Hanoi - Vietnam's cultural center famous for the charm of its citadel dating back thousands of years and for popular attractions such as Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, West Lake, Tay Phuong Pagoda,... In addition to its ancient beauty, this city also attracts many tourists for its unique cuisine.
If you're looking for a short excursion to explore all its features in just a few hours, don't miss out on a culinary experience with a Vespa tour of Hanoi to admire its beautiful nightlife and sample its specialties.
Here is everything you need to know about Vespa tours around Hanoi.
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1. Vintage Vespa: A new way to explore Hanoi's nightlife
Originating from a word meaning "wasp" in Italian, Vespa, known as the king of scooters, became world-famous in the '40s. In April 1946, Corradino D'Ascanio, an aeronautical engineer (father of the Vespa) presented the public with the first model of the Vespa 98, the one that made history.
From the idea of revolutionizing the concept of "two wheels", D'Ascanio created the first moped with a load-bearing shell, without a central tunnel, modeling the riding position around the image of a man comfortably seated in an armchair. The front suspension is inspired by the landing gear, with the gear lever positioned to the left of the handlebars and the clutch lever in a single block. The frame covers the engine at the rear. Today, this seems obvious, but at the time, a design like that of the Vespa was unthinkable for a scooter.
But it wasn't until 1953 that the first Vespas were brought to Vietnam by the French. Also from this time, the silhouette of the Vespa was associated with the changes of Hanoi city. At first, it was an iconic motorbiker, often popular with the elegant middle and upper classes. Then it became a familiar means of transportation in people's daily lives in the period from 1958 to 1975.
About a decade later, this type of vehicle fell into disfavor due to consuming too much gasoline, and a lack of car mechanics and spare parts. Only in the 2000s, thanks to information technology, did Vespa revive brilliantly once again. Since then, later generations have tried to preserve and develop the image of the Vespa as a part of history and culture that only Hanoi has.
One of those efforts is to organize tours to explore Hanoi on a vintage Vespa, helping tourists feel the feeling of living in Hanoi in the old days, especially the Hanoi nightlife.
2. What To Do On A Vintage Hanoi Vespa Tour?
It's great to get to know this city as an inhabitant, or almost! You can easily make stops as you cruise around the city on your vintage Vespa.
Visit the Old Quarter
As one of the capital's most famous attractions, Hanoi's Old Quarter is a labyrinth of narrow streets and lively alleyways. With a Vespa, you can easily weave your way between passers-by and scooters and discover the city at your own pace.
Visit the City's Historical and Cultural Sites
Hanoi is home to many important historical and cultural sites of Vietnam, such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Hanoi Citadel, and more. With a Vespa, you can easily get to these sites and discover them up close.
Explore Hanoi Culinary World
Vietnamese cuisine is considered one of the best in the world. And Hanoi, besides signature dishes such as Pho, Bun Cha, Cha Ca, has always been the culinary center of Vietnam because this place is the gathering place for many "chefs" from professional to amateur, from all over the country and they also bring with them many local specialties.
This makes the food market in Hanoi very rich and almost endless. Visitors can find 5-star restaurants, popular eateries, or sidewalk stalls, and with the characteristics of the streets in Hanoi, the Vespa is the perfect choice to take you to such places.
Meet the Hanoians
The inhabitants of Hanoi, commonly known as Hanoians, are quite warm and welcoming. They always tell each other:
You should not be in a hurry when you are in Hanoi
Besides its joking meaning, this saying also implies that to fully enjoy the true beauty of Hanoi, you must enjoy it slowly, especially in terms of human aspects. From the information gathered Hanoians are always praised by foreign tourists for being hospitable and kind. You can feel this everywhere you go in the city, from an art museum, an incense village, a local store, and a Hanoi market to the sidewalk along Hoan Kiem Lake.
With your Vespa, you'll have the chance to meet locals from all walks of life and discover their culture at a perfect speed so as not to miss anything at all.
3. Who is this Hanoi Vespa Tour for?
This tour is for those who want to explore Hanoi from a different perspective, are tired of sitting behind the glass of a taxi or bus or are too tired from cycling. A Vespa is not too slow, or too fast which makes it quite the perfect option for a chilling trip around the capital.
4. How is vespa tour in Hanoi organized?
Starting in the late afternoon, the Hanoi Vespa tour lasts 4 or 5 hours and includes many activities. It's often said that Hanoi becomes much more beautiful under the lamplight. In contrast to the beauty of the day, as soon as dusk falls, Hanoi is decked out in a dazzling array of street lamps, creating a romantic scene to awaken your artistic soul and senses.
During the trip, tourists are expected to enjoy:
Saint Joseph's Cathedral, Hanoi
After exploring some of the city's narrow streets, Hanoi Cathedral is the first destination of the night-time Vespa tour. There's nothing better than admiring its architecture while enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to the interesting history of this cathedral and Hanoi. If you're looking for a photography idea in Hanoi, the ancient cathedral is undoubtedly a perfect spot for you.
Hanoi Train Street
The second destination of the Vespa tour is the train street, which sparks many tourists’ interest and is becoming a hot spot for adventurers. Enjoy a cup of the Hanoi typical egg coffee while waiting for the train as it passes through the city between buildings, and learn more about the history of the train street and the daily life of the locals. It's also a place that attracts a lot of photographers, so you might get some great shots!
Hanoi's nightlife and The Street Food
As well as the charm of Hanoi in the evening, tourists will also be captivated by the flavors of street food on a Vespa tour.
Bun Cha (Rice Vermicelli With Grilled Pork): Included in the list of the world's most delicious dishes, Bun Cha is not a strange dish for many tourists on a trip to Vietnam. On a Vespa tour of Hanoi, you can try it at the Huong Lien restaurant - the restaurant that is famous for the visit of US President Barack Obama. This place also has the "Obama combo" which includes a special portion of Bun Cha, a fried seafood roll, and a glass of beer. Don't forget to take a photo of the table and materials being served American President on the second floor of this restaurant.
Pho Cuon (Pho Rolls): The next Vietnamese specialty on the list is Pho Cuon. Unlike its soup version - Pho - you'll enjoy the famous rice noodles in a different way. You'll arrive at the little gem of the ancient village of Ngu Xa, now a district around Truc Bach Lake in Ba Dinh district. The Pho Cuon 31 restaurant here is said to have top-notch pho rolls with sautéed beef and banana flower salad.
A Relaxing Jazz Atmosphere
Before ending your Vespa tour in Hanoi, visit the Binh Minh jazz club. Here, you'll immerse yourself in melodious music with acoustic English songs and sipping alcoholic beverages, and forget all the troubles and worries of life outside. You don't need to find a rooftop bar, just stop at a charming little bar nestled just beyond the Hanoi Opera House, with its melodious music, is sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
5. Tips
To make the most of a Vespa tour in Hanoi, don't forget to take note of our following tips:
Bring a small bag containing your necessary documents and a camera to capture your memories during the tour.
Only bring important items and select appropriate clothing to make it easier to move between tour stops.
Wear a helmet to ensure your safety.
Choose a preferred tour from the various Vespa excursions in Hanoi to suit your time, leisure, and interests.
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03 Comments
Italy
Salve, intendiamo restare ad Hanoi per un paio di notti. La prima notte faremo un tour in scooter. La seconda notte la vorrei trascorrere nel mio vagabondare. Sto cercando suggerimenti sulla zona per alloggiare idealmente a pochi passi per la vita notturna ad Hanoi. Sono la prima volta in Vietnam. Grazie per avermi risposto
Vietnam
Italy
Sembra interessante portare uno scooter in giro per un'area urbana in Vietnam.
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