Vietnam’s food is more than sustenance; it’s history served on a plate. Each region carries its own signatures: smoky bun cha in Hanoi, crisp banh xeo in Ho Chi Minh City, or Hoi An’s delicate white rose dumplings. Eating here is as much about memory and identity as it is about flavor.
The truth, though, is that the country offers so many food options that trying to pin them down in any blog or list feels almost meaningless. You’ll often sit at a place you stumble across because it smells right or the tables are full of locals. Many of the best food experiences come from big open air food courts and Buffets (Buffet Khoi in Ho Chi Minh, for example) and modest, family-run kitchens like our favorite Banh Mi 25, —grilling seafood over charcoal, ladling out bowls of noodle soup, or serving a stir-fry cooked to order in a single battered wok.
Still, there’s a risk: not every spot maintains high standards, and reviews matter when street food can vary from unforgettable to regrettable. That’s why we’ve gathered a few established food tours and trusted experiences. They offer a reliable way to explore the country’s culinary culture without losing the spontaneity that makes eating in Vietnam so memorable.
1. Hanoi Street Food Tour by Night
Price: $25 per person
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We start in Hanoi with a nighttime walking tour through the Old Quarter. For just $25 per person, you are taken on a 2.5-hour tour through the hectic streets, where live music sets the tone as street food and drink vendors vie for the custom of crowds that flock to this lively part of the city.
The guided tour includes multiple street food tastings, where you can indulge in pho, bun cha, sticky rice, and unique local desserts. Plus, there is a selection of local beers and rice wines to wash it down.
Your English-speaking guide will explain the food’s origins and history as you sample the rich flavors unique to this part of the country, sharing expert insights that perfectly complement the generous portions.
The Hanoi Street Food Tour by Night is a fantastic introduction to Hanoi’s vibrant nightlife. It will take you on a journey through hidden alleys and local hotspots that you won’t find in your guidebooks, so you can taste how the Hanoians live.
| Google Rating | 4.8/5.0 (490 reviews) |
| TripAdvisor Rating | 4.9/5.0 (10,029 reviews) |
“Amazing Food Tour. Fantastic food tour! We tried so many different dishes and got lots of extra insights along the way. The nước chạ was especially delicious. Our guide Elena was amazing – highly recommended!” Alexander K, TripAdvisor
2. Hoi An Food Tour
Price: From $39 per person
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Hoi An is a historic town in Central Vietnam, with ancient buildings, temples, and houses preserved by its UNESCO listing. The streets tell tales of centuries of trade with the Chinese, Japanese, and French, which is also reflected in the flavors of local dishes, like Banh Bao Vac dumplings, which are similar to China’s dim sum but with unique flower-shaped designs.
The guided motorbike tour costs $55 per person and includes tastings at five different locations. You can sample banh beo, cao lau noodles, coconut pancakes, and the best banh my in Vietnam. Tours are restricted to groups of 12 people maximum and run for about four and a half to five hours, concluding at a riverside seafood restaurant.
A highlight is the Vietnam Food Challenge for those with a more adventurous palate, and a visit to meet the best sandwich maker in Vietnam.
| Google Rating | 5.0/5.0 (2.2K reviews) |
| TripAdvisor Rating | 4.8/5.0 (31 reviews) |
“I had a wonderful experience on the Hoi An food tour today, and I highly recommend it! Our guide, Ms. Emma, was warm, knowledgeable, and full of energy, making the entire tour both fun and enriching.” Fanny Lim, Google
3. Saigon Adventure: Michelin Guide Food Tour
Price: From $28 per person
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Next, we head south to Ho Chi Minh City for a motorbike tour with traditional Ao Dai female riders for a full cultural experience. This tour takes you through some of the city’s most renowned street food spots, where you can enjoy a mix of traditional Vietnamese tastes and modern dishes.
Again, guides share the history, cooking methods, and stories behind each dish as you enjoy a range of flavors from each Michelin-rated food stop. Start with the beef stew from Bo Kho Ganh, which comes served in an iconic stone bowl.
The tour includes drinks at each stop, such as traditional herbal teas and local beers, plus, if you have a sweet tooth, you can sample a traditional Vietnamese frozen banana popsicle for dessert.
| GetYourGuide Rating | 5.0/5.0 (28 reviews) |
| TripAdvisor Rating | 5.0/5.0 (276 reviews) |
“Amazing tour…must do in Saigon! We had a fantastic time with Naomi and the girls!! Went such cool places and places we never would have been! Food was amazing and so good🧡” Alex, TripAdvisor
4. Street Food Man Private Bike Tour
Price: $55 per person
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Staying in Ho Chi Minh City, this tour offers a more personalized experience than group tours, making it ideal for solos or couples who want to explore the food scene at their own pace. You can enjoy a more tailored experience with a private motorbike and local guide who takes you across multiple districts to explore regional specialties.
At $55 per person, it’s a very reasonable price for what you get: four hours exploring the city, sampling up to nine different dishes, with unlimited drinks. You’ll discover hidden alleys of street food vendors, learn about local Vietnamese culture, and discover the stories behind each dish.
The tour concludes in District 4, where you will enjoy a seafood smorgasbord, local beers, a caramel dessert, and homemade banana sticky rice wine brewed in the traditional way by your Street Food Man guide.
| Google Rating | 5.0/5.0 (2,271 reviews) |
| TripAdvisor Rating | 5.0/5.0 (5,257 reviews) |
“Honestly one of the best private tours we have ever done! The thrill of cruising around Ho Chi Minh in the night lights, together with the commentary and beautiful sights, was amazing. Not to mention the food- so delicious and in non touristy areas. We also saw the flower markets and old Saigon, which was fascinating. I can see why this tour gets 5 stars every time!! Grace, Albert and Minzy were the best hosts and we highly recommend them and this tour. Nothing was too much trouble, and every need of ours was accommodated.” Linda Crittenden, Google
5. Foodie’s Paradise 11-Day Culinary Tour
Price: $650+ per person
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The last on our list is a bit of a curveball. It’s an eleven-day food lover’s adventure encompassing Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, Hoi An, Hanoi, and Halong Bay. The price listed includes all accommodations, meals, and domestic flights, and you can select the hotel tier of your choice.
The full itinerary is planned out for you, and features guided food tours in each city, cooking classes, markets, and cultural excursions, including boat trips in the Mekong Delta and Halong Bay. It is a culinary immersion across all the country’s major regions, curated to deliver the ultimate Vietnamese foodie experience.
| Google Rating | 4.9/5.0 (172 reviews) |
| TripAdvisor Rating | 5.0/5.0 (757 reviews) |
“Our tour around Vietnam was absolutely fantastic. We experienced a really well planned itinerary that fits in so much of Vietnam but also did not feel rushed. It felt like a very special private experience of the country, and all of the guides we had along the way were local people who were both very lovely and had so much knowledge and advice to share! Every part of the trip was well planned and on time.” Lauren Bose, Google
Street Food Man Private Bike Tour
With so many good options across the country, one tour stood out for balance, intimacy, and authenticity: the Street Food Man Private Bike Tour in Ho Chi Minh City. For $55 per person, it packs four hours with close to a dozen tastings, unlimited drinks, and the thrill of weaving through the city on the back of a motorbike.
The dishes move with the rhythm of Saigon’s districts: crisp banh xeo folded around herbs, bo la lot grilled in betel leaves, steaming clams with lemongrass and chili, crab stir-fried with tamarind. Dessert might be a soft caramel flan—Vietnam’s French colonial inheritance—washed down with homemade sticky rice wine from your guide’s own family. It’s this combination of everyday flavors and personal storytelling that makes the experience unforgettable.
Vietnam’s food culture is best explored by chance, but if you want a sure bet, this tour delivers the country’s generosity and spirit in one tightly woven package.
