Learning to drive in Ho Chi Minh City

Well, a few weeks ago, we bought a 1973 or thereabouts 50cc Honda Cub class motorbike. First to start learning was Mum; after a few practice tries at Dad's work compound, she started driving to and from the place every couple of days for her English class. Next it was my turn. Never having driven a powered vehicle before in my life (with the possible exception of a bright pink Barbie car when I was 5 or so), I started to drive a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City of all places. Fortunately, there was very little traffic in the compound. On the third or fourth day, Dad (who I was following on the Cub) led me out the gate and round the corner to the other entrance. This was the first time I'd driven in Vietnam traffic, even if it was only for 50-odd meters, and it seemed fine. Then came the first trip to the supermarket.

As we got the bikes out of parking, Mum came down to see us off and take photos (She was a heck of a lot more nervous than I was). The first intersection we had to cross, right outside the entrance to the apartment block, was the trickiest of the whole trip as to get through it you had to first cross diagonally through oncoming traffic, then almost immediately either merge with or cross through said oncoming traffic turning left into a one-way street. In our case, we were merging, making the trip that much easier. Once we were past that part, there was only one corner between us and the supermarket. The journey went without a hitch, and going back was just as smooth, with another turn against traffic near the end.

We arrived home to a worried Mum, safe and sound. Over the next couple of weeks, I progressed in leaps and bounds and now go buzzing round in the dark and rain with no problems. I only hope that driving in NZ will go as smoothly.