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Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City, is home to some of the finest regional Vietnamese cuisine.
While you’re spoilt for choice, the varied foods, aromas, and flavors can get overwhelming for first-time visitors. Food tours in Saigon help you explore the city’s food offerings at your own pace.
It is also one of our favorite destinations for food in the country. We love the unique ingredients, unfamiliar spices, and herbs. It’s a food adventure that awaits you at every corner.
Based on our experience of taking food tours to explore the local specialties, we’ve curated the best Saigon food tours to take.
Comparison Table of The Best Food Tours in Saigon
| Food Tours in Saigon | Price ($ USD) | Group Size | Start Time | Duration (hours) | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Street Food Tour by Motorbike With Local Students | $38 | Private tour | 8:00 am, 1:00 pm, 5.30 pm, 6:00 pm, and 6:30 pm | 4h | Saigon city center | Personalization |
| Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour By Motorbike & Sightseeing | $28 | Max 15 | 8:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 6:00 pm | 4h | Five Saigon districts | Value |
| Private Street Food Evening Walking Tour | $49 | Private tour | 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm or 6:30 pm | 4h | Three Saigon districts | Tailored experience |
| Ho Chi Minh City by Night Street Food Experience | $36 | Max 12 | 5.00 pm | 3h | Ho Chi Minh City | Walking tour |
| Private Street Food Tour By Scooter | $45 | Private tour | 2:30 pm or 6:00 pm | 4h | Four Saigon Districts | Anthony Bourdain fans |
| Taste of Vietnam | $93 | Max 17 | 6.00 pm | 4h | Ho Chi Minh City | First Time Visitors |
| Seafood Trail | $65 | Max 8 | 6:00 pm | 4-5h | Ho Chi Minh City | Seafood Lovers |
Top Selection of Food Tours in Saigon
1. Private Street Food Tour by Motorbike with Local Students – Best for Personalization
Cost: $38 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Tours at 8:00 am, 1:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm, and 6:30 pm
Group Style: Private tour
If are hungry for fun and adventure, how about weaving the back alleyways of Saigon with local students?
This 4-hour private street food tour by motorbike with local students takes you on an intimate journey through the city to the best local eateries.
You’ll sample many local Vietnamese foods at 8 different, off-the-beaten-track eateries known only to locals.
While the menu varies, you can expect to try famous Vietnamese specialties, like delicious Bun thit nuong, rice noodles, and a grilled pork dish.
Bun Bo Hue, a noodle soup from Hue, or Banh Mi, the famous Vietnamese baguette sandwich, are also part of the experience.
As you ride around with your experienced guides on motorbikes, you’ll also visit a few of the major attractions in the city.
You’ll learn about the history of Vietnam, the culture and important events that have shaped the country and food.
For the adventurous and those willing to try new foods, this is one of the best food tours in Saigon to take.
What You’ll Love About This Private Food Tour By Motorbike
- The thrill of exploring Ho Chi Minh City on a motorbike.
- Trying local Vietnamese foods at off-the-beaten-track eateries.
- Getting to know the “real Vietnam” while exploring the alleyways in Saigon.
2. Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour By Motorbike & Sightseeing – Best Value
Cost: $28 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Tours start at 8:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 6:00 pm
Group Style: Group tour, maximum 15 people
Enjoy hassle-free pick-up and drop-off and sample Vietnamese food as you zip through five city districts on a bike.
On this 4-hour street food tour by motorbike, you can count on tasting at least 10 authentic dishes, including seafood. And visiting at least 7 traditional restaurants and eateries.
Some of the iconic preparations you’ll try include Bun Bo Hue, Goi Cuon, Nuoc Mia, Banh Mi, Saigon Pizza, and Banana Crispy Crackers.
As you enjoy a fun ride around the city, you’ll stop at historic sites. Thich Quang Duc Monument and Ho Thi Ky Flower Market are a few of the places you’ll be visiting.
At Xom Chieu Market, you’ll stop for delicious French-influenced Vietnamese flan cake for dessert and share local food stories.
While connecting with locals, this thrilling food tour on the back of a motorbike offers an exciting adventure in Ho Chi Minh City.
What You’ll Love About This Ho Chi Minh Food Tour By Motorbike
- Enjoying a motorbike ride across five Saigon districts.
- Sightseeing and learning about Vietnam’s history and culture through food.
- An unbelievably fun and safe experience on a motorbike.
3. Private Street Food Evening Walking Tour – Best for Tailored Experience
Cost: $49 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Tours at 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm, and 6:30 pm
Group Style: Private tour
With a dazzling array of street foods in Ho Chi Minh can be overwhelming. Taking a food tour with a private guide can help ease you into the local specialties at your own pace.
This 4-hour private street food evening walking tour invites you to explore the sights, sounds, flavors, and culinary delights of Vietnam.
The well-curated menu includes savory foods, seafood, and sweet dishes. During your Saigon food adventure, you will try rice pancakes – Banh Khot and Banh Xeo.
Other specialties include Bo La Lot, or beef in wild betel leaves, and Banh Canh Trang Bang, a delicious pork noodle soup.
You’ll also try freshly pressed sugarcane juice, Bun Cha – a Vietnamese noodle dish, barbecue fish, and seafood.
Our top tip is to eat sparingly at the first couple of food stops so you can taste everything else.
We also recommend booking this Ho Chi Minh food tour on your first day. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with the food so you know what to eat during the rest of your stay.
What You’ll Love About This Private Evening Street Food Walking Tour
- The personalized attention of your private local guide.
- Exploring the city for the best local bites in non-touristy areas.
- A diverse combination of food and drink flavors including rice wine, Saigon beer and more.
4. Ho Chi Minh City by Night: Ultimate Street Food Experience – Best Walking Tour
Cost: $36 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Tours start at 5:00 pm
Group Style: Group tour, maximum 12 people
It’s one thing to explore Saigon by day and another to experience this dynamic city by night.
This 3-hour ultimate street food experience at night takes you on a gastronomic tour of the hidden gems with iconic southern Vietnamese delicacies.
This Saigon walking street food tour covers 5 food stops and 2 local beverage breaks.
On the first leg of your walking tour, you’ll sample appetizers from the street stalls near the fine art museum.
Enjoy Chao Muc, or dry squid porridge, and Xa Xui, or Cantonese barbecued pork, as you learn how Chinese influences have shaped Vietnamese cooking.
A fascinating stop at Chua Ba Thien Hau Pagoda, a Chinese-style temple, further emphasizes Chinese integration in the country.
As you make your way to different street corners for iconic street food dishes, your local guide will share interesting facts about Vietnamese history.
You finish this tour with some traditional Vietnamese street beer, rice crackers, and fried tofu at the last food stop.
The best part about this food tour is that it features local markets and small and family-owned eateries.
This walking tour includes a good mix of good food from street stalls and popular attractions.
What You’ll Love About This Ho Chi Minh City By Night Street Food Tour
- A guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City at night.
- The mix of history and culture alongside tasty local food specialties.
- Learning about and diving into the Vietnamese coffee culture.
RELATED: The 7 Best Food Tours in Hanoi For Authentic North Vietnamese Culinary Experiences
5. Private Street Food Tour By Scooter For Tasty Night – Best for Anthony Bourdain Fans
Cost: $45 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Tours start at 2:30 pm and 6:00 pm
Group Style: Private group tour
The late Anthony Bourdain loved Vietnam for its people, food, and culture. He visited several times and produced many Vietnam specific shows.
This 4-hour private street food tour by scooter takes you to some of the most iconic places Bourdain visited.
You’ll dine at 6 local spots, visit monuments and landmarks, and explore several local markets.
The gastronomic delicacies on this food tour are quite varied. You’ll try bo la lot or beef wrapped in betel leaves, banh xeo rice pancakes, Vietnamese noodles soup, and much more.
You’ll enjoy visiting the flower and night markets as well as attractions like Gangster Town, the Building Ghettos, and the Saigon River.
Be sure to leave room for traditional seafood dishes made with snails, scallops, clams, and more.
What You’ll Love About This Private Street Food Tour By Scooter
- Experiencing the food and eating at the places loved by Anthony Bourdain.
- Discovering hidden gems at eateries, only locals know about.
- Seeing a wide variety of monuments and attractions riding safely on a scooter.
RELATED: The 6 Best Cooking Classes In Hoi An To Learn Vietnamese Cooking
6. A Taste of Vietnam – Best For First-Time Visitors
Cost: $93 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Tour starts at 6:00 pm
Group Style: Group tour, maximum 17 people
Discover delicious Vietnamese from all over the country as you navigate the streets of Ho Chi Minh City on a motorcycle, like locals.
This 4-hour taste of Vietnam food tour will have you explore Saigon’s back streets while stopping at local eateries for authentic local cuisine.
Your local guide will zip you through town safely as you take in the sites and local culture.
This Saigon food tour takes you to the prominent food districts; 1, 3, and 10 for five different tastings.
You’ll enjoy a good mix of four different traditional Vietnamese dishes and one unique dessert.
As you visit the different districts, you’ll also learn about the local culture as you savor great food.
This Ho Chi Minh food tour is a fun one-in-a-lifetime experience for new and repeat visitors to Vietnam’s capital.
What You’ll Love About This Taste Of Vietnam Food Tour
- Exploring Vietnamese food from across the country in Vietnam.
- Exploring different Saigon districts on an evening scooter ride.
- Learning the country and city’s history while visiting important landmarks.
RELATED: Guide to the Best of the Food in Saigon: 15 Local Foods Not to Miss
7. Seafood Trail: A Nighttime Eating Adventure in Saigon – Best for Seafood Lovers
Cost: $65 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 4 to 5 hours. Tours start at 6:00 pm
Group Style: Small group tour, maximum 8 people
Seafood features prominently in Vietnam, especially snails. This was one of our most surprising discoveries while exploring the local and authentic specialties.
This 4 to 5-hour seafood trail Ho Chi Minh City food tour takes you to the small hole-in-the-wall eateries for delectable seafood.
You’ll try sea snails and other seafood like mussels, prawns, scallops, and more. Organized like a progressive dining experience, you’ll try a variety of snacks and foods from different vendors.
In addition to famous recipes like bun cha and banh mi, you’ll also try unaccustomed flavors like quail eggs and more.
Throughout this Saigon food tour, you’ll learn about Vietnamese history and culture as you taste the history in simple street food dishes.
Over a course of 4 to 5 hours, you’ll have lots of fun, diverse stops, enjoyable company, and of course, great-tasting Vietnamese food.
For those open to experiencing delicious Vietnamese seafood, this is one of the best Ho Chi Minh City food tours to take.
What You’ll Love About This Saigon Seafood Trail Food Tour
- Discovering the seafood scene of Ho Chi Minh City.
- The progressive small bites approach to trying a wide variety of delicious Vietnamese food.
- Learning and experiencing Vietnamese toasting rituals.
What to Consider When Choosing Food Tours in Saigon
Taking food tours in Saigon allows you to discover the city and local food scene. Unless you are fluent in Vietnamese, navigating the local specialties on your own can be challenging.
Having the guidance of a local expert can help you make the most out of your culinary experiences.
When choosing and booking a Ho Chi Minh food tour, here are some things to consider.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Make your culinary travels worry-free! With the right travel insurance, you’ll enjoy a delicious experience. From medical emergencies, flight cancellations, car rental protection, or tour cancellations, a good travel insurance has got you covered. Check out our travel insurance review for food lovers to get started.
What Kind of Saigon Food Tour Experience Do You Want
Before booking any of the food tours in Ho Chi Minh City, take note of your preferences.
Would you prefer a private or small group tour?
Do morning tours or day tours leave you excited or do you prefer night food tours for a different ambiance?
How do you prefer to navigate Ho Chi Minh City? By taking a walking food tour or a fun ride the back of a motorbike with a local guide?
With these considerations in mind, simply select the Saigon food tours that suits your preferences and travel itinerary.
What Is Your Budget for Your Saigon Food Tours
Your Ho Chi Minh City culinary experience will largely depend on your budget and travel itinerary.
The best Ho Chi Minh food tours range from about $28 USD to $93 USD.
However, depending on the size of your group, you may be able to negotiate discounted rates.
On a positive note, all these food tours in Saigon have a free cancellation policy up to 24 to 72 hours before the event.
Have you ever taken any of these Saigon food tours? Please let us know in the comments below which tours you’ve taken or would like to take.
Savor the Adventure!
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Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest