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Video: How crazy is Motorcycle Mayhem in Vietnam?

Filed under Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh/Saigon by Christine Ka'aloa on October 23, 2010 at 4:52 pm {2 comments}

A short video collage of motorbike driving in Vietnam.

“Just how crazy is motorcycle culture in Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)? It’s insane! In HCMC the two-wheeled chariot populates roughly 90% of the roadway (highways included). Thus, the Vietnamese are as comfortable on their motorbikes, the way L.A. drivers are in their sunglasses and cars! People hang out on their motorbikes, leisurely checking their cellphones, eating or reading their morning newspaper; lounge on them like sofa chairs and practice the art of balance by sleeping on them as nomadic beds. In addition, going to the park at night is (more…)

Photo Essay: Saigon’s Photogenic Nights

Filed under Ho Chi Minh/Saigon, Photo Essays by Christine Ka'aloa on August 26, 2010 at 6:02 pm {4 comments}

Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon can be very photogenic at night. Everything is illuminated with a candy-colored neon glow or half-lit by darkness. The Vietnamese don’t mind… it’s all good. It’s like mood lighting.

Most of this is shot in and near the Dhong Khoi area, without a tripod and completely on the fly.

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Motorcycle mayhem in Saigon City

Filed under Ho Chi Minh/Saigon, Vietnam by Christine Ka'aloa on August 25, 2010 at 2:18 am {no comments}

Just how crazy is motorcycle culture in Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City ? It’s insane! (video here) In HCMC, the two-wheeled chariot populates roughly 90% of the roadway (highways included). Thus, the Vietnamese are as comfortable on their motorbikes, the way L.A. drivers are in their sunglasses and cars! People hang out on their motorbikes, leisurely checking their cellphones, eating or reading their morning newspaper; lounge on them like sofa chairs and practice the art of balance by (more…)

Xin Chao, Saigon! You remind me of Korea.

Filed under Ho Chi Minh/Saigon, SOLO TRAVEL by Christine Ka'aloa on August 23, 2010 at 3:20 pm {7 comments}

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnamese motorbikes here aren’t loud, but several of them ripping through the streets in evenly-paced intervals, can equivocate a handful of Harleys. A motor stampede. I awoke from my sleep because my cavernous room echoed thunderous vibrations. That’s what you get from a room with a front row seat of the main street. Otherwise, the view is pretty interesting.

My room? I’ve gotten used to it. Periodically during the night, I’d awake with an itch which sent me to my spritzer of (more…)

Hello Vietnam! What? You cancelled my room reservation?!

Filed under Ho Chi Minh/Saigon, SOLO TRAVEL by Christine Ka'aloa on August 21, 2010 at 5:09 am {4 comments}

“Do you know that Vietnam is a Communist country?” my mom added before parting on Skype. Timing. She’s like that. This is my second big solo trip to a developing country, she’s concerned for my safety and her method of care is to instill fear, rather than courage… at the last moment. Gotta love her. But overall, I’ve heard Vietnam is reasonably safe for female solo travelers so I’m not too worried.

Day 1: Daegu to Ho Chi Minh City and my Less-than-Amazing Race
My morning call was… early, yet I was running late . This was the only time there was no taxi in (more…)