Hanoi: Vespa food tour with local women guides + dinner

Summary

Vintage Vespas, real Hanoi flavors, and laughter with local women

You’ll ride vintage Vespas through Hanoi’s lively streets with local women guides who know every shortcut and snack stall. Taste Banh cuon, Bun cha, Pho, fresh seafood BBQ, and finish with legendary egg coffee in a hidden café. Expect laughter, stories about family traditions, city lights over West Lake — moments you’ll remember long after you leave Vietnam.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the hum of scooters — not just background noise, but the heartbeat of Hanoi. Our guide, Linh, handed me a helmet and grinned like we were old friends. I’d barely swung onto the back of her Vespa before we were off, weaving past lantern-lit stalls and families perched on tiny plastic stools. The air was thick with the smell of grilled pork and something sweet I couldn’t place at first (turned out to be egg coffee — more on that later). It was humid but not uncomfortable; just enough to make every cold drink taste better.

We stopped at this family-run spot for Banh cuon — steam-rolled rice cakes stuffed with mushrooms and pork. Linh showed me how to dip it in fish sauce without making a mess (I failed). She laughed and said her mom would’ve scolded her for less. Then came Bun cha at a place that’s older than most of the buildings around it — smoky, tangy, somehow both light and filling. There was a moment when the street outside went quiet except for someone’s radio playing an old love song. I remember thinking: this is what people mean by “local flavor,” you know?

Riding through the Old Quarter felt like threading a needle — so many colors from lanterns overhead, flashes of headlights bouncing off puddles from last night’s rain. At one point we paused on Long Bien Bridge, looking out over the Red River while scooters zipped past behind us. Linh pointed out where her dad used to fish as a kid. I tried to imagine growing up here; it made me feel both far away and oddly connected.

Later, in Ngu Xa village, we squeezed into a tiny shop for Pho (yes, another bowl — no regrets) and then hit a seafood BBQ joint where everything sizzled right in front of us. By the time we reached West Lake for nighttime photos, my shirt smelled like smoke and herbs. The final stop was this tucked-away café serving egg coffee since 1946 — frothy, rich, almost dessert-like. I still think about that first sip whenever I see instant coffee back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi Vespa Food Tour Highlights

• Indulge in local dishes at popular eateries
• Safety briefing and Vespa riding instructions
• Visit family-run eatery for Banh cuon and Bun cha
• Ride through Old Quarter and view Red River by night
• Explore Ngu Xa village, BBQ seafood, and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum flag ceremony
• Relax at local coffee shop with famous egg coffee

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in the Hanoi Vespa food tour?

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

Who leads the Vespa food tours in Hanoi?

The tours are mainly led by experienced local women guides from Asia Vespa Tours.

What kind of food will I try on this tour?

You’ll taste dishes like Banh cuon (steam-rolled cake), Bun cha (grilled pork noodles), Pho varieties, spring rolls, seafood BBQ, and egg coffee.

How long has the egg coffee café been open?

The café has been serving egg coffee since 1946.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with mobility issues?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Are infants allowed on the Vespa food tour?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap during the ride.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup or meeting at Hanoi Opera House, all rides on vintage Vespas driven by mainly female guides, dinner featuring classic Vietnamese dishes at local spots (including seafood BBQ), plus your final stop at a historic café for egg coffee before drop-off back in town.