XO Tours

XO Tours describes itself as the first all-female motorbike tour company in Vietnam, and it has been showing visitors around Saigon since 2010. Its guides are women who speak English and wear the traditional ao dai, and guests ride pillion on the back of the guides' motorbikes. The company stresses that its guides are professional, licensed, full-time staff rather than students.

There are four tours in Saigon. The XO Foodie is the best known, an evening food tour from 17:30 to 22:00. Saigon by Night is a shorter evening ride of about three hours focused on the city after dark. The Sights of Saigon is a morning tour from 08:30 to noon covering the main landmarks, and Saigon Through the Lens is an early-morning photography tour from 06:00 to 10:00.

Every tour includes accident insurance covering injuries sustained while riding the company's motorbikes, up to a set limit per person. Booking ahead online is the norm, but the company also takes last-minute bookings by phone, WhatsApp or iMessage. The food tour is the obvious choice for first-time visitors who want to eat well without worrying about where to go, while the photography tour suits early risers and keen photographers.

Choosing between the tours depends on your interests and your schedule. The Sights of Saigon is a practical way to see the main landmarks in a single morning without dealing with traffic yourself, Saigon by Night shows a different side of the city once the heat has eased, and the XO Foodie combines both with a long evening of eating. The company's office is at 611/111 Dien Bien Phu Street in Ban Co ward, and you can contact it by email at [email protected].

Some practical points apply to all motorbike and food tours in Ho Chi Minh City. Tell the company about allergies and dietary requirements when you book, so the guides can plan the stops. Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes, carry a light rain jacket in the rainy season from around May to November, and bring a little cash for drinks or souvenirs. Riding pillion is easier than it looks, but sit still, keep your feet on the footrests and follow your driver's instructions, especially when getting on and off.