Setting Sail with the Best Cruises in Ho Chi Minh City
The Saigon River flows through the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, offering a perspective of the skyline and landmarks that you simply cannot experience from land.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful sunset escape or a romantic dinner on the water, a river cruise can turn an ordinary evening into something memorable.
To help you choose the right experience, we’ve explored the different cruise options available. We focused on atmosphere, routes, and overall experience on the water.
The result of that is this comprehensive guide to the best cruises in Ho Chi Minh City that you can rely on for your next river adventure.
How much does a cruise fare cost in Ho Chi Minh City?
Cruise fares in Ho Chi Minh City cost 15,000 VND for highly affordable public transit routes to 990,000 VND for luxurious five-star dining experiences exceeding
| Cruise Type | Average Cost (VND) |
| Public Waterbus | 15,000 |
| Sightseeing & Sunset | 150,000 – 300,000 |
| Luxury Dining | 300,000 – 990,000+ |
1. Saigon River Sightseeing
Website:https://saigonriversightseeing.com/
Address: 10B Ton Duc Thang Street, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Contact: 1900 636 978 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Sunday 8 AM–11:30 PM
Saigon River Sightseeing is a great way to end a day of urban exploration, especially when catching the sunset over the water. The two-deck vessel is designed to give completely unobstructed views of the skyline.
We found their top-deck Sky Seat particularly spectacular for photographing Landmark 81 as the city lights began to sparkle.
What’s even better is that you can choose between indoor cabins and breezy open-air decks based on your budget. Plus, each ticket already includes a complimentary pastry and live traditional music.
The tours depart every hour from late afternoon until night, making it very easy to fit into a busy schedule.
That said, tickets are strictly non-refundable once purchased. This requires you to commit to your chosen time slot regardless of sudden travel changes.
Customer Reviews
Wonderful experience
Wonderful experience. Boats are clean. We were given an ice cream & a drink & 2 talented musicians played aong the cruise, well managed, attentive & on time. The got seats on the sky side and seatswere super comfy .
- Denise Hernández- Wright Google Review
The boat was clean, spacious, and comfortable
I had a wonderful time on the Saigon River Sightseeing cruise. The boat was clean, spacious, and comfortable, and the staff were friendly, helpful, and very professional. The trip offered beautiful views of Ho Chi Minh City from the river, creating a relaxing and memorable experience.
Highly recommend this service to anyone visiting Saigon!
- Nguyễn Thị Thúy An Google Review
2. Les Rives – Authentic River Experience
Website:https://lesrivesexperience.com/
Address: 1st Floor, Room 15, IBC Building 1A Cong Truong Me Linh, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City
Contact: +84 (0) 78 592 0018 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 AM–6 PM
Escaping heavy city traffic by jumping straight onto a luxury speedboat changes the way we experience the region entirely.
Les Rives uses these agile vessels to bypass congested roads and navigate narrow, hidden waterways that larger boats simply cannot access.
By timing itineraries to avoid peak arrival hours, the experience feels quieter and more personal, especially on trips to popular sites like the Cu Chi Tunnels.
We also like that the tour runs on an all-inclusive model with quality meals and direct hotel transfers, offering a structured alternative to self-guided walks.
They keep the group size capped at 15 passengers, creating an intimate atmosphere where you can easily converse with the knowledgeable guides.
Because the experience focuses on premium speedboats and extensive logistics, the cost is noticeably higher than standard road transport or mass-capacity riverboats.
Customer Reviews
We had a fantastic trip to the cu chi tunnels today by speedboat
We had a fantastic trip to the cu chi tunnels today by speedboat. Taxi pick up from our hotel, breakfast and plenty of drink on board then a fantastic lunch afterwards. They even supplied ponchos when it started raining. Unfortunately I’m not 100% sure of the name of our guide (possibly Cau?) – but he was excellent. His English was fantastic and he told us fascinating stories about the war including some from his father who spent time in the tunnels. All in all, I would highly recommend this trip with Les Rives
- Pennie Withers Google Review
The service they provide is really top notch
I did the cu chi tunnels and Mekong delta cruise with Les Rives. The service they provide is really top notch. Unlimited drinks and quality lunch and snacks were much appreciated. The tour guide for the Mekong Delta was especially helpful in understanding everyday life for the people of Vietnam and explaining some of the Buddhist temples along the way. Overall a great cultural experience !
- Y E Google Review
3. Saigon Princess – Luxurious Dining Cruise
Website:http://www.saigonprincess.com.vn/
Address: Saigon Port 05 Nguyen Tat Thanh St., Xom Chieu W Ho Chi Minh City
Contact: (+84) 88 890 1068 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Sunday 6–9:30 PM
Stepping aboard the Saigon Princess Cruise instantly turns an ordinary evening into something far more glamorous, thanks to its design inspired by classic European colonial architecture.
The ship’s bright white exterior and expansive top-deck sundeck offer a sweeping panoramic view of the modern riverside skyline. It really sets the tone for a premium dining cruise.
We also like how structured the culinary experience is. They have a five-star Executive Chef and a Food and Beverage Director leading an international menu that accommodates different dietary preferences.
If you’re traveling with a large party, the ship even offers distinct private dining rooms that shield your celebration from the main crowd.
It’s no wonder many travel agencies frequently recommend them for romantic milestones or corporate events.
Their luxurious positioning, though, does come with a steep price tag. Their departure timetable is rigid too, so late arrivals risk missing the voyage entirely.
Customer Reviews
Service is impeccable, food is top quality
We had a beautiful breeze to accompany us on a pre-booked roof top Saigon River cruise. The city lights add to the entrancing experience. Service is impeccable, food is top quality, very well presented and menus are innotive. A wonderful experience.
- Anne L. Google Review
We enjoyed our dinner at the cruise and the views from the deck
We enjoyed our dinner at the cruise and the views from the deck. That evening it poured heavily so we couldn’t enjoy the song party at the deck but overall it was a beautiful experience.
- Ashesh Bharadwaj Google Review
4. Saigon Boat Company
Website:https://www.saigonboatcompany.com/
Address: 10B Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City
Contact: +84 (0) 909 844 813 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Sunday 7 AM–11 PM
For those who prefer a quieter journey away from large crowds, Saigon Boat Company offers a classic wooden boat experience with a capped passenger limit of 20.
That smaller group size creates a more refined atmosphere, especially for curious sightseers who want a more personal view of the river.
During an afternoon ride, they have a dedicated host that provide live historical commentary.
We also like the thoughtful design of the boats themselves, from the sliding all-weather roof to the fully stocked bar. It’s easy to enjoy a draft beer while learning about the city.
Full meals are not served on board, though, so dining needs to be planned elsewhere.
It’s also quite a short trip, with standard tours lasting only about sixty minutes, so they are best suited for quick daytime excursions.
It’s also a bummer that they don’t offer wheelchair accessibility.
Customer Reviews
It’s the best tour on the river
I highly recommend the hour Saigon river boat tour. I think it’s the best tour on the river if you’re looking for a quick affordable experience and not a full cruise/dinner. The seats are very comfortable and the roof is retractable, so there are great views for sightseeing and taking pictures. The boat personnel are very friendly and professional. they offer to take pictures, and provide you with information about the skyline and other interesting facts.
- steve lazari Google Review
Interesting boat cruising concept to see Saigon River
Interesting boat cruising concept to see Saigon river. From the rurals side of the city to the urban side.
Two private charter packages to be chosen from, breakfast cruise or the sunset cruise. Both is around 2 hours each cruise.
Free flow of food, fruits and drinks served during my breakfast cruise.
Got to see lots of riverside villas and properties up close. Including some celebrities explained by our friendly and helpful tour guide.
Must try in Saigon.
- Johnson Lam Google Review
5. Lotus Cruises
Website:http://www.lotuscruises.com/
Address: 48 Bui Bang Doan Tan Phong Ward, District 7 Ho Chi Minh City
Contact: +84 28 5410 7882 | +84 938 686 883 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM–5 PM; Saturday, 8–11:30 AM
A multi-day river journey feels far more refined when it blends traditional elegance with modern hotel comfort, and Lotus Cruises delivers exactly that experience.
The ships feature some of the most spacious, high-ceilinged suites on the water. They are combining French colonial styling with full luxury amenities for a slow, immersive journey through the region.
We like that the itinerary goes beyond Vietnam and connects directly to Cambodia.
The onboard experience is also shaped by a farm-to-table culinary philosophy that supports local agriculture. They even impose a clear zero-plastic policy that reflects a genuine sustainability focus.
Service is another strong point, especially with multilingual guides and attentive butler support for higher-tier suite guests.
Just keep in mind that this is a boutique, family-run fleet. Departure dates are limited, and the ships don’t include the large-scale entertainment facilities you would find on bigger ocean liners.
Customer Reviews
We have enjoyed every minute
We have never been on a river cruise before and this experience has been absolutely amazing. Lotus Cruises, have really looked after us and we have enjoyed every minute and cannot speak highly enough about all of their staff. Extremely professional, each and every one of them, and always keen to accommodate any individual requirements with a smile.
- Kevin Mordrick Google Review
The most perfect river cruise
The most perfect river cruise. First time on a river cruise and I was so impressed with The Mekong Navigator. The ship was immaculate and the staff so welcoming and knowledgeable nothing was too much trouble for them. I would definitely recommend.
- Dolina Ballantine Google Review