Hanoi Morning Bike Tour: Long Bien Bridge & Pho Breakfast

Summary

Sunrise Cycling in Hanoi: Local Markets & Red River Views

You’ll see Hanoi wake up from a bike seat—crossing Long Bien Bridge at sunrise, joining locals by Hoan Kiem Lake, tasting real pho and egg coffee after exploring lively markets. This tour is all about feeling the city come alive around you.

What’s the experience like?

It’s still dark when I roll up to the Old Quarter—just a few sleepy scooters humming by. Our guide hands out bikes and gives us a quick rundown. The air’s got that cool snap you only get before sunrise in Hanoi. We set off, weaving through quiet streets toward Ba Dinh Square. There’s this hush as we watch the Rising Flag Ceremony in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum—locals standing still, some with hands over hearts. It feels serious but also kind of hopeful, like the city’s waking up with us.

Pushing on, we pedal up onto Long Bien Bridge. The metal creaks under our wheels; you can smell the river below—muddy and fresh. Our guide tells us Eiffel’s company built this bridge ages ago. We stop right in the middle, looking down at tiny farmers working green patches on Bai Giua Island. Someone nearby is selling sticky rice from a basket—smells sweet and nutty. The sun starts to peek out and everything glows gold for a minute.

We follow the river along that wild mosaic wall—the one that made it into Guinness for being so long. It’s covered in bright tiles: dragons, flowers, bits of daily life. Locals zip past us on motorbikes or wave from fruit stalls setting up for the day.

Back near Hoan Kiem Lake, there’s music playing from an old speaker and people doing morning stretches or even ballroom dancing right by the water. I join in for a few steps (badly), but nobody seems to mind. Then we duck into a local market—packed tight with vendors shouting prices and chopping herbs. It smells like fresh mint and fish sauce all mixed together.

The best part? Sitting down at a tiny spot for steaming bowls of pho—beefy broth, soft noodles, loads of greens tossed in. Our guide pours us little cups of green tea; it cuts through the rich soup just right. Before heading back, we try Hanoi’s egg coffee—thick, sweet foam on top that tastes almost like dessert.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Morning Bike Tour in Hanoi

• Meet at Hanoi Old Quarter and Rising Flag Ceremony
• Cycle over Long Bien Bridge and visit Ceramic Mosaic Mural
• Exercise and dance by Hoan Kiem Lake, visit local market
• Enjoy special Hanoi egg coffee

Top questions

How early does the bike tour start?

The tour kicks off at 5:30am so you catch Hanoi before it gets busy—and see sunrise over the river.

Is breakfast included?

Yep! You’ll get authentic pho plus green tea and egg coffee at local spots along the way.

Do I need to be an experienced cyclist?

You should be comfortable riding a bike for a couple hours but it’s not too intense—mostly flat roads and easy pace.

What if it rains?

No worries—we provide rain ponchos if needed so you can still enjoy the ride.

What’s included

Your bike is ready when you arrive (no need to bring your own). We include bottled water to keep you hydrated, plus photos from your ride sent later by email. All food and drinks mentioned are covered—pho breakfast, green tea, egg coffee—and our English-speaking guide will look after you every step of the way. If you’ve got questions or want more tips about Hanoi, just text us anytime on WhatsApp or Telegram!