Hanoi: Motorbike City Tour with Women Guides & Egg Coffee

Summary

Ride Hanoi’s alleys and bridges, taste egg coffee and meet locals

You’ll ride pillion with women guides through Hanoi’s maze of alleys and over Long Bien Bridge, explore Banana Island’s lush greenery, pause by wartime relics at Huu Tiep Lake, and end with local bun cha and egg coffee for lunch — all while feeling like you’re part of the city’s daily life.

What’s the experience like?

“Wait, are you sure I won’t fall off?” I asked Linh as she handed me the helmet outside my hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. She grinned and patted the scooter’s passenger backrest — honestly, it did feel like sinking into a lounge chair. The city was already humming at 9am, scooters weaving everywhere, but somehow our group slipped right into the rhythm. Linh pointed out the Opera House as we zipped past (“French built that one!”), then veered us down alleys so narrow my knees brushed faded yellow walls. I kept catching whiffs of something frying — garlic maybe? Or fish sauce? Hard to tell but it made me hungry already.

We stopped at Long Bien Bridge, which stretches across the Red River like a rusty spine — over a hundred years old, Linh said, and still holding up trains and bikes every day. Standing there, you could feel the wind off the water and see banana trees crowding the banks below. At one point, an old man cycled past with a basket full of lychees and gave us this quick nod — not unfriendly, just busy. After that we rode out toward Banana Island (I didn’t even know Hanoi had countryside like this). The air changed; suddenly it smelled green and muddy, almost sweet under all those guava trees.

Somewhere near Huu Tiep Lake we got quiet for a minute — there’s part of a B-52 bomber still sitting in the water from decades ago. It’s strange how peaceful it feels now. Linh told us about her grandmother living nearby during the war; I could hear her voice soften a little as she talked. Then we were back on the scooters again, following West Lake’s edge where couples sat fishing or just dangling their feet over the wall. The breeze felt cooler here — or maybe I was just getting used to being on two wheels in Hanoi traffic.

The last stop was lunch at this place tucked behind another alley (no way I’d have found it alone). We tried bun cha that tasted smoky and sweet at once, then Linh insisted we try egg coffee — thick and creamy with this weird custard foam on top. She laughed when I tried to say “cà phê trứng” in Vietnamese; probably butchered it but no one seemed to mind. Honestly, I still think about that first sip sometimes when regular coffee tastes boring.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi motorbike city and countryside tour

• Meet female drivers and safety briefing
• Ride through Hanoi back streets and alleys
• See landmarks and Long Bien Bridge
• Explore Hanoi agricultural countryside on dirt paths
• Visit Huu Tiep Lake war site
• Ride along West Lake shores
• Pass city highlights and historical landmarks
• End tour with local lunch and egg coffee

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Hanoi motorbike tour?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels in Hanoi's Old Quarter or you can meet at the Opera House.

Who leads the motorbike city tour in Hanoi?

Mainly female drivers who are trained local guides lead the tour.

What food is included during the tour?

The tour includes an authentic local lunch (like bun cha) and either Vietnamese egg coffee or mango pudding/caramel dessert.

Do I need previous scooter experience?

No experience needed; you ride as a passenger with experienced drivers.

Does this day trip visit Train Street in Hanoi?

Yes, you’ll pass through the legendary Reunification Train Street neighborhood during the tour.

Are helmets provided for passengers?

Yes, high-quality helmets with visors are provided for all riders.

How long does this motorbike tour last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but expect a half-day exploring multiple neighborhoods and countryside spots around Hanoi.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central Hanoi or meeting at the Opera House, riding as a passenger on comfortable Honda scooters driven by mainly female guides (with backrests!), bottled water along the way, all entry fees where needed, an authentic lunch plus your choice of local egg coffee or dessert before drop-off back in town.