Wealth = mobility and Hanoians luurve their motorbikes! For the last two days, I was one of them. For the sum of US$10, I hired a Honda 125cc bike (helmet and gas not included) and puttered around much of the city.
It's small but sturdy, 125ccs of vroom vroom
Made in Vietnam by Honda...
I decided to take the splurge after a day of walking around the old quarter and wanting to see more. Also I was not a big fan of walking that much. First reaction of most of my frens was "are you insane?" Here's a short clip of a typical pack of Hanoi riders.
You see, it's not really that bad! Just replace 7/8 of the bikes in the video with urban assault vehicles and reduce the driver skill level by 9/10ths and you're in San Francisco! Goods get transported on them. Families go out on them. People eat on them. Mobility, yeay! (take THAT Muni!)
Drive thru, Hanoi style
You can carry stuff like a 55 gallon oil drum
Or even the day's bia hoi (beer) delivery!
And as for crossing the street, what worry? Just pick an opening, make eye contact and walk at a constant speed. We will see you and ride around you. Don't make any sudden changes in your path, OTW you may be hit...
crossing the road for yet another bia hoi...
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