What to Bring on a Hanoi Motorbike Tour: Complete Packing Guide
A Hanoi Motorbike Tour is one of the best ways to experience the capital beyond the main tourist attractions. You can ride through the Old Quarter, explore hidden alleys, cross Long Bien Bridge, discover the Red River countryside, visit West Lake and stop at local food stalls—all in a few hours.
But what should you actually bring?
The good news is that you do not need to pack much. A small day bag with the right essentials is enough. Based on the current information published by the official Motorbike City Tours website, helmets, rain protection and other basic tour equipment are provided, so your personal packing list can remain simple. (motorbikecitytours.com)
Here is everything worth bringing for a comfortable Hanoi motorbike experience.
Quick Packing List
Before leaving your hotel, make sure you have:
- Passport or a secure copy/photo of your passport
- Phone
- Power bank
- Small amount of cash
- Credit/debit card
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Light jacket or long-sleeved layer
- Comfortable trousers or shorts
- Closed-toe shoes or secure sandals
- Reusable water bottle
- Small backpack or crossbody bag
- Any personal medication
- Camera, if you enjoy photography
You generally do not need to bring your own helmet or raincoat if you are joining Motorbike City Tours, as its tour information states that helmets and rain protection are provided. (motorbikecitytours.com)
1. Bring Your Phone
Your smartphone is probably the most useful item to bring.
You can use it for:
- Taking photographs
- Recording short videos
- Checking your hotel details
- Contacting your guide
- Using translation apps
- Checking maps
- Making emergency calls
- Paying for additional purchases when accepted
Keep your phone somewhere secure rather than holding it loosely while the motorbike is moving.
If you want to take photographs during the ride, tell your driver-guide and only use your phone when the motorbike has stopped somewhere appropriate.
2. Bring a Power Bank
A power bank is highly recommended.
A Hanoi motorbike tour can last four hours or longer, and frequent photography, video recording, navigation and mobile data can drain your phone battery quickly.
A compact power bank can prevent the inconvenience of arriving back at your hotel with a dead phone.
This is particularly useful for:
- Full-day motorbike tours
- Food tours
- Countryside tours
- Sunset tours
- Photography-focused trips
3. Bring Cash in Vietnamese Dong
Even though many hotels, restaurants and modern businesses accept cards, cash remains useful in Hanoi.
You may want money for:
- Street food
- Small cafés
- Drinks
- Snacks
- Souvenirs
- Small purchases
- Optional tips
You do not need to carry a large amount.
A small amount of Vietnamese Dong is usually enough for incidental spending during a half-day tour.
Keep your cash securely inside your bag rather than in an easily accessible pocket.
4. Bring a Small Bag—Not a Large Backpack
A small backpack, crossbody bag or day bag is ideal.
Avoid bringing a large suitcase or bulky backpack because you will be sitting behind a driver on a scooter.
Your bag should be:
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Easy to secure
- Comfortable when sitting
- Closed securely
Motorbike City Tours uses scooters with passenger backrests, but keeping your personal belongings compact makes the ride much more comfortable. (motorbikecitytours.com)
5. Wear Comfortable Clothes
You do not need special motorbike clothing for a sightseeing tour.
The most practical choice is comfortable casual clothing.
Good options include:
- T-shirt
- Polo shirt
- Lightweight shirt
- Comfortable trousers
- Jeans
- Lightweight travel pants
- Knee-length or longer shorts
Avoid clothing that is extremely loose or likely to catch in moving parts.
For longer tours, lightweight breathable clothing is particularly useful because Hanoi can become hot and humid.
6. Bring a Light Jacket
Even if Hanoi is warm during the day, a light jacket or long-sleeved shirt can be useful.
The wind can feel cooler while riding, especially:
- Early in the morning
- Around West Lake
- Along the Red River
- During sunset
- During the cooler months
A thin layer also provides protection from the sun.
You don’t need a heavy jacket unless you are visiting Hanoi during genuinely cool weather.
7. Sunglasses Are Very Useful
Bring a pair of sunglasses.
They protect your eyes from:
- Sunlight
- Wind
- Dust
- Road debris
- Insects
They can be especially helpful during afternoon and countryside rides.
Choose glasses that fit securely rather than oversized frames that may become uncomfortable underneath your helmet.
8. Don’t Forget Sunscreen
Hanoi’s sun can be strong, particularly during the warmer months.
Apply sunscreen before leaving your hotel, especially to:
- Face
- Neck
- Arms
- Hands
Remember that you may be exposed to sunlight for several hours even though you are not walking continuously.
A small travel-size sunscreen is easy to carry and can be reapplied during longer tours.
9. Bring a Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is important when exploring Hanoi by motorbike.
Motorbike City Tours states that bottled water is included in its tour experiences, so you do not necessarily need to bring your own bottle. (motorbikecitytours.com)
However, bringing a reusable bottle can still be convenient if you prefer one.
For a four-hour tour in hot weather, hydration is particularly important.
10. Wear Secure Shoes
Choose footwear that stays securely on your feet.
Good choices include:
- Sneakers
- Trainers
- Walking shoes
- Secure sandals
Avoid loose flip-flops if possible.
You may need to walk through markets, narrow lanes, cafés, historic sites or countryside paths during the tour, so comfortable footwear is more useful than fashionable footwear.
11. Bring Your Camera
If photography is important to you, Hanoi is an excellent city for a motorbike camera tour.
You can photograph:
- Old Quarter streets
- Local markets
- Long Bien Bridge
- Red River
- Banana Island
- West Lake
- French colonial architecture
- Local neighborhoods
- Train Street
- Street food
- Hanoi’s evening lights
A smartphone is completely sufficient for most travelers.
If you bring a dedicated camera, keep it in a compact, secure camera bag.
Don’t spend the entire ride looking through the viewfinder. Some of the best moments are simply the ones you experience while moving through the city.
12. Bring a Small Camera Strap or Secure Your Camera
If you use a larger camera, make sure it is securely attached or stored while the scooter is moving.
Do not leave an expensive camera loosely hanging from your shoulder while riding.
For action shots, ask your guide to stop somewhere safe.
This is especially important on Hanoi’s busier streets.
13. Bring Your Prescription or Personal Medication
If you regularly take medication, bring enough for the duration of your trip.
It is also sensible to carry basic personal items such as:
- Prescription medication
- Motion-sickness medication if you normally use it
- Personal hygiene products
- Any essential medical documents
Keep important medication in your personal day bag rather than leaving it at the hotel.
14. Bring Your Hotel Information
It is useful to have your hotel name and address saved on your phone.
This can help your guide confirm pickup or drop-off details.
A screenshot is even better because it can be accessed without an internet connection.
For hotel pickup tours, having the exact hotel name and address available makes communication much easier.
15. Bring a Translation App
You don’t need to speak Vietnamese to enjoy a Hanoi motorbike tour, especially when traveling with an English-speaking guide.
However, a translation app can still be useful when:
- Shopping at a local market
- Ordering additional food
- Talking with local residents
- Reading Vietnamese signs
- Asking questions outside the tour
It can also make spontaneous interactions more enjoyable.
16. Bring Some Patience
This may sound unusual, but it is one of the most important things to bring.
Hanoi is a busy city.
Traffic can be unpredictable. Roads can be crowded. Weather can change. A food stop may take longer than expected.
A motorbike tour is not designed to feel like a perfectly controlled bus excursion.
The traffic, sounds, smells and movement are part of Hanoi itself.
If you approach the experience with curiosity rather than expecting everything to happen exactly on schedule, you are likely to enjoy it much more.
What You Don’t Need to Bring
One of the advantages of booking a professional Hanoi motorbike tour is that some important equipment is already provided.
17. You Don’t Need to Bring Your Own Helmet
Motorbike City Tours provides helmets for passengers and emphasizes safety equipment on its tour pages. (motorbikecitytours.com)
You can therefore leave your personal motorcycle helmet at home unless you have a particular helmet you strongly prefer.
If you have specific helmet requirements, check with the operator before the tour.
18. You Don’t Need to Bring a Raincoat
Hanoi’s weather can change quickly, particularly during the rainy season.
Motorbike City Tours states that raincoats/rain protection are provided when needed. (motorbikecitytours.com)
This means you don’t necessarily need to carry a bulky rain jacket.
However, a light waterproof layer can still be useful if you prefer your own clothing.
19. You Don’t Need to Bring Your Own Motorbike
This is an important point for international visitors.
On Motorbike City Tours’ passenger experiences, you do not drive the scooter yourself.
You ride behind a professional local driver-guide. (motorbikecitytours.com)
So you don’t need:
- A rented scooter
- Motorbike keys
- Navigation equipment
- Riding experience
The guide handles the driving while you enjoy the city.
What Should You Wear on a Hanoi Motorbike Tour?
Your clothing should prioritize comfort, protection and practicality.
Recommended
Top: T-shirt, polo or lightweight long-sleeved shirt
Bottom: Comfortable trousers, jeans or lightweight travel pants
Shoes: Sneakers, trainers or secure sandals
Accessories: Sunglasses, sunscreen and light jacket
Avoid
- Very high heels
- Loose scarves
- Extremely loose clothing
- Unsecured flip-flops
- Bulky backpacks
- Heavy handbags
You are going to be sitting on a scooter for several hours, so comfort matters more than looking formal.
What to Bring in Different Seasons
Hanoi’s weather changes significantly throughout the year, so your packing list should change as well.
Spring
Bring:
- Light jacket
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Comfortable trousers
- Sunglasses
- Small umbrella or rain protection if desired
Spring can be humid and occasionally rainy.
Summer
Bring:
- Breathable clothing
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water
- Hat for use when stopped
- Light rain protection
Summer can be hot, humid and rainy.
Autumn
Autumn is often comfortable for sightseeing.
Bring:
- T-shirt or light shirt
- Light jacket for evening
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Small day bag
Winter
Hanoi can become surprisingly cool.
Bring:
- Light or medium jacket
- Long trousers
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Closed shoes
Early mornings and evenings can feel particularly cool while riding.
What to Bring for a Hanoi Motorbike Food Tour
If you are joining a Hanoi Motorbike Food Tour, keep your bag especially small.
You will be getting on and off the scooter, walking into restaurants and eating at multiple stops.
Bring:
- Phone
- Cash
- Small bag
- Tissues
- Hand sanitizer
- Water
- Camera
- Any required medication
You don’t need to bring snacks.
The whole point of the tour is to eat Vietnamese food along the way.
Motorbike City Tours’ current food-tour information includes multiple local food stops and drinks, with dishes such as Bánh Cuốn, Bún Chả, Phở, grilled seafood, banana flower salad and Egg Coffee featured in its food experiences. (motorbikecitytours.com)
What to Bring for a Hanoi Countryside Motorbike Tour
A countryside itinerary requires slightly different preparation.
Bring:
- Comfortable trousers
- Secure shoes
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water
- Camera
- Light jacket
- Rain protection if desired
You may travel through farmland, villages, dirt paths and rural communities, so practical clothing is more important than fashionable clothing.
Motorbike City Tours’ countryside itineraries include rural roads, villages, agricultural areas and local family visits outside central Hanoi. (motorbikecitytours.com)
What to Bring for a Hanoi Sunset Motorbike Tour
For an afternoon or sunset tour, bring:
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Light jacket
- Camera
- Phone
- Power bank
- Small amount of cash
A light jacket becomes particularly useful as the temperature drops after sunset.
Motorbike City Tours’ current sunset itinerary runs approximately from 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM, combining Hanoi’s backstreets, Long Bien Bridge, Banana Island, West Lake, Train Street and dinner. (motorbikecitytours.com)
What to Bring for a Full-Day Hanoi Motorbike Tour
A full-day tour requires a little more preparation.
Pack:
- Phone
- Power bank
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water
- Small towel
- Light jacket
- Rain protection
- Cash
- Camera
- Personal medication
- Comfortable shoes
Keep everything compact.
You don’t want to spend eight hours carrying a heavy backpack on the back of a scooter.
Should You Bring a Backpack or Crossbody Bag?
For most travelers, a small backpack is ideal.
A crossbody bag can also work well, provided it is secure and doesn’t interfere with the driver or passenger.
Avoid oversized bags.
The goal is to carry only what you actually need.
A simple rule is:
If you wouldn’t normally need it during a four-hour city walk, you probably don’t need it on a four-hour motorbike tour.
Hanoi Motorbike Tour Packing Checklist
Before leaving your hotel, check:
Essentials
☐ Phone
☐ Hotel details
☐ Cash
☐ Bank card
☐ Passport or secure copy
☐ Personal medication
Comfort
☐ Sunglasses
☐ Sunscreen
☐ Light jacket
☐ Comfortable clothes
☐ Secure shoes
☐ Water
Technology
☐ Power bank
☐ Camera
☐ Charging cable
Optional
☐ Hand sanitizer
☐ Tissues
☐ Small umbrella
☐ Reusable water bottle
Usually Provided by the Tour
☑ Helmet
☑ Raincoat/rain protection
☑ Motorbike
☑ Driver-guide
☑ Bottled water
☑ Food/drinks depending on itinerary
Motorbike City Tours’ published tour information confirms the provision of helmets and rain protection and lists other inclusions depending on the specific tour. (motorbikecitytours.com)
Final Thoughts: Pack Light and Enjoy Hanoi
You don’t need a huge packing list for a Hanoi Motorbike Tour.
The most important things are your phone, cash, sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable clothing, secure shoes and a small bag.
The tour operator takes care of the major riding equipment. Motorbike City Tours provides passengers with helmets and rain protection, while professional local drivers handle the motorbike. (motorbikecitytours.com)
The best thing you can bring, however, is curiosity.
Hanoi’s hidden alleys, local markets, Red River landscapes, street-food stalls and neighborhood cafés are often more memorable than the attractions you originally planned to see.
So pack light, secure your belongings, put on your helmet—and get ready to experience Hanoi from the street level.
Book a Hanoi Motorbike Tour
Motorbike City Tours offers Hanoi city, food, countryside, sunset, sunrise, private and full-day motorbike tours led by professional local riders and guides.
Official Website: Motorbike City Tours
Hanoi City Insight Tour: Hanoi City Insight Motorbike Tour
Hanoi Food Tour: Hanoi Motorcycle Food Tour
WhatsApp / iMessage: +84 988 402 008
Email: info@motorbikecitytours.com
For the latest itinerary, inclusions, departure