Hanoi Countryside Motorbike Tour: Red River Villages & Citadel

Summary

Vintage bikes, Hanoi’s riverside villages, daily life beyond the city

You’ll ride vintage motorbikes from Hanoi into the Red River Delta with a local guide—stopping at either Co Loa Ancient Citadel or Bat Trang pottery village. Expect countryside smells, laughter with locals, hands-on moments (like making ceramics), plus all food and drinks included. It’s not just scenery—it’s daily life outside the city that sticks with you.

What’s the experience like?

"If you want to see real Hanoi, you have to feel the wind from the rice fields," our driver grinned as he handed me a helmet that looked older than my dad. We zigzagged out of the Old Quarter—past those tangled electric wires and street vendors—until suddenly, everything slowed down. The city noise faded into birdsong and the faint smell of wet earth. I kept thinking: this is still Hanoi? Our guide, Linh, pointed out water buffalo in muddy paddies and laughed when I tried (badly) to pronounce “Co Loa.” She said it means “snail shell,” which made sense when we saw those ancient citadel walls curling around us.

The ride itself was half the fun—sometimes bumpy, sometimes smooth, always a little unpredictable. At Co Loa Ancient Citadel, Linh told stories about old kings and battles while a group of kids played soccer nearby. There was this moment where I touched the rammed earth wall (it’s rougher than it looks) and tried to picture what life was like centuries ago. We stopped for lunch at a tiny roadside spot; the soup had this sharp herbal smell I still think about. Someone’s grandma waved at us from her garden—she didn’t speak English but her smile said plenty.

If you pick Bat Trang instead (some folks did), you get clay dust under your nails in a pottery class with a local craftsman who’ll tease you if your bowl collapses—which mine did. Either way, the motorbike tour out of Hanoi is nothing like just walking around town. It’s louder, messier, more real. There’s rain ponchos if it pours (it did for ten minutes—nobody cared), and our drivers somehow knew every back alley shortcut home. So yeah, not polished or perfect—but that’s kind of why I loved it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi city and countryside exploration

• Pass by Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake
• Pass by Opera House and French Quarter
• Pass by Long Bien Bridge and Gia Lam
• Visit Co Loa Ancient Citadel
• Explore Bat Trang Ceramic Village
• Take ceramic class with local craftsman

Top questions

How long does the Hanoi countryside motorbike tour last?

The tour typically takes half a day including pickup and drop-off in Hanoi.

Is lunch included on this Red River Delta motorbike tour?

Yes, all food and drinks are included during your countryside day trip.

Can I choose between Co Loa Citadel or Bat Trang Village?

Yes, you can select either Co Loa Ancient Citadel or Bat Trang Ceramic Village as your main stop.

Are English-speaking guides provided on this tour?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide leads each group throughout the experience.

Is hotel pickup available for this Hanoi countryside tour?

Yes, hotel or specified pickup within Hanoi is included in your booking.

Are rain ponchos provided if it rains during the ride?

Yes, rain ponchos are supplied if needed during your countryside motorbike tour.

What type of motorbikes are used on this day trip?

You’ll ride vintage motorcycles driven by experienced local drivers.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children must be accompanied by adults; infants sit on an adult’s lap; child rate applies only when sharing with two paying adults.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Hanoi, all entry fees for sites like Co Loa Citadel or Bat Trang Village depending on your choice, hands-on activities such as a pottery class if selected, all food and drinks along the way (including lunch), an English-speaking guide throughout the journey, rain ponchos if needed—and you’ll travel on vintage motorcycles driven by experienced local drivers before returning to Hanoi in the afternoon.