Stepping onto the street after 10 minutes of observation, Geepee still felt his heart pounding as he navigated through the chaotic flow of traffic at an intersection in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
The Nigerian man cautiously followed a group of three Vietnamese pedestrians ahead of him, raising his right hand to signal his presence to drivers. He even thought it would be better if he held a bottle in his hand—an unconventional trick he had picked up after two years in Vietnam, VNExpress, a local media reported.
Before arriving in Hanoi in 2022, Geepee had watched numerous videos about Vietnamese traffic. “It looked chaotic, but experiencing it in real life was far more shocking,” he admitted. “The streets were packed with vehicles, and it seemed like no driver wanted to stop.”
Sitting on the sidewalk, he observed and marveled at how locals managed to cross the street unscathed.
The first time Geepee attempted to cross an intersection in Hoan Kiem District, he quickly realized it was no easy feat. The speeding motorbikes terrified him—each time he took a few steps, he found himself retreating to safety. On one occasion, he was even hit by a motorbike while trying to cross, deepening his fear.
A few months later, after deciding to settle in Hanoi, he acknowledged that crossing the street was a “survival skill” he had to master. He sought advice from both Vietnamese locals and long-term expats and picked up some valuable tips.
Mastering the Art of Crossing the Street in Vietnam
The first lesson he learned was to follow the locals—crossing the street alongside them made him feel more secure. Geepee realized that in Vietnam, “you shouldn’t rush, but you also shouldn’t hesitate too much.” Maintaining eye contact with drivers and raising a hand as a signal were crucial tactics.
“Sometimes, I even have to shout to make sure they notice I’m crossing,” he said. At the same time, he stayed alert, constantly scanning his surroundings to maintain a safe distance from oncoming traffic.
Geepee is among the 70% of foreigners who struggle to adapt to Vietnam’s traffic rules, particularly in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, according to a survey by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
A separate survey by Internations Expat Insider identified traffic as one of the biggest culture shocks for foreigners in Vietnam. Around 45% of respondents reported difficulties related to transportation.
The hashtag #howtocrosstheroadinVietnam has garnered thousands of comments across social media platforms. Several YouTubers and TikTokers have even created instructional videos on crossing streets in Vietnam, attracting millions of views.
Learning Through Social Media
Peter Hall, a 29-year-old expat, resorted to watching online tutorials after struggling to cross the street for three months.
At the end of 2019, he secured a job contract in Ho Chi Minh City and had little time to prepare for life in Vietnam.
On his way from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Thao Dien, Thu Duc City, he was overwhelmed by the millions of motorbikes swarming around him. He couldn’t comprehend how Vietnamese people managed to cross the street safely.
“In places without pedestrian crossings, they seem to rely purely on instinct and experience,” Peter recalled. “It was incredibly difficult to step forward with all those motorbikes seemingly about to hit me.”
After five years in Vietnam, Peter now confidently crosses the street like a local. He believes that staying calm, walking at a steady pace, and consistently signaling with his hand are the keys to success. By 2022, he was even teaching these techniques to his family when they visited.
Adapting to Hanoi’s Traffic
Similarly, Tamara Hoffman, a South African teacher, sought help from friends in Vietnam when she first arrived in mid-2017. Living in Tay Ho District, Hanoi, she was initially overwhelmed by the chaotic traffic.
Back home, traffic accidents were mostly caused by drunk driving or speeding. But in Hanoi, she struggled to grasp the unwritten rules of how people moved on the streets.
She soon learned to wave her hand while crossing and walk at a steady pace. “If I stop abruptly, I’ll be in someone else’s way,” she explained. “So the best thing to do is stay calm, signal, and keep walking.”
Tamara eventually came to appreciate that, despite its seemingly disorganized nature, Vietnamese traffic flows smoothly. She noted that as long as drivers maintain a moderate speed, the system works.
While she has adapted well, many of her friends visiting Vietnam for the first time still struggle with crossing the street. To help them, she shares her personal formula: stay calm, look ahead, and raise your hand.
Traffic Regulations Becoming Stricter
During the Tet holiday in 2025, when streets became even busier, Geepee observed that people were more compliant with traffic rules than before. He attributed this change to stricter enforcement and heavier penalties for traffic violations introduced by the government.
“I hope crossing the street will become easier over time,” he said. “But the sooner I get used to Vietnamese traffic, the faster I can fully integrate into life here.”
