If you’re looking for a way to experience Hanoi beyond the usual sightseeing, put a Vespa tour at the top of your list.

I’ve done a lot of activities during my travels. I’ve climbed, cruised, explored markets, taken cooking classes, ridden trains and ventured well beyond the tourist trail.

But my Vespa tour through Hanoi? It rates as the number one thing I have ever done while travelling. And that’s saying something.

A different way to see Hanoi

There is something completely different about seeing Hanoi from the back of a Vespa. You’re not simply being driven from one attraction to another. You’re in the middle of it all. The traffic. The noise. The smells. The people. The tiny alleyways. The markets. The everyday life of Hanoi unfolding around you.

And before you ask — was I scared? Not for a moment.

My driver was absolutely amazing. I felt completely safe throughout the entire experience, even as we navigated the busy streets and squeezed through Hanoi’s narrow alleyways. In fact, that was part of the fun.

This is what I would call soft adventure at its best, a little bit of excitement, plenty of discovery, but without having to be an adrenaline junkie.

Into the heart of Hanoi

What I loved most about the tour was that it wasn’t simply about riding around the city. Along the way, we stopped at significant locations and were given the opportunity to learn more about Hanoi’s history and culture.

We travelled through narrow alleyways that I would never have discovered on my own, passing local markets where vendors were selling all sorts of things. This is the Hanoi that you don’t necessarily see from a tour bus.

It’s the Hanoi where people live, work, shop, eat and go about their everyday lives. And that’s what made the experience so special.

A visit to a Vietnamese family home

One of my favourite moments was visiting the home of a local family. There, we met an incredible 83-year-old gentleman who shared stories of his life in Vietnam.

He talked to us about his experiences and history, giving us a glimpse into a life that spans some of the most significant periods in Vietnam’s history. He also played several traditional musical instruments for us.

It was one of those travel moments that isn’t about ticking something off a sightseeing list. It’s about meeting someone, hearing their story and making a genuine human connection. And for me, that’s what travel is all about.

Train Street — and timing it just right

Then came another Hanoi experience I’d been looking forward to — Train Street.

We arrived at just the right time, giving us the opportunity to sit beside the railway tracks with a drink and wait for the train to make its way through. There’s something surreal about sitting just centimetres from the railway line as a train approaches and passes through this incredibly narrow part of the city.

It was another reminder that sometimes the best travel experiences are the ones where you simply stop, take it all in and think: “Wow. I’m actually here.”

Lunch at the Hidden Gem Cafe

Of course, no Vietnamese adventure would be complete without food. Lunch was included in the tour and we stopped at the wonderfully quirky Hidden Gem Cafe.

Even getting there felt like part of the adventure, and the cafe itself was full of character. It was the perfect place to stop, refuel and soak up everything we’d experienced during the morning.

Why this is soft adventure at its best

For me, this tour perfectly captures what soft adventure travel is all about. You don’t have to trek to the top of a mountain or push yourself to your physical limits to have an adventure. Sometimes adventure is simply about doing something different.

It’s about getting off the main tourist trail. It’s about experiencing a destination rather than simply seeing it. It’s about meeting locals, hearing their stories, trying something new and allowing yourself to be immersed in another culture.

And yes, there’s a little bit of excitement involved when you’re weaving through Hanoi’s busy streets on the back of a Vespa, but at no point did I feel unsafe or frightened.

My driver was fantastic and I felt completely comfortable from beginning to end.

My verdict? Don’t just add it to your itinerary make it a priority.

I’ve travelled to many places and experienced countless activities, but I can honestly say: This was my number one travel experience ever.

If you’re heading to Hanoi, I would consider a Vespa tour a must-do activity. It’s suitable for a wide range of ages, you don’t need to be an adrenaline seeker, and it’s such a unique way to experience the city.

You’ll see places you may never discover on your own.

You’ll taste the food.

You’ll hear the stories.

You’ll meet the people.

You’ll experience the chaos and energy of Hanoi from right in the middle of it.

And you’ll come away with a much deeper connection to the city.

My experience

I did my tour with Hanoi Backstreet Tours, and I can’t recommend the experience highly enough. From the driver to the itinerary, the local experiences and the way the tour allowed us to see Hanoi beyond the obvious tourist attractions, it was an absolute five-star experience.

If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam and want to experience Hanoi in a way that is immersive, cultural, fun and just a little adventurous, put this one on your list.

Trust me — get on the Vespa. You won’t regret it.

Ready for your own Hanoi adventure?

This is exactly the kind of experience I love incorporating into my travels, and your itineraries, adventure without the extreme, meaningful cultural experiences and the chance to see a destination from a completely different perspective.

Because sometimes the best travel memories come from doing something you’ve never done before.

When was the last time you did something for the first time? Remember All that is required is a Sense of Adventure!