Rules of the Road

(1) anyone in front of you can do what the hell they like, it’s your job not to hit them (one of the implications of this is that people come shooting out from the side, turning right onto the street you are driving on without even looking because immediately the only person who can hit them, you, is behind them and therefore carries the responsibility.

(2) anything bigger than you has the right of way, essentially forcing you off the road if you are in their way.  This is particularly alarming when you see ahead one lorry is overtaking another and they are both coming at you very fast. 

Signage is all but nonexistent.  Less dependence on traffic lights.  In Da Lat, which is a bit smaller than Bristol, there are no traffic lights at all.  Apparently, because the town is hilly and most people ride bikes of one form or another, traffic lights were considered too difficult.  (Dalat was also one of the few towns that both sides agreed not to damage in the American war).  Lots of horn use, especially obnoxiously loud lorry horns.  But generally less dependence on the horn than India. 

The good news is that, lorries notwithstanding, the Vietnamese do not drive aggressively.  The driving here is a lot like walking in a crowd: you unconsciously assess and respond to other people's slightest movements.  I find it hard to read so roundabouts and turning left are both a bit of a nightmare. 

All the women wear scarves covering their faces which I took to be protection against the considerable pollution.  But I rather think it is to keep their faces white, something that is considered more attractive.  One hotel I stayed in even had soap that would whiten your face.  If only pink was considered attactive I would go down a treat.