direction を用いて接線方向のベクトルを取得できます.
[例]
beginfig(-1);
u = 1mm;
pickup pencircle scaled 0.4pt;
path p;
pair t;
p := (u, u) .. controls (9u, 12u) and (12u, u) .. (20u, 10u);
draw p;
t := direction 2/3 of p;
draw (point 2/3 of p - 2t) -- (point 2/3 of p + 2t);
endfig;
end.