about motorized vehicles, that’s just what I was told. I had no idea how to switch gears and that junk, so I had to learn that and also how to drive in this crazy traffic.

The first things my instructor said were — Be very predictable. They are not aggressive drivers like us, they do not honk because they are pissed off, they honk as an FYI to let you know that they are near you. Fair enough.

As I got to driving around the city that proved to be true. The semi-organized chaos is actually sort of fascinating. You will see people drift diagonally across four lanes, but very slowly. Most mopeds don’t even have mirrors. Why? Because if you most slow and predictably, people behind you will move. This rule goes for pedestrians crossing the roads, too. The only way is just by inching out slowly and walking at a steady pace, the cars just go around you. This was really hard to get used to because your instincts tell you — SPRINT!!!! But yeah, don’t sprint even though there are 60 mopeds coming straight at you and definitely do not stop. Just walk, slowly.

Yeah, I’m doomed.

I’m sure we are in for our fair share of moped breakdowns on the side of the road, but I guess that’s part of the adventure!

Our first (planned) stop is Ninh Binh, a little over 100km south of Hanoi. There’s apparently a really gorgeous National Park located in that area, so we hope to spend the day tomorrow checking that out!

I will keep everyone posted on the adventure! I proud to say that I have the GoPro chest strap, and yes, clearly I will be wearing that camera on my chest during the scenic parts of the drive. WOOOO!