More than a corner
For many first-time visitors to Hanoi, choosing a cyclo to explore the old town is not simply a means of transportation. That is the way they choose to slow down, to fully feel each beat, each breath of the thousand-year-old capital. In that special journey, the most important companions are the cyclo drivers.
Unlike professional tour guides who are well-trained, the knowledge of these drivers comes from their own lives, from decades of being attached to every corner of the street and alley. They are lifetime stories, containing countless stories that no book can record.
Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong, who has been cycling for 40 years in Hanoi, shared: "Our job is not just cycling. Wherever I go, I have to introduce myself to tourists, whether Vietnamese or foreigners."
When the cyclo slowly passed through Quan Chuong Gate, Mr. Cuong introduced the only remaining gate of the ancient Thang Long citadel. When the car turned into Hang Bac street, the story of Chau Khe silver casting village was vividly recreated through his rustic narration.
Not only Mr. Cuong, cyclo drivers always know where the best pho restaurant is hidden in a small alley, any ancient house that still retains the ancient architecture, and even interesting anecdotes about the names of each street.
For tourists, each trip is not only a sightseeing experience, but also an exciting "history study", and the teacher is the driver who diligently cycling behind. They turn familiar roads into mobile classrooms, bringing a very different perspective, very relevant and very Hanoi.
Cultural Envoy
What makes these special tour guides different is their deep love and pride in Hanoi.
Mr. Phan Van Trien, a cyclo driver, confided: "I have to introduce to Hanoi cultural tourists. Tourists from far away come here to visit and have fun, we have to do it appropriately, to make tourists and people from other places feel happy".
That enthusiasm comes from the heart, turning the driver into a "cultural ambassador", connecting tourists with the soul of the city. They not only introduce the relics, but also share about the lifestyle and elegance of Trang An people, helping visitors understand and love Hanoi more.
Their joy comes not only from income, but also from thanks, the excited eyes of tourists when hearing a good story.
Mr. Pham Van Thoa could not hide his excitement: " Especially in the past holidays, I feel proud of the country, of the capital. Seeing many tourists happy makes us happy too".
Each turn of cyclo wheels not only takes tourists through the streets, but also brings them back to an ancient, quiet and charming Hanoi. It is these drivers, with their sincerity and life experience, who have become an indispensable part of the capital's travel experience.
