Hanoi has one of the great street food cultures of the world, and the Old Quarter around Hoan Kiem Lake is its heart. Its tangle of thirty-odd streets, many still named after the goods once sold there, such as Hang Bac for silver or Hang Be for boats, fills every evening with charcoal grills, steaming pots and tiny plastic stools on the pavement. The problem for a visitor is knowing where to sit and what to order. The Tiqets tour we link solves that with a night ride on the back of a Vespa, driven by an English-speaking local guide from SPL Tours. Over about three and a half hours you weave through the traffic, stop for tastings at local favourites, pause at landmarks between dishes, and finish with coffee, while your guide explains the stories behind the food. Group size is capped at ten, so it feels personal. Riding as a passenger is also the safest way to experience Hanoi’s famous scooter traffic, from the inside, without having to drive. It is a perfect first evening in the city and a fun night out for couples and friends.
How it works: if you stay in the Old Quarter, the driver collects you from your hotel; if you stay elsewhere, you meet in front of the Hanoi Opera House at 1 Trang Tien. The price covers the guided tour, your Vespa and driver, the food tastings and coffee. Tips are not included. Free cancellation and date changes are possible until twenty-four hours before the tour, which helps if heavy rain is forecast. Helmets are provided by the operator, as Vietnamese law requires on any scooter.
What to expect: the tour runs in the evening, when the Old Quarter is at its liveliest. The exact stops are not published and vary with the guide, but expect the classics of Hanoi cooking, such as noodle soups, grilled pork with rice noodles, crisp pancakes or banh mi, and a coffee in the city’s strong Vietnamese style. Food is eaten at street stalls and small family places, sitting low on stools. Tell the operator about allergies or a vegetarian diet when you book, since many Hanoi dishes use fish sauce, pork or shrimp paste.
Making the most of it: come hungry and pace yourself, because portions add up over the evening. Wear closed shoes and trousers or a long skirt that is easy to ride in, and bring a light jacket in November, when evenings turn cool. Keep your bag on your front while riding. After the tour, stroll back along Hoan Kiem Lake, which is lovely at night.
What to expect
The experience
A guided evening food tour riding pillion on a Vespa with a local driver-guide, with street food tastings, landmark stops and coffee in the Old Quarter.
Best time
Early in your trip, on a dry evening, so you know what to order for the rest of your stay.
How long
About three and a half hours, including pickup in the Old Quarter.
Tips
Arrive hungry, mention allergies or a vegetarian diet when booking, and wear closed shoes and a light jacket for the ride.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want to taste Hanoi’s street food and feel its scooter traffic safely from the back seat.
- Families
- Best for teenagers; check the operator’s age rules for younger children before booking.
- Couples
- A fun, romantic first night in Hanoi, with the lit streets and a final stroll along Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Pair with
- A morning at the Temple of Literature and a water puppet show by Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Time needed
- An evening of about three and a half hours.
Good questions
Do I have to drive the Vespa?+
No. You ride as a passenger behind a local driver-guide, so you need no licence or experience. Helmets are provided.
Where does the Vespa food tour start?+
Guests staying in the Old Quarter are picked up at their hotel. Everyone else meets in front of the Hanoi Opera House at 1 Trang Tien.
Is the food included?+
Yes, the food tastings and a coffee are included in the price. Tips for the guides are not, and are always appreciated.
Can vegetarians join the food tour?+
Usually yes, if you tell the operator when you book, since many Hanoi dishes use pork, fish sauce or shrimp paste. The guide can then plan suitable stops.
Is it safe to ride a scooter in Hanoi traffic?+
Traffic looks chaotic, but riding with an experienced local driver at evening speeds is a safe way to see it. Hold on, keep your bag in front and follow the driver’s advice.