Skip to content
Les Rives Speedboat to Cu Chi tunnels

Authentic River Experience

Discover the Best of Saigon

Luxury Saigon River tours by speedboat, far from the coach crowds.

15
Years of TripAdvisor Excellence
4,681
Excellent TripAdvisor reviews
237,236
Guests served since 2010
100%
Authentic - No Shopping Stops

Les Rives Authentic River Experience

Saigon River Tours by Speedboat

Let us lead the way to the spectacular southern of Vietnam. Les Rives was the first company to run luxury Saigon River tours by speedboat, and more than a decade on, it is still what we do best. We put your comfort, enjoyment and safety ahead of everything else.

Our boats slip away from the city traffic to reach corners of southern Vietnam most visitors never see: the winding canals of the Mekong Delta, the UNESCO-listed Can Gio Biosphere Reserve, and the tunnel networks of Cu Chi. Each is only a short ride from the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. You can spend half a day or a full day on the water, and every route uncovers the country’s warm spirit, lush nature and deep history.

We don’t run coach tours. We run speedboats. That means backwaters no road can reach, small groups instead of crowded buses, and a pace set by you rather than a timetable. Every year we spend months exploring new channels and building friendships with the families who live along them, so the places we take you stay authentic. It is a way of seeing Saigon and its rivers that feels personal, unhurried and genuinely local. It is the reason guests have trusted Les Rives since 2010.

Les Rives Tour Guide
Les Rives Team
Les Rives Speedboat to Cu Chi

What makes a Les Rives day different.

  • Authentic Experiences

    Real local culture, down backwaters most tours never find. No forced shopping stops.

  • Exclusive Small Groups

    Intimate tours, shaped around what you actually want to see.

  • Smart Timing

    We plan around the buses, so you skip the peak-hour crowds.

  • Expert Guides

    Internationally licensed, English-fluent, and genuinely good company.

  • Speedboat, Not Bus

    Trade the long coach ride for an open-water run on the river.

  • Safety First

    International-standard safety gear on every boat, every trip.

Don't just take our word for it.

Amanda P

Great tour

Anna, gave us a great tour. This is one of the more expensive Cu Chi tours but worth it. We got there in 1 hour 15 mins and we're back at the hotel by 12.30. Nice and cool to be on the water and we missed the crowds too. Lunch was delicious and we were well looked after. Great to learn about life in the tunnels.

Nicolle D

Mekong delta speedboat tour

This was a great tour from start to finish. Our beautiful guide lucky made our day enjoyable. We all had the best time. Her knowledge of the locals and the area was incredible and she was so happy and kind and we had many laughs she was so helpful. On the boat ride we were given as much ice cold water and soft drink as we wanted as well as fresh local fruits that was continually served throughout our trip. We were taken to a lovely local orchard and our host was very nice. Lucky walked us through and introduced us to all the fruit grown and taught us about all the benefits of the tree the fruit and leaves then stopped for some tea and tried some amazing fruit that the host had laid out for us. We headed to a pagoda then to the local markets the people were lovely and left you alone to look at their stalls with smiles lucky helped with interpreting which made it easier to purchase things. We headed to cai dei temple, it was beautiful and very peaceful, before heading to a local boarding school that housed orphans and local children. We passed through at nap time with the children attempting to rest. They were adorable and their smiles and giggles were infectious. The school was amazing. We then got back on the boat and headed to a stop and were transferred to sampon boats and were taken on a little ride rowed by local to experience the river. We then headed to a local coconut farm and we all got to try our hand at cutting coconuts under the guidance of lucky this was so much fun. We then hopped back on the boat and were taken to a local restaurant where we were served a delicious lunch before heading back on the boat to the city. All in all this was a great trip and would highly recommend it. We had the best day. Thank you lucky and the team on board 🇦🇺

Jenny Bourgeois

What a day. It was an early start - a great way to travel to the tunnels - boat. So much to see along the way. Once at the tunnels we were the first group to view it all. Amazing story about the war and the tunnels. Lunch was great - like all the food on our trip. Well worth the early start.

Naomi Arnaud

Always such a great experience with Les Rives! I’ve brought many visiting friends on their tours and it never disappoints! They are so friendly and informative, we always learn so much and the guides always make us laugh too. Plus the boat is such a relaxing and calm way to get to the tunnels :)

Mark Skelton

Thoroughly enjoyable trip. Everything was very smooth, from hotel pick up, boat trip up the river, tour of the tunnels and drop off back at the hotel. The guide was knowledgeable and very friendly. Although the tunnels have been enlarged, they are still quite tight and give you a great sense of how terrible life must have been for the people hiding there. Going by boat at 7am is the way to go, as you arrive before all the buses and crowds get there. Highly recommended trip.

Pards S

Great Last Day in Vietnam

Spent my last day in Vietnam exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels with my friend living in HCMC & it was a great experience. I really enjoyed the speedboat to the tunnels & more importantly our tour guide Anna was very informative regarding the history & encouraging to try going in the tunnels + firing range which elevated the experience. Would recommend!

Julian J

Cu Chi Tunnels Boat Trip and Tour

Very direct and quick experience of the Cu Chi Tunnels through the Saigon river. Early morning departure is easy and speedy pickup and complementary food and drinks on boat alleviates any issues, and avoids the larger crowds from later in the day. Lucky (our tour guide) was very clear and informative, quickly filling in answers for many of our questions before we even asked them and providing detailed information!

Coops WA

A well organised and executed tour. Lucky was a great guide. The food at the end of thenl ground tour was excellent. The speed boat ride was smooth and also gave a little extra perspective on how things were for participants of the conflict. Would recommend to all to do this way and beat the bus tours.

Ryan Anwander

This was such an amazing experience. Anh was our guide and she was phenomenal. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to see the tunnels and want a comfortable and no hassle way to do it. Their whole team is beyond exceptional.

Joy A

Cu Chi tunnels

The guide was very knowledgeable and could answer all the questions asked. Great lunch after tour. Best and fastest way to get to the tunnels earlier than the crowds on tour buses and boat trip about 1.30 hours each way. Well worth the extra price.

katy peters

What a wondeful start to our holiday. This is the only way to get to the tunnels . So much fun on the way there and it meant we got to the tunnels with no one else there so the morning was just amazing. Our guide was so helpful and informative It’s a must do.

Naki D

Smooth and experience

We had Anna as our guide, she made the experience very smooth from a prompt pickup to detailed explanations throughout the tour. The tour itself was smooth with amazing food and non stop fruits and refreshments. We visited many different locations outside the city and had a nice change in pace. Highly recommend

J C

A very unique place on earth - Cu Chi

We arrived early at Cu Chi Tunnel by a speedboat to avoid the crowd. Our guide Hang explained to us what we saw while on the river, like the half dismantled bridge, different types of hospitals, flood control mechanisms, buildings for bird nests, etc. She is extremely knowledgeable seasoned with a sense of humour. For example, she showed us what kind of juice from flowers could be used as shampoo / why they cooked rice in bamboo instead of pots. Of course she explained in details the tunnels and the war.

Glenda B

The Best Way to Experience Cu Chi Tunnels

This tour was very well organized and operated. The pickup was on time, our boat captain was great and the service on board with fruit and cold drinks was very attentive. Anna is an excellent guide - she took us through the Cu Chi site and was extremely knowledgeable. It was fascinating to learn about the ingenuity and resilience of the resistance fighters. Anna explained so much detail and kept our group moving along so we could see everything before the midday heat and many of the crowds of other tour groups arrived. Highly recommend this experience. The boat ride along the river to and from Cu Chi was enjoyable and much better than sitting in traffic!

Jemma Abey

Amazing! Our guide was so knowledgeable and even shared personal experiences that her loved ones have had living in the tunnels which was very special. Honestly, don’t bother with any of the other tour companies. We saw them while there, the groups are huge and you don’t get to see as much. Les Rives has small groups, quicker travel on the speed boat and a yummy lunch also. Well worth the extra cost compared to other companies.

Chris D

Private Boat Tour

From great communication and booking process to the seamless pick up and departure our trip was made very simple and enjoyable. We had a private tour with Lucky who spoke excellent English and was informative, helpful and humorous through the day. She spoke excellent English and understood the kind of tour we were after The boat crew were brilliant with cold drinks and fresh fruit in hand. Overall a great experience thank you

caljo

Cu Chi tunnels by Mekong River

Had an excellent river trip to Cu Chi Tunnels. The boat is much faster than by road and you get there early before the crowds. Hotel pick up was on time . We had a bahn mi for breakfast on the boat plus a Vietnamese coffee. Fruit, Water and coke were also provided. Anna our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and made sure we were altogether before she started speaking. After the tour we had an amazing lunch of local food, before heading back to Ho Ch Minh. A bit more expensive than by road but definitely well worth it.

730DeniseH

Must do experience while in Ho Chi Minh City

Very enjoyable and interesting tour on the speed boat and authentic Vietnamese canoes exploring the Mekong Delta. Anna was lovely and very informative. Relaxing and fun cultural immersive day. Food on the trip was very nice. Would definitely recommend.

J C

A very unique place on earth - Cu Chi

We arrived early at Cu Chi Tunnel by a speedboat to avoid the crowd. Our guide Hang explained to us what we saw while on the river, like the half dismantled bridge, different types of hospitals, flood control mechanisms, buildings for bird nests, etc. She is extremely knowledgeable seasoned with a sense of humour. For example, she showed us what kind of juice from flowers could be used as shampoo / why they cooked rice in bamboo instead of pots. Of course she explained in details the tunnels and the war.

Sascha Hoffmann

We had a wonderful day with Les Rives Authentic River Experience on the Can Gio Mangrove Forest by Speedboat tour. From the punctual pickup to the smooth transitions between each activity, everything was thoughtfully organized and relaxed. Our guide, Lucky, was warm, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout the day. She brought the experience to life with fascinating insights into Vietnamese culture and nature, while her friendly enthusiasm made the tour feel personal rather than routine. The comfortable speedboat ride along the Saigon River was a highlight in itself, with the breeze on our faces and the changing scenery unfolding around us. At an authentic local market, Lucky introduced us to Vietnam’s colorful fruits, fresh fish, and distinctive meat specialties. The lively atmosphere, unfamiliar aromas, and local character made it feel like a genuine glimpse into everyday life rather than a tourist stop. In Can Gio, we glided through the quiet mangrove waterways in a traditional rowing boat, surrounded by tangled roots, green foliage, and the soft sounds of the forest. We saw bats, monkeys, and crocodiles, then enjoyed a peaceful walk beneath the mangrove canopy. Each part of the day offered something different, from wildlife encounters to moments of calm in nature. A delicious and authentic Vietnamese lunch was the perfect finale, filled with fresh flavors and comforting aromas. The small group, generous tropical fruit, and refreshing drinks created a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere throughout the day. This tour beautifully combines nature, wildlife, local culture, and excellent food. Lucky made the experience truly special with her warmth, knowledge, and enthusiasm. We highly recommend this memorable day and would give it five stars without hesitation!

Marco Carstanjen

Amazing trip! We thoroughly enjoyed evert minute of it. My special thanks go out to a wonderful guide/woman called Hang, we had with us!!! She was super knowledgeable and joy to be with. I want say a big big THANK YOU to her personally!!! The captain and his crew were also outstanding!

Annie D

Best way to visit Cu Chi and no annoying traffic jam

I will highly recommend this tour if you want to visit Cu Chi Tunnels. Go by speedboat is a great experience as it can avoid the bad traffic jam and also enjoy the view of Saigon River. Faster and more comfortable. The crew are also very nice, be very clear about the schedule what's next, where to plan the short rest. Our tour guide Lucky makes our tour totally exceeding the expectations, she has great knowledge about the Cu Chi Tunnel and the history behind, she is taking care us especially the young kid every nicely. The Tour also included the fresh fruits and cold drinks on the boat and one nice and fresh lunch. I think it's a much better choice than the bus tour.

Leah L

Fantanstic

We really enjoyed our Can Gio tour with Les Rives. Going to Can Gio by speedboat was such a different experience, and my whole family really enjoyed the journey. The tour was not crowded, so everything felt very chill and relaxing. Our guide Anna and another male guide were both very friendly, helpful and enthusiastic. We also really enjoyed seeing the wildlife and exploring the mangrove forest. We travelled with my parents, who are over 60, and my 5-year-old daughter, so I was a little worried that the trip might be tiring for them. But surprisingly, no one felt tired at all — everyone just really enjoyed it! Definitely a great experience for families and a different way to explore Can Gio.

diederikb1961

Amazing service and insights

Picked up from our hotel and brought to the docks to board the boat. On the way up had a nice, simple breakfast served, with lovely iced coffee. Anne explained lots of ins & outs of this tour, while the helmsman expertly maneuvered the boat through heavy cargo traffic and fields of water hyacinths. Each stop was enlightening and gave us more/better insight in rural Vietnam, it's culture and people. Every time re-boarding the boat another fresh fruit was presented by the very attentive and friendly crew. Keeping us hydrated and eager to see/learn more. After a delicious, farm stay, lunch we headed back to HCM. Looking back at a highly recommendable tour, with great people, taking care of you, your comfort and safety at every turn of the Mekong Delta.

Moments from the river.

181 photographs from 66 travellers

As featured in

Unforgettable journeys, carefully crafted for you

Tell us how you like to travel and we'll tailor the river to you, small groups, private departures, your own pace.

Opening secure booking…