How many times is too many to do an XO Foodie Tour in Vietnam? I'm not sure but so far its not five!

So how many times is too many to do the same Motorbike Foodie Tour run by XO Tours in Ho Chi Minh City?  Well, so far it ain't 5!

Hang on, I may be wrong here.  I have actually lost count. We may have done more!  For regular blog readers you will know that we were lucky enough to live in Saigon for nearly 4 years back in 2010-2014.  We had the absolute time of our lives and it will always hold a special place in our hearts. During that time we met and became friends with Tung who back then was just setting up his new business.  The business model was touring around Saigon at night on the back of a motorbike, driven by the most amazingly smart and articulate young Vietnamese women in ao dai's, all whilst explaining the history of the city and its 24 districts and safely sampling the best street food the city has to offer. Hell yes!  Best idea ever!  Fast forward a few years and XO tours has been named as one of the top 9 food tours in the world by Forbes Magazine. He's an ideas man that Tung! Over 100,000 tours later and with an expansion into night sightseeing tours as well as photography tours, there really is something for everyone.

So when we had the chance to meet up with our old friend Jack who was going to be in Ho Chi for a week, we jumped at the chance to hop on a quick 2 hour flight from KL and met up to reminisce about the good old days!  Why do XO again?  Are you kidding me?  It wasn't even a consideration not to.  Firstly, the Saigon on our first ever tour back in the day actually in no way resembles the Saigon of today.  It is such an ever-changing and dynamic city. In fact, you could probably do this tour once a month and still see something new every time. The girls change (but they are always incredible, I don't know how Tung finds them!), the restaurants change, the menu changes and the routes are regularly changing also. I also get a real buzz out of going on the tour with people who have not done it before (although Jack is now a 2 time veteran!) and I get to see the pure joy on their face as we fly through the city, with every sight, smell and sound assaulting their senses.  Nothing like it.  I have recommended XO to so many people over the years and every single one without exception has told me upon their return that it was the absolute highlight of their time in Vietnam.  I suggest do it as early on in your trip as you can as it really does give you a feel for the city, and you will fall in love with it!  One thing that does not change is the moment at the end of the tour when the girls drop you back at your hotel and you have to say goodbye to a friend.  Seriously.  Every. Single. Time. I have to run away because I am in tears.

So below is a series of pics that encapsulate our Saturday night on the town with XO. This time we actually experienced something we had not experienced previously.  RAIN.  Only rained for about 30 minutes but I BLOODY loved it.  Exhilarating!  Enjoy the ride!!!

AND Nick got to watch the footy!!