Hanoi: Food and Sightseeing Vespa Tour with 7 Tastings

Hanoi’s bustling streets and vibrant food scene are best experienced on a Vespa, weaving through narrow alleyways and lively neighborhoods. This 3.5 to 4-hour tour, offered at $60 per person, takes you on a lively ride around the city’s most iconic sights, including the Hanoi Opera House and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, topped with seven delicious tastings and drinks. Your guide, often described as knowledgeable and friendly, will help you peel back the layers of this dynamic city, one delicious bite and scenic stop at a time.

What sets this tour apart? First, we love how the vintage Vespa adds a sense of adventure and authenticity, allowing you to feel like a local zipping through the streets. Second, the diverse food stops, from Rice Paper Grill to Mango Jelly, showcase Hanoi’s culinary diversity and regional flavors—each one a mini-story on its own.

A potential consideration? Riding a scooter through Hanoi’s busy traffic might be overwhelming for some, especially if you’re not comfortable on two wheels or in chaotic traffic.

This experience is perfect for travelers who yearn for a combination of culture, cuisine, and fun—those eager to see the city’s sights while tasting local dishes and feeling the pulse of Hanoi’s streets. It’s especially well-suited for adventurous food lovers and curious explorers who appreciate guides that share insights beyond the usual tourist spots.

Key Points

• Authentic Transportation: Riding a vintage Vespa provides a lively, engaging way to see Hanoi.
• Culinary Variety: Enjoy 7 tastings, from rice paper to mango jelly, revealing Hanoi’s diverse food culture.
• Iconic Sights: Stops include the Hanoi Opera House and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum for memorable photos and brief visits.
• Local Insights: Guides offer friendly, informative commentary, deepening your understanding of Hanoi’s history and daily life.
• Flexible Booking: Options to cancel up to 24 hours in advance and pay later make planning easier.
• Small Group or Private: Intimate groups ensure personalized attention and a more relaxed experience.

You can check availability for your dates here:

A Full Breakdown of the Hanoi Vespa Tour

The Experience in a Nutshell

Booking this Vespa tour means you’ll get to see Hanoi in a way few do—on a classic, eye-catching scooter. The tour starts with hotel pickup, often included, so you won’t have to worry about finding your way to the meeting point. You’re paired with a skilled driver and a friendly English-speaking guide, who will keep you safe while sharing stories about the sights and dishes. The total duration is around 3.5 to 4 hours, striking a good balance between sightseeing, eating, and exploring.

The Itinerary: What’s in Store

The tour begins with a 15-minute scooter ride, giving you a taste of Hanoi’s energetic traffic and local life. Next, you’ll stop at several key locations:

• Hanoi Opera House: A grand colonial-era building, perfect for a quick photo and a guided look into Hanoi’s architectural history. Here, you’ll also do a tasting, which could be a local snack or street food, adding to the city’s cultural mosaic.
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: An iconic monument and important site, where your guide will provide context and history, making the visit more meaningful than just a quick snapshot.

The tour wraps up back in the city, but the real highlight is the culinary journey. Food stops include:

• Rice Paper Grill: A crispy, savory start that awakens your palate.
• Obama Bun Cha: A special dish that gained recognition when the former US president visited Hanoi, blending grilled pork with noodles.
• Banh Cuon: Steamed rice rolls that are delicate yet flavorful, often enjoyed for breakfast in Vietnam.
• Southern Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad (Bún Bò Nam Bộ): A fresh, herbaceous dish with stir-fried beef, garnished with peanuts and shallots.
• Tus Snail Seafood: For seafood lovers, a spicy, textured dish that captures Vietnam’s coastal flavors.
• Mango Jelly: A sweet, tropical dessert to cool down after the savory courses.
• Train Street Cafe: The tour concludes with an adrenaline-pumping stop at the famous Train Street, where passing trains add an unexpected thrill to your coffee break.

What Makes It Special?

Authenticity shines through as guides take you off the beaten path, weaving through the city’s narrow alleys and back streets, giving you a real sense of Hanoi’s daily life. The diverse food stops are carefully chosen to showcase both traditional staples and dishes that have gained international fame.

Guides are often praised for their knowledge and friendly demeanor, making the experience educational and fun. As one reviewer said, “Our guide, Ming, and his team were outstanding. We gained a wonderful insight into Vietnamese life.”

Another reviewer described the tour as “fabulous fun,” highlighting the exhilaration of riding through lantern-lit alleyways and jostling with locals, which adds a lively, vibrant energy to the evening.

More Great Tours Nearby

A Few Considerations

Riding a scooter in Hanoi can be chaotic, with busy traffic, honking, and narrow streets. If you’re nervous about riding or not comfortable in a lively traffic environment, this might be a bit intense. The tour does provide helmets and rain ponchos, but you should be prepared for the sensory overload that is Hanoi’s streets.

Why This Tour Is Worth It

This Vespa tour offers more than just sightseeing; it’s an active, sensory-rich introduction to Hanoi. The price—around $60 for 3.5 to 4 hours—represents good value when you consider the multiple tastings, guided commentary, and the unique mode of transport. It’s a well-rounded experience for those who want to combine culture, cuisine, and adventure in one go.

If you’re someone who enjoys authentic local food, lively street scenes, and prefers a small group or private setting, this tour hits the right notes. The inclusion of stories from guides and the chance to taste hidden culinary gems make it stand out from traditional walking tours.

Who Will Love This Tour?

Travelers eager for a fun, immersive experience will find this tour particularly appealing. It’s ideal for those who don’t mind a bit of traffic chaos and are open to trying diverse local dishes in a short time. It’s also perfect for foodies wanting insider bites and travelers who appreciate guides that provide context and stories behind each meal and sight.

For families with older children or teenagers comfortable on scooters, it can be a memorable bonding experience. However, it might not be suitable for babies under one year or people over 95 years due to the nature of riding and activity level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for people who don’t ride scooters?
Yes, you’ll be riding as a passenger, so no scooter experience is necessary. Just be comfortable sitting on a scooter with a driver.

Are helmets and safety gear provided?
Absolutely. The tour includes a high-quality helmet and rain poncho, ensuring safety and comfort on your ride.

Can I cancel this tour if my plans change?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, providing flexibility for your trip planning.

What should I bring?
A camera is a good idea to capture Hanoi’s vibrant streets and scenic stops. It’s also wise to wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

Is this tour available on special holidays?
Yes, but there’s a $10 surcharge during New Year, Tet (February 8-12), Liberation Day (30/4), International Workers Day (01/05), and National Day (02/09).

What if it rains?
Rain ponchos are provided, but if the weather is very heavy, the tour might be rescheduled or canceled for safety.

Will I get enough time at each stop?
Yes, stops are typically 30 minutes each, allowing time for photos, brief visits, and food tastings.

Are small groups or private tours available?
Yes, you can book as a small group or private experience, making your journey more personalized.

This Hanoi Vespa tour balances exhilaration, cultural insight, and culinary discovery in one lively package. The chance to zip through bustling streets, visit historic sights, and sample authentic local dishes makes it a memorable choice for curious travelers seeking an active, sensory-rich adventure. The guides’ friendliness and the carefully selected stops make this a well-rounded experience for those wanting an authentic taste of Hanoi’s heart.

While the chaotic traffic might be a turnoff for some, those who embrace the lively energy of Hanoi’s streets will find it an exhilarating way to see and taste the city. It’s a fantastic pick if you want to step outside typical tourist routes and dive into the real Hanoi, one delicious bite and scenic turn at a time.

Whether you’re a foodie, a culture lover, or an adventure seeker, this tour offers a lively, insightful, and flavorful way to discover Hanoi. It’s a perfect match for those looking to combine sightseeing with authentic culinary experiences—making memories on two wheels that will stay with you long after the journey ends.

You can check availability for your dates here: