Motorbikes are clearly the main mode of transportation for the Vietnamese people today; very few cars and relatively few trucks and buses dot the roadways. It seems that South Vietnam saw the arrival of Honda motorcycles in 1967 with the 50cc Cub, and by 1972 there were hundreds of thousands on the road. Most of them were Hondas and the brand name became the generic term for motorcycle.
In 1975, after the war, Hondas began arriving in the north and with the economy opening up in 1986, Honda saw an opportunity, introducing the Honda Dream. It cost a relative fortune at $2,600, and whole families commonly traveled on one bike.
In the mid-90s, the Hondo Dream #2 and #3, with 110cc, hit the market. Eventually the Super Dream arrived and prices were now about an average two month's salary at $1,100 and soon about 27-29 million motorbikes existed in Vietnam. The law sets maximum passengers at two adults and two children but it is not enforced (enforceable?).
Huy points out that not only is the bike an economical way to move, it "works" in a society where roads are relatively small, the population dense, and, perhaps most interesting, it is easy to pull up to the ubiquitous house-front shops that supply daily necessities. Everything is moved by motorbike -- huge piles of products, boxes, fresh eggs, a water buffalo (legs tied to avoid kicking), and Huy's new refrigerator!
In 1975, after the war, Hondas began arriving in the north and with the economy opening up in 1986, Honda saw an opportunity, introducing the Honda Dream. It cost a relative fortune at $2,600, and whole families commonly traveled on one bike.
In the mid-90s, the Hondo Dream #2 and #3, with 110cc, hit the market. Eventually the Super Dream arrived and prices were now about an average two month's salary at $1,100 and soon about 27-29 million motorbikes existed in Vietnam. The law sets maximum passengers at two adults and two children but it is not enforced (enforceable?).
Huy points out that not only is the bike an economical way to move, it "works" in a society where roads are relatively small, the population dense, and, perhaps most interesting, it is easy to pull up to the ubiquitous house-front shops that supply daily necessities. Everything is moved by motorbike -- huge piles of products, boxes, fresh eggs, a water buffalo (legs tied to avoid kicking), and Huy's new refrigerator!
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