Biking to discover the landmarks within Hanoi or simply strolling around on weekends can be a fascinating and refreshing experience. The slow turns of the bicycle wheels will bring you closer to the vibrant life of the ancient capital.
The experience of cycling to explore a different, new Hanoi is really interesting for those who love the Capital. Photo by: An Nhien
In recent days, especially in early mornings and weekends, the streets in the central part of Hanoi have witnessed a considerable number of cyclists. Originating from the need for physical exercise, leisure, and exploration, many have chosen bicycles as their regular means of transportation.
Hanoi has recently introduced a public bike-sharing service to meet the citizens’ needs, not only facilitating commuting but also introducing a new, sophisticated, convenient, health-friendly, and environmentally conscious urban transportation method.
Currently, Hanoi has 79 bike stations for traditional and electric bicycles serving residents in the inner districts. The cost for a 30-minute ride is VND 5,000 for regular bikes and VND 10,000 for electric bikes. Those renting bikes for the entire day will pay VND 60,000 for regular bikes and VND 120,000 for electric bikes. The system also offers monthly, quarterly, and yearly subscription plans, payable through mobile banking apps or e-wallets.
With their youthful, trendy, and eye-catching designs, public bikes seamlessly traverse the streets of the capital, receiving enthusiastic approval from Hanoi residents. Despite being recently launched, these bikes have already garnered thousands of registrations due to their convenient nature.
With just a few simple steps on the mobile application, commuters can easily rent, travel, and return bikes at any station across the city.
The city of Hanoi envisions that the development of public bike-sharing services will support other forms of public transportation such as urban railways and buses. This initiative aims to contribute to improving the efficiency and diversifying the public passenger transport sector in Hanoi. The goal is to gradually alter commuting habits towards a more sophisticated and modern lifestyle, reducing environmental pollution and establishing an auxiliary network that conveniently connects people to bus and electric vehicle stations.
For those who have never experienced it, imagine this: instead of navigating the crowded and stuffy streets during regular days, on a mild autumn weekend morning in Hanoi, gracefully moving through the slow turns of bicycle wheels, the life of Hanoians unfolds before you like a slow-motion film, vivid and authentic as ever.
Cruising through the Ancient Town on a bike in the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to savor renowned sidewalk delicacies such as To Tich’s fresh fruits, Dong Xuan Night Market’s “Khuc” cake, Ta Hien’s beer, roasted duck, Hang Ga’s fried chicken hearts, and Dinh Tien Hoang’s boiled snails.
Especially delightful is biking between the rows of ancient trees casting refreshing shade along streets like Phan Dinh Phung, Tran Phu, Hoang Dieu, and Thanh Nien – Hanoi’s most beautiful avenues. Here, you can feel the inherent romance and charm of Hanoi’s autumn.
It would be fascinating to witness the sunrise at West Lake, the sunset on Long Bien Bridge, or explore Hanoi by bike along leaf-strewn roads. Whether enjoying a cup of lemon tea in the Old Quarter or experiencing the city’s unique flavors, you will discover a Hanoi that is remarkably different, intriguing, and appealing to those who love this city.
Mai Linh
Khám phá Hà Nội không ồn ào, vội vã (kinhtedothi.vn)