How Many Motorcycles in Ho Chi Minh City?
How many motorcycles in Ho Chi Minh City? Apparently there are over two million scooters, mopeds and motorcycles teeming through the streets (and on the pavements) of Vietnam’s largest City, and they are an attraction in their own right.
Totally mesmerizing to watch, they buzz about their business, inches apart; streaming down avenues, weaving, wending, intertwining their way across town and performing hair’s breadth manoeuvres at every cross-road.
Young women wearing peaked helmets sit straight-backed at the traffic lights. Families ride pillion – four up plus baby. A wardrobe passes by. The blasting of horns and the screech of brakes is constant, the air is fume-filled and the traffic relentless. But it's fascinating.
As captivating as it is to watch if you want to see some of the city you’re going to have to step into this moving chaos and cross a road or two - not least because there's not always room on the pavements for pedestrians. That's where the scooters park.
How to cross the road in Saigon and Ho Chi Minh City
There is a technique to crossing the road and I’ve got to admit the first time I did it was terrifying; but if we'd waited for a break in the traffic we'd have waited all day.
So when you've mustered the courage, pick your moment and step off the pavement and cross at a slow, steady pace until you reach the other side. Remember to breathe.
Motorcyclists will try to negotiate pedestrians and they’ll pace themselves to avoid you; as long as you don't step backwards, stop or make any unexpected movements.
Always look both ways – even in a one-way street the traffic travels in both directions. If you’re lucky enough to find some traffic lights don’t cross at the last-minute - the scooters will hit the gas about five seconds before the lights change to green.
Pedestrian crossings? We didn’t find anywhere that the traffic actually stopped.
Finally, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em - we had a mini tour of the city to experience the traffic from the streets – riding pillion or Xe Om as it's known locally.
Here's my You Tube clip - I'm not an expert at filming footage from the back of a bike but it'll give you an idea and the grin on our friend Bobby's face is priceless...
Thank you for your article. Since your article was posted, the number of motorbikes in Ho Chi Minh City has reached a staggering 8 million (plus). Arguably, the most important message here is - be careful when you cross the road.
2017 about 13 million resident are living in sai gon and 7,6 million motorcycles
@ly nguyen, In my opinion, people in Vietnam should follow the motorcycle sharing concept. Instead of buying a new motorcycle, they should share. Motorcycle sharing idea is going on in the Philippines since 2016. Most people who don't use their motorcycles rent out and make extra income. This way local people can get some income
Visited the Philippines before covid and traveled all over the Philippines just by renting motorcycles from local people. Fond local start-up Book2wheel where I could find people near me who were renting out their motorbikes.
I should say people should give a try sharing scooters instead of owning one.
That sounds like an excellent idea - much more sustainable too.
your article is very interesting to read.
Thanks April 🙂
Looking for a great rooftop bar in Saigon?
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Both Saigon Saigon in the Caravelle and the rooftop bar at the Rex have great bars and fabulous views. Cheers!
I have been based in Saigon for most of the last year and have gotten used to the traffic now, but on my first visit I wondered how I would ever cross the road. Definitely an art to it!
We're heading back to Saigon this year for New Year - really looking forward to it, even crossing the roads!
Hi! I just read this blog. I remembered my December trip last year and crossing the streets was crazy! The moment you pass over, there's no turning back. That's what made it more exciting.
It's mad - I realised after a while that I was holding my breath each time I crossed - and breathing a hugh sigh of relief when I reached the other side!
Times have changed...before it was bicycles, now it is motorcycles. 😉
I'd love to have seen it before motorcycles 🙂
Our daughter just returned from Vietnam with similar stories 😉
I hope your daughter loved it as much as we did - the traffic is unbelievable...
I've never been to Ho Chi Minh city but seen similar motorcycle madness in Bangkok - crazy stuff, definitely interesting to watch.
If you find a rooftop bar you could spent all evening just watching the traffic - you couldn't choreograph it!
I loved the video. We were much to sensible to go pillion on a scooter, but walking was 'fun'.
Thank you - the scooter ride was one of the highlights and we all loved it. Makes me smile now just thinking about it!
Wonderful blog. The best advice I received before visiting Ho Chi Minh was to close your eyes and cross the road (in theory this would work, in practice it is not advisable!)
Glad to hear you like the blog, thank you. Gotta say my heart was in my mouth - I did try to take some video but needed to concentrate on crossing too much...
Motorcycle madness is certainly an appropriate title! I've often described Saigon traffic to others as a sea of scooters 🙂
That's appropriate too - when you watch them go around corners they do sort of flow...
Well it's definitely possible cos you guys all made it! Happy days..
It did get a bit hairy at times - I realised I'd been holding my breath until I'd got to safety on the other side!
I remember my first day in Hanoi - I dreaded crossing any road, but after a week I didn't care. I found it best to look down, walk fast and hope for the best.
I'd forgotten how scary it is stepping onto the road for the first time but you're right you do get used to it.
The traffic was bad there when I went back in 2003 and looks even worse now - our way of crossing the road was to lurk near a local and follow them when they crossed, usually worked pretty well!
Lurking's a great plan Lucy - if I go back I'll definitely use that one!