Shirley Lang— Trip Experience Leader for O.A.T.’s Inside Vietnam adventure—showcases bustling Saigon, home to approximately 8.5 million scooters, all weaving around safely without traffic lights or lane markings.
In a city where 8.5 million scooters weave through streets without traffic lights or lane markings, Shirley Lang—Trip Experience Leader for O.A.T.’s Inside Vietnam adventure—feels right at home. Based in Saigon—Vietnam's largest city with 12 million residents—Shirley serves as a cultural bridge for O.A.T. travelers exploring modern Vietnam.
Shirley Lang, Trip Experience Leader for O.A.T.’s Inside Vietnam adventure.
"Welcome to Vietnam and welcome to Saigon," Shirley says. "As you see, we have a lot of scooters because the scooters are the local people's main transportation."
What might appear as chaos to Western eyes represents a well-choreographed dance to locals. Despite the absence of traditional traffic infrastructure, Shirley notes with a smile, "No problem. Everyone knows how to navigate."
Shirley takes pride in showing travelers the authentic Saigon, starting with his own neighborhood where old apartment buildings can say a lot about the city’s layered history. "I really love my city where it has a lot of contrast—the old and the new buildings," Shirley explains while walking through familiar streets. One of the most striking features of Saigon's older neighborhoods is the tangle of electrical wires crisscrossing between buildings. Shirley jokes, "You still see the wires. That means Spider-Man has no chance here!"
As April temperatures climb in Saigon, Shirley knows exactly where to find relief. "The weather is getting warmer. I never say no to ice cream," he admits, leading the way to a local vendor. The treats showcase Vietnam's love affair with condensed milk—a colonial legacy that has become thoroughly Vietnamese. "Vietnamese people really love condensed milk. We put condensed milk in everything," Shirley explains while ordering his favorite strawberry-flavored ice cream topped with peanuts.
Shirley tells us that condensed milk is put in "everything"—such as this glass of Vietnamese ice coffee.
The local market near Shirley's house provides another window into daily Vietnamese life. "It is very vibrant here," he observes as vendors call out their wares and locals haggle over fresh produce. These markets remain the heartbeat of Vietnamese neighborhoods, where community connections are maintained through daily transactions and conversations.
When hunger strikes, Shirley knows exactly what to recommend. "After hanging around for some minutes and some seconds, I feel I really need something to eat for lunch," he says, introducing travelers to banh cuon, a beloved Vietnamese street food. "It's steamed rice rolls with pork and mushrooms, fried shallots, and served together with sauce in sweet and soft flavor."
For Shirley, being a Trip Experience Leader means more than just showing tourists around. It's about sharing the soul of his city—from the organized chaos of scooter traffic to the narrow alleyways where real life unfolds. "I am the local guy," he says proudly. "And we are here waiting for you!"
Navigate the streets of Saigon during O.A.T.’s Inside Vietnam adventure.
