Hanoi: Vespa Food & Culture Tour with Train Street & Long Bien Bridge

Summary

Ride Hanoi’s tangled alleys taste egg coffee watch trains pass

You’ll ride pillion on a classic Vespa through Hanoi’s tangled backstreets and French boulevards, sip egg coffee as trains thunder by on Train Street, cross Long Bien Bridge with sweeping Red River views, and taste street food favorites with locals—all with pickup included. Expect moments that stick with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We swung onto the back of these old Army Vespas just outside our hotel in Hanoi—helmets on, nerves buzzing a bit. Our driver, Minh, grinned and told us to hold tight (I did). Within minutes we were weaving through alleys so narrow I could brush the walls if I wanted. There was this smell—grilled pork from somewhere nearby—mixed with incense drifting out of a tiny temple wedged between houses. Kids zipped past on bicycles, one shouted “hello!” and then vanished around a corner. It felt like being inside someone else’s daily routine for a while.

Minh kept pointing out things I’d never have noticed: a woman slicing green papaya at the market, an old man playing chess under a banyan tree. We zipped past the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (it’s bigger than I expected), then down wide French boulevards where the trees almost touch overhead. The main keyword here is Hanoi Vespa tour—because honestly, you see the city differently when you’re clinging to the back of one of these things. At some point I lost track of which lake was which; there are so many. But West Lake shimmered in the late afternoon light and it felt like time slowed down for half a minute.

The highlight for me? Probably Train Street. We stopped at this little café right by the tracks—egg coffee in hand—and waited for the train to come barreling through. Everyone got quiet for a second before it roared past so close you could feel it in your chest (I spilled some coffee but nobody cared). Then laughter and chatter again as locals waved from balconies above. After that we crossed Long Bien Bridge—the metal rattled under our wheels—and watched farmers working on tiny plots along the Red River below. Minh told us his grandfather used to walk that bridge every day during the war.

Food-wise, I still think about those fried spring rolls and that weirdly good rice wine shot (burns going down but makes you smile after). The Hidden Gem Café had these five-colored noodles that looked too pretty to eat but yeah, we ate them anyway. By the end my hair smelled like exhaust and lemongrass, which is sort of perfect for Hanoi, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Hanoi's culture and cuisine

• Ride through Hanoi backstreets
• Meet locals and visit markets
• Tour Hanoi city highlights
• Stop at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• Pass French Quarter and Old Quarter
• Cross Long Bien Bridge
• Visit Hanoi Train Street café
• Enjoy Hanoi food tasting

Top questions

How long does the Hanoi Vespa tour last?

The tour lasts around 4-5 hours including stops for food and sights.

Is hotel pickup included in this Hanoi Vespa tour?

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

What foods do you try during this tour?

You’ll sample fried spring rolls, fresh spring rolls (Phở Cuốn), Banh Mi, five-colored noodles, green papaya salad, egg coffee, rice wine (moonshine), and fresh beer.

Do you visit Train Street on this Vespa tour?

Yes—the itinerary includes stopping at Train Street for coffee while watching the train pass by.

Can vegetarians join this Hanoi food tour?

Yes—vegan and vegetarian options are available at each stop.

Is riding across Long Bien Bridge part of the experience?

Yes—you’ll cross Long Bien Bridge by Vespa with time for photos and views over the Red River.

Are guides English-speaking?

Your guide will speak English throughout the tour.

Is this suitable for children or families?

Children can join if accompanied by adults; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Hanoi, all authentic local food and drinks (including vegetarian options), bottled water throughout, an English-speaking guide who shares stories as you ride pillion on a classic Vespa driven by an experienced driver—with helmets and rain ponchos provided if needed before heading back after sunset.