Chairman of the Swedish parliamentary delegation Urban Ahlin
The delegation, led by Chairman of the Swedish parliamentary delegation Urban Ahlin, drove through popular Hanoi streets, among them Kim Ma Street to Tran Hung Dao Street.
It was a planned activity and gave the visitors a chance to see the capital up close after days of talks during the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) at the National Convention Centre.
Swedish parliamentarians on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street
Mikael Oscarsson said it was stressful negotiating Hanoi's seemingly chaotic traffic conditions, but he soon got the hang of what many visitors call the silent dance.
The delegation’s activity attracted much attention among Hanoians.
The delegation started their promotion at 9am
Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Camilla Mellander (in pink jacket)
Walking to the Ministry of Transport’s office
Parliamentarian Monica Green (left) and parliamenrian Mikael Oscarsson
“I think this is a really helpful and practical activity to improve people’s awareness of traffic safety,” said Nguyen Van Hien, a motorbike driver in Hanoi. “Hanoians do have a habit of wearing helmets while travelling on roads but a lot of them are substandard."