Fatalities on Vietnam’s highways have shot up more than 30 percent this year, in part because of an increased number of vehicles on the road, but also because, ironically, of improved road conditions that have made higher speeds possible. Highway 5 between Hanoi and Haiphong has become so dangerous that three emergency clinics have been set up along the route to treat accident victims. Motorbikes are present everywhere, few riders wear helmets, and even fewer obey traffic laws. Use extreme caution if traveling the main highways.
