Saigon River cruises and the water bus
A Saigon River cruise comes in two forms. The public water bus is a transit service on Line 1 between Bạch Đằng and Linh Đông, about 11 km. Dinner boats and sunset trips are tourist cruises with a buffet and a set departure from a pier.
The water bus fare is VND 15,000 per person for a single ride, or VND 30,000 for a return. It is not a hop-on, hop-off ticket: every new boarding is a new ride. Tickets are sold at the pier, on the website and in the app.
Our picks: Saigon River cruises
The one-hour trip works if you only want a short time on the river, and the dinner cruise fills an evening.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Dinner cruise with live music on the Saigon River
- Buffet and live music as listed
- Air-conditioned pickup
- Bottled water
A three-and-a-half-hour evening trip with transport, a guide and water. Ask before booking whether the buffet is served on your evening; other drinks cost extra.
Check availability →Saigon River dinner cruise
- Pre-selected dinner
- Private table on board
- Pickup and drop-off
An evening of about three hours with one to two hours on the river; you choose buffet or set menu in advance.
Check availability →
One hour on the Saigon River with a sliding roof
- Boat with a captain
- Sliding roof for sun or rain
- Guide and toilet on board
The shortest way onto the river without giving up a whole evening. Drinks and snacks are sold separately on board.
Check availability →Saigon River cruises and dinner boats
Dinner cruises and evening boat trips on the Saigon River, with live prices and availability.
Water bus or dinner boat
Two different ways onto the river.
| Option | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Water bus, Line 1 | VND 15,000 single, VND 30,000 return | A public ride on the river, no meal |
| Dinner boat | About VND 900,000 to 990,000 per adult, depending on group size | Buffet dinner on board; drinks mostly extra |
Dinner boat prices vary by boat, date and group size, and holidays can be excluded, so treat the figure as a rough level. Children aged 6 to 12 pay VND 450,000 to 495,000, and younger children are free.
For most visitors who just want to be on the water, the water bus is the cheap choice. Pick a dinner boat if you want an evening meal with the skyline.
Water bus: hours, free riders and the timetable
The water bus runs every day. Hours are 07:00 to 21:00 from Monday to Friday and 07:00 to 23:00 on weekends and holidays. That is the operating window, not a boat on every hour or at the last minute at every stop.
Seniors from 70 years, children under 1 year, people with disabilities and war invalids ride free. Ask at the pier what proof is needed. The departure board is a graphic, so check the current timetable at the pier or in the app before you go.
The line starts at the Bạch Đằng pier. Dinner boats may leave from other piers, so do not assume that one pier serves both.
Sunset and evening on the river
What to expect after dark.
Sunset
A sunset cruise gives you the light at the end of the day, but clouds can hide the sun. The weather decides, not the ticket.
The skyline
The river gives views of the Bitexco Tower and Landmark 81. Towers are lit in the evening, and the view from the water differs from the street.
Booking
Ask about the pier, boarding time, route and what drinks cost. Prices change by date and group size.
The river and Cu Chi
Some programs use the river to reach Cu Chi. On some programs the trip takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. This is a tour, not a public ferry.
Plan the rest of your days
Near the river and beyond.
Saigon River cruises: frequently asked questions
How much is the Saigon River water bus?
VND 15,000 per person for one ride and VND 30,000 for a return. Each new boarding is a new ride.
What are the water bus hours?
07:00 to 21:00 from Monday to Friday, 07:00 to 23:00 on weekends and holidays. Check the current timetable at the pier.
How much is a dinner cruise on the Saigon River?
Expect roughly VND 900,000 to 990,000 per adult in 2026, depending on group size, with drinks mostly extra. Other boats differ.
Will I see the sunset?
Not guaranteed. A sunset cruise depends on the weather and the clouds.
Who rides the water bus for free?
Children under 1 year, seniors from 70 years, people with disabilities and war invalids. Ask at the pier what proof is needed.