Saigon Street Eats On Vintage Jeep (Premium Tour)

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Booking Overview Highlights Includes/Excludes Cancellation Faqs Services Reviews

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Overview

Duration:4 hours 0 minutes
Travelers:2 - 8 guests
Tour Type:Day Tour, Night Tour
Language:English

Get ready for an unforgettable "Saigon Street Eats On Vintage Jeep" led by a local guide who is deeply rooted in Saigon's vibrant culture. Your Jeep driver and tour guide will pick you up at the downtown area of Saigon, or from your cruise ship port gate of Nha Rong Khanh Hoi in District 4, for a delightful 4-hour all-you-can-eat culinary adventure.

Firstly, step into a world of flavors as you indulge in the iconic "Banh Mi" at a local shop, where a crispy baguette is filled with succulent pork, pâté, fresh vegetables, and zesty chili sauce. Wander through the bustling Ben Thanh Market, where you’ll savor Vietnamese imperial dumplings served with aromatic garlic chili fish sauce, a dish once enjoyed by royalty.

Experience the heart of Saigon with a bowl of authentic Vietnamese beef noodle soup at Pho Hoa, a family-run establishment that has been a culinary tradition since the 1960s. Continue your exploration with the renowned Banh Xeo, or Vietnamese sizzling pancake, and don't miss the exquisite grilled peppered snails and stuffed snails with pork and lemongrass at a charming restaurant in District 1.

At a nearby park, take a moment to enjoy papaya salad with beef jerky and steamed rolls crafted from the freshest vegetables sourced from a dedicated local family in the Mekong Delta. Your journey culminates in a delightful dessert of lotus beans and jasmine-flower syrup, paired with homemade green bean cakes.

Before heading back to your cruise ship, sip on a coconut coffee in the historical former USAID/CIA building and soak in the rich stories of the 1960s.

Experience the best Banh Mi in Saigon where local only eats
Taste the royal dumplings in the local market, once a royal delicacy served to Kings only
Eat a bowl of true Pho, cooked by a family since Experience the best Banh Mi in Saigon, a dish that locals love.
Savor royal dumplings at the local market, a once-exclusive delicacy served only to kings.
Enjoy a bowl of authentic Pho, prepared by a family that has been perfecting the recipe since the 1960s.
Try local snails cooked in various styles, dipped in garlic fish sauce for added flavor.
Indulge in popular local desserts and coffee that are favorites among the locals.1960s
Enjoy local snails cooked in different style, dip in the garlic fish sauce
Treat yourself with local desert and coffee which are popular to the locals only

Includes/Excludes

Embark on a 4-hour adventure in a private Jeep with a skilled driver by your side.
Let an experienced foodie guide illuminate the wonders of Vietnamese cuisine, deepening your appreciation for its rich flavors.
Savor 8 exceptional local dishes, each thoughtfully chosen by culinary experts who take pride in their heritage.
Refresh yourself with icy cold beers and chilled water, ensuring a delightful experience during your journey.

Personal shopping & expenses at the local market
Extra food that is not listed on the menu
Alcoholic drinks are not mentioned in the inclusions
Gratuities for your guide and Jeep driver (Suggested 10-15$/pax)

Cancellation policy

You can cancel up to 72 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Itinerary

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PICK-UP AT THE PORT GATE OF KHANH HOI-NHA RONG PORT / DISTRICT 4. TOUR STARTS.

Your tour guide and driver will pick you up at the port gate of Nha Rong/Khanh Hoi port in District 4. Please look for your name on the A4 welcome signage. Your guide will give a brief program overview of what you'll do, then start the experience.

1ST STOP: EAT BANH MI / VIETNAMESE BAGUETTE

As you may know, Banh Mi is a must-try dish in Saigon. Today, you'll get to sample the best Banh Mi, made by a family that has been in the business for three generations in District 1. This spot is particularly special because it’s frequented only by true locals. The family operates a bakery, which sets their Banh Mi apart from other stalls on the streets or at market corners. With every bite, you can feel the warmth and crunch of the freshly baked bread. The flavors burst from the fresh ingredients like sliced cucumber, cilantro, and cut chili, sometimes with a hint of black pepper. Combined with homemade pâté, roasted pork, and jambon, this Banh Mi experience is simply divine.

2ND STOP: ENJOY ROYAL DUMPLINGS

With approximately 100 types of royal dumplings to explore, there’s a culinary adventure waiting for you. Ben Thanh Market, run by a family from Hue—the historic capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Lord era—offers a remarkable opportunity to savor these exquisite dumplings. Each bite, accompanied by a sweet-and-sour fish sauce infused with minced garlic and chili, elevates your experience to new heights, creating a flavor that truly stands apart from any other dish.

3RD STOP: PHO HOA ON PASTEUR STREET

To experience the true essence of Vietnamese Pho, a visit to Pho Hoa on Pasteur Street is essential. Indulge in a steaming bowl of beef noodle soup, enriched with a medley of vegetables and sauces like hot sauce, chili sauce, and black bean sauce. Dip the bread into the soup and let the rich flavor of the 24-hour slow-cooked broth awaken your senses. The Hoa family has been passionately serving Pho since the 1960s, carrying forward a legacy of taste and tradition.

4TH STOP: BANH XEO / VIETNAMESE SIZZLING PANCAKE

Your next stop is Banh Xeo, a vibrant symbol of Vietnamese culture, literally translating to Mekong-styled Sizzling Pancake. Each region offers its unique twist on this dish, but the Mekong version stands out as a generous, shareable delight for two. Crafted from a blend of rice flour, turmeric powder, and fresh green onions, this pancake is a culinary masterpiece. As you heat a pan to just the right temperature and add boiling oil, shrimp, sliced pork, seafood, mushrooms, green beans, and bean sprouts, listen for the exhilarating sizzle that signals the harmony of flavors coming to life. Served alongside sweet-and-sour fish sauce, crisp white radish and carrot slices, and a vibrant array of greens—including mustard leaves, lettuce, Asian basil, and cilantro—this dish embodies the dedication of a family who lovingly cultivates each vegetable in the Mekong Delta. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience filled with love, tradition, and the spirit of community.

5TH STOP: BLACK-PEPPERED SNAILS VS LEMONGRASSED SNAILS

Vietnamese cuisine elevates traditional snail dishes to an art form, seamlessly blending unique spices and flavors. The black peppered snails, grilled with a secret sauce and enhanced by crunchy black pepper, are a revelation, showcasing the tender meat that speaks for itself. The lemongrass snails undergo a meticulous preparation, steamed and cleaned, then delicately minced with lemongrass and returned to their shells for another round of steaming. Served with a fragrant garlic and lemongrass fish sauce and a medley of fresh basil, this dish transforms every bite into an inspiring culinary journey.

6TH STOP: BEEF JERKY PAPAYA SALAD WITH BO BIA STEAMED ROLLS

These dishes are a celebration of health and flavor, a must-try for street food enthusiasts. The fresh papaya salad, shredded with care, is accompanied by rare traditional beef jerky, topped with crunchy peanuts, deep-fried shallots, and a vibrant mix of minced chili and hot sauce. Next to this stall stand the twin-brother steamed rolls, filled with a harmonious blend of carrots, radishes, and dried shrimp in black bean sauce. Enjoy each bite as you embrace the rich flavors of the steamed vegetables and the secret sauce, a true delight for the senses.

7TH STOP: TRADITIONAL SWEET SOUP IN THE OLD FRENCH QUARTER OR COCONUT COFFEE INSIDE AN OLD CIA HEADQUARTER

Your final stop is your decision: either enjoy a famous dessert prepared by a family that's been running the business for 3 generations, or make a quick stop at the former CIA headquarters in the 1960s for a must-try coconut coffee before returning to your cruise ship.

DROP-OFF AT KHANH HOI NHA RONG PORT / DISTRICT 4. TOUR CONCLUDES.

You will return to your cruise ship after a few hours of an unforgettable gastronomic adventure. This tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, inspiring you to write a book about the flavors and insights you gain from all the dishes you have tasted. The tour concludes.

Tour maps

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Frequently asked questions

WHERE'S THE PICK-UP LOCATION AT KHANH HOI NHA RONG PORT / DISTRICT 4?

Our guide and driver will meet you at the port gate holding a welcome sign with your name. You can use the shuttle from the ship or take a short walk to the port gate.

CAN THE JEEP PICK US UP AT PHU MY PORT OR HIEP PHUOC PORT?

Due to the long travel distance, there will be an additional fee for the transfer from these 2 ports of call to downtown Saigon to start the food tour. Please get in touch with our travel expert for further assistance. We are happy to help and advise on the best way to make you feel comfortable. Based on our experience with cruise guests from these 2 ports, they always took a shuttle to downtown, then started the tour.

CAN YOU PROVIDE THE PICK-UP SERVICE AT THE CRUISE SHIP GANGWAY?

We can pick you up at the cruise ship gangway with a port permit, which will cost US$25 per person, in addition to the tour price. Please make a note when making this booking. We will pay directly to the port authority where your cruise ship docks. A passport scan, the cruise ship's name, and the arrival and departure dates and times will be required.