Saigon tastes better through a small metal filter. This private Vietnamese coffee and tea experience in Ho Chi Minh City pairs a stop at Cheo Leo Cafe with hands-on brewing, calm tea sips, and a shared vegetarian meal.

I love two things most: I get to make coffee with a phin filter and I also enjoy the slow, aromatic tea moments that turn the tour into something more relaxed than a quick tasting run.

One thing to consider: the tour is weather-dependent, and it moves at a comfortable pace with several short sit-and-sip breaks, so it’s not ideal if you only want nonstop sightseeing.

Key highlights at a glance

• Cheo Leo Cafe, the oldest coffee shop in Saigon in small alley surroundings filled with coffee smell
• Hands-on phin brewing plus tasting popular Vietnamese coffee styles like phin and cà phê sữa đá
• Vietnamese tea exploration with aroma-focused sipping and easy conversation
• Vietnamese vegetarian meal for sharing so the food feels social, not like a rushed lunch
• Private transportation and pickup offered to keep your day stress-free in busy central areas
• A small surprise after the trip (exact details aren’t spelled out, but it’s part of the experience)

Cheo Leo Cafe: tasting coffee where Saigon’s story starts

If you like your Vietnam experiences to feel specific, this first stop is built for that. Cheo Leo Cafe is described as the oldest coffee shop in Saigon, and it’s the kind of place where you’ll naturally lower your voice and look around. You’re led through small alleys, guided by one simple reality: the air smells like Vietnamese coffee—bitter first, then sweet.

This is also where you get a proper introduction to the drinks. You’ll taste coffee styles tied to Vietnamese coffee culture, including phin coffee and cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee with condensed milk). Even if you’ve had Vietnamese coffee back home, the difference here is that you’re tasting in context. You’re not just swallowing a caffeine hit; you’re building an idea of what Vietnamese coffee is supposed to feel like.

The one-hour stop works well for most people. It’s long enough to taste more than one cup and ask questions, but short enough that you won’t feel trapped in a long café session. If you don’t like strong coffee, ask early so they can guide your tasting—don’t wait until you’re already in the thick of it.

Your phin filter brew: how coffee becomes a ritual

The tour’s next focus is practical: making Vietnamese coffee using a phin filter. This is where the experience shifts from tasting to doing, and that matters. When you brew it yourself, the flavors stop being a mystery. You start noticing how the coffee changes as it runs through the filter and how it pairs with common Vietnamese additions.

You’ll also taste different types of coffee during this stop. That’s helpful because Vietnamese coffee isn’t one flavor. Some versions go more bitter, some feel rounder and sweeter, and the iced version—cà phê sữa đá—is often the one people compare everything to.

What I like about this approach is that it doesn’t treat coffee as a science project. It treats it as a daily habit. You get to watch the process, then take your own turn, and finally taste again. That loop—see, do, sip—makes the whole day feel coherent instead of like three unrelated stops.

If you’re someone who loves learning through food and drink, this part is the anchor. It’s also a great fit for mixed groups, since everyone can participate at their own pace. If you’re worried about your comfort with café culture, relax: this is an experience designed for beginners as well as coffee fans.

Vietnamese tea sips: aroma, conversation, and a calmer pace

After coffee, the tour turns to Vietnamese tea. Tea here isn’t presented as a side note—it’s treated as a main act, with a group-style moment built around sips, aroma, and conversation.

In this stop, you gather and take a few sips of tea, then focus on what you smell and how the taste sits. That might sound simple, but it changes the way you experience it. Coffee days often feel fast. Tea moments make you slow down, notice the temperature, and pay attention to the difference between aroma and flavor.

The tour also leans into simple conversation—described as sharing something straightforward and profound at the same time. That’s a fancy way of saying you’re not just collecting information. You’re tasting, then chatting. It’s the kind of stop that can be surprisingly memorable if you’re traveling solo or if your group wants a break from photo-chasing.

You may find this tea segment especially appealing if:

• you don’t drink coffee every day
• you prefer lower caffeine energy during part of your trip
• you want a more reflective feel in the middle of a busy city day

If you’re expecting a strict lecture, you may be a little surprised. The value is in the hands-on sipping and the calm rhythm.

The vegetarian meal for sharing: the social payoff

By the time you reach the meal stop, you’ve already tasted a lot—coffee, then tea—so the food feels like a reset. You sit down together and enjoy flavorful Vietnamese vegetarian dishes, designed for sharing.

The key detail here is the sharing format. Instead of one plated meal that’s easy to power through, you get communal dishes. That tends to make the table talk better, and it helps you try more than one thing without overthinking it.

Because the exact dishes aren’t listed, I won’t guess. What I can say from the structure is that this is meant to be satisfying, not just a token “vegetarian option.” You’re also provided with bottled water, which is a nice practical touch on a day built around tasting hot and chilled drinks.

If you’re traveling with someone who cares about food choices, this meal stop is a strong match. And if you’re not vegetarian, you’ll still likely appreciate it: vegetarian Vietnamese food often leans on fresh herbs, thoughtful seasoning, and lighter textures—perfect after coffee and tea.

How the timing and private transport make this easy

This experience is built as a private tour, with only your group participating. That matters more than it sounds. In Ho Chi Minh City, where traffic and crowd flow can be unpredictable, a private setup helps you keep the day smooth rather than stressful.

You’re also offered pickup, plus you’ll use a mobile ticket. Between those two, the logistics feel lighter: you spend more time tasting and learning, less time figuring out where to meet and how to get there.

The total duration is about five hours, with each main stop running roughly an hour. That rhythm is smart. One-hour blocks are long enough to experience something properly—like tasting at Cheo Leo Cafe or brewing your own coffee—but short enough to avoid the “too much, too fast” feeling that can happen on longer food tours.

The tour is also described as requiring good weather. That’s worth noting because it can affect how comfortable your alley walking or outdoor pauses feel. If your schedule is tight, keep a little flexibility so you’re not stuck dealing with a forced change.

Price and value: what $97 gets you in Saigon

At $97 for about five hours, this isn’t a cheap impulse buy. But when you look at what’s included, it becomes more reasonable.

You get:

• coffee and/or tea experiences during the tour
• private transportation
• lunch made up of Vietnamese vegetarian dishes
• bottled water for the day
• an admission ticket at Cheo Leo Cafe (the oldest coffee shop in Saigon stop)

Add in the fact that you’re not sharing the experience with strangers, and you start to see where the money goes. Private transport plus guided, structured tasting is often what makes food-and-drink tours feel worth it—because it reduces friction and turns eating into an organized learning moment.

The best value in this tour is that you don’t just taste. You brew with a phin filter and you do tea sips as part of a guided moment. That active element usually makes a bigger difference than people expect.

So, is it a value? For me, yes—if you want a guided, private morning or afternoon around Vietnamese coffee culture and you’d rather spend money on experiences than on squeezing in random cafés by yourself.

Who should book this tea and coffee tour

This is a strong fit if you:

• want a focused Vietnamese coffee experience in Ho Chi Minh City, not a long checklist tour
• enjoy hands-on food and drink learning
• like quieter, conversation-friendly moments as much as tasting
• prefer a private day with pickup and transportation

It also works well as a first food tour in Saigon, because it teaches you a foundation: coffee culture, how phin brewing works, and how Vietnamese tea fits into daily life.

If you’re only interested in major attractions and fast photo spots, this might feel too slow. The point here isn’t sightseeing landmarks. The point is tasting and learning in a way that feels local and personal.

One more note about the tour’s vibe: it’s branded around #no-plastic, #spiritual, #exclusive, #release, and #local. Even if those are hashtags and not a full manifesto, the structure supports that tone: more mindful sipping, less rushing, and a calmer atmosphere built into the pacing.

Should you book this tea and coffee experience?

I’d book it if you’re the type of traveler who remembers flavors, not just photos. The mix of Cheo Leo Cafe, hands-on phin brewing, Vietnamese tea sipping, and a shared vegetarian meal is a smart combo. It’s also private and paced in hour-long blocks, which makes it feel manageable in a city that can be hectic.

Skip it if you want a tight, nonstop schedule or if you’re only chasing classic tourist sights. Also, plan for weather since the tour requires good conditions.

If you want a day that feels like Saigon lived-in—coffee alley smells, tea aroma focus, and a shared meal at the end—this tour is a solid choice.

FAQ

How long is the tea and coffee experience in Ho Chi Minh City?

The tour runs for about 5 hours.

What does the $97 price include?

You’ll get coffee and/or tea experiences, private transportation, lunch with Vietnamese vegetarian dishes, bottled water, and an additional surprise after the trip.

Is pickup included and do I get a mobile ticket?

Pickup is offered, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket.

What will I taste during the tour?

You’ll taste Vietnamese coffee styles including phin and cà phê sữa đá, plus Vietnamese tea. You’ll also enjoy Vietnamese vegetarian dishes for lunch.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

What happens if the weather is bad or my plans change?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.