Ho Chi Minh City: Vegan Food Scooter Tour & Flower Market

Summary

Vegan eats by scooter, Saigon night buzz, hidden flower alleys

You’ll ride pillion through Saigon’s wild evening traffic with a local guide, tasting six different vegan dishes across districts and grilling banana crackers at the flower market. Visit historic sites like Thich Quang Duc’s memorial and Viet Nam Quoc Tu pagoda before ending riverside with fresh fruit or smoothies. Expect laughter, new flavors, and plenty of city buzz along the way.

What’s the experience like?

So I’ll be honest — I almost bailed when I saw the traffic outside my hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. But our guide, Linh, just grinned and handed me a helmet. “Don’t worry,” she said, “I drive like your grandma.” (She doesn’t.) The first few minutes on the back of her scooter were pure chaos — horns everywhere, the smell of exhaust mixed with grilled something from a nearby stall. I clung on and tried to look cool, but my knuckles probably gave me away.

Our vegan food tour kicked off in District 3 with this story about Thich Quang Duc — the monk who burned himself in protest. We stopped at the memorial; it was quieter than I expected, just a couple of old men playing chess nearby. Linh told us how her grandmother still remembers that day. Then we ducked into a little restaurant for banh xeo — crispy pancakes with piles of herbs and this sweet-salty vegan “fish” sauce that tasted way better than it sounds. The owner smiled when I tried to say thank you in Vietnamese. Li laughed when I butchered it.

The best part? Grilling banana crackers with locals inside the city’s biggest flower market in District 10. It smelled like jasmine and fried batter and wet earth all at once. Some kid handed me tongs and showed me how not to burn my fingers (I still managed). We barely made it to Viet Nam Quoc Tu pagoda before closing — there was this hush inside that felt miles away from all the honking outside. After that, more dishes: smoky mushrooms, rice wine that went straight to my head, some kind of vegan sausage that Linh swore was healthy (not convinced). By then it was dark and we zipped through District 5 toward the river — neon lights flickering off puddles from an earlier rain.

I didn’t expect to feel so… connected? Maybe it was sharing food with strangers or just trusting someone else to drive me through Saigon’s wild streets. Either way, every time I hear a scooter horn now, I remember that night — especially the taste of banana cake still warm from the grill.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Evening vegan food and cultural tour

• Meet guide at accommodation 5:30 PM
• Depart on motorbike through traffic
• Visit District 3 and learn monk's story
• Eat vegan Banh Xeo with fish sauce
• Travel to District 10 and explore flower market
• Grill banana crispy crackers with locals
• Visit Viet Nam Quoc Tu pagoda
• Cross road to famous vegan restaurant
• Sample innovative vegan dishes and drinks
• Drive through District 5 nightlife streets
• Ride along Saigon River in District 4
• Finish with smoothies or fresh fruit

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this vegan food tour?

Yes, complimentary pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations in districts 1, 3, 4, 5, and 10 or at the Opera House.

How many vegan dishes do you try during the tour?

You’ll sample six different vegan dishes plus drinks like rice wine or vegan beer.

Do you need previous experience riding scooters?

No experience needed; you ride as a passenger with an experienced English-speaking driver.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels since most travel is by scooter.

What neighborhoods does the tour visit?

The tour covers Districts 3, 10, 5, and 4 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Are drinks included on this private vegan food tour?

Yes, all food and drinks are included during your tour experience.

What should I wear for this scooter food tour?

Wear something comfortable and cool—shorts or light pants are recommended due to Saigon’s weather.

Can I take photos during the scooter ride?

You can ask your guide to stop if you want photos; taking pictures while riding is not recommended for safety reasons.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off within central districts or at the Opera House; all food and drinks (including vegan beer or rice wine); accident insurance; an English-speaking driver-guide; use of an open-face helmet; hand sanitizer; face masks; rain poncho if needed; plus plenty of photos snapped by your guide along the way before returning safely after dessert.