For beginners, crossing a street filled with hundreds of moving motorbikes (Xe máy) is often the scariest part of the trip. However, there is an invisible flow you can join.

1. Keep a Steady Pace

The secret is simple but counter-intuitive: Keep walking at a steady pace.

  • Don't run.
  • Don't stop suddenly.
  • Don't look at your phone.

If you walk slowly and predictably, drivers will calculate your trajectory and flow around you like water around a stone.

2. The Language of the Horn

In the West, a horn means "Get out of the way!" In Vietnam, it's a tool for communication. It usually means: "I am here, please notice me."

Drivers honk when turning corners or passing from behind. Don't take it personally; it's a safety "ping" to let you know they are nearby.