“Put these helmets on, get on the back of the bike, and off we’ll go.” That was basically how our motorbike tour started in Hanoi, Vietnam. Of course, we signed the necessary safety forms first, but after a quick introduction to our guide, we were whisked away to an experience we will never forget.
Hanoi, located in the northern part of the country, is home to approximately 5 million people. The capital city is bustling. And most people ride motorbikes. In fact, there are roughly 50 million motorbikes registered in Vietnam. It’s one of the easiest ways to get around the city, and you may even see families riding on one motorbike. Crossing the street in Hanoi is an adventure itself as the motorbikes just whiz by without stopping. In fact, it’s so hard to cross the street that it’s advised you cross with a local or just go fast and don’t stop. I actually think it might have been safer to ride the motorbike than walk across the street.
When visiting new destinations, we try to find experiences that lend to doing as the locals do. And in Vietnam, that was none other than renting motorbikes and eating authentic Vietnamese food.
Ready to give it a try? Here’s how to do it.
How to Book a Local Motobike Food Tour
Arrange with a local tour operator, such as Hanoi Backstreet Tours or Hanoi Street Food Tours. The cost is approximately $59 per person with discounts for children. Most evening tours begin around 6:00pm and last about four hours. You will be met at your accommodation and transported to the city center to meet your guide and group if going on a group tour. After putting on your helmets and signing the safety forms, you will head over to your motorbike to begin your adventure.
Each person will ride on the back of a motorbike with your guide driving. There is nothing like sending your 9 and 11-year-old aged kids off on the motorbike with a stranger through a new town. We did feel completely safe though. Our group followed each other, weaving among the busy city streets. We passed local shops and shared the road with local families riding on their own motorbikes. We simply enjoyed watching the Vietnamese people go about their daily lives. It’s such an exhilarating ride and something you and your kids will never forget.
Local Food to Try in Vietnam
The tours venture to a few different stops throughout Hanoi, offering a chance for you to explore other neighborhoods and try some of the most authentic local food. Our first stop was at a local restaurant, where we enjoyed our first Vietnamese dish. Throughout the evening, you will have the option to try bun cha (grilled pork and noodle), banh mi (sandwich), pho, egg coffee, papaya salad, and so much more. You will venture to local establishments you would typically not experience on your own. You may dine inside a restaurant or pull up a plastic stool and eat outside at one of the street-side eateries.
If you have any dietary restrictions in your family, don’t be afraid to book this food tour. Our son has a peanut allergy, and we never thought we’d be able to do a food tour through Vietnam with him. The tour organizers will work closely with the restaurants you visit to accommodate all dietary restrictions. We enjoyed all of the amazing Vietnamese food, peanut-free, and our son could participate and enjoy it all too.
Learning from the Locals
The motorbike tour will weave you through the Old Quarter and across Long Bien Bridge. Many of the tours will even make stops at ancient temples and other historical sites along the way. You may even stop at a local home as we did. We visited a local apartment building in a neighborhood in Hanoi. There were 17 homes and one bathroom that each home shared within the building. This was something my children grasped immediately. Having to share a bathroom with not just your family members but with your neighbors was utterly eye-opening to them. Riding the motorbike, trying the local food, and then getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse of daily life offers an incredibly immersive experience of the Vietnamese culture.
If traveling to Hanoi, Vietnam, here are a few travel tips to keep in mind.
Vietnam General Travel Tips:
- All US citizens need a Visa to travel to Vietnam. It is advised that you complete your application process online before arrival.
- Noi Bai International Airport is approximately 40 minutes to the Hanoi city center with options of taking the bus, shuttle bus taxi, or a private car to get to your accommodation.
- Vietnam, due to its temperate climate, is a year-round destination. However, the best time to visit Hanoi is February to April and September to November when the days are warm and sunny.
- If you are looking to travel within Vietnam, flying may be the best option as travel distances can be rather long.
- Book accommodation in the Old Quarter if you want to base yourself amidst all the action. It’s walkable to the local markets, the park, and has a wide selection of restaurants nearby.
- Other family-friendly destinations in Vietnam are Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Sapa, and Ho Chi Minh City.
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Riding a motorbike through the streets of Hanoi and trying the local food is such an incredible way for a family traveling to Vietnam to participate in the local culture. By immersing yourself in something they do every day here, you will walk away with a better understanding and appreciation of the country and people you are visiting. Plus, riding on the back of a motorbike through crowded streets is incredibly exhilarating, and the smiles on your children’s faces will be a memory you will never forget.
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