We didn’t know we’d be staying for much longer than 3 years in Vietnam so we didn’t really gave getting a car much thought. Had we known, we would have probably put a car in our budget. Don’t get me wrong, it’s actually easy getting around HCMC but it is sometimes convenient having a car especially if you want to go out of town or just because you have a baby to lug around.

Some opt to get on a xe om. And I actually know some who have their own personal xe om driver. If only I have the guts to ride on one, I’d probably get my own driver too — someone I’m comfortable enough to ride along with and who at least meets my expectations on good hygiene. 😀

Just this morning, I saw a mom on a motorbike with her baby strapped around herself. The baby was probably 2 months old or younger. I don’t think I can do that at all. I’d be panicky the whole bike ride!  I’m more used to seeing kids like this photo below or kids squashed in between two adults.

So, I opt to ride cabs and shuttle buses. Most recently, I met Phan Nga. He’s a Mai Linh driver of a small Kia. 🙂

He’s sorta my taxi car service. He speaks good English which he learned after 6 months of study. 🙂  It’s good knowing anh Nga because at least now I can just sit back and talk to someone on my way to or from the office. Anh Nga is 49 years from Danang, married, and have 3 kids.

But really, if you want to get around HCMC, I think getting on a motorbike is still the way to go — easy to get on and off and plenty of parking spaces for bikes. But since there is no way am riding on one to get to my office, I just resort to taking photos of interesting motorbikes I see along the way.