Tour operator
XO Tours
Vietnam's self-described first all-female motorbike tour company, running food, night, sightseeing and photography tours of Saigon since 2010 with guides in ao dai.
Saigon Street Eats
A food tour company run by an Australian-Vietnamese couple, with a morning pho walking tour and evening seafood and street food trails.
At a glance
- Type
- Street food tours
- Area
- District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Official site
- saigonstreeteats.com
Good to know
- Walking pho tour
- Evening tours by motorbike
- Taxi option
- Private tours
Why we recommend it
Saigon Street Eats is a small food tour company run by Barbara and Vu, an Australian-Vietnamese couple, which offers eating tours of the city's street food.
The Pho Trail is a morning walking tour through what the company calls the real Saigon, which begins at a pho shop that has been open for more than 35 years. It is a good choice for visitors who prefer to explore on foot. The Seafood Trail is a night eating tour built around the city's seafood, and Street Food 101 is an evening introduction to street food in a local alley. Private tours are also available, and on evening tours guests can add Pasteur Street craft beer.
Evening tours involve motorbikes, but the company offers taxis to and from the tour area for anyone who would rather not ride, which makes the tours accessible to more cautious travellers and families. Start and finish times and prices are listed on each tour's page, so check them when booking, and contact the company directly with any questions about the meeting point and dietary requirements.
If you are unsure which tour to choose, the morning Pho Trail is the gentlest introduction, while the evening Seafood Trail and Street Food 101 suit travellers who are comfortable eating at street stalls and riding pillion, or taking the taxi option. The tours are a good way to try dishes you might not order on your own, with the help of a guide who can explain what you are eating and how it is made. Book a day or two ahead where possible, since these are small tours run by a small team.
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.
Saigon Street Eats FAQs
Who runs Saigon Street Eats?
Barbara and Vu, an Australian-Vietnamese couple.
What tours are offered?
The Pho Trail, the Seafood Trail, Street Food 101 and private tours.
Is there a walking tour?
Yes, the Pho Trail is a morning walking tour.
Do I have to ride a motorbike?
Evening tours use motorbikes, but taxis are offered for anyone who prefers not to ride.
Can I add drinks?
Pasteur Street craft beer can be added on evening tours.
Where does the pho tour start?
At a pho shop that has been open for more than 35 years; the company confirms details when you book.
How do I find times and prices?
On each tour's page on the company website.
How do I contact them?
By phone on +84 908 449 408 or by email at [email protected].