Many Vietnamese people take advantage for themselves, without thinking about anyone else!

Regarding the issue of making noise that "tortures" others, some foreigners living in Vietnam commented that: "Many Vietnamese people only do what they like, taking advantage of themselves without thinking about the impact on the community."

A shop places a pair of speakers in front of the shop to play music on Tran Nao Street, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: Xuan Hung

* Ms. Olivia Taylor (British):Living in the city is like living in a deserted place

When I first came to Vietnam, I lived in a rented room in District 4 (HCMC). Every day, from early morning, I was bothered by the loud honking of car horns. In the evening, after coming home from work, I was again "tortured" by nearby pubs and karaoke bars until midnight, sometimes until 1-2am.

Not to mention the days when there were arguments and fights at the bar, I sat in the house listening to screaming, cursing, and smashing things and felt very scared.

One time, I couldn't stand it anymore, so I asked my friend to go to the karaoke bar to gently remind me, but I received a very unpleasant attitude from the owner. This person said that no one in the neighborhood complained, so why did a new foreigner like me have an opinion and suggested that if I felt uncomfortable, I should... move somewhere else.

The owner also said that in Vietnam, singing karaoke loudly is completely normal (?!). Unable to bear it any longer, two months later I had to move to District 7, a much quieter area.

I think the government should be stricter in punishing acts that cause noise pollution, affect the community, or plan areas reserved for business. Vietnam is a country with a very fast development speed, so it has attracted many foreigners to live and work recently.

Along with economic and tourism development, the Government should have a plan to improve and maintain a healthy and civilized living environment. Seemingly small issues such as noise, public hygiene, traffic awareness... play a very important role in building the image of Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Vietnam in general in the eyes of international friends.

* Mr. Paul Smith (British):Why do you honk your car horn so indiscriminately?

My first impression of Vietnam was that the traffic was chaotic, most evident in the way people honked their horns indiscriminately. In the UK, we only honk to warn other drivers of danger, or to ask for the right of way in some really urgent situations.

Honking in residential areas, hospitals or between midnight and 7am is considered rude and can result in a heavy fine.

Meanwhile, in Vietnam, I noticed that people tend to honk to... get the right of way and do this whenever they want, causing very chaotic traffic scenes, especially during rush hour.

In addition, many stores in Vietnam, especially clothing stores, often use loudspeakers to play music to attract the attention of passersby. Some stores located close to each other even compete by playing loud music.

This is extremely annoying because the music is so loud. I was once stuck in a traffic jam while a nearby clothing store was blasting music. Even in the chaos of honking horns, the store owner did not turn the music down.

In England, children are taught from a young age not to make unnecessary noise.

In addition, the government also has very clear regulations on fines for drivers who honk their horns for the wrong purposes, for those who make noise that affects others, especially between midnight and morning. At the same time, it plans to plan neighborhoods specifically for shops, restaurants, bars, etc.

* Mr. Andrew James Carmichael (Australian):Drive like "I go now - I go first"

I have lived in Vietnam for 10 years and currently live in Nha Trang. From what I have witnessed, the short lesson I have learned is that it takes tolerance and cultural understanding to accept and avoid the negative feelings that noisy neighbors can bring.

Many Vietnamese people often gather in groups of five or seven, making noise with their neighbors. Foreigners in Vietnam are tolerant and will not hold grudges against their neighbors.

However, what I am most concerned about is that most drivers in Vietnam have a mindset of: "I go now - I go first". This mindset may not be dangerous when riding a bicycle, but it is different when riding a motorbike. If you want to help your loved ones stay away from the hospital, start by helping them drive responsibly.

The first thing that is lacking in traffic in Vietnam is lack of courtesy. Learn the traffic laws - you will know who has the right of way and who has to give way. Let the traffic flow in an orderly manner and it will help the traffic flow faster.

Thinking "I'll go now - I'll go first" and then recklessly going into a prohibited road, turning in front of another car without signaling or just signaling is a way of bringing dangerous consequences upon oneself, not to mention causing trouble for others.

For me, a frequent motorbike rider in Vietnam, the worst thing is using high beams without the driver even knowing that they are using them. High beams are not simply a dim blue light on the front of your motorbike. They block the vision of oncoming drivers, making it impossible for them to see who and what is ahead.

In addition, there are also annoying things when riding motorbikes in Vietnam such as students riding in twos and threes, people talking on the phone while riding, or two motorbikes running side by side with the two drivers chatting freely with each other.

* Mr. Wayne Jordan (British):In the UK, making noise can result in imprisonment.

I have lived in Vietnam for over 2 years. It seems like every day I am bothered by the noise here. I don’t understand how people can think they can turn up the volume as loud as they want. Maybe they don’t care or respect the people around them.

I see that people are not afraid of the police, no one is imprisoned for noise, so even though they are reminded by the local authorities, as soon as the authorities leave, they continue to turn up the volume.

I think if people were sent to prison for repeat offences, there would be a change. We should raise awareness of this, specifically education about the harmful effects of noise on others.

Another thing that bothers me quite a bit in Vietnam is that many people pee in the street. It's extremely impolite. In my country, everyone understands that we have to respect those around us.

Of course, there are cases where people party too loudly, but usually the police and local authorities will give them a warning. If they repeat the offence after three warnings, they are likely to be jailed or forced to move out if they are renting.

According to TTO