Big Eats & Small Seats in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Big Eats & Small Seats

Outty Ranking 77 5.0 · 44 traveler reviews4 hoursFrom $19
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Outty Ranking

77/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 44 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Big Eats & Small Seats worth booking?

Big Eats & Small Seats is a 4-hour experience in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from $19 per person. It scores 77 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 44 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
77 / 100
Rating
5/5 (44)
Duration
4 hours
From
$19 per person

Hop on the back of a motorbike for Saigon’s ultimate street food adventure! After a quick safety intro, we kick off in a bustling local park with Gỏi Đu Đủ Bò—a refreshing green papaya salad bursting with flavor. Next, head to a legendary 30-year-old vendor for Bún Thịt Nướng—grilled pork, crispy spring rolls, and noodles drenched in tangy fish sauce. Cruising hidden alleys, your guide weaves stories of culture and history before your taste buds meet Bánh Khọt—crispy coconut rice cakes topped with shrimp or pork. Seafood lovers will feast on a decadent spread: grilled shrimp, scallops with green onion & peanuts, finger snails sautéed in pork fat & butter, clams in lemongrass chili broth, and the showstopper—a whole crab simmered in sweet-sour tamarind sauce. We end at a cozy dessert spot with traditional Vietnamese sweet soup before a safe ride back to your hotel. This isn’t just a food tour—it’s Saigon’s street food scene like never before. Book now!

What you get

    About this experience

    Hop on the back of a motorbike for Saigon’s ultimate street food adventure! After a quick safety intro, we kick off in a bustling local park with Gỏi Đu Đủ Bò—a refreshing green papaya salad bursting with flavor. Next, head to a legendary 30-year-old vendor for Bún Thịt Nướng—grilled pork, crispy spring rolls, and noodles drenched in tangy fish sauce. Cruising hidden alleys, your guide weaves stories of culture and history before your taste buds meet Bánh Khọt—crispy coconut rice cakes topped with shrimp or pork. Seafood lovers will feast on a decadent spread: grilled shrimp, scallops with green onion & peanuts, finger snails sautéed in pork fat & butter, clams in lemongrass chili broth, and the showstopper—a whole crab simmered in sweet-sour tamarind sauce. We end at a cozy dessert spot with traditional Vietnamese sweet soup before a safe ride back to your hotel. This isn’t just a food tour—it’s Saigon’s street food scene like never before. Book now!

    What's included

    Included

    • Alcoholic beverages
    • Bottled water
    • Driver/guide
    • Street Food Tasting
    • Insurance
    • Use of Helmet
    • Pick up and drop off from designated meeting points

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Includes shellfish, pork. no substitutions available. Menu remains unchanged in all circumstances

    What you'll see and do

    1. Le Van Tam Park

      Explore the big flavors of Ho Chi Minh City on small plastic stools with our Big Eats & Small Seats Tour. Experience the tastes of our favorite 5 street food vendors in HCM not the same flavors as in all the guidebooks. You will zip to these delicious hidden gems on the back of a motorbike driven by our English speaking guides. This street food tour includes dishes like City Famous Papaya Salad, Steamed Clams with Lemongrass, and Grilled Pork over Fresh Rice Noodles all eaten on those traditional small plastic stools. Hop on the back of our bikes to experience our Big Eats & Small Seats Tour. ***Kid age 7 and under will ride with parent and share parent's food*** All of our guides are local Vietnamese who know the city like no one else and are enthusiastic to show off Vietnam. All prices are inclusive of all stops, food, and drinks.

      240 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Back of the Bike Tours

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
    • No options selected

    Photos

    Riding with Back of the Bike, Big Eats & Small Seats in Ho Chi Minh CityEnjoying Bun Thit Nuong, Big Eats & Small Seats in Ho Chi Minh CityEveryone can ride!, Big Eats & Small Seats in Ho Chi Minh CityA sunny day on the bike, Big Eats & Small Seats in Ho Chi Minh CityHaving so much fun with Back of the Bike, Big Eats & Small Seats in Ho Chi Minh CityGathering around and enjoy Goi Bo, Big Eats & Small Seats in Ho Chi Minh City

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 44 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Food and drink

    9 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    3 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    44 verified traveler reviews for Big Eats & Small Seats. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    44
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    kyliewU2010VL · April 2026

    The BEST

    This was the best tour we did in our trip to Vietnam !! Ms Lan & Ms Phung were our drivers and they were unbelievable ! They were so knowledgeable , friendly , safe drivers and made our night one of the BEST experiences we had in Vietnam ! I highly recommend everyone experiences this tour when they visit HoChi Minh Thank you Ms Lan and Ms Phung we had the best time !

    via Tripadvisor

    Arran P · March 2026

    One of the best experiences of our trip

    Just Book It !! We travelled through Vietnam and met some wonderful people and experienced some great places and food. We were only in Ho Chi Ming for 1 night and 2 days and booked this food tour last minute. The tour girls were super friendly and such fun! Probably up there with one of the best experiences of our trip !! Don't hesitate do it ! Such fun being driven around the city and the places we were taken were very local and the food was amazing! Thanks to the ladies who made our tour so brilliant!!

    via Tripadvisor

    christinemV8583RS · November 2025

    Safe, fun and irresistible food

    What were we thinking, get on the back of a bike in Ho Chi Minh City? Turns out, one of the best nights we had on our 3 weeks around Vietnam. Hoa and Giang were outstanding drivers darting safely in and out of the traffic. Each destination had amazing food, we tried mussels, snails, jumping chicken (frogs legs), and rice paper rolls. It was sad when the night ended as we had an amazing time.

    via Tripadvisor

    roxytina · September 2025

    Loved it so much!

    Unbelievable!!!!!! This was one of the best tours I’ve ever had. Scooting around Ho Chi Minh with the expert driving of Quyen while my partner drove around with Truc was next level. The food stops were delicious, Quyen and Truc were accommodating, friendly, kind and SO funny. I love how they take photos for you so I didn’t have to take out my phone and could just enjoy it fully. I can’t recommend this tour enough. You won’t want to miss this while in Ho Chi Minh. Thank you again Quyen and Truc for a truly memorable experience.

    via Tripadvisor

    Andrew T · September 2025

    A must-do for first time visitors!

    A must-do for a first time visit to HCMC/Saigon. We went for my friends bachelor's, and our group didn't really plan this trip. An acquaintance recommended back of the bike tours and so I booked a tour for the boys after watching on YouTube. While the price may seem steep for street food, you get so much more than that. Not only do you get free flow food and drinks (yes, including beer), you also get transportation taken care of as well as your own personal tour guide driving you around the city. I loved experiencing the city like a local, on the back of the bike, while chatting with my tour guide (unfortunately I forgot how to write her name 😅) about vietnamese culture and history. As a final add on they even took a lot of pictures and sent them to us via Google drive, which was amazing as us boys like to forget to take pics sometimes. All in all, super fun experience, if this is your first time in Saigon, I would highly recommend this tour so you can experience the city like a local!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    4 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $19 to $104
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    15
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 77

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)97
    Review evidence (18% weight)51
    Booking momentum (14% weight)44
    Value for money (12% weight)95
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)62
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Big Eats & Small Seats: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ho Chi Minh City.

    How much does Big Eats & Small Seats cost?

    +

    Prices start at $19 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Ho Chi Minh City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Big Eats & Small Seats take?

    +

    Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Ho Chi Minh City is not rushed.

    Is Big Eats & Small Seats worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 44 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Ho Chi Minh City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Big Eats & Small Seats?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Big Eats & Small Seats suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Big Eats & Small Seats?

    +

    Around 15 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Ho Chi Minh City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Ho Chi Minh City and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Big Eats & Small Seats start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Ho Chi Minh City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Ho Chi Minh City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cai Be Mekong Delta Tour: Cooking Class, Cycling & Craft Villages, Adventure Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Tour From HCM, Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta 1 Day Tour With Small Group. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Big Eats & Small Seats?

    +

    Included: Alcoholic beverages; Bottled water; Driver/guide; Street Food Tasting; and Insurance. Not included: Gratuities; and Includes shellfish, pork. no substitutions available. Menu remains unchanged in all circum. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Big Eats & Small Seats include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 333 listed pickup locations in and around Ho Chi Minh City. Be ready about 5 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Big Eats & Small Seats offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Big Eats & Small Seats?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Big Eats & Small Seats wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Big Eats & Small Seats if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Ho Chi Minh City. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Big Eats & Small Seats?

    +

    Across 44 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, the guide, knowledge and storytelling. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

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