Well, I'm glad I went in Oct/Nov. They require helmets for motos now . I had the pleasure to go to the countryside and passed through an area north of HCMC that required the helmets and I must say... it sucked.

The helmets seriously would have ruined my highly spiked hair on our nightly outtings as well.

Safety and all, yada yada. As a tourist I'd be annoyed (but safe!).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071215/lf_nm/vietnam_helmets_dc
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22268354/

What's next? Seatbelt laws? sheesh...

Too crazy you found that!

I personally feel there is a slight differance between 5-20mph on a moped where EVERYONE is riding (vietnam) vs. 1 motorcycle per hundreds if not thousands of cars moving 30mph+ (US).

I wore a full face helmet helmet when I rode my R6 along with an armored jacket, gloves, and jeans and thankfully I never used them.

But lets not turn this into a "should I be forced to wear a helmet" thread (those belong in another forum). This is just an informative post in the SE Asia forum so that if anyone is on thier way over or has family over there they will know that it is now required to wear a helmet in Vietnam.

And they shouldn't exist either. My wearing or not wearing a personal protection device while operating a motor vehicle should be my personal choice. I don't and will not wear a seatbelt. What's next, requiring helmets for cars?

Update from Tram:

"Everyone wore their helmet yesterday. They all look so cute!"

I still don't understand, why we should wear helmets in Saigon (HCM City) while you're running 10 miles per hour. How about the Bride/Groom on the Wedding's day if they drive a motorbike.

I have been to Vietnam twice and during that time I have seen so many motorcycle accidents with deadly injuries.....I think it is a good idea that they make it the law now. It does not matter if you drive slower than anywhere else, you have to consider the road conditions and also the protection of the clothes....you know most of the people where the regular "thin" pants and shirts...so hardly any protection.

Hehe, I can't wait to see Mai Anh with her helmet! She always said "no need" when it came to helmets before. I am here today because I was wearing a helmet (a rather high speed impact). Mai Anh bought her helmet a month ago, but only started wearing it when the law went into effect.

However, it is winter now. I can't wait until it's freaking 100 degrees. They don't drive fast--no breeze. Ugh!

yeah my wife hates it. She says it's too hot under there. But there is a danger too. She says sometimes the sweat from her face due to the helmet gets into her eyes.