Saigon Vegan Food Tour by GirlPower Motorbike Riders | KissTour

The best part of this tour is the way food and city life come together. You ride out of District 1 on the back of a scooter, stopping for at least six vegan dishes across five food stops and one sightseeing break. This is not a single restaurant meal. It is a moving dinner through several parts of Ho Chi Minh City.

I like the one-driver-per-guest format, which gives you a real chance to chat with your English-speaking guide. I also like that the women-led KissTour team focuses on local women working in tourism. Kim, one named guide, was praised for clear communication, punctuality, warmth, and useful tips about Vietnam. The main consideration is the scooter itself: you need to feel reasonably comfortable riding through city traffic, and the four-hour food schedule can be a lot if you prefer a light meal.

Key points at a glance

• Six or more vegan tastings: Try pho, cha gio, hu tieu, pandan cake, grilled banana, and a Vietnamese dessert.
• One guest, one driver: You ride with a private English-speaking guide rather than being folded into a large group.
• Beyond District 1: The route uses scooters to reach local food stops and areas where residents spend time.
• Women-led local company: KissTour supports women working as guides and drivers in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Food and drinks included: Vegan food and nonalcoholic beverages are included, with alcohol available as an option.
• Flexible departure times: The usual start is 5:30 PM, but 8 AM and 12 PM departures can be arranged.

Why this scooter food tour works

Ho Chi Minh City is a good place for a food tour because the meal is rarely just one dish. A bowl of noodles may be followed by a snack, a sweet, fresh herbs, a dipping sauce, or something cooked right at the stall. This tour takes that idea seriously.

You spend about four hours moving between stops rather than sitting in one dining room. The scooter gives you a sense of distance and variety. You see the city change as you leave the familiar center, and your driver can point out details along the way.

The food is vegan, not simply vegetarian with meat removed at the last minute. That matters in Vietnam, where Buddhist cooking has helped create a wide range of plant-based dishes. You can expect savory broths, noodles, herbs, rice, coconut milk, fruit, fried snacks, and sauces with sweet, sour, salty, and spicy notes.

The tour is described as customizable, so tell the company about special requests when you book. It also welcomes vegetarian and gluten-free diners, though you should state your needs clearly before departure. The published food list is vegan, but the information does not promise that every kitchen is dedicated gluten-free.

Meeting your driver at 5:30 PM

The standard departure is 5:30 PM, with drop-off around 9:30 PM. Pickup is offered, and the stated starting point is the Saigon Opera House at 7 Cong Truong Lam Son in District 1. The details also describe hotel pickup and drop-off, so confirm the exact arrangement after booking.

Pickup from Districts 1, 2, and 3 is covered. If your hotel is outside those districts, expect a surcharge of $4, or 100,000 VND. That is a small but important cost to account for when comparing this tour with other food outings.

Your driver supplies the scooter, fuel, and an extra helmet. Wear comfortable clothes, skip expensive jewelry, and avoid bringing a large backpack. A phone or small camera that fits in a pocket is more practical than a full camera bag.

The tour is listed as a private one-to-one experience, meaning each guest is paired with one English-speaking driver. The total activity can accommodate up to 15 people, so a couple or family may still be part of a larger collection of pairs. This setup gives you personal conversation without promising that the entire evening will be a private group tour.

The first bowl: vegan pho

The meal begins with vegan pho, one of Vietnam’s most familiar dishes. The important parts are the broth, rice noodles, herbs, lime, and chili. A good bowl gives you a gentle base, then lets you adjust the flavor yourself.

For a first-time visitor, this is a useful introduction to Vietnamese food habits. You are not just handed a finished dish. You add mint, lime, and chili to shape it to your taste. If you are sensitive to heat, use the chili carefully. The tour moves through several flavors, so there is no need to make the first dish too fiery.

The drawback is that the exact restaurant is not named in the available details. That gives the company flexibility, but it means you cannot research the menu or seating beforehand. The point is the local meal, not a famous address.

Cha gio with herbs

Next comes vegan cha gio, or spring rolls, served with local herbs. This stop changes the texture of the evening. After the soft noodles and broth, you get something crisp, savory, and easy to share.

Fresh herbs are central to the experience. They cut through fried food and show how Vietnamese meals balance rich and light elements on the same plate. If you have never eaten Vietnamese spring rolls with herbs, this may be one of the more useful stops because the combination is simple but distinctly local.

The food is presented as part of a full dinner, so you do not need to plan a second meal afterward. Come hungry, but not so hungry that you rush the first stop.

Buddhist-inspired dishes and southern hu tieu

The route then continues to a Buddhist-inspired vegan eatery. Here you try stir-fried rice vermicelli hu tieu, a southern noodle dish served with a flavorful sauce.

Hu tieu is a good example of why this tour is more interesting than a standard pho crawl. You get a different noodle, a different cooking method, and a stronger role for sauce. Pho is built around broth. Stir-fried hu tieu gives you a more direct taste of the noodles and seasonings.

This part also gives context to vegan food in Vietnam. Buddhist influence does not mean every Vietnamese person eats vegan food, but it has helped plant-based cooking become familiar rather than unusual. You are sampling food that fits into local traditions, not a Western imitation of Vietnamese cuisine.

Again, the exact ingredients and spice level can vary. If you have allergies, tell the guide before eating. The tour includes unlimited vegan food and beverages, but that does not replace the need to explain a serious allergy clearly.

Fresh pandan cake cooked before you

The next bite is smaller: fried pandan cake, or banh tieu la dua. The cake is cooked in front of you at the restaurant, which adds a little theater to the food stop without turning it into a staged show.

Pandan gives the snack its distinct aroma, while frying creates a crisp outside and soft interior. This is the kind of food that can be easy to miss if you stay with major sights and familiar restaurants. It is modest, quick, and full of local character.

Because the cake is a snack rather than a full plate, it provides a break in the meal. That pacing helps, especially when you have several stops still ahead. You can eat it warm and continue without feeling as if every stop is another large course.

Grilled banana with sticky rice and coconut

The most unusual-sounding dish on the route may be grilled banana, or chuoi nep nuong. Banana is wrapped in sticky rice, cooked with coconut milk, and grilled until the outside looks slightly burnt. Inside, the cake is described as golden and juicy.

This is a smart dessert course because it uses a familiar fruit in a form many visitors will not expect. Sticky rice gives it weight, coconut adds richness, and grilling brings a smoky edge. The dish is sweet, but not simply a piece of fruit placed on a plate.

You may find the portion more filling than its size suggests. By this stage, you have already eaten noodles, spring rolls, and a fried snack. Pace yourself early so you can enjoy this dish rather than treat it as one more obligation.

A pause at a local night spot

Food is not the only reason to book this outing. The route includes a sightseeing stop at a local place where people spend time in the evening. You pause, take photos, and talk with your driver.

This break matters because a four-hour food tour can otherwise feel like a string of tables. The stop gives you a chance to look around, rest from the scooter, and ask questions about what you have seen. The guides are meant to become friendly companions during the evening, and the named feedback about Kim points to the value of that personal contact.

Do not expect a formal sightseeing lecture or a list of major landmarks. The description promises a night view and local hangout spots, not a city tour with detailed historical commentary. If your main goal is architecture and monuments, book a dedicated sightseeing tour separately.

Finishing with Vietnamese dessert

The evening ends with another Vietnamese dessert before your driver takes you back. The exact dessert is not specified, so the final sweet may depend on availability or the route used that day.

That uncertainty is worth noting, but it is also part of the tour’s local style. You are not buying a fixed restaurant tasting menu with every item printed in advance. You are paying for a guided food route, with the company selecting stops and dishes that fit the experience.

Food and nonalcoholic beverages are included. Alcohol is optional, which is useful if you want a drink but prevents it from being forced into the price for everyone. Tips, personal expenses, and the possible outside-district pickup fee are not included.

Is $65.65 a fair price?

At $65.65 per person, this is more expensive than eating six vegan dishes on your own. That comparison misses the main value. You are also paying for a driver, scooter, fuel, helmet, hotel pickup and drop-off where applicable, English-language assistance, accident insurance, and the work of arranging the route.

The one-to-one guide arrangement is the strongest value point. If you are new to Ho Chi Minh City, riding with a local guide can remove the worry of finding each stop, ordering food, and getting back to your hotel. You also gain a local contact who can answer questions during the ride.

The price makes less sense if you already know the city, ride scooters confidently, and are happy finding vegan places alone. In that case, you may prefer to spend the same money across several independent meals. For a short stay, though, this tour packs dinner, transport, and local conversation into one evening.

The free cancellation policy gives you some flexibility. Cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, so do not wait until the afternoon of the tour if your plans are uncertain.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you want to eat vegan food while seeing more than the central tourist zone. It suits solo visitors especially well because the one-driver format gives you company without requiring you to organize a private vehicle.

It also fits couples and small groups who enjoy scooters and want an active evening. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but you should consider your comfort with riding, sitting for several hours, and moving through city traffic.

Tell the operator if you weigh more than 120 kilograms, or 260 pounds. The company says it can arrange a larger scooter and a stronger driver. That is a useful detail to handle before the pickup rather than at the meeting point.

Choose another activity if you want a quiet sit-down dinner, a fixed menu, or a tour centered on historical sights. This is a food ride first. The city views and conversations are valuable extras.

Final verdict: book it for food, movement, and company

I would book the Saigon Vegan Food Tour if you want a plant-based dinner with a strong local feel and do not mind riding a scooter. The combination of pho, cha gio, hu tieu, pandan cake, grilled banana, dessert, and a night stop gives you a broad taste of Vietnamese vegan cooking in one evening.

Its best features are the personal driver pairing, the women-led team, and the chance to leave District 1 without handling the route yourself. Kim’s reported punctuality, communication, hospitality, and practical Vietnam tips are exactly the kind of qualities that make this format work.

The decision comes down to comfort and expectations. Book it if you want an active, social, food-focused night. Skip it if you dislike scooters, need a fully fixed menu, or prefer to explore restaurants independently.

FAQ

How long does the Saigon Vegan Food Tour last?

The tour lasts about four hours. The usual evening departure is 5:30 PM, with drop-off around 9:30 PM.

What food is included?

The tour includes at least six vegan foods across five food stops. The listed dishes include vegan pho, cha gio spring rolls, stir-fried rice vermicelli hu tieu, fried pandan cake, grilled banana with sticky rice and coconut milk, and Vietnamese dessert.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited vegan food and beverages are included. Alcoholic drinks are optional.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are offered. The stated starting point is the Saigon Opera House in District 1, so confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking.

Is there an extra pickup charge?

Pickup from Districts 1, 2, and 3 is included. Pickup outside those districts has a surcharge of $4, or 100,000 VND.

Will I ride with a personal guide?

The experience pairs each guest with one English-speaking driver. The total activity can include up to 15 travelers, so several driver and guest pairs may ride as part of the same outing.

Can I take the tour in the morning?

Yes. Although 5:30 PM is the usual departure, morning and midday departures at 8 AM or 12 PM can be requested.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear comfortable clothes, avoid expensive jewelry and heavy backpacks, and bring a phone or camera that fits in a pocket. Helmets are provided.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, though you should consider your comfort with scooter travel and a four-hour food schedule.