VESPA TOUR – THE INSIDER´S HANOI

Time: 8.00AM or 13.00PM – 4 hour tour
Start off sampling the local Café culture at our Italian style Café in the heart of the old quarter, overlooking the famous French colonial style of St.Joseph´s Cathedral. We then set off for a ride through the city´s iconic narrow streets and head toward the railway tracks where we can see how the locals live and work, just centimetres from the train track in tall narrow houses.

After a short ride on the Vespas toward Huu Tiep lake, we meet a fascinating elderly resident of the area who regales us with stories of the past in a 400 year old temple. It´s then a short walk through traditional local market streets to see the B52 crash site at the lake. This US bomber was shot down during the 1972 bombing raids of Hanoi, a poignant reminder of recent history. It´s back on the Vespas for a ride to the Ngoc Ha market and stroll around this huge, bustling place taking in the vibrant atmosphere that typifies Hanoi. We then ride out of the city centre to the Long Bien Bridge, a magnificent structure built over a hundred years ago which spans the Red River and connects the Hoan Kiem and Long Bien district, and provides shelter to locals living on boat underneath. Only motorbikes and bicycles can traverse, so off we go! Our next ride takes us along the riverside as we whizz past the ancient dyke wall, beautifully decorated with mosaic artworks and on to a Kumquat farm, located in a peaceful green agricultural oasis in the city. These little trees are traditional gifts at Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, and adorn every family home, symbolising luck, health, wealth, fertility and peace.
We then jump on the Vespas and head to out final spot, a little snack stop.

FOODS:
Snacks at designated stops
INCLUDED SERVICES:
Vespa, Drivers, English speaking tour guide, Cold water,  All entry fees, Pick up & drop off from your hotel