From Motorbikes to Metro: Transportation in Việt Nam

  • Xanh SM – An electric taxi service.

  • Be – Another app people also use.

    • These apps show the price before the ride, so people know how much they will pay.

    Xanh SM uses electric cars made by VinFast, a Vietnamese car company. VinFast started in 2017 and is the first major global car brand from Việt Nam.

    VinFast makes only electric vehicles now, including models like the VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, VF 7, VF 8 and VF 9. Their cars are made in a large factory in Hải Phòng and are now being sold in countries like the United States, Canada and Europe.

    Hồ Chí Minh City now has its first metro line, which opened in December 2024.

    • It is 19.7 kilometers long with 14 stations.

    • It connects Ben Thanh Market to Suoi Tien Theme Park.

    • It can carry about 150,000 people each day.

    The metro was first planned in 2001 and started construction in 2012. The city plans to build up to eight lines to help reduce traffic in the future.

    In Việt Nam, the driver's license and age rules are the following:

    • Small motorbike (under 50cc) → No license, age 16+.

    • Regular motorbike (over 50cc) → License needed, age 18+.

    • Cars → License needed, age 18+.

    How did I feel when I tried this way of getting around?:

    At first, I felt nervous because there were so many motorbikes. The traffic looked fast and crowded.

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