Crossing the street: walk slowly and don't stop

Traffic in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City never pauses, and waiting for a gap doesn't work. Step off the curb when there's a small space, walk at a steady, predictable pace, and the scooters will flow around you; the one thing that causes accidents is stopping or jumping back. Use crossings where they exist, but expect them to be ignored. On the sidewalk, scooters park and even drive; stay alert and keep your phone out of grabbing reach from the road.