Weaving through the crowded ancient streets, cyclos serve as a rare "slow rhythm" amidst the modern urban landscape. Without haste or noise, the three-wheeled vehicle quietly passes through each corner, allowing tourists to slowly take in the small roadside shops, street vendors, and the everyday life of Hanoi.

Image of a cyclo on the streets of Hanoi. (Photo: Thuy Nga)

Slow down to see Hanoi more clearly

From traditional cyclo rides, many international tourists express their delight in exploring Hanoi at a leisurely pace. It's not just about wandering through the streets; the journey offers a closer look at the everyday life in the ancient quarter.

This unique way of exploration allows tourists not just to "pass through" Hanoi but to take the time to observe, feel, and connect more deeply with the space and rhythm of life here.

Sharing his impressions of cyclos on the streets of Hanoi, Mr. David Thompson, a tourist from Australia, believes this is a very distinctive feature of Vietnam. Although he usually prefers walking when sightseeing, he encourages tourists to try the cyclo experience at least once.

Tourists from Australia impressed with the cyclo experience in Vietnam. (Photo: Thuy Nga)

“I find cyclos to be a very distinctive feature of Vietnam. Cyclo tours around Hanoi and famous sites are a very interesting way to explore the city,” he said.

Having only been in Vietnam for a few days, Daniel Lee, a tourist from Singapore, shared that he quickly tried the cyclo service while visiting Hanoi.

Daniel Lee, a Singaporean tourist, shares his experience of riding a cyclo in the ancient quarter. (Photo: Thuy Nga)

He shared that his first impression was the image of the bright red cyclos on the streets. Additionally, he was curious about the petite yet resilient and enduring drivers. Their friendly and enthusiastic invitations were also a reason he decided to try this service.

According to Daniel Lee, Hanoi's cyclos carry a unique cultural feature, different from anywhere else he has visited before. After the memorable trip, the male tourist said he would share this experience with friends and believes they will also love the unique charm of the capital.

The story behind the wheel

Despite carrying significant cultural value and distinctive experiences, Hanoi's cyclos face numerous challenges. The rapid development of modern transportation, coupled with infrastructure pressures and increasingly stringent urban management requirements, has gradually narrowed the operating space for this type of vehicle.

Many in the profession struggle to find customers, with unstable incomes, and even face the risk of having to leave a job they have been attached to for many years. In this context, the question of keeping or abandoning cyclos is not just an economic issue but also raises questions about how Hanoi preserves values that contribute to its identity.

Having been in the profession for over 10 years, each working day for Pham Van Dao begins at dawn and ends when the streets light up. Although the work depends heavily on the weather and the number of tourists, he still holds a special affection for the cyclo. According to him, this is the "fate" that chose him, so all the hardships become light.

Pham Van Dao – who has been attached to the cyclo profession for over 10 years. (Photo: Minh Hang)

What concerns him most is the future of the profession. “If one day there are no more cyclos, it would be very sad, as it is a cultural beauty of Hanoi. Not only would I be sad, but many others would also regret it,” he shared.

Amidst the rapid changes of the city, cyclos quietly exist as a living memory of the streets. Not noisy, not ostentatious, but enough to evoke a slow and intimate Hanoi.

And perhaps it is these slow wheels that have quietly "captivated" international tourists, so they remember this city not only by its destinations but also by the unique rhythm of the capital.