Saigon Dinner Cruise Guide: Which Cruise to Book

Featured image: qragon, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.

Which Saigon dinner cruise should you pick?

Start with how you want to spend the evening. A cruise is one stop in a bigger night out, so pair it with our Ho Chi Minh City nightlife guide if you want a plan for after dinner. Only Benthanh Princess has 2026 figures on its official site. Rows for the other operators come from 2021 listings, so confirm that each vessel still sails before you plan around it.

• Pick Benthanh Princess if you want a published 2026 price and a choice between cruise-only and set menu.
• Pick Indochina Queen if you are booking for a large group and like a fixed 7:45 PM sailing.
• Pick The Boat if you prefer a 27-guest vessel heading toward An Phú and Thanh Đa Island over the downtown skyline.
• Pick Elisa if you are planning a celebration and can book ahead for at least two guests.

What you see from the river

Benthanh Princess names its route in order. You pass Nhà Rồng Wharf first, then the Thủ Ngữ flag tower and the Trần Hưng Đạo statue. Next come the Tôn Đức Thắng Museum and Ba Son Bridge. The route then reaches Thủ Thiêm 1 Bridge and ends with Landmark 81, with Bến Bạch Đằng park listed as a viewpoint. Its 700 m² top deck offers 360-degree views, so head up once dinner service settles. A 2021 listing says fireworks rise from Landmark 81 on New Year's Eve and national day. The Boat is different, because it heads toward An Phú and Thanh Đa Island instead of the downtown towers.

Costs and what is included

Prices and hours checked November 2026 on the operator's site. Benthanh Princess lists a cruise-only ticket from ₫300,000 per adult. That ticket covers tax, service charge, the 2-hour cruise, live music, close-up magic and one drink. Drink choices are red or white wine, draft Tiger beer, fruit juice, still water or a soft drink. The set-menu ticket starts at ₫980,000 and adds a dinner. One child under 6 travels free with each adult. If dinner is not a priority, take the cheaper ticket and eat beforehand. Pay for the set menu if you want the full evening on board. Third-party dinner listings can differ, and one reseller page excludes alcohol, tea and coffee. For families, ask the operator directly about stroller space and wheelchair access.

Getting there and timing

Several listings give the departure point as Saigon Port, 5 Nguyễn Tất Thành, in District 4. Benthanh Princess also names Saigon Port as its starting point. You may expect a pier near Bach Dang Wharf or the Bitexco area in District 1, but listings do not point there. Match the address on your ticket before you leave. From District 1, a taxi or ride-hailing car is the simple option. Indochina Queen opens boarding at 6:30 PM and sails at 7:45 PM, which leaves 75 minutes of buffer. Benthanh Princess lists evening event hours of 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Book your ride back before you board, because cars thin out as the night goes on. Sunset departures show the river in daylight, while later sailings put the lit-up towers in view. Rain is the one variable you cannot book around, so ask what happens if the weather turns.

Booking direct, through a reseller or via your hotel

Booking direct gives you the operator's own tiers and terms. Elisa asks guests to book ahead, with at least two people per booking. A reseller listing for a 3-hour dinner tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, with a buffet or set menu. It is run by a third party, VN Bike Tour. Its terms give a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Compare that with the direct terms on your operator's site, since cancellation rules differ by ticket type. For city events around your dates, start with the Ho Chi Minh City tourism board. National travel information sits on Vietnam's tourism authority site. A hotel front desk can also tell you what it can arrange.

Dinner cruise on New Year's Eve and other peak nights

Benthanh Princess lists its New Year's Eve 2026 ticket from ₫1,600,000 per adult. That ticket includes a set dinner, close-up magic, fireworks and one glass of champagne. Tax, service charge and the cruise ticket are included, and one child under 6 travels free with an adult. Book early, because peak-night tickets cost more than the ₫980,000 set-menu base. Prices and menus change each year. The ticket promises fireworks but does not say where on the river you will watch them from.

Who should skip it

Skip the cruise if you dislike crowds, want a quiet meal, or would rather spend your budget on food ashore. Many sailings are lively, with live music and magic acts. For skyline views without a set dinner, try one of the best Saigon rooftop bars. For a cheap evening, walk the stalls at the Saigon Night Market Guide: Where to Go, What to Eat, What to Skip instead. Want a late drink after the boat docks? Head to a Saigon Speakeasy Bars: Hidden Spots & How to Find Them for a low-key finish.

• Arriving late: Indochina Queen boards at 6:30 PM for a 7:45 PM sailing.
• Assuming drinks are included: reseller dinners exclude alcohol, tea and coffee.
• Ignoring rain: ask about the weather plan before you pay.
• Booking the wrong boat: The Boat does not run the downtown skyline route.