Are you looking for an adventurous Ho Chi Minh City motorbike shore excursion around the hustle and bustle of Vietnam’s largest metropolis? Do you want to experience this vibrant city like a true local rather than staring through the glass window of a crowded tour bus? Offered specifically for cruise passengers, our one-day Saigon motorbike shore excursion from all major ports is an exciting, authentic, and highly efficient way to explore this city at its very best.
Riding on the back of a motorbike allows you to weave through narrow alleyways, discover hidden street food gems, and feel the true energetic pulse of Ho Chi Minh City. If you prefer to explore by private car instead, you can check out our classic The Real Ho Chi Minh City – Shore Excursions, or combine city sights with wartime history on our Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City 1 Day tour.
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR HO CHI MINH CITY MOTORBIKE SHORE EXCURSION
- Seamless Transfers: Private pick-up & drop-off from Nha Rong, Hiep Phuoc, Phu Huu, and Phu My Port.
- Authentic Motorbike Adventure: Experience riding pillion (as a passenger) on a motorbike behind an experienced driver. Visit all HCMC’s best bits, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, the General Post Office, Venerable Thich Quang Duc Monument, historic 1960s apartments, the colorful wholesale flower market, and Chinatown.
- Local Street Food Feast: Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring traditional Vietnamese food such as crispy Vietnamese pancakes (Banh Xeo), rice noodles with grilled pork, famous Banh Mi sandwiches, and savory crab & shrimp noodle soup.
- 80-Year-Old Hidden Alley Cafe: Visit an over 80-year-old coffee shop hidden deep in an alley, interact with the welcoming host, and learn how to brew the unique cloth-filtered “Vot” coffee.
TOUR INFORMATION
Price: from $48 USD /Adult (from 12 years old) , Children (from 5 – 11 years old): 50% of Adult
(Price varies by group size & name of the port)
| Private/group | 1 pax | 2 pax | 3 pax | 4 pax | 5 – 6pax | 7 – 8pax | 9pax+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price/Adult (Nha Rong Port) | $150 | $100 | $80 | $70 | $60 | $55 | $48 |
| Price/Adult (Phu Huu & Hiep Phuoc Port) | $180 | $130 | $110 | $100 | $88 | $80 | $70 |
| Price/Adult (Phu My Port) | $270 | $165 | $150 | $130 | $115 | $100 | $90 |
Duration: All private Ho Chi Minh port motorbike tours are approximately 8 hours or longer depending on your time constraints. At the end of the private tour, we always make sure that you return on-time to board the cruise ship.
Meeting point: Nha Rong, Hiep Phuoc, Phu Huu, or Phu My port
Port Permit Service:
- Opt to purchase port permit service: For a fee of $25 USD/person, our guide and transport can go inside the port, right to your cruise ship gangway for pick-up and drop-off. This requires passport details such as full name, passport number, DOB, expiry date, and nationality. We recommend this service for safety and comfort during hot or rainy days, as well as highly reliable transport service.
- Opt not to purchase port service fee: Please walk out of the port gate (15 – 20 minutes) or take an internal port shuttle bus ($3-$5 USD/person) where our guide and driver will welcome you with a sign and a smile. This option does not include an extra fee.
Tour customizable: Absolutely! Tell us your specific food preferences or sightseeing requirements in the inquiry form below.
Category: Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursions
Inclusions:
- Round trip transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle from your port to Ho Chi Minh City (where you will meet your motorbikes)
- Experienced motorbike drivers and high-quality helmets
- Fluent English-speaking local guide
- All sightseeing entrance fees
- Lunch and extensive street food tastings as indicated in the itinerary (we can cater to any dietary requirements)
- Special Vietnamese coffee & unlimited bottles of cold water
Exclusions:
- Port permit fee ($25 USD/person if inside-port pick-up is requested)
- Tips and extra personal drinks
- Other personal shopping expenses
Payment method: We accept 
What to bring: Passport (or copy) • Sunscreen • Hat • Insect Repellent • Light Jacket • Comfortable Shoes
What to wear: Please ensure you dress comfortably for riding pillion. When visiting temples, knees and shoulders should be covered respectfully.
DETAILED ITINERARY
You will be picked up and welcomed by our tour guide and driver at your cruise port and promptly transferred by an air-conditioned vehicle to our downtown meeting point in Saigon. From there, your highly anticipated adventure on the back of a motorbike will begin, allowing you to explore hidden charms and cultures that are completely missed on crowded tourist bus routes.
Firstly, we stop at the iconic tourist attractions in District 1, including the Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Saigon Central Post Office, where you can admire the beauty of old French colonial architectural works, learn more about history, and take the most beautiful photos in the city. A lovely, shaded book street next to the post office is also worth wandering.
After that, we will head to the Thich Quang Duc Monument, dedicated to the Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist monk who burned himself to death at a busy Saigon road intersection on June 11th, 1963. Photographs of his self-immolation were circulated widely across the world and brought international attention to the policies of the Diệm government. John F. Kennedy said in reference to the photograph, “No news picture in history has generated so much emotion around the world as that one”.
Before reaching our coffee shop stop, we pull over at one of Saigon’s top 3 Banh Mi shops to see how they make a legendary Vietnamese sandwich with a crispy crust and amazing savory fillings. Although Vietnamese sandwiches can be eaten at many places in the country, a true Saigon Banh Mi is very special and worth trying. Then, we drive to a small street food stall—which has been operating for over 20 years—to learn how they wrap and grill one of the top Saigon street desserts: grilled banana and sticky rice in banana leaves topped with creamy coconut milk.
It is a massive highlight of this Saigon motorbike shore excursion to stop at Cheo Leo Cafe—an 80-year-old coffee shop hidden in a narrow residential alley, famous for its distinct cloth-filtered “Vot” coffee. You will sit around a small table, take a rest, enjoy your drinks, eat your Banh Mi and grilled banana, and chat leisurely with the guide like local friends. You will also learn how to make a cup of “Vot” coffee and interact with the lovely owner. Next, your motorbike driver will weave through the bustling 24-hour wholesale Flower Market where you can quickly snap shots of millions of beautiful blooms arriving from the Mekong Delta.
Escaping from the noisy main streets, we head into historic Chinatown (Cho Lon) to visit Thien Hau Temple. Here, you will listen to mysterious local stories and learn more about the unique Chinese-Vietnamese architecture and religious life.
On the way back toward District 1, we stop to eat again! We visit an over 20-year-old local restaurant renowned as one of the Top 5 places to eat Vietnamese pancakes (Banh Xeo) in Saigon. Your guide will show you how the cooks skillfully make thin, large, crispy pancakes, and teach you the local method of wrapping the hot cake in fresh vegetables before dipping it into fish sauce. We will also enjoy hearty rice noodles topped with grilled pork and fried spring rolls.
We finish our day with some vibrant shopping time at the Ben Thanh Market, a highly popular historical spot located in the prime center of the city. The market offers a massive selection of goods, ranging from local handicrafts and coffee to beautiful silk Ao Dai dresses. As the afternoon draws to a close, you will transfer back to your private air-conditioned car and be driven safely back to the port.
Your unforgettable Ho Chi Minh City motorbike shore excursion ends when the driver drops you off at the port well ahead of your ship’s next departure.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it safe to ride on a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City traffic?
Yes, your safety is our absolute highest priority. On this Ho Chi Minh City motorbike shore excursion, you will ride pillion (as a passenger) behind our fully licensed, highly trained, and experienced local drivers. They know how to navigate Saigon’s chaotic traffic safely and smoothly. We also provide high-quality, sanitized helmets for every guest.
How do we get from Phu My Port to Ho Chi Minh City to meet the motorbikes?
Because riding a motorbike on the long, dusty highway from Phu My Port to Saigon is uncomfortable and unsafe, we provide a private air-conditioned car or minivan for your port transfers. Once you arrive comfortably in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, you will meet your motorbike drivers to begin the city adventure!
Do you guarantee that we will return to the cruise ship on time?
Absolutely. We specialize in cruise ship shore excursions and strictly monitor your vessel’s docking and all-aboard schedule. We build generous traffic buffers into the itinerary to ensure you are safely returned to your port well before departure time.
Can this motorbike food tour accommodate vegetarians or food allergies?
Yes! Because this is a private tour, our guides can easily customize the street food tastings and lunch menu to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, or guests with gluten, peanut, or seafood allergies. Just let us know in the booking form.
What happens if it rains during the motorbike tour?
Tropical rain in Saigon is usually brief. We provide high-quality rain ponchos that cover you completely while riding. If there is a heavy downpour, we will take shelter in a cozy local coffee shop or restaurant until it passes, ensuring your comfort and safety.
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Thank you!
Mary (Ms.)
Travel Expert
Interacting with our travelers during their whole trip helps me understand more about their interests and concerns. I like seeking exotic and valuable experiences, and I believe that this is one of the reasons that make us different.
Want a trip designed just for you? Let’s get started! Please fill out the form below or email us directly at vietnambookingtoursvn@gmail.com. Based on your cruise schedule, specific needs, and interests, our travel experts will design a personalized Ho Chi Minh City motorbike shore excursion just for you.
Please note this inquiry is totally free and you are under no obligation!
