Gaining Traffic Perspective

All first time visitors comment on the traffic in Saigon. They notice that at least ten motorbikes for every car. They feel overwhelmed at the challenge of walking across a busy street as traffic weaves on both sides of pedestrians. There seems to be chaos at every major intersection as cars and motorbikes jockey for position. From someone who has just arrived from the "well regulated, stay in your own lane, wait your turn to make a left turn", streets of North America, the traffic seems chaotic.
But if you are observant, after a while you gain a different perspective. There are rules that everyone follows (generally). Traffic is quite predictable. If you and your motorbike are stuck at a light behind many vehicles and want to make a right turn, it is logical and acceptable to take a corner shortcut by using the sidewalk. If you can jump ahead quickly just before the light changes, you and ten other motorbikes can make a left turn before oncoming traffic. If your motorbike leans slightly to the left, the taxi driver behind you will not be surprised that you are turning left - no need to signal. While your car should stay in the left lane, leaving the inside lane for motorbikes, it is understood that if you are in a hurry and feeling aggressive, you may drive for a while in the righthand lane - preferably with your blinker on indicating you will get back in the left lane sometime soon.
Yes, to a newcomer, traffic looks chaotic, even bizarre. But you need the proper perspective. There are rules - just few enforced written rules. However traffic patterns do follow predictable patterns. This is not chaos. As an observant passenger in a hundred taxis, I assure you, you just need to change your perspective. Then the traffic is seen to flow like a river. OK, a river with some sudden rocks and rapids and an occasional immediate dam. But perspective helps you see, predict and enjoy the flow.