Best Food Tours in Ho Chi Minh City for Great Vietnamese Street Food!
A nice local meal like this Bo Ne can only be found on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City literally reignited my love for food. It’s the kind of place where some of the best meals are served on plastic stools beside a busy road. Across its markets, alleyways and neighbourhood restaurants, you can taste southern Vietnamese favourites such as Cơm Tấm, Bánh Xèo, Bánh Mì and bowls of noodles brought to the city by cooks from every region of Vietnam.
But the city’s culinary repertoire is vast, and so joining some of the best food tours in Ho Chi Minh City is an easy way to explore the city’s delicious foods, beyond the obvious tourist hot spot restaurants and to the family-run stalls that locals return to every single day. So let me share with you some of my recommended Ho Chi Minh City food tours!
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⭐ My Recommended Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City
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Why Take a Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City?
Com Tam, the pride of Ho Chi Minh City’s culinary heritage. No joke, this is the dish that this city runs on
I absolutely fell in love with Ho Chi Minh City Street Food, so much so that I wrote a whole blog post about all the best spots to eat there!
Often described as Vietnam’s food capital, it is easy to understand why once you see how much of daily life unfolds around food. Roadside coffee shops serving Cà Phê Sữa Đá with seating low down right on the side walk, wet markets and tiny family-run restaurants serve everything from Bánh Mì (Vietnamese baguette sandwich) and Cơm Tấm (broken rice) to steaming bowls of noodles and plates of grilled seafood.
Saigon’s food also reflects the many cultures that have shaped the city, such as local southern Vietnamese flavours with Chinese traditions, French cooking techniques and influences brought by along by decades of colonization and communities from across the country. Michelin guide dining or humble family owned eateries, There are so many good eats in the beloved Saigon.
And since Ho Chi Minh City itself is divided into multiple large districts, joining one (or some) of the best food tours in Ho Chi Minh City helps you navigate this enormous dining scene with a local who knows which alleyways to explore, what to order and how each dish should be eaten.
My YouTube Video on Ho Chi Minh City Street Food
If you have some time, I would like to share my video on YouTube where I explored the delicious street foods of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It’s a very delicious video full of incredible food!
Also, if you enjoyed the video how about subscribing to my YouTube Channel? I am trying to expand to YouTube and would be immensely grateful for your support!
Ho Chi Minh: Food Tasting & Sightseeing Tour by Scooter
Only the best riders to navigate you around Ho Chi Minh City’s chaotic roads
Step one foot into Ho Chi Minh City and you’ll quickly find out that the roads and traffic here are pure chaos. So what fun would it be to whizz along the hectic streets on a scooter while also stopping at various famous street food spots of the city? Well that’s what this Ho Chi Minh: Food Tasting & Sightseeing Tour by Scooter is all about.
This Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City can be a small group or private tour if you want, and it’ll take roughly 4 hours. There’s slots for mornings, afternoons, and evenings, but I recommend the evening 6:00 PM slot because if you watched my Late Night HCMC Street Food Video, you’ll know how good the food can be.
I went as a private tour and our guide, Phoebe, was superb! She took us to explore 5 distinctly vibrant districts each containing it’s own history and food culture. Oh, and don’t worry about the scooters, you’re not the one driving, the tour operators have drivers to drive you around. Helmets included too of course
I went with the full foodie option, 12 tastings and I got to try a bunch of local Vietnamese street foods with the Banh Khot (savory crispy pancakes), Bo La Lot (Grilled beef wrapped in betel leaf), and the Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich) being my absolute favorites that I’ve had that night.
A bit more on the scooter routes, you get to pass through hidden neighbourhoods and bustling local markets such as Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, giving you a deeper look at Saigon beyond its famous landmarks.
Ho Chi Minh: Food Tasting & Sightseeing Tour by Scooter Price and Value
The price is a measly $40 USD per person for 12 tastings (included), that is an incredible steal! Not only for 12 opportunities for insanely delicious Vietnamese street foods but also hotel pick up/drop off. If you only have time for one Ho Chi Minh City food tour, this is the one I highly recommend.
Saigon: Michelin-Rated Street Food Tour
Even the Michelin man himself has those Vietnamese farmer hats!
Organized by the same tour operator is a similar Ho Chi Minh City street food scooter tour, but this one is focused on Michelin rated street foods across the city, which means you’re getting the best of the best eats according to the fluffy Michelin Man.
When I say Michelin, you might think of fancy restaurants but not in this case, these are authentic local street food restaurants recognized or recommended by the Michelin Guide
Similarly, this is a private or small group tour lasting approximately 4 hours, You’ll be riding as a passenger behind a trained driver, with a helmet, rain poncho and accident insurance included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also available if you’re staying in Districts 1, 3 and 4.
This tour has many packages, you can choose between 7 or 12 food and drink tastings with a mixture of local and Michelin spots, but I recommend the 7 Tastings (All Michelin-Rated Dishes) Package. The food tour will start you off at Ốc Oanh, a lively Michelin-recognized seafood restaurant, then you’ll be taken to non-touristy (guaranteed by the tour) local spots to try dishes like Bò Kho (beef stew), fresh prawn and pork salad rolls, Chả Cốm (fried young rice patties) and Bún Riêu Cua (northern-style crab and tomato noodle soup).
If you’re a first time visitor and want the best of the best, this is one of the better Ho Chi Minh City food tours that I can recommend.
Saigon: Michelin-Rated Street Food Tour Price and Value
If you’re going for the 7 tastings package that I recommend, it’s $55 USD per person which is a bit pricier than the previous regular Ho Chi Minh City street food tour that I recommend, but considering you’re only going to Michelin-recognized spots then I’d say it’s quite worth it!
Ho Chi Minh City: Private Street Food Evening Walking Tour
An assortment of Vietnamese cold cuts at a street food stall during the night, tasty!
For a more traditional experience, this Ho Chi Minh City Private Street Food Evening Walking Tour takes you away from the tourist-heavy streets and into the neighbourhoods where local people gather to eat after dark. The experience lasts around 4 hours and is organised as a completely private tour, so perfect if you’re an introvert like me.
An English speaking local tour guide will be with you of course, We had Ms. Anna, who was spectacular! She led us through back alley, street-food districts, and lively markets while learning about Vietnamese ingredients, eating customs and everyday life in Saigon. Compared with many food tours in Ho Chi Minh City, this one is moves at a more relaxed walking pace, and feels more intimate with the locals and our guide given the private tour nature of it all.
There was a lot of adventuring and eating involved, Ms. Anna brought us to; try Bánh Xèo, which are large rice flour crepes with savory fillings, A local street famous for BBQ seafood, tried the best Bò Lá Lốt (grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves) I’ve ever had, and explored the night flower market to enjoy a refreshing coconut ice cream among many other local desserts. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, there was so much more that I could’ve listed out. In total there were like nine Vietnamese dishes and local drinks from several different food stops.
So I advise you to come hungry for this Food tour in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll be eating A LOT.
Ho Chi Minh City: Private Street Food Evening Walking Tour Price and Value
For $49 USD per person, I’d say this is a great value Ho Chi Minh City food tour, considering this is a private tour AND you’ll be feasting like a KING with~9 different dishes. Yeah you’ll be walking quite a bit but that’s a plus in my book as it’ll allow your stomach to digest the food to be ready for the next spot!
Bonus: Vietnamese Food Cooking Class
One of the most fun cooking classes I’ve been to
Now for a more hands-on experience with Vietnamese street food, eventhough this is not a food tour, might I recommend you this Ho Chi Minh Immersive Cooking Class? A roughly 4 hour cooking class with a certified chef, teachers, and your own cooking station and ingredients. Classes are taught in English too of course.
This was one of the more fun cooking classes I’ve been to thanks to the bright personality of the teachers. The class starts off at the colourful produce stalls of Ben Thanh Market, the largest market in Ho Chi Minh City (and a important historical structure as well). Here is where you’ll be gathering the fresh vegetables, herbs, meat and spices to be used during your cooking class.
I’d say this is a nice alternative to traditional food tours in Ho Chi Minh City, because you actually get to undestand the flavors of the dishes you are eatin.
The dishes you’ll be cooking vary a bit but when I went we cooked 3 dishes: Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), Stir fried beef and onion, and fresh summer spring rolls. But I know that sometimes you’ll be able to make Bò Lá Lốt (grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves) and Bánh Xèo (rice flour crepes with savory fillings). But once you’re done cooking you’ll be able to enjoy the dishes you’ve made with the rest of the class.
And the best part is not even the cooking, after all the chopping, frying, seasoning, and of course eating, you’ll also receive a Vietnamese cookbook containing more than 25 recipes, so you can recreate those Saigon flavours again and share them with friends and family back home!
Ho Chi Minh: Immersive Cooking Class & Market Tour Price and Value
For $63 USD per person, It’s more on the expensive side compared to the other food tours in Ho Chi Minh City that I’ve talked about but I’d say this is a good deal. Cooking the Vietnamese street foods yourself is not only an experience but a skill that you can bring back home, which is more valuable. This cooking class is definitely worth the price in my book. And speaking of books, you get a complimentary Vietnamese cookbook to bring back home as well!
What to Look for in a Ho Chi Minh City Food Tour?
I think this Banh Trang Nuong, Vietnamese Pizza, has to be my favorite street food in Ho Chi Minh City
Now before you go ahead and start booking Ho Chi Minh City food tours willy nilly, let me share with you some things you should look out for in terms of what kind of Ho Chi Minh City food tours to join, this will help you scout out the good ones from the not so good ones.
And since we’re in Southern Vietnam, you’ll want to ensure that the foods you’ll be eating are also Southern Vietnamese specialities, things like Com Tam (broken rice, the pride of Saigon cuisine) MUST be on the menu. You don’t want to be traveling to Ho Chi Minh City and eating something like Pho (though it’s not a bad thing) that you can find literally anywhere in Vietnam.
You can check out my blog post on street food in Ho Chi Minh City if you want to learn more about Vietnamese southern cuisine.
Allergies and dietary concerns
Processed ingredients like this Vietnamese sausage can contain allergens so be careful
All of the food tours in Ho Chi Minh City that I’ve recommended can accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions to a certain extent but if you’re familiar with South East Asian street food, you’ll know that vendors seldom provide ingredient substitutes. So this matter typically falls on the tour operators to manage your requests.
Ingredients like fish sauce, and seafood are common, and most vendors will NOT cater to vegetarian, gluten-free, or any special diets.
From my experience, the best approach is to check the tour description carefully and message the operator ahead of time. You’ll enjoy the tour a lot more when expectations are clear, and you won’t feel awkward skipping half the dishes once you’re there.
Also the usual, common sensibilities with street food, be cautious with raw seafood, uncooked vegetables or food that has been sitting out. Busy stalls with clean utensils, organised preparation areas and plenty of local customers are generally more reassuring than quiet vendors with low turnover.
Private or group Food tour??
look at all the smiles, how fun!
This comes down to your preference. Private tours Ho Chi Minh City food tours are more intimate, you’ll get more time to spend at each stop, they’re better for families, best for if you have a serious dietary concern, and for an introvert like me, it’s more enjoyable, but the obvious downside is that private tours do cost more than regular group tours.
Group tours are often more affordable and social, although you may spend more time waiting for other guests and have less control over the itinerary. Usually group tours are maxed at ~8 people but always check the maximum group size just in case.
Ho Chi Minh City Food Tour length and starting time
Places like Bui Vien Walking street only come alive after the sun sets
Most street food tours in Ho Chi Minh City last around 3-4 hours, which is usually enough time to visit several vendors without rushing from one tasting to the next.
As for what times of day, Some are morning/afternoon tours but evening tours are particularly popular because a lot of famous areas in Saigon like the Bui Vien Walking street starts becoming lively around 6PM, that’s when food stalls and restaurants begin setting up.
A morning tour usually focuses more on markets, noodles and breakfast dishes, so check the starting time carefully to make sure the menu matches the foods you hope to try.
Which Neighbourhoods Will you Explore?
And places like Ben Thanh Wet Market are historically iconic not just as a landmark but for the city’s food culture
Read the itinerary closely to see which parts of the city you will actually explore. Some tours stay around central District 1, while others travel through Districts 3, 4, 5 and 10, where you are more likely to encounter neighbourhood markets, backstreet restaurants and everyday dining scenes.
District 4 is especially well known for the seafood and snail restaurants around Vĩnh Khánh Street, which becomes particularly energetic after dark. A route covering several districts will normally give you a broader picture of Saigon’s food culture than one centred entirely around major tourist attractions.
The best food tours in Ho Chi Minh City should take you somewhere you would not be able to find on your own. So that means Non-touristy spots, no tourist traps, only real local spots. With that said, also do not dismiss a stop simply because it appears in the Michelin Guide. Because Michelin’s Ho Chi Minh City selection actually includes affordable family run street-food businesses such as Cô Liêng, a modest local restaurant known for bò lá lốt.
Tips for Going on a Ho Chi Minh City Food Tour
Rice flour cups with shrimp, one of my favorite Vietnamese street food snacks
Before you start eating, a little preparation can make food tours in Ho Chi Minh City far more enjoyable, especially when the itinerary includes several tastings, busy markets and plenty of walking or scooter travel.
Arrive hungry - Most Ho Chi Minh City food tours include several full-sized tastings, so eat lightly beforehand and leave room to try everything.
Mention dietary restrictions early - Tell the tour operator about allergies, vegetarian preferences or foods you avoid before the tour, as some dishes contain hidden ingredients such as fish sauce, shrimp paste or peanuts.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes - Unless you’re going on the scooter tours, walking tours often pass through markets, narrow alleys and uneven pavements so good shoes and lightweight clothing will definitely help in Ho Chi Minh City’s hot and humid weather.
Carry a small bottle of water - For most tours drinks are included, but you’ll be pretty thirsty especially during the day so having your own water is paramount.
Bring some cash - For the tours I recommended all food is included, but a little Vietnamese đồng is useful for buying extra snacks or for tipping your guide.
Keep valuables secure - Markets and crowded streets are busy, and no where in the world is 101% safe, so beware of pickpockets.
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