Feb 13, 2008

Helmet Style

With the introduction of the helmet law, what I am about to show you was inevitably going to happen. Helmet fashion gone mad. Not happy with wearing a hat under the helmet, now we have to strap a good old sun visor around it, or a 'pretty' bonnet. Here they are, flapping in the wind.

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Ohh shall I, shan't I, HOW MUCH! 40,000 VND a piece actually.

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In action:

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In my opinion, I think they are PATHETIC - pathetic is one of my family's favourite words. And rightly so. Chi generally agrees, my students seem split down the middle between PATHETIC and stylish/fashionable/acceptable on a practical level (keeping sun off face etc). Not having that.

Possibly even worse : the hat helmet. For the boys...

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And for the girls:

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And for all your helmet needs, here's the guy you want to see....

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11 comments:

  1. Trinh Thach9:58 PM

    Its really odd to see how the local Vietnamese despise the helmet so much. They don't think of it as a life saving device, rather an annoyance that must be complied with. So it is normal to see entrepreneurs making a quick buck with these new innovations.

    p.s. I really enjoy reading your blog! makes me miss Viet Nam the ever more! keep it up!

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  2. Anonymous4:46 AM

    The Vietnamese despise the helmet because the helmet does not gel with the climate. I love the innovations. Shows how humankind is ready to adapt to a harsh environment.

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  3. Anonymous7:40 AM

    I would have to agree with you on this but you have to give it up to them for thinking outside the box. I can't stand helmet (gives me helmet hait) but you gotta have them on so why not look stylish.

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  4. Anonymous9:07 PM

    C'mon -- you have to hand it to these people -- they see a need and fill it. You don't see this kind of creativity and entrepreneurilism where I come from.
    -- Mel

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  5. Anonymous6:25 AM

    Good to know your blog. I am really enjoy your posts about Vietnam nowadays. Thanks a lot.Please keep up your good work.
    BTW, here is a house we want to rent out in Saigon. Just in case you are interested

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  6. Anonymous7:13 AM

    I think it's nice to have choices, it seems the accessory maker intends to target the female drivers for his product....
    they should design the helmet with air holes or else I'm afraid fleas and ticks might be sufocated :)


    Viet

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  7. Jon Hoff7:49 AM

    No sorry guys, I am not budging on this one! I don't think it took a lot of brains to come up with the idea, it was just waiting to happen. And they look ridiculous. It makes a mockery of wearing helmets for any serious reason.
    Viet, today I saw the brim attachment for men...

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  8. Anonymous10:36 PM

    Come on Jon, aren't they so tacky that they're just a teensy bit charming as well :)
    Somethings never change, if there's an opportunity to make a buck we Vietnamese are there! I think its wired in the DNA.

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  9. Anonymous4:01 AM

    this kind of accessories won't appeal to a caveman, I mean realman like Jon :) , yet to women vanity (in term of protecting their look)

    Viet

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  10. henno12:18 PM

    Haha, yeah whatever. I'm with you on this one mate. There's absolutely nothing stylish about a floral-designed sun-visor attached to a helmet. It makes the wearer look like a soldier who wishes they were a bookie on acid. Kinda naff, unless you follow the "so kitsch it's cool" theory. At least they're still wearing the helmet, so they won't be both accident AND fashion victims.

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  11. Anonymous5:48 PM

    Haha, frankly I'm a little fascinated by this kind of innovation. I think the helmets look kind of playful and interesting. Something that would definitely bring a smile to many faces. I would buy one of the giant manly hat as a souvenir.

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