What it's like to spend 15 minutes moving 400 meters in Hanoi traffic

We are trapped in a vicious cycle: cars spread across the road, motorbikes are forced onto sidewalks, and then the chaos multiplies when bikes try to rejoin the street. Those who break the rules end up moving faster, while law-abiding riders are punished with even slower commutes.

On one stretch between a downtown office tower and the Huynh Thuc Khang intersection, I watch buses, taxis and private cars crowd into every available lane, including the innermost strip that should belong to motorbikes. With no space left, riders surge onto the pavement, creating new choke points as they cut back down.

The solution is not only to fine motorcyclists for climbing sidewalks, but also to enforce clear lane discipline. The innermost lane beside the curb should be reserved exclusively for motorbikes. Cars using it without turning right or entering nearby buildings must be penalized. And except for buses, passenger drop-offs and stops should be banned. Cameras at intersections could catch violators who block this vital flow.

Until then, commuting in Hanoi will remain a daily tug-of-war between cars, buses and motorbikes, with ordinary riders paying the price.