I’ve been to a few countries in Asia—Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, and now Vietnam—and the dominant mode of transportation is almost always the scooter.
Every time, I’m completely blown away by how the traffic actually works.
On paper, it looks like chaos. In reality, it flows. No rage. No honking wars. Just constant motion. I always describe it the same way:
It’s like ants marching.
Everyone knows the rhythm. Everyone adapts. Instead of fighting for space, they share it—moving together in a strangely efficient, self-organizing system.
From the outside, it looks insane.
From the inside, it somehow makes perfect sense.
Everyone gives way to everyone else—constantly adjusting, flowing, and somehow still getting exactly where they need to go.
That’s what makes crossing the road such an adventure.
You don’t wait for traffic to stop.
You don’t sprint.
You just… commit.
Step out slowly, stay predictable, and trust that the moving swarm will bend around you—like water around a rock. It feels insane the first time, mildly terrifying the second, and oddly empowering after that.
As you’ll see in the video below, it looks like chaos…
but it’s actually cooperation in motion.
This was my Airbnb neighborhood—the loop I walked every day. What I loved most were the familiar faces and friendly waves. After a while, it stopped feeling like a place I was staying and started feeling like a place I belonged.
That’s the whole point of slow travel for me.
By the end of the month, I had my coffee shop, my barber, and a short list of favorite restaurants that recognized me and welcomed me back like a regular. Small routines, simple connections—nothing flashy, but deeply grounding.
It’s amazing how quickly a neighborhood becomes home when you give it time.
This is an amazing temple in my neighborhood—one I walked through often as part of my daily routine.
At some point, I noticed something funny: I always end up facing the camera in the same direction I’m looking. Not sure if that’s good or bad, but it definitely gives away where my focus is as I walk—eyes forward, mind wandering.
I tried not to catch the lady praying in the shot… and to be fair, I mostly succeeded.
She did ask for my number afterward though—after she finished praying.
Dreams really can come true.
Just kidding. I’ve still got jokes. 😁
If you take the time to watch any of the videos, you’ll notice something pretty consistent—almost everyone smiles and says hello to me.
That’s always the first thing I pick up on in a new country. It tells me a lot about the place… and exactly how much I can lean on my charming personality to get into (and out of) trouble.
When smiles come easily, travel gets easier.
And when they don’t, you adjust.
Either way, it’s one of the quickest ways to read a place—and decide how much fun you’re about to have.