If you’ve been to South East Asia, you no doubt saw and remember the many motorcycles and the array of things being transported on them. Animals, entire families, deliveries, refrigerators – you name it, someone will attempt to move it by motorbike.
They really do put North America to shame with our minivans and jeeps and trucks. We only get let off the hook a bit on account that you can’t exactly drive around a motorbike in the middle of a Canadian winter.
Of the many times I chuckled seeing what people had managed to strap to their wheels, (it happened enough for me to dedicate an entire Friday Five video to funny motorcycle pictures), this snapshot captures one of my favourites sightings.
Ok, it’s not exactly the wildest of attempts to push the limits of a motorcycle, but this little girl in Vietnam took it upon herself to hide under her mother’s shirt. For safety? To protect herself from the fumes of other vehicles? Perhaps she was scared of something? Who knows.
I didn’t notice her at first but then saw that tiny little leg hanging out and realized a small child was along for the ride. Adorable.
Part of the experience of visiting Vietnam and other parts of South East Asia is the madness of thousands of motorcycles zipping around you at any given time and simply avoiding being hit by one.
However, many travellers like to jump in on the action and get around by motorcycle in Vietnam. Usually this consists of a journey from Ho Chi Minh City in the south to Hanoi in the north (or vice versa).
When I was planning my visit to Vietnam I had considered this but having never actually driven a motorcycle before, I figured it wasn’t the best idea to start in a country that has a different way of driving than we do back home. I was also short on time and didn’t want to be rushed in the experience.
My friends Ant and Elise over at Positive World Travel bought a motorcycle in Vietnam as their primary means of transport and put together an excellent guide on buying a motorbike in Vietnam. Give it a gander if this is something you’re thinking of trying.
For those of you who haven’t been to Asia, be forewarned that the roads are a whole new bag a tricks than what you are used to at home. Passing, signalling, speed, signalling, it all makes you want to hold on tights.
You’re going to make sure you practice in advance, have a solid set wheels, a sturdy motorcycle battery, proper clothing, some skills when it comes to fixing your bike and most importantly a helmet. DO NOT drive without a helmet – please!
I hope someday I am able to head back to Vietnam and try getting around by motorcycle. While it comes with risks and certainly some challenging and stressful days, I think it would be an exhilarating way to see a country and ‘do as the locals do’.
Or, I’ll just get my mom to come drive a motorcycle for me and I’ll hide under her shirt like the little girl in this photo. Ha!
Have you driven through Vietnam or anywhere in South East Asia on a motorcycle? How was it? If you haven’t, is it something you’d like to try?
Let me know in the comments below!
Oh, and go check out my video from Ho Chi Minh city where I have some footage of Vietnam traffic at rush hour! Happy Trails!