Well, seems that the Traffic Police will start enforcing the helmet laws inside of Saigon starting next month. Actually, rumor says that in September, police will start citing people who do not wear helmets on motorbikes within the city (fines include impounding of motorbikes for 60 days). Others say it is just a Traffic Safety Awareness month and that the Helmet Laws will be enforced in December. Regardless of the actual enforcement dates, it is probably about time that all people wear helmets in the city now. There are way too many cars on the city roads now and accident between automobiles and motorbikes are more and more visible now.
I decided to buy a half-helmet from Cong Binh Sports in District 1. It cost me about 180,000 VND (or about $11 US). With the half-helmet, I can still hear the traffic. When I hit the highways, I will just switch to my full helmet. Avoid buying a visor, they are more of a nuisance and it costs more to replace them then to buy a new helmet.
(Display of Motorbike Helmets)
(Owner of Cong Binh Sports)
While you are at it, head to Citimart or kiosk on the corner of Dien Bien Phu and Hai Ba Trung and buy yourself a NeoMask Anti Pollution Mask. If you had not noticed, with the increase in cars and motorbikes, it is harder to breath on a motorbike. Just try talking to a friend on your motorbike during rush hour and you will realize that it is hard to breath. a Neomask should cost you about 75,000 VND at the most. The filter can be replaced every 6 months. I have been wearing my NeoMask off and on since August, 2004.
(I am wearing a NeoMask Anti Pollution Mask)
Cong Binh Sports, 74-76 Pham Hong Thai, District 1, HCMC, Vietnam (Opposite New World Hotel)
NeoVision NeoMask website: http://www.neovisionvn.com (website is currently down)
Hey, sweet helmet! 🙂
I bought a Protek helmet myself for 160,000 at the Vespa Boutique.
I also brought some 3M filter masks that I bought from Home Depot in America but I haven’t worn them cause I look like an idiot.
That neomask is something I’ve been looking for. I don’t think those cloth masks do any good anyways.
No mask is good if it does not seal your face. Airborne pollutants can easily zip through the gaps and get into your lungs. Check out TOTOBOBO Anti-virus, Anti-pollution mask (www.totobobo.com)
The mask is transparent so it’s easy to check adjust to fits. It can even be customized to fit only your face.
I will definitely try to get one when I am in Saigon. As I will be using corner scooter taxi a lot while there.
Thank you, for informative info. i didnt think a cloth was good enough to buy so I never bothered. I will need to check this one out.