Hanoi, Vietnam, has a population of eight million people. It has a vehicle population of 6.4 million, 5.6 million of which are motorbikes. City officials have said that there will be a ban on all forms of two-wheeled transportation from its city center by 2025 as a result of traffic congestion and pollution. However, the city lacks an appropriate transit system to take their place.
Steve, what a treat to see these photographs your family has captured while riding on these motorcycles in this fabulous and fluid society! I've spent quite a bit of time in some busy cities in Thailand, on the back of motor-cycle taxis, and it reminded me of a reef system teeming with colorful fish and symbiosis of so much going on all around, almost effortlessly -so very exciting to be a part of that experience. The moving motorcycle 'sculptures' are functional art and say so much about the industriousness of these hard-working and creative people. Life! Thank You for sharing these images and opening up my mind to the great world out there -just beautiful! Have a Wonderful time during the rest of your travels that are bringing insight, inspiration, education, and joy to your readers.
I wasn't kidding when I said a couple days ago that you should publish a book. These photos (and all those you have shared) transport people, at home and sitting at their computer, to amazing places.
Visited Hanoi in Dec 2011 when I commented no place in China, always touted, had the energy I saw. It drew me in with hope for the next generations. I loved it.
Necessity is the mother of invention? Terrific pictures. Instead of going to Disney World, Americans should get out more and experience the rest of the world. Then maybe we could appreciate what we have here - democracy.
Hello Steve…we visited Vietnam shortly after Bill Clinton opened travel and trade with our former “enemies”. In fact, we were the American Council’s first “customers” because my wife Sue lost her visa and needed assistance. We negotiated the communist bureaucracy with the help of a young Vietnamese man on his first day working for the American council. Anyway, your pictures of Hanoi differ from what we remember only by the sheer number of motorbikes you show. One motorbike image we remember is of a beautiful young woman dressed in white with matching arm length white gloves and face mask skillfully sliding through the swirling cyclo and motorbike traffic that without any traffic control seemed to have a mind of its own; kind of like a swarm of bees or migrating swallows. It was fascinating to see.
That's insane! Not that there are millions of bikes in such a crowded city, but that you and your family rode on them! Amazing pics, thanks for sharing.
First thought, cool. Second thought if they’re going to end the use by 2025 and there is no public transportation what are they going to do? Third thought do they have people who specialize in packing / balancing motorbikes? That’s some expertise to load and drive. Notice I did not ask about safety
We're doing a trip starting in Ho Chi Minh and boating around the delta to various cities in South Vietnam and Cambodia. Everyone I know who's been primarily describe the orderly chaos and beauty first, we are excited to experience these elements.
I loved visiting Vietnam as well! As for the motorbikes, I was told when I was there that there is a very large number of accidents, and even fatalities, but cars are unobtainable for ordinary folks (although available to transport tourists). Secondly, I know an American woman who became seriously ill while visiting Vietnam from an undetected mass in her abdomen. She has said the Vietnamese doctors and hospital staff saved her life, and she returned there a year later to visit the hospital to express her absolute gratitude for the excellent care and treatment she received. There is alot to like and admire in Vietnam!
So much fun! Enjoy yourself with your family, Steve. I’m sure this trip is fun and hugely educational. So great that you can all travel together like this. Lifetime of memories! Thank you for sharing. Have fun!
Thank you so much for this vicarious visit to Asia especially with all your very well taken photos! Functional art moving right along the city streets really fascinating!
Steve, what a treat to see these photographs your family has captured while riding on these motorcycles in this fabulous and fluid society! I've spent quite a bit of time in some busy cities in Thailand, on the back of motor-cycle taxis, and it reminded me of a reef system teeming with colorful fish and symbiosis of so much going on all around, almost effortlessly -so very exciting to be a part of that experience. The moving motorcycle 'sculptures' are functional art and say so much about the industriousness of these hard-working and creative people. Life! Thank You for sharing these images and opening up my mind to the great world out there -just beautiful! Have a Wonderful time during the rest of your travels that are bringing insight, inspiration, education, and joy to your readers.
Fascinating. The trees! Hahaha.
I wasn't kidding when I said a couple days ago that you should publish a book. These photos (and all those you have shared) transport people, at home and sitting at their computer, to amazing places.
Visited Hanoi in Dec 2011 when I commented no place in China, always touted, had the energy I saw. It drew me in with hope for the next generations. I loved it.
Necessity is the mother of invention? Terrific pictures. Instead of going to Disney World, Americans should get out more and experience the rest of the world. Then maybe we could appreciate what we have here - democracy.
Hello Steve…we visited Vietnam shortly after Bill Clinton opened travel and trade with our former “enemies”. In fact, we were the American Council’s first “customers” because my wife Sue lost her visa and needed assistance. We negotiated the communist bureaucracy with the help of a young Vietnamese man on his first day working for the American council. Anyway, your pictures of Hanoi differ from what we remember only by the sheer number of motorbikes you show. One motorbike image we remember is of a beautiful young woman dressed in white with matching arm length white gloves and face mask skillfully sliding through the swirling cyclo and motorbike traffic that without any traffic control seemed to have a mind of its own; kind of like a swarm of bees or migrating swallows. It was fascinating to see.
That's insane! Not that there are millions of bikes in such a crowded city, but that you and your family rode on them! Amazing pics, thanks for sharing.
First thought, cool. Second thought if they’re going to end the use by 2025 and there is no public transportation what are they going to do? Third thought do they have people who specialize in packing / balancing motorbikes? That’s some expertise to load and drive. Notice I did not ask about safety
We're doing a trip starting in Ho Chi Minh and boating around the delta to various cities in South Vietnam and Cambodia. Everyone I know who's been primarily describe the orderly chaos and beauty first, we are excited to experience these elements.
I loved visiting Vietnam as well! As for the motorbikes, I was told when I was there that there is a very large number of accidents, and even fatalities, but cars are unobtainable for ordinary folks (although available to transport tourists). Secondly, I know an American woman who became seriously ill while visiting Vietnam from an undetected mass in her abdomen. She has said the Vietnamese doctors and hospital staff saved her life, and she returned there a year later to visit the hospital to express her absolute gratitude for the excellent care and treatment she received. There is alot to like and admire in Vietnam!
Amazing. Thank you for sharing!
This trip looks amazing, Mr. Schmidt. My oldest son spent several weeks in Vietnam in 2018. He absolutely loved it.
AMAZING!!! SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU💙
So much fun! Enjoy yourself with your family, Steve. I’m sure this trip is fun and hugely educational. So great that you can all travel together like this. Lifetime of memories! Thank you for sharing. Have fun!
Those pics and the skill of the riders are just amazing!
Thank you so much for this vicarious visit to Asia especially with all your very well taken photos! Functional art moving right along the city streets really fascinating!