from
1,699,000₫
A Saigon River tour is the best way to read the city. Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City, the old Pearl of the Far East, grew up along this water; the river has run through Saigon since its very first day. It flows down from Cambodia to meet the sea near the Mekong Delta, gathering the Dong Nai and Ben Cat rivers along the way. From a speedboat you take in the full sweep of riverside life at once: fishing villages and wartime passages, glass towers and weathered old houses, all in a single afternoon.
- ~256 km
- River length
- Sunset
- The signature cruise
- 2–5 hrs
- Tour lengths
- 1863
- Dragon House wharf built
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The Secret Footsteps & Sunset Cruise by Speedboat
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What makes the Saigon River unique.
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The River That Made the City
Saigon exists because of this water. The river runs some 256 kilometres from Dau Tieng lake near the Cambodian border down to the sea, looping in tight meanders past the heart of the city it built.
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Where Ho Chi Minh Set Sail
The colonial Dragon House wharf (Nhà Rồng), built in 1863, is where a young Ho Chi Minh boarded a ship in 1911 and left Vietnam in search of independence. It still stands on the bank, now a museum.
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A Skyline in Motion
From the water the city stacks up, the 461-metre Landmark 81, Vietnam's tallest tower, glass rising over the older roofs of the port. It is at its best as the light turns gold on a sunset cruise.
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A Road Beneath the River
Since 2011 the Thu Thiem Tunnel has carried traffic through a tube sunk into the riverbed, four huge segments lowered under the Saigon River, one of Southeast Asia's most ambitious river crossings.
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A Working River
Between the towers, the river still labours: sand barges, sampans, ferries and fishing boats share the bends, with rafts of water hyacinth drifting down on the tide.
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The Riverbanks Are Our Name
"Les Rives" means the riverbanks. A nimble private speedboat reaches the narrow arms and creeks the big dinner-cruise boats can't — the Saigon River at its own pace, and its best on a sunset cruise by speedboat.
In their own words.
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!Tour duration2–3 hr
Wonderfull
It was a great experience. Absolutely it's money worth. Our guide Anna was super kid-friendly. There were plenty of snacks and drinks on board and the other staff was excellent too. They go the extra mile. Loved the fact that it wasn't mass tourism, but serene and quiet. Don't hesitate, just book.
Immersive experience with Anna and Les Rives
When a trip with a very sincere guide who has alot of warmth and patience is guiding us then it makes a good trip great and immersive. That is what Anna managed - she was very understanding and patient. We truly enjoyed our whole experience and along with convenience of the speed boat I would highly recommend booking with Les Rives.
Excellent and professional
The entire experience was excellent and professional from beginning to end. Your team was incredibly punctual, and everything ran perfectly on time.
Best tour we have been on anywhere in the world for the cost.
This tour was very well organised, the guide was very instructive and helpful, spoke perfect English. The speed boat was very clean and fast. The food and drink that was provided in the price was very good. The different stop of points in the tour were excellent and very informative.
Amazing Speedboat Tour with an Outstanding Guide
We had an amazing speedboat tour with a fantastic crew. Everyone was extremely friendly, attentive, and professional throughout the whole trip. Our tour guide was outstanding — he answered every question, had incredible knowledge, and was genuinely very sympathetic and engaging. The tour itself was exciting, informative, and full of great experiences. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a memorable and well-organized tour!
Excellent trip
Very well organised and informative trip. The hotel collection is very welcome in the heat of the city and our guide Lucky was very knowledgeable and friendly. The speedboat is a great idea , faster than bus and you get there before the crowds. Also much more interesting view and free air conditioning!
A terrific way to spend the day!
We loved this tour. Tony is an excellent guide. We learned a ton while enjoying the river and sampling lots of fruit along the way. Lunch was delicious. Highly recommend!
Outstanding excursion with brilliant guides, food and comfortable speed boat to take us there and back.
I can’t recommend this highly enough - excellent experience and a top notch tour guide to share the knowledge with us. This trip ensures you are at the park first before the crowds start to arrive to really enchance the experience.
Fantastic tour
Great tour with a knowledgeable guide, boat staff were top-notch as well. Couldn't believe the amount of food they provided on board, dont have breakfast beforehand
Amazing guide to see Saigon with 😎
Our guide Harry was AMAZING! He was knowledgeable, kind and guided us through a wonderful experience. I would recommend this experience and ask for Harry he raised the bar from great to unforgettable!!!! When we come back we will 100% look for him 😎
A great excursion into the nature of Vietnam.
A truly wonderful excursion! Our tour guide Anna gave us a fantastic introduction to the nature of Vietnam and patiently answered all our questions. It was an unforgettable experience.
Very informative, enjoyable trip
Chau (tour guide)- Quynh (host)- Van Anh (captain) looked after us so well, happy, smiley and very informative . The river trip is definitely the way to get there! Arriving before the coach loads. Staggering what the Vietnamese people went through. Well worth going.
Really enjoyable excursion - great team & experience
The experience was wonderful due to fantastic captain, guide and boat staff - really helpful, fun group, great stops. Highly recommend.
Highly recommended
Fantastic experience and highly recommended. Really enjoyed the fast boat and the professionalism and courteous nature of the staff who clearly knew the area and we’re all invested in making sure we were well looked after. Anna was a great guide who showed such professionalism and enthusiasm for the history and culture and had such a warm welcoming nature. Highly recommended.
Great experience
Our experience was fantastic. From the moment we were picked up, we felt taken care of by our guide, Kah. The speedboat was fun and exciting but also allowed us to see parts of the towns and areas along the Saigon River we wouldn’t have been able to access. The tunnel tour was informative and again, felt very well taken care of by the guide to navigate through the busy chaos. I’m glad we did this version of the tour!
Excellent trip
Hi An early start was well rewarded by being at the site well ahead of the crowd. Anna was excellent, really knew her facts and delivered it well. The boat was comfortable and there was interest all the way up the river. We had a good lunch before returning to the city Definitely worth the money
Fantastic
Such a great tour! The guide was fantastic and had great knowlegde on the site and the war. He was also balanced about how things were in the war. I learned so much in this tour and definitely recommend it.
The gallery
8 imagesThe river that made the city
Saigon grew up on its river. The Saigon River flows from Cambodia through southern Vietnam to the sea, joined inside the city by the Dong Nai and Ben Cat, and its banks carry the whole story of the place: riverside villages, wartime passages, glass towers and old timber houses side by side.
A Saigon River tour shows you the city from her best angles, and it is a gift for anyone who loves to take photographs. Most trips begin with an early-morning feast aboard the speedboat, then a cyclo ride through the oldest quarters. In Cho Lon you’ll wander “Herbal Medicine Street”, with its open-fronted shops and warm community, and take in landmarks like Cha Tam Church and Binh Tay Market, a Chinese-style architectural masterpiece. There is time to browse for souvenirs and to lose an hour in the bustling Soai Kinh Lam fabric market.
Prefer a different pace? Cover more ground in a military-style jeep, weaving between the old and new attractions of this ever-growing city, or take it slowly on a classic cyclo ride that captures Saigon at its most timeless. However you travel, our trips run from a two-hour sunset cruise to half-day combinations by boat and bike, and our crew share one aim every day: to send you home with wonderful memories.
Common questions.
Why do you ask for my passport number when booking?
We are required by Vietnamese local authorities to collect passport details for all guests before departure. If you don’t have your passport number to hand when booking, simply complete your reservation first and email your passport details to bookings@lesrivesexperience.com at your convenience before the tour. Your information is used solely for the required registration process.
Why are your tours more expensive than other operators?
Most operators run large buses to crowded sites. We travel by private luxury speedboat in small groups, arriving ahead of the crowds, with breakfast, lunch, refreshments, all entrance fees, your guide, hotel transfers and travel insurance already included, no hidden extras.
A share of every booking also supports the local riverside families and communities we work with. You’re paying for a calmer, more comfortable, more responsible day out, not just a seat.
What will I see on the Saigon River tour?
A relaxed cruise past the city’s riverside life and skyline, with your guide sharing the stories behind what you pass. Get in touch and we’ll walk you through the current route and timings.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
Full refund if you cancel at least 7 days before your tour. 50% refund for cancellations 6–3 days before. Within 3 days, the booking is non-refundable.
Where is the meeting point if my pickup location is not in your pickup zone?
The meeting point will be the Saigon Water Bus Station, please openopen this link to get the direction to the meeting point.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If conditions are unsafe, we’ll reschedule or cancel and let you know in advance, with alternative options. Light rain isn’t a problem — our speedboats have full rain protection, and we provide waterproof ponchos and umbrellas on board.
What payment methods do you accept, and is it secure?
We accept all major credit cards, cash or bank transfer. Online payments are processed by Trekksoft, our PCI-DSS-compliant booking partner, with SSL encryption, your card and personal details are never stored on our site.
Are your boats and tours safe?
Yes. Every speedboat carries complete international-standard safety equipment, life jackets for all guests, and rain protection for any season. Although our boats hold up to 20, we carry a maximum of 14–15 guests so everyone travels comfortably and safely.
Are your tours suitable for children and families?
Absolutely. Our tours suit all ages, with child-sized life jackets on board and a relaxed small-group pace that works well for families. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult — just let us know the ages when you book so we can prepare.
Can you cater to vegetarian or other dietary needs?
Yes. We’re happy to arrange vegetarian and other special diets, just note your requirements in the booking form.
Are your tours suitable for older travellers or those who aren't very fit?
Yes. Our tours are comfortable for guests roughly aged 7 to 70. The speedboat does most of the travelling, walking is gentle and broken up with rest stops, and our guides are always on hand to help.
What languages do your guides speak?
All of our guides are fluent in English. Guides in other languages can often be arranged in advance for an additional fee ,just ask when you book.
Can I book a private or customised tour?
Yes. Many of our experiences can be run privately or tailored to your group, dates and interests. Contact us with what you have in mind and we’ll put a plan together.
Ready for a Saigon River tour?
From a sunset cruise to a full city-and-river day, see Ho Chi Minh City from the water by speedboat.
