Traffic in Viet Nam
When thinking about traffic, I’ve a funny imagination of circulatory system. We need
circulatory system to pass nutrients, blood cells, hormones through the human body, so does
with the traffic. Traffic is one of the most important thing that every countries must pay
much concern. And traffic in Viet Nam, what we’ve done in 10 years?
1 Good and bad improvements
We should talk about the good first:
For 10 years, we completed some main roads contributing to the socio- economic
development such as Ben Thuy,Thai Binh bridges, national road No1( highway)…
Mountainous or rural transport in this period was also given much care of the government for
new lands, upgrading the old lands, broadening alleys.
Going along with the economic development, traffic in Viet Nam has a great jump that
is surprising. We can easily realize the changes. Ten years ago, the traffic was not as busy as
nowadays. Even in the craziest dream, I had never dreamt of riding a motorbike( at that time:
having a motorbike is quite luxury). Now you can own a motorbike with a small amount of
money; and if you have enough money, you can own a private car. Apparently, the life’s
standard is going up, it is expressed by the number of automobile driven on the roads.
But is it good or bad? Is it the sign of Viet Nam economic’s Wake Up. In fact,
transport doesn’t go a step ahead to meet the development’s requirements of the national
economy.
The traffic can be a nightmare for visitors to Viet Nam for the first time. Believe it or
not, there are transport rules but people don’t seem really interested in following them. Three
or four people on one motorbike is a common sight, particularly with the young. Every day,
there’re accidents we see and fear, which about 30 people die per day according to some
data on traffic accidents.
The traffic is worst during the rush hour when everyone is attempting to get to work or
get home quickly. Some people ride their motorbikes on the pavement rather than waiting in
the traffic jam. The people walking are just as likely to get hit on the pavement as they are
crossing the roads at such times. It’s crazy. Road users become very impatient, constantly
using their horns when there’s obviously nowhere to go, even shouting at other people to get
out of the way.

• Education and awareness raising: improve driver’s experience, teach the
children about the traffic an make them follow the law.
• Giving the high tax on automobiles especially on the imported car( such as
80%)
• Enforcing traffic regulations.
Someone told me the miraculous story of Viet Nam after the Innovation(1986). I
believe, however, it’s true for the economy not for the traffic. If someone wants to know how
is chaotic, see the traffic in Viet Nam. Do we want a country which we fear and hold our
breath when going out and join in the traffic? Stop talking and do it now to help yourselves