Dinner Cruise Saigon River: A Luxury Dining Experience

What to do in Saigon at night?

While dining in restaurants and eateries has become a standard, joining an exciting dinner cruise Saigon river will be a highlight of your trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

My friend and I had a lovely dining experience with the Bonsai cruise recently, and below is my review of the experience.

The boarding

The boarding process was simple.

After arriving at Saigon port by taxi, we were welcomed and instructed by the lady at the gate.

There were some cruises and floating restaurants on the Saigon river at that time, but it was easy to spot the Bonsai cruise after a short walk.

The team welcomed us on board with smiles, and we received our welcome drinks shortly after.

The cruise was on time and departed sharply at 7:15 pm. Before the Bonsai cruise departed, the staff guided us on safety protocols.

The view

This dining experience gave us an excellent opportunity to avoid the hustle and bustle and emerge ourselves into nature in the heart of the city.

Before the buffet started, we went upstairs to the terrace to enjoy the fresh air and a panoramic view of the Saigon skyline. At night, Saigon River sparkled with lights like a silk strip through this vibrant city.

On the journey of the Bonsai cruise, we could spot some famous attractions such as Landmark 81 and Bitexco tower.

Although it was dark, we could also see Thanh Da peninsula – an oasis in the heart of Saigon.

At the end of the journey, the cruise head back to Nha Rong Harbor – one of the essential Vietnamese historic venues as the starting point of Uncle Ho’s mission to liberate the country.

The buffet

“It smells delicious!” – my friend and I both said.

We were quite hungry before the buffet started, and the food didn’t let us down. There was a large selection of Asian and Western dishes with fresh and tasty ingredients.

The middle of the cruise was a Wok area.

With the freshest ingredients and excellent skills, the wok man performed a jaw-dropping cooking style with food and flames flying. He then delivered a delicious plate of noodles in front of the guests!

Next was my favorite area of the buffet – Dessert.

The dessert was tasty with different types of cakes. We tried most of them, and our favorite ones were cheesecake and Tiramisu. The banana bread was delicious too.

It was challenging to pick one of them, so I tried all! My favorite was Tiramisu and Cheesecake.

The performances

A mixture of traditional & contemporary performances was one of the highlights of the Bonsai cruise.

From traditional dance to the performance of ethnic instruments, there was always something to enjoy. The band was excellent, as well.

The staff also encouraged passenger participation, and the kids especially loved trying the stick dance.

More thoughts on the Bonsai cruise

It was the first time I had dinner on the Saigon river, and the experience was lovely. The staff was friendly and accommodating, and the buffet was delicious.

Also, the live performance was fantastic with story-telling styles and different traditional dances and instruments.

Information on Bonsai cruise

Address: Bonsai cruise is docked daily at Saigon Port, 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Ward 12, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City. You can find car and motorbike parking available next to the docking spot.

Price:

• Adults (Ages 12+) – $47.00
• Children (Ages 6-11) – $23.50
• Toddlers (5 and Under) – Free

Tax is already included in the bill. However, drinks on board are extra. You can book private transportation from your hotel to the cruise or use some add-on services for your special date.

Duration: 2 hours

Schedule

• 18:30 – 19:00: Passengers board at the Bonsai pier at 05 Nguyen Tat Thanh, District 4.
• 19h15: The ship starts to leave the port, moving along the Saigon River. At this time, you also begin to enjoy your dinner. While you have a meal, the band will perform live music and dance.
• 21h15: The ship disembarks.

Attractions:

• Ba son Shipyard
• Bach Dang pier & Monument
• Grand Hotel
• Majestic Hotel
• Bitexco tower
• Landmark 81
• Nha Rong “The Dragon Pier”

How to book Bonsai Dinner Cruise on the Saigon River?

The booking process is simple.

If you’re in Saigon and have a free evening, make sure to check out Bonsai cruise for a memorable evening on the Saigon River.

As always, opinions are our own. At the moment there’s no cruise.