18 Unexpected Adventures in Ho Chi Minh City [2025]

Think fish sauce is just something that smells bad? This bold Saigon tasting flips that idea on its head. Try four artisanal fish sauces paired with surprising bites like cheese and ice cream, while a passionate local foodie guides you through Vietnam’s most iconic (and misunderstood) ingredient. Funky, flavourful, and nothing like you’d expect.

There are countless food tours in Saigon — but this is the only one where you won’t see another tourist. Ride through backstreets, sample 7–8 bold dishes like duck turmeric noodles, and end with fresh fruit at your guide’s home. No crowds, no clichés — just real flavours and local stories you won’t find on Google.

Sure, you can grab an iced coffee anywhere, but to truly experience Vietnamese coffee culture, you need to go beyond the caffeine fix. This hands-on workshop at a 3rd wave coffee shop with true experts is a deep dive into the art of Vietnamese coffee brewing. You'll learn the traditional Phin filter method, uncover the secrets of the iconic egg coffee, and even try your hand at crafting a refreshing coconut coffee.

Forget restaurants—this is your chance to cook and dine in a real Saigon home. Join the lovable Moon Mama in her kitchen as you whip up cosy Vietnamese comfort dishes, sip homemade wine, and share stories like family. Warm, delicious, and deeply personal—this is the kind of experience you’ll never find on a food tour.

Think pho is just beef noodle soup? Think again. This one-of-a-kind tasting takes you on a flavour-packed journey through six rare styles of pho—crispy, stir-fried, dry, and more. Led by a local food writer, you’ll uncover the history, regional twists, and passionate debates behind Vietnam’s most iconic dish. Bonus: try pho-infused chocolate or gin!

This raw, eye-opening motorbike ride takes you deep into Saigon’s hidden slums and former mafia zones. Guided by locals with personal ties to the neighbourhoods, you'll explore alleyways, resilient communities, and stories of transformation. It’s gritty, real, and a powerful way to understand the city beyond its shiny surface.

Coffee may steal the spotlight in Vietnam, but tea is its quiet soul. Step into a hidden Saigon tearoom for a calming, centuries-old ritual led by a seasoned tea practitioner. Sip rare green teas, savour handmade sweets, and discover a beautifully understated side of Vietnamese culture that most travellers miss.

Forget mass-made souvenirs—make your own piece of Vietnamese culture at this mini lion head workshop in Saigon. Led by a former lion dancer, you’ll uncover the rich history behind this vibrant tradition and hand-paint your own lion head to take home. It’s creative, personal, and a totally unexpected way to connect with local culture.

Step beyond the surface and walk through Saigon’s living heritage. This immersive tour uncovers the city’s multicultural roots—Indian temples, Chinese clan houses, French villas, and more—hidden in plain sight. Led by a local cultural storyteller, it’s a rare chance to trace how Saigon’s diverse communities shaped its identity. More than a walk, it’s a journey through history.

Channel your creativity at Vietnam’s only studio where you can paint your own Nón Lá (conical hat) using traditional Dong Ho folk art. Guided by a skilled artist, you’ll learn the hat’s cultural significance, enjoy live music and local treats, and leave with a one-of-a-kind souvenir that blends heritage and personal expression. Fun, relaxing, and truly Vietnamese.

Many laughed at the idea of cycling through the busy streets of Saigon, but despite the skeptics, this tour has left customers beaming with joy. Discover Saigon like never before on a cycling adventure that takes you off the beaten path! Pedal through the vibrant streets of District 4, the peaceful alleys of District 10, and the bustling heart of Chinatown in District 5. With friendly local guides leading the way, you'll uncover hidden gems and secret stories, creating unforgettable memories of this dynamic city.

See Saigon through a new lens on this private golden-hour photo walk with French expat photographer Adrien. From ancient pagodas to gritty alleys and riverside skylines, you’ll uncover the city’s hidden beauty while learning to shoot with a more creative eye. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, it’s visual storytelling at its best.

Saigon after dark gets a little magical: folklore, sleight-of-hand, and comedy in a hidden 100-year-old space. This intimate, one-hour magic show by Petey Majik blends Vietnamese legends with modern illusions and sharp wit. With just 24 guests per show, it’s cosy and interactive — plus, enjoy an exclusive after-show drink and a private magic lesson only on Seek Sophie.

Step into a world of speakeasies and hidden gems on this unique Saigon cocktail experience. We’re talking about secret apartments transformed into artsy cafes, tucked-away bars run by passionate Vietnamese mixologists, and experimental cocktail havens that push the boundaries of flavor. You’ll sip on exotic concoctions infused with local ingredients, meet charismatic bartenders, and uncover stories of Saigon's hidden nightlife scene.

Escape the urban jungle for a serene cycling adventure through the Mini Mekong – a hidden gem on the outskirts of Saigon. Start your journey at the vibrant Thanh Da market, soaking up the sights, sounds, and scents of local life. Then, pedal your way through tranquil villages, past serene lotus lakes, and into the heart of a mini tropical Mekong jungle, without the 3 hour car journey!

Most visit Cu Chi for the tunnels—but few see what came after. With Nhung as your guide, this day trip goes deeper. A storyteller with family roots in the area (her sisters were born underground), Nhung brings history to life with warmth and humour. After the tunnels, cycle through farmland reborn from rubble and feast in her lush garden home. Come for the history, stay for the heart.

Forget staged market stops—this Mekong Delta trip takes you straight into local life. Cruise hidden canals, visit a floating three-storey home, ride pillion through fruit farms, and cook lunch with a welcoming village family. With stories of fish toilets, durian fortunes, and river-rooted living, it’s the Delta as few ever see it: raw, real, and unforgettable.

Craving the classic Mekong moment? This is the floating market experience. Wake at 2:30 AM to reach Can Tho in time for sunrise trading—boats stacked with fruit, noodles served on deck, and the river buzzing with life. Then, drift through canals, make noodles by hand, and end with fresh cacao and handmade chocolate. The early wake-up is 100% worth it.