Saigon Street Food Walk: Alleys, Markets and Night Bites

Every part can be changed to suit your group.

1. Evening District 4 Snails and Seafood

   We meet at around 5:00 PM in central Saigon and cross the canal to District 4, an old port neighbourhood known for its street food. We sit on low plastic stools to try broken rice with grilled pork and a plate of snails cooked with lemongrass, coconut or tamarind. District 4 is a working-class neighbourhood that few visitors see, with narrow streets, busy markets and families cooking right on the pavement. Your guide explains how each dish is eaten, what the sauces are for and how to order like a local, and shares stories about the cooks who have run these stalls for many years.

   
2. Night Chinatown Alleys and Sweet Endings

   A short ride brings us to Cho Lon, Saigon’s Chinatown, where we walk through alleys, stop at an incense-filled temple and taste dumplings and noodles from Chinese-Vietnamese families. We finish in District 3 with a banh mi and a bowl of che, a sweet soup with beans, jelly and coconut milk. The walk ends at around 9:00 PM. Cho Lon has been home to Saigon’s Chinese community for more than two centuries, and its old shophouses, temples and herbal medicine shops give it a different feel from the rest of the city. Portions are small at each stop, so you can taste a little of everything without feeling too full. Vegetarian options can be arranged in advance.