Half-day Hanoi history tour on vintage Honda motorcycles

Visitors to Hanoi during the National Day holiday can experience a half-day tour of the capital on a red Honda motorcycle, once a prized possession during the subsidy period.

The group stopped at *Hanoi Moi* newspaper, a popular check-in spot. Kyra and the tour guide spontaneously danced in the street, cheered on by their companions. *Photo by Minh Quan.*

During Vietnam's subsidy era, marked by scarcity, owning a red Honda C70 or Super Cub signified prosperity due to their high cost and status as a family asset. These motorcycles were a source of pride, meticulously maintained and polished to a gleaming shine.

Inspired by the idea of transporting visitors back to the subsidy period, a tourism company has launched the "Honda Motorbike Road Club" tour, utilizing the few remaining red Honda DD motorcycles.

"I was amazed to see red flags everywhere. The city was vibrant. I saw pride in the people's eyes, and it was touching," said Tia, the Serbian tourist.*Photo by Minh Quan.*

The 4.5-hour tour begins at 7:30 a.m. on Tong Duy Tan street and concludes at noon. Guests are chauffeured around the city on these vintage "superbikes", visiting iconic landmarks such as Hoan Kiem Lake, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Hanoi Flag Tower, 48 Hang Ngang street (where President Ho Chi Minh drafted the Declaration of Independence), Long Bien Bridge, a traditional coffee roastery, the Guangdong Assembly Hall, and enjoying local snacks.

The "Honda Motorbike Road Club" tour debuted in August to commemorate the 80th anniversary of National Day on 2/9. However, Nghiem Minh Quan, co-founder of Vietnam Wander, conceived the idea in 2024 after discovering a dust-covered Honda DD frame in his grandfather's warehouse.

He and fellow vintage motorcycle enthusiasts then began restoring the bikes, preparing for the launch of the Hanoi discovery tour.

At each stop, guides provide insights into the location's history, culture, and daily life of local residents.

Izabel Aanrad (far right), on her second visit to Vietnam but first to Hanoi, remarked, "This city is beyond my imagination, both ancient and vibrant".

Seeking a unique experience beyond walking around the Old Quarter, the women in Aanrad's group consulted their hostel staff and decided to book the tour.

"Riding on the vintage motorcycle was truly special, like traveling back in time. The slow pace allowed me to appreciate the old streets, and my most memorable moment was standing on Long Bien Bridge, feeling the cool breeze from the Red River," Kyra said.

The photo shows the group exploring the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, whose central sector was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.

Quan's company currently has 15 red Honda DD motorcycles for the tour. They host 10-20 guests monthly, with each tour typically accommodating 3-7 people, both Vietnamese and international visitors.

Kyra Lubber, a first-time visitor to Hanoi from the Netherlands, expressed her delight at exploring the city center by motorcycle on August 22nd. "Everything is so new that I feel like I'm in a completely different world," she shared.

Tour participants receive a small scarf with traditional patterns as a souvenir of their trip to Vietnam.

Quan's primary goal is not just sightseeing, but also allowing guests to connect with Vietnamese history through the iconic Honda DD motorcycle.

Tia, a Serbian tourist, enthusiastically filmed her surroundings.

The international group visiting Hanoi during the National Day holiday was captivated by the city's festive decorations, with red flags with yellow stars adorning streets and shops.

The tour costs over 1.5 million VND per person.

Beyond the motorcycle tour, the coffee roastery visit left a lasting impression. "The aroma of freshly roasted coffee, brewing it ourselves, and enjoying it right there was an unforgettable experience," Kyra commented.