Clarkson, Hammond, and May buy cheap, hideous tailored suits in a market, then ride to a pier where they see a gigantic American aircraft carrier in the distance (the USS John C. Stennis ). Clarkson delivers a deadpan line: “Just a gentle reminder of who won that little disagreement.” It’s dark, brilliant, and perfectly Top Gear .
James May, on his Vespa, holding a single umbrella while riding through a rainstorm, looking utterly serene while Clarkson screams past him on the Honda 90.
The "Top Gear" take on Vietnam is best encapsulated by Clarkson’s opening voiceover, delivered in the dour, grim tones of a Vietnam War movie trailer. He narrates a story of "misery," "hell," and "suffering," only for the camera to reveal lush, sun-drenched landscapes and smiling locals. This juxtaposition set the tone for the episode: the hosts expected a trial of endurance, but the audience was treated to a visually spectacular journey. The motorbikes became extensions of their personalities. Clarkson bought a gaudy, green scooter that looked like a "metaphor for the entire country" due to its demented resilience. Hammond, the adolescent of the group, purchased a flimsy, cheap bike that he immediately attempted to customize with a Stars and Stripes paint job. May, the pedantic engineer, arrived in a suit, riding a Honda Cup that was practical, sensible, and instantly ridiculed by his peers. top gear vietnam
Reluctantly, the trio turned to the only affordable option: motorbikes. This was particularly significant for Jeremy Clarkson, who notoriously hated motorcycles and had no experience riding them.
: After Hammond crashed his bike, the producers "helped" by providing a backup bike painted in the American flag that played Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" on loop—a provocative choice given the country's history. The Hải Vân Pass Clarkson, Hammond, and May buy cheap, hideous tailored
Unlike some later specials that leaned into scripted disaster, this one balances laughs with genuine affection for Vietnam. The moment where they build a makeshift wedding dress for a bike-riding bride, or when May gets his Vespa hoisted onto a fishing boat, is pure silliness. But the ending—riding into Halong Bay at sunrise with the Top Gear theme playing on a karaoke boat—is genuinely moving.
The Saigon Scooter Odyssey: Chaos, Camaraderie, and the Soul of Top Gear James May, on his Vespa, holding a single
The journey took them from the chaotic streets of the south to the scenic mountains of the north. Key moments included:
Unlike the Africa or Bolivia specials, they’re not in cars. All three are on two wheels (or three, in Hammond’s case) on chaotic Vietnamese roads. Clarkson, who famously hates bikes, is terrified. May putters along at 30 mph. Hammond’s sidecar keeps trying to kill him. This isn't macho bravado—it’s genuine discomfort, which fuels the comedy.
Within an hour, Clarkson’s Impala dies for good, and the producers force him onto the most iconic vehicle of the special: a (a step-through “motorbike for the masses”). This becomes the real star of the show.
Each presenter chose a bike that reflected their personality (or lack of judgment): : A Piaggio Vespa