Culture Notes (For reference)

An essential part of a culture is how people travel around.

In Vietnam, there are some means of transport that shape the culture and are often used either in daily life or for tourist purposes:

1/ Xe máy – Motorcycle

This is without a doubt the most common vehicle seen in Vietnam. Young students at 16 could already drive some kinds of motorcycles.
Motorcycles are known for their small sizes and versatility. Thanks to their existence, other services also become possible, such as Xe ôm – Motor taxi.

2/ Xe đạp điện – Electric bike

This vehicle has become popular in the past 10 years. It was developed to serve students who were not allowed to drive a motorcycle at that time.

It looks like a normal bike, but with a built-in battery to release the rider from constantly pedaling.

3/ Xe xích lô – Cyclo

Now mostly seen in tourist sites, this vehicle was once used to serve the elites in society. Later, as bikes, motorbikes and cars became popular, Xích lô was used to transport large-sized goods.

4/ Thuyền thúng – Basket boat

There is actually not a direct translation for this. In essence, it is a boat shaped like a round basket. It appeared in some coastal areas during the time of hardship, when people could not afford to buy or build proper boats or ships. They are now still in used, as they are versatile and cheap to make, although certainly not easy to control