Ho Chi Minh City: Street Food Motorbike Tour with 7 Tastings

Summary

Saigon’s night lights, sizzling food stalls and the laughter of locals

You’ll ride pillion through Ho Chi Minh City’s buzzing streets with a local guide, tasting everything from spicy beef noodle soup to sizzling pancakes and fresh sugarcane juice across five districts. Expect laughter over new flavors and glimpses into real Saigon life—plus hotel pickup and every bite included.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the smell—lemongrass and exhaust, all tangled together as we zipped through Ho Chi Minh City’s traffic. My guide, Linh, handed me a helmet and grinned like we were about to break a rule. I didn’t expect to feel so safe on the back of her scooter (she said she’d been riding since she was twelve). We wove past neon-lit cafés and families perched on tiny plastic stools. The city felt alive in a way that’s hard to explain unless you’re right there, hanging on tight.

Our first stop was this tiny spot in District 3—no sign outside, just steam fogging up the windows. Linh ordered bún bò Huế for us. The broth hit me first: spicy-sour, with a whiff of shrimp paste that made my nose tingle. I tried to say “ngon quá” (delicious) but probably butchered it; Linh laughed anyway. After that came grilled plantain drizzled with coconut milk in District 10—sticky-sweet and smoky at the same time. Kids darted between tables while an old man played cards nearby. It felt like being let into someone else’s everyday life for a bit.

We kept moving—sometimes hopping off for spring rolls or crispy bánh khọt pancakes, sometimes just slowing down to watch flower sellers arrange bright bundles under bare bulbs. At one point we stopped for sugarcane juice with kumquat; it was cold enough to make my teeth ache (perfect after all that chili). The markets buzzed around us: vendors shouting prices, the clack of chopsticks, scooters weaving through narrow lanes. I never once checked my phone for the time.

By the time we reached Cholon for bánh xèo—the crepe was still crackling from the pan—I’d lost track of how many things I’d tasted or what district we were in. Everything blurred together: peanut sauce on my fingers, laughter echoing off apartment walls, Linh telling stories about her childhood here. We finished in an old apartment with chè dessert soup (I picked out too much jelly but nobody minded). Sometimes I still think about that ride home through Saigon’s glowing streets—you know how some places just stick with you?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ho Chi Minh City food and sightseeing tour

• Meet guide and driver at hotel
• Brief safety instructions on scooter
• Ride to District 3 for Bún Bò Huế
• Eat grilled plantain in District 10
• Visit Thich Quang Duc Monument
• Try Bánh Khọt and BBQ beef in Nguyễn Thiện Thuật
• Walk to flower market for spring rolls and grilled oysters
• Explore food market for banana or coconut crackers
• Drink sugarcane juice with kumquat
• Eat Saigon’s signature Bánh Mì in District 10
• Enjoy Bánh Xèo in Chinatown
• End with Chè or caramel flan dessert

Top questions

How many dishes do you try on this Ho Chi Minh City street food tour?

You’ll taste between 7 and 12 different Vietnamese dishes during the tour.

Is hotel pickup included in this motorbike street food tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you’re staying in Districts 1, 3 or 4.

Do I have to drive my own motorbike?

No—you ride as a passenger behind your guide or driver; no driving required.

Are vegetarian options available on this Saigon food tour?

Yes, vegetarian options can be arranged if you mention it when booking.

Is it safe to ride a scooter in Ho Chi Minh City?

The company is fully licensed and provides helmets plus accident insurance; safety is prioritized.

Can I request a female rider for this tour?

Yes, there’s an option for an Ao Dai female driver if you prefer—just select it when booking.

What are some foods included on this Saigon street food tour?

Dishes include bún bò Huế (beef noodle soup), bánh mì baguette, grilled plantain with coconut milk, crispy pancakes (bánh khọt), spring rolls and more.

Does this tour go through Chinatown (Cholon)?

Yes—the itinerary includes stops in Cholon (Saigon Chinatown) for local specialties like bánh xèo crepes.

What’s included

Your evening covers hotel pickup and drop-off within central districts, all scooter rides with helmet provided by your English-speaking local guide or driver (female riders available), every tasting—from beef noodle soup to sweet desserts—and drinks like sugarcane juice or Saigon beer along the way before returning you safely back at your hotel.