Vietnam is a country that takes over all of your senses. As the landscape changes from limestones in the north to beaches in the south, so does the cuisine. North Vietnam, being colder, has more meaty and fried dishes. The taste is less bold. Meanwhile, the central part of Vietnam features spicy and colourful cuisine. The cuisine of Southern Vietnam, on the other hand, offers a variety of fresh vegetables.
People visiting Vietnam can sit on tiny plastic stools in historic Hanoi, walk around the city with guides, sample street food, or ride a bike and stop at several food stalls and markets. You can also sample different dishes aside from the well-known phở or banh mi sandwich. Scroll down to find out the best food tours in Vietnam that will introduce the best dishes to you.
1. Dive deep with real, local foodies (from USD 28.0)
Head to the capital, circle around the buzzing Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem, and when you get hungry, order something at one of the bia hoi restaurants. They are easy to spot — yellow and red signs, lots of people, small plastic tables and chairs. But what must you order? A real food enthusiast, born and bred in Hanoi, knows. To be specific, this tour will take you to previously mentioned spots, as well as hidden corners and markets. If you are spending more time in the city or coming here again after a day trip to Halong Bay or Ninh Binh, you will feel confident enough to order your soup, egg coffee, or chả cá (turmeric fish with dill.)
Small Group Hanoi Street Food Tour with a Real Foodie
Duration: 3 hours
2. Try a 'balut' before heading downtown (from USD 45.0)
Hop on a motorbike (in the morning or afternoon) with a skilled guide in Da Nang and sample noodles or cakes. If you are up for a challenge, you could take a bite of the fetal duck egg (called trứng vịt lộn or hột vịt lộn in Vietnamese.) In a total of five hours, this tour will combine sightseeing and visiting the most popular establishments. If you want to do this tour in hot months, bear in mind the hot weather and wear a protection against the sun.
Da Nang Food Tour by Motorbike
Duration: 5 hours
3. Take a slice of the famous banh mi (from USD 35.59)
Hoi An, nicknamed the Vietnamese Venice, is usually voted as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. To add to that, the food here is tasty as well. You can find street food virtually everywhere. But, it can get overwhelming. With this tour, you will sample the best Cao Lầu (signature noodles with pork pieces and crackers), Vietnamese pizza — or banh mi, which is made famous by the late Anthony Bourdain himself. Whether it is the electrifying night market, an evening sip of Vietnamese coffee, or dinner with locals at their home, this experience will make you fall in love with Hoi An.
Evening Walking Food Tour in Hoi An, Vietnam
Duration: 4hrsDuration
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4. Embark on a culinary tour with a flexible departure time (from USD 23.0)
The Old Quarter is the heart of Hanoi. There are so many cafés and small food stalls here that you won’t know where to look first. No worries, as the guides from this three-hour walking tour know where to go. It includes sightseeing, tasting dishes and drinks, diving deep into small alleys, and going to souvenir shops for some gifts. And a big plus for this tour is that you can pick from 10 departing times. The first tour departs at 9:00 am, and the last one at 6:00 am. One dish that tourists will particularly fell in love with is called bún chả. Even the ex-president Obama had it during his visit to Vietnam in May 2016. Fun fact: the table where he had dinner with Anthony Bourdain was encased and is on display until today.
Hanoi Old Quarter Walking Street Food - Small Group Tour
Duration: 3 hours
5. Eat like a local in HCMC (from USD 42.0)
Explore the real Saigon after sunset. This four-hour tour covers a night market visit, dish sampling, and even snake wine (rượu rắn) tasting. Locals believe that the snake wine has medicinal effects and that it is an aphrodisiac. Guides for this tour are also very knowledgeable, and you will get all there is to know about the city. You will cruise through local vendors, soak in the ambiance, and if you are a sweet-tooth, try crème caramel, which was introduced by the French. Similar to the flan cake or sweet custard, this mix of coconut and caramel is one of the most popular local dessert here in Saigon.
Saigon: Street Food Evening Walking Tour
Duration: 4.0 hour
6. Sample the exotic fruits and dishes of the South (from USD 73.0)
From its storied past, tall skyscrapers, old buildings, to Bui Vien beer street, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is captivating. And so is the cuisine here. Street food is everywhere. Now, this bike tour will take you on an adventure so you can try exotic-looking fruits and exotic-sounding dishes in local eateries in three districts out of the total 24. in South Vietnam. The dishes are so good that you won’t even think about snapping a picture. Oh, and you can even try to cook with the locals! Coffee, desserts or crab dishes are remarkable with this tour.
Food Tour of Ho Chi Minh City
Duration: 3 hours
7. Have it all, from local market, pagoda, to a tasty dinner (from USD 55.0)
This tour by a motorbike takes around five hours. It includes a drive around the local surroundings and a visit to a pagoda. Participants have a chance to visit the local market. They can also have snacks or dinner at a restaurant. Plus, they can try the famous banh mi, beer, or fertilized egg if they want to. The mini-sized bánh khọt rice pancakes is a must-try here, especially with a shrimp on top. If you have dietary restrictions, you can inform the tour organiser beforehand, and they will accommodate your needs. After the tour, you can drop off at the hotel, or walk around the romantic Hoi An.
Hoi An Food Tour by Motorbike with Tastings and Dinner
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
8. Indulge on late night eating tour (from USD 43.0)
Tourists visiting Vietnam must not miss Ho Chi Minh City’s nightlife and street food. The man it is named after lived healthily and loved vegetables, fish and dining with others. Join this four-hour tour consisting of two main dishes, a dessert, and one drink (beer, tea, or juice) at a rooftop bar with a view. This tour is perfect for meeting people and getting to know the city. The menu is set, so if you do not eat or like pork, beef, or coconut, contact the organiser and it will be taken care of.
Saigon After Dark With Seafood, Beer & Live Music Bar
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
9. Fall in love with Vietnamese food in Hoi An (from USD 44.0)
To break bread with the locals is a way of knowing the city more. And a chance to be guided by them is not to be missed. This two-and-a-half-hour tour explores the Old Town, hidden food stalls, tucked-away alleys with small street food vendors, and cafés. A choice of water, beer, or coffee is included. While taking this tour, be sure to order a Robusta coffee — Vietnamese love this coffee for sure. This coffee is intense and vibrant. You can order a dark one (cà phê den), and if you want ice, you can order the cà phê den đá instead. Locals also like the one with condensed milk, cà phê sữa. Just ask your guide for the best coffee option.
Hoi An: Night Food Tasting Tour
Duration: 2.5 hour
10. Experience Saigon's mysterious and yummy dishes (from USD 49.0)
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) offers un-“pho”-rgettable experiences. And a better way to discover Saigon is to travel with a local food guide on a motorbike. With this tour, you will sample around eight typical dishes, attend a cooking class, and discover hidden gems of the city — such as the oldest flower market, which is open all day. Drinks are included in this tour as well. One must-try dish here is the bún thịt nướng — rice vermicelli with pork, herbs, and fish sauce in one luscious spring roll.
Night Food Tour - Explore Saigon Secrets
Duration: 4.0 hour
Go on one-of-a-kind food adventure in Vietnam
Vietnamese cuisine is inexpensive, authentic, and features a variety of colours and shapes. Plus, Vietnamese people are known for being very friendly and inquisitive. Taking a tour, or hiring a guide in hectic cities such as Hanoi, Saigon, crowded Hoi An or coastal Da Nang is a wise choice. Eat your way through this budget-friendly, taste-buds-pleasing country. Do not forget to try the local coffee or beer here — it simply is heavenly and inexpensive. One fresh beer costs between 7,000 – 10,000 VND (0.30 – 0.43 USD). Be sure not to eat anything before the tour - you’ll thank yourself for doing that!
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