Hoi An Countryside Vespa Tour: Rural Food, Crafts & Local Life

Summary

Hoi An’s villages by Vespa—food, crafts and daily rhythms

You’ll ride vintage Vespas through Hoi An’s countryside, visit farming families in Dong Ha village, try your hand at mat weaving and rice noodle making, and share a meal in Old Town. Expect small surprises—a laugh with locals or a quiet moment watching river light—that stay with you long after you’re back.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first thing I’d notice on the Hoi An countryside Vespa tour would be the smell—sort of sweet grass and muddy water as we zipped out past the edge of town. Our guide, Tam, grinned back at us from his scooter, shouting something about “real Vietnam!” over the engine noise. The air felt softer than in the city. We passed a woman balancing baskets of greens on her shoulder, and a kid waved at us like he’d been waiting all morning for someone to ride by.

We stopped at Dong Ha village to meet a family who’ve been growing rice for generations. Their kitchen was smoky and warm; I tried making rice noodles with the grandmother (she laughed when my sheet stuck to itself—it’s harder than it looks). Tam explained how votive paper offerings work—tiny gold boats and paper shirts stacked in careful piles. I never realized how much time goes into these rituals. There was this moment where everyone just watched the steam rising off fresh noodles, not talking much. Kind of peaceful actually.

The Vespa tour kept rolling through narrow lanes lined with banana trees until we reached Tra Nhieu. At the Whale Temple, our guide told stories about fishermen who pray for luck before heading out—hearing that while standing barefoot on cool tile floors made it stick somehow. Then we ducked into another home to try mat weaving (I was pretty terrible), but the old man teaching us just smiled and fixed my mistakes without a word. By then my hands smelled like river reeds and smoke from their stove.

Lunch in Hoi An Old Town felt like a reward: crispy pancakes stuffed with herbs I couldn’t name, plus cold tea that tasted faintly floral. I sat there thinking about all those quiet moments—the laughter over sticky noodles, sunlight flickering through palm leaves as we rode—and honestly, it felt more real than any museum or big sight ever does. Still think about that view from the back of the Vespa sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hoi An countryside vespa tour

• Pick-up from hotels in Hoi An
• Ride through country roads and rice fields
• Visit local family in Dong Ha Village
• Try making rice noodles and votive paper
• Ride to Tra Nhieu village
• Visit Whale Temple and learn fishing traditions
• Learn mat weaving at local household
• Explore rice wine brewing process
• Dine at Old Town bistro
• Return to hotel or drop-off point

Top questions

How long is the Hoi An countryside Vespa tour?

The tour is a day trip starting with hotel pickup in Hoi An and returning after lunch in Old Town.

Is hotel pickup included for this Vespa tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included for hotels within 1-5km of central Hoi An.

What activities are included on the Vespa tour?

You’ll visit local villages, make rice noodles, learn mat weaving, see rice wine brewing, and have lunch.

Do I need previous experience riding scooters?

No—you ride as a passenger with an experienced driver on vintage Vespas or scooters.

Is lunch provided during the day trip?

Yes, lunch (or dinner) at a local restaurant is included in the tour price.

Are entrance fees covered on this day trip?

All tickets and entrance fees are included with your booking.

Can travelers with health issues join this Vespa tour?

The tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular issues.

What should I wear or bring for this countryside tour?

Wear comfortable clothes; helmets and rain ponchos are provided if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off around Hoi An Ancient Town, all entrance fees along rural stops, an English-speaking guide who shares stories along the way, rides on vintage Vespas (with helmet and rain poncho if needed), hands-on visits to family homes for mat weaving and noodle making experiences, plus a traditional lunch before you’re brought back to your hotel or drop-off point.