Top 5 best bicycle rentals in Hanoi

If someday you will be in Hanoi, Vietnam, do not think that your only options for getting around are walking and taxis. You can always rent a bicycle in Hanoi on our website and explore this thousand-year-old capital at your own pace. Behind the roaring scooter traffic on the main avenues, Hanoi hides a much gentler side — the tree-lined streets around Hoan Kiem Lake, the calm loop of West Lake, and the quiet dike road along the Red River, all best discovered slowly, on two wheels. On this page you will find a full guide to bicycle rental in Hanoi.

Hanoi is flat from edge to edge, which makes it an easy city to cycle once you pick the right streets. The Old Quarter is best explored early in the morning before the scooters fill every lane, while West Lake and the riverside dike offer long, largely traffic-free stretches where a bicycle really comes into its own. With a bike you can drift between colonial-era boulevards, lakeside temples and hidden alleyway cafés at a pace no taxi or scooter tour will give you.

Top 10 things to see in Hanoi by bicycle

1. Hoan Kiem Lake — the green heart of the city, ringed by a pedestrian-friendly path that is especially pleasant on a bike at sunrise.
2. Old Quarter (36 Streets) — a maze of narrow trading streets, each named for the goods once sold there; ride slowly and get lost on purpose.
3. West Lake (Ho Tay) — the city’s largest lake, with a wide loop road, lakeside cafés and far calmer traffic than the centre.
4. Temple of Literature — Vietnam’s first university, a peaceful courtyard complex easily reached by bike from the Old Quarter.
5. Long Bien Bridge — a century-old steel bridge over the Red River, with a walkway and cycle lane offering wide river views.
6. Tran Quoc Pagoda — Hanoi’s oldest pagoda, perched on a small peninsula on West Lake, gorgeous at dusk.
7. Ngoc Son Temple — a small island temple on Hoan Kiem Lake, reached by a red wooden bridge.
8. St. Joseph’s Cathedral — a neo-Gothic landmark tucked into a quiet corner of the Old Quarter.
9. Dong Xuan Market — Hanoi’s largest covered market, a short ride north of the lake and full of local life.
10. Red River dike road — ride out along the dike for open views, village life and a genuine escape from city traffic.

What do you need to rent a bicycle in Hanoi?

No licence is needed to rent a bicycle — it is one of the simplest ways to get around in Vietnam. Most providers ask riders to be at least 12–14 years old to go out alone, and will keep a copy of your passport or ID, or ask for a small deposit, which is returned when the bicycle comes back undamaged. Smaller bikes and child seats are usually available on request for younger riders.

How much does it cost to rent a bicycle in Hanoi?

Bicycle rental in Hanoi starts from around 80,000 VND per day for a simple city bike, rising to about 150,000–270,000 VND per day for a good mountain bike or an electric bicycle. What you pay depends mostly on the type of bike, with a smaller seasonal effect on top:

• October–April (cool, dry high season) — the most popular months for visiting Hanoi, when demand for bicycles is highest and prices sit at the top of the range.
• May–September (hot, humid low season) — fewer tourists cycling in the heat, so availability is better and daily rates are at their most affordable.

Because a bicycle is such an inexpensive way to get around, the seasonal swing is modest compared with a scooter, but it is still worth booking a day or two ahead during the cooler months to get the model you want.

When to book a rental bicycle in Hanoi?

The best months to cycle in Hanoi are October to April, when the weather is cool and dry, ideal for long rides around the lakes and out to the Red River dike. December and January can turn genuinely chilly and grey, so bring a layer. From May to September the city is hot, humid and prone to sudden downpours, which makes for sweatier, shorter rides but also quieter streets and lower prices. If you want comfortable weather, aim for autumn or spring; if you want the best price, the summer months are kinder to your wallet.

Local traffic rules

In Vietnam you ride on the right-hand side of the road. A helmet is not legally required for a bicycle, though it is a sensible idea, especially for children or on busier roads. Hanoi’s main avenues carry heavy scooter traffic, so stick to quieter routes such as West Lake, the riverside dike or the early-morning Old Quarter, ride predictably, and expect scooters to use their horn as a warning rather than a sign of aggression. Ride defensively and give way to larger vehicles at junctions.

Types of bicycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of bicycles: city bike, mountain bike, road bike, electric bicycle (e-bike), folding bike, cruiser, tandem bicycle, kids’ bike, bicycle with a child seat.

Models of bicycles available

On our website you can hire bicycles from the following manufacturers: Giant, Trek, Merida, Scott, Cannondale, Specialized, Bianchi, Cube, Decathlon (B’Twin), Asama.

Which insurance is provided with my rental bicycle?

Bicycle rentals typically come with basic cover for third-party damage, but theft and damage terms vary from one provider to another. Some include simple loss or damage protection in the price, while others cover it through your deposit; always check the exact terms on the booking page before you confirm.

Extra services available

When you make an online bicycle reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: helmet, lock, basket, child seat, lights, repair kit, map, delivery to your hotel, delivery to Noi Bai International Airport.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for bicycle hire in Hanoi;
• Compare prices of bicycle rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a bicycle online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our bicycle rentals in Hanoi have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept bike, lock, basket and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a bicycle in Hanoi, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!