A Saigon River dinner cruise costs about $20 USD to $70 USD per person for a 2.5 to 3 hour sailing that includes dinner and usually live music. Boats leave from Bach Dang Wharf in District 1, boarding between 6pm and 7:15pm. The bigger the boat and the more elaborate the menu, the higher the price.
If you want a scenic evening with the city lights as your backdrop, a dinner cruise is the easy choice. This guide lays out the main boats, what they cost as of July 2026, and the practical things worth knowing before you book. (For the honest “should you bother” take, see is a Saigon dinner cruise worth it?)
How much does a Saigon dinner cruise cost?
Prices vary widely by boat and menu. These are indicative fares as of July 2026 — always confirm at the time of booking, as operators change them often.
| Cruise style | Typical price (per person) | Menu | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual dragon-boat cruise | about $20–38 USD | Buffet, Vietnamese + Western | Lively, cultural show |
| Mid-range buffet cruise | about $45–50 USD | Eurasian + Vietnamese buffet | Good for groups |
| Premium dining cruise | about $32–70 USD | Set menu, multiple decks | Romantic, sky deck |
The casual boats lean festive with a buffet and a show. The premium boats lean romantic, with set menus, several dining rooms and a 360-degree sky deck. Groups tend to prefer the mid-range buffet boats for the variety and the price.
What’s included — and what isn’t
Your ticket almost always covers the sailing, dinner and entertainment. It rarely covers drinks, which are marked up steeply, and premium seating may cost more.
Local tip: Ask whether hotel pickup is included when you book — some boats offer it, some don’t, and a taxi to Bach Dang at rush hour eats into the “included transfer” you assumed you had.
What to Expect on a Saigon River Dinner Cruise
Boarding is from around 6pm to 7:15pm, the boat sails for 2.5 to 3 hours, and you cruise the central stretch of the river with the District 1 skyline on view. Most boats have an open upper deck and an enclosed dining level.
Local tip: Head for the open-air terrace for the skyline and the breeze — it’s the best seat on any of these boats. Just know the same wind cools the food quickly, so don’t linger between buffet trips.
Be realistic about the food. Across boats, passengers rate the views far higher than the cuisine; the meal is decent rather than memorable. You are paying for the setting.
Which cruise should I pick?
Choose by the night you want, not the brand:
- A fun, sociable evening or a group: a casual dragon-boat or mid-range buffet cruise.
- A romantic or special occasion: a premium set-menu cruise with a sky deck.
- Just the sunset views without a long dinner: skip the dinner cruise and take a shorter sightseeing boat — see our Saigon sunset on the river guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do Saigon dinner cruises depart from?
Bach Dang Wharf, 10B Ton Duc Thang, District 1.
What time do dinner cruises start?
Boarding is usually 6pm to 7:15pm, with the boat returning around 9pm to 9:30pm.
Is dinner included in the cruise price?
Yes — dinner and entertainment are included. Drinks are almost always extra.
Are Saigon dinner cruises family-friendly?
Yes. The buffet boats in particular suit families and groups, with seating and space to move around.
Is the food good?
Average across the board. Book a cruise for the views and atmosphere rather than the meal.
A dinner cruise gives you the skyline from the water. What it can’t give you is the city itself — the street food, the alleys, the after-dark buzz that stays behind on shore. That’s the night our guests rave about, and it’s what our all-women driver team rides every evening on the Saigon By Night tour ($39 USD). Prefer to taste the city by day? Try the Saigon food tour ($59 USD). Book now, pay cash after.
Last updated: July 9, 2026.
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Hero photo: John Gremory, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
