A City Adventure on Two Wheels Experience Hanoi On A Motorbike

Table Of Contents

• Hanoi, Between The River, But Lost In The Search

• For That Short And Sweet Trip

• Hanoi Hotels, Which Ones?

• The Taste Test, What Foods Can I Enjoy In Hanoi?

• Hanoi On A Motorbike

• Site Seeing Motorbike Tour

• Hanoi Motorbike Tour Itinerary

• When Is The Best Time To Travel To Hanoi

• Conclusion

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam but that’s not just it. Hanoi is the epitome of all things culture when you land in South East Asia. This is where you run to when you need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city lest you be detained by the affairs of the concrete jungle.

Hanoi, Between The River, But Lost In The Search

Let’s be real, Hanoi is not your typical search history find. Even the internet seems to treat the name as a sort of hidden treasure only to be discovered by those who do not want a cliché kind of vacation. The name Hanoi goes way back to 1831. The city rests on the bend of the Red River. This is what you come across when searching for a holiday experience that integrates history, culture and affordability. Hanoi is not just affordable, it is a suitable eye feast. Everywhere you look, you marvel at the story staring back at you.

You are a planner but this time you are not so sure if you should bring your wife, mum and kids along. Guesswork is a big no so you would rather explore Hanoi alone. This is not another generic travel guide. This is a social investment and we promise you good ROI.

For That Short And Sweet Trip

Your business trip has you hopping from one elevator to the next in the magnificent skyscraper city of Ho Chi Minh but you need a break. This is where Hanoi comes in. These two cities are like Ying and Yang. Hanoi is where time stood still to allow you to catch your breathe and see all that it has to offer. How do you make it count? Hanoi is such an organised city where every speciality has it’s specific location. This means you can get to see all you can while you can.

If you want some fine traditional silk then Hang Gai is your street. For those who love traditional medicine, Lan Ong is the place to be and if you would like to buy something for your beloved then Hang Bac, the silver street would be a suitable place.

Crossing the street here is something that you have to learn how to manage. If your kids are coming along then your hands will be busy and you need to keep a good eye on them. Your senses will definitely be heightened. Traffic noise might scare the toddler but the pace is great for cardio. Grown up cardio of course.

But before you go any further, do you have the necessary vaccine shots?These are:

• Hepatitis A

• Typhoid

• Hepatitis B

• Rabies

• Tdap

• Malaria prophylaxis

• Japanese Encephalitis

Hepatitis A and Typhoid are essential. Once done, you can proceed to accommodation.

Hanoi Hotels, Which Ones?

When it comes to hotel accommodation, Hanoi has a lot to offer. Let’s categorise them into the following:

• Affordable Hotels

• Boutique Hotels

• Historic Hotels

• Hotels with a rooftop pool

• Downtown Hotels

• Apartment Hotels

These hotels range from five star to two stars. Here are some.

1.La Siesta Classic Ma May Hanoi Hotel 

According to 2000 plus people, this hotel deserves a five star. Located in Old Quarter area, this is the synchronisation of warmth and luxury. It does have family suites and the service is rated as exceptional. You can easily access city attractions, shops and restaurants. 

Price starts from $98

2.The Oriental Jade Hotel

Also located in the Old Quarter area, this is the hotel you go to if you want to sample different dishes but do not know the different restaurants in Hanoi. The Oriental Jade will serve you a breakfast buffet inclusive of Western, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine.

Price starts from $110

3.La Siesta Classic Hang Thung

La Siesta Classic Hang Thung is a gem if you are traveling solo while also catching up on business. It is sort of an AirBnb centrally located in the Old Quarter. You get good food, service by remarkable staff, a spa, heated pool and gym. The shops and landmarks are just a walking distance away.

Price starts from $62

4.Bendecir Hotel & Spa

Still located in the heart of Old Quarter, the Bendecir Hotel is also surrounded by shops, restaurants and sites. There are spacious rooms for families and the staff members have been reported to go out of their way to ensure that the guests enjoy their stay.

Price starts from $48

The Taste Test, What Foods Can I Enjoy In Hanoi?

When it comes to food in Hanoi the common term is Pho nomenal. This can as well be named the national dish of Hanoi. Pho is what energizes the locals, a culinary heritage birthed in the 20th century. It is light, simple and intensely flavoured. This is the great honor accorded to this world famous noodle soup.

How about some Pho stopovers?

• Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư (Hoàn Kiếm) for beef pho 

• Phở Tiến for excellent chicken pho

• Phở Bò Lâm for morning beef pho

• Phở Gà Châm (Yen Ninh Street) for exquisite chicken pho

• Phở Khôi Hói serving pho for over a decade

You can also enjoy an array of dishes in one of the best internationally known restaurants in Hanoi and that is 4Ps restaurant. Almost every YouTuber swears by it. They have even recorded their experience and it always ends well. Spoiler, It gets filled up fast so try and get there earlier and if you want to have a repeat dining experience, then book a reservation online.

Hanoi On A Motorbike

When you land in Hanoi, it won’t take you too long to notice that the motion never stops. The traffic jam is one that might take a while to penetrate. The best way to beat it is to get on the back of a motorbike and off you go.

Ask any local and you will find out that motorbikes are part of the culture. In fact, it is said that 7 million motorcycles call Hanoi, Home. Every bend, every alley is an efficient classic dance between pedestrians and motorbikes. Getting on a bike will allow you to see the city the same way the locals do.

If it is your first time in Hanoi then we would recommend that you opt for a motorbike tour that comes with a guide. There are those who search for where they can rent motorbikes and try to get around by themselves but if you want to enjoy Hanoi then you better work with someone who has been there, done it and knows it like the back of their hand. The streets of Hanoi are the capital city of motorbikes, traffic is quite slow when in a car plus it’s hot and humid. Motorbikes allow you to feel the wind and keep cool.

A guided motorbike tour does not numb the experience but actually heightens it for you. You will be able to make several stops while touring the city and therefore never miss a thing.

Site Seeing Motorbike Tour

Most bike tours last 3 to 4 hours but just check the availability before booking. Bikes are comfortable and a pair of good sunglasses will make it even better. Most motorbike tours start from $59 per person.Some of the places you can visit in Hanoi are:

1. Hanoi Street Train

Buy a snack, get a seat or stand a side and wait for the train to pass by. Watch cafes and people park up for train that passes quite close.

2.Hoan Kiem Lake

If you love legends then this lake offers one if form of a sword and a magical turtle. Hence the Turtle Tower sitting in the middle of the lake.

3.St Joseph’s Cathedral

Located on the west side of the Hoan Kiem Lake, this cathedral is just one of the landmarks showcasing French influence in Hanoi. You can attend mass but just make sure that you are decently dressed.

4.One Pillar Pagoda

An iconic temple destroyed by the French in 1954 but has since been rebuilt.

5.Hoa Lo Prison

Built by the French to imprison the Vietnamese but later was used by the Vietnamese to imprison captured American soldiers

6.Coconut Coffee Smoothie

Okay, this is not a site but you cannot go around Hanoi and not get thirsty. The best drink to cool you down would be none other than the coconut coffee smoothie. You can start your day with Egg Coffee. Word on the street is that there was a shortage of milk and because necessity is the mother of invention, alas eggs replace milk.

Hanoi Motorbike Tour Itinerary

Most motorbike tours allow you to explore the city for 4 hours. These tours can be divided into three parts depending on the season. You will be able to explore the backstreets of Hanoi. Find yourself in local markets and alleys, things you will never see on main media.

Get to meet the locals as they go about their daily business. Get to see local temples and cafes. This is more than sight seeing, it is an experience.

You will be time traveling from the Old Quarter to the French Quarter enjoying the dance between culture and modernity.

When Is The Best Time To Travel To Hanoi

Since there many sites to see, it would be nice to go on a motorbike knowing that the rain won’t mess your itinerary. It does rain in Hanoi, not all the time but the rain might force you to take a much needed break.

Months and Seasons

December, January and February are winter seasons and there is less rain plus not many people are visiting.

March , April and May mark spring and there is some rain.

September, October and November also experience some rain and this is fall season and this is the busiest season.

Choose your month depending on your plan. If your entire family is coming along, then the low season of winter might work best.

The best time to travel in terms of air fares is from August through to October. Fares start from $900 to $1200 for economy class. There are currently no direct flights to Hanoi but the entire journey can take 18 hours or so.

Conclusion

Hanoi is a city that never stops, even at night you can still tour the city and enjoy. All you need is proper planning. Your first visit won’t be the last and you might just bring your family on the next one.Feeling confident? Talk to us about your Hanoi adventure and we will make it worth your while.