Hanoi: Vespa City Tour, Train Street & Ao Dai Female Riders

Summary

Riding Hanoi’s alleys on a Vespa with Ao Dai guides and coffee by the tracks

You’ll hop behind an Ao Dai-clad female rider for a Vespa city tour Hanoi style—threading through secret alleys, pausing for street food and stories at Long Bien Bridge, sipping egg coffee along Train Street. Expect laughter, local encounters, and glimpses of daily life that linger long after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

Helmet on, I was already laughing before we even left the curb—my rider, Mai, grinned back at me in her bright blue Ao Dai and revved the Vespa like she’d been born on it. We zipped out into Hanoi’s morning chaos, weaving through alleys so narrow my knees almost brushed faded walls. The city smells different from the back of a scooter—sometimes sharp with fish sauce near markets, sometimes sweet with incense drifting from doorways. I tried to say “Long Bien Bridge” in Vietnamese; Li (our guide) just shook her head and laughed, correcting me gently but not letting me off the hook.

We stopped at the Opera House for a quick history lesson—Li pointed out bullet marks still visible if you squint—and then ducked into backstreets where kids waved and old men played chess under tangled wires. The main keyword here is Vespa city tour Hanoi, but honestly, it felt more like being whisked around by friends than any “tour.” At one point we crossed Long Bien Bridge, wind whipping my hair and banana trees below glowing in the sun. There was this odd moment of silence up there, just engines humming and all of us looking out over Red River—nobody said anything for a bit. I didn’t expect that part.

Lunch was at some tiny spot only locals seemed to know—no menu, just bowls of something hot and fragrant plopped down in front of us (I still don’t know what half of it was). Later we wandered down Train Street, squeezing past laundry lines to sit inches from the tracks with egg coffee so thick you could almost stand your spoon in it. If you’re lucky (we weren’t), you’ll see the train thunder by right there. Our last stretch took us through French villas and past B52 Lake—a strange reminder of how much history sits under everything here.

I keep thinking about those moments—the way Mai steered one-handed while waving at someone she knew, or how Li described her childhood during wartime as we looked at Huu Tiep Lake. It’s not polished or perfect; sometimes it’s loud or smells weird or you nearly lose a sandal getting off the bike—but that’s kind of why I loved it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi Vespa Tour with Female Riders

• Meet female drivers at hotel lobby
• Safety briefing and itinerary overview
• Ride through backstreets to Hanoi Opera House
• Stop and learn history at Opera House
• Drive along riverside to Chuong Duong Bridge
• Visit Long Bien Bridge viewpoint
• Ride through banana farm to local family
• Visit local market
• Pass backstreets and ride around West Lake
• Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda and B52 Lake
• Ride to Huu Tiep Lake, learn war history
• Pass city highlights and historical landmarks
• Walk Train Street and enjoy local coffee
• Lunch at authentic eatery with local desserts

Top questions

How long is the Vespa city tour in Hanoi?

The tour lasts approximately 4.5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included for this Hanoi Vespa tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

Do female riders really wear traditional Ao Dai?

Yes, most riders wear traditional Ao Dai dresses during the tour.

What food is included on this Vespa city tour?

You’ll get authentic local food for lunch plus drinks like egg coffee or dessert at a local café.

Will I visit Train Street on this tour?

Yes, you’ll walk inside Train Street and have coffee beside the tracks—sometimes even see a train pass if timing works out.

Is this suitable for people who can’t ride scooters themselves?

Absolutely—you ride as a passenger behind an experienced female driver.

Are helmets provided on this Hanoi motorbike tour?

Yes, high-quality helmets with visors are supplied for every passenger.

What landmarks will I see during the Vespa city tour?

You’ll see places like Long Bien Bridge, West Lake (Ho Tay), Opera House, B52 Lake, French Quarter and more local spots.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in central Hanoi; all entrance fees; riding as a passenger on a comfortable new-model Vespa driven by an English-speaking female rider in Ao Dai; bottled water; authentic local lunch; drinks like Vietnamese egg coffee or dessert; safety gear including helmet and face mask; raincoat if needed; plus time spent exploring markets and meeting locals along the way before returning to your hotel.