Modern Vespa

Spent yesterday in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). In all our travels, I have never seen so many scooters in one place. NEVER! I thought Bali had a lot. Nope. Taiwan? Nope. Taipei? Not even close. Our tour guide said there were 12 million people in Saigon...and 10 million scooters. He was joking, I'm sure, but I'd swear the number wasn't far off! The pic is but one part of one sidewalk downtown. And Vespas made up a surprisingly large number of the scoot population!

DVH1150,

Great photo. I wish you had more to post from Vietnam.

Bob Copeland

I've seen some video clips of how crazy it is there. I'd love to visit someday!

Do people keep their scooters in perfect condition with that many on the road, or is it common to scrape alongside another scooter every now and then?

Bob -- I do have more photos. Will post a couple now.

Currently in Bangkok, which is pretty doggone scooter-centric, but still isn't Ho Chi Minh City!

Jake - I wouldn't say anyone's scoot was in pristine condition, no matter the country! The ride 'em for real...whether transportation or work. For many families, a car is probably not going to happen...fees, parking costs, fuel...so scoots are a way of life.

If that smoke is from the scooters, I wouldn't want to be waiting for that light.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, really) Mr. Wind, that is a reflection of my hand in the motorcoach window!

Victor
DVH1150

More pics please! Always fascinating to see scooter culture in different parts of the world.

A market in Hanoi. Nobody minded the scooter riding through that tight way between the stalls. Note the curb.

And here was the public market in Ban Me Thuot in 1969. Nobody seemed to mind scooters then either.