How do you safely cross the street in Vietnam, and should you raise your hand at crosswalks?

From messages by 2 participants in 1 source · Last activity: 91 days ago

TL;DR

Travelers say the safest approach in Vietnam is to cross calmly and predictably, often with a raised hand so drivers can see you. Many people feel more comfortable crossing with a group rather than alone.

What the community said

Many travelers find it easier to cross with a group of pedestrians: when several people are on the crosswalk at once, it feels safer and drivers notice them more easily.

crosswalk

Raising your hand is a common street-crossing gesture in Vietnam: it makes you more visible and gives drivers an extra signal that you are moving through traffic.

raised hand

Some travelers think the raised-hand gesture looks like something first-time visitors do, but still keep using it because cars and scooters at least slow down as they approach the pedestrian.

cars and scooters