VIDEO: Commuting in Saigon

EBee · Post by **EBee** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:15 pm

The cars are a minority here! http://vimeo.com/32958521

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:25 pm

That was a blast to watch! That round about was uber-scary.

The use of the speed control in the video was extremely well done.

Hah, stupid cars.

Raiderfn311 · Post by **Raiderfn311** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:32 pm

It would be a bit scary, but Id jump right in!!! Then I would find a "me love you long time" lady.

Dibber · Post by **Dibber** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 2:53 am

I was there in 1971 during the war. The traffic looks the same, but the city has really changed for the good. Glade to see how nice they have rebuilt the city. Thanks for sharing the clip. I would like to go back there someday and see it in a more peaceful way.

rsrider · Post by **rsrider** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 3:23 am

I've heard stories where in Hanoi at night, they have massive scooter races in the middle of the city. The one caveat is that the police randomly shoot into the swarm of scooters as they go by. Easy to lose position with a sudden bullet wound.

agrogod · Post by **agrogod** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 10:19 am

Because of the time lapse it reminded me of an angry swarm of fire ants. Just seemed like chaos going on in the circle. And of the few cars that were present, most looked like some type of public transport and delivery vehicles.

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 10:43 pm

That was a really cool video and it reminded me a lot of my experience in Taiwan. The part showing the traffic circle with the island in the middle is uncannily exactly the same as in Hsin Chu Taiwan. My first time trying to ride a scooter into this maelstrom was a arse puckering experience. I soon got used to it and just closed my eyes and hoped for the best. It really isn't that bad once one gets used to it. Lucky for me, in the one and a half years I spent there, I didn't get into a single accident on a scooter. Cars? Well, that's a different story. Like the creator of the Saigon video says, there's a certain "energy" in the flow of life there that's hard to describe and that I'll always miss.

Howardr · Post by **Howardr** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 11:07 pm

I would kind of like to see that in normal speed. It's a beautiful piece as is, though.

Howard

un_designer · Post by **un_designer** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 9:40 pm

Yes there are a lot of scooters and bicicyles and everything else in the city. That video actually doesn't show it as crowded as I've seen/been in. It's crazy but not too bad if you pay attention. Depending on the road/s that you're on, the speed is pretty slow so it's not bad at all. You just stick to a crowd of the same type of vehicle/speed and move as a group and it's more or less fine. I was there for several weeks a few years ago and went all over on a bicycle and it was fine.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 10:54 am

city looks amazing and beautiful. would love to visit there

or even live

america is getting on my nerves as of late. if it keeps up i shall retire elsewhere. hopefully, scooters will be there such as in HCMC

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:39 am

Cool video! Thanks for sharing.

At first, I thought the one circled in red was a Buddy, but I guess it's a Vespa.

Anyone have any idea what the heck the one in blue is? Is that a Segway, or something else????

Other observations:
* There are an amazing amount of people riding 2 up.
* In the gas station scene, I see that they do not pump their own gas. LOTS of attendants in sight, and it's a small station....

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:59 am

rsrider wrote:I've heard stories where in Hanoi at night, they have massive scooter races in the middle of the city. The one caveat is that the police randomly shoot into the swarm of scooters as they go by. Easy to lose position with a sudden bullet wound.