Unlike riding a water buffalo, riding a motorcycle is definitely an activity I’ve had on my bucket list for a while. Now, I don’t have any desire to own one but since Vietnam is home to over 40 million motorcycles, this felt like the perfect place to try it out.

I was met in Hue, the former Imperial capital, with the first rough patch of weather so far this trip – truly a miracle considering it’s the rainy season. But, the wet skies did nothing to deter me from jumping on the back of a motorbike with my lovely driver Nee. He took me to see many sights that would have taken hours to see on my own, including another covered bridge, the imperial tombs, and the seven tiered Thien Mu pagoda.

By the end of my three hour adventure, I had a new trip highlight. There really is no better way to get an authentic experience in Vietnam. Exhilarating, cooler (both in aesthetics and temperature), and convenient – the motorcycle is my new preferred way of city travel. The bike was even able to scale a mountain path to get me a view of the Perfume river… what’s not to love?