REVIEW · HO CHI MINH CITY
Ben Thanh Princess: Luxury Dinner Cruise on Saigon River
Book on Viator →Operated by Vietnam Tours VIP · Bookable on Viator
Saigon at night looks better from the water. On the Ben Thanh Princess cruise, you glide along the Saigon River with a 360-degree sundeck for skyline photos and city lights views from multiple levels. It’s a classy, European-style ship with modern comfort—built for a relaxed night out in Ho Chi Minh City.
I like the way the evening is built around a real meal and real entertainment: a traditional Vietnamese dinner on board with music, plus a live band and magician that add energy without turning it into a loud club. The main catch is what you already guessed—drinks and tips are extra, and pickup outside the listed central districts can cost more.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Saigon River at night, with a 360-degree sundeck view
- How the ship layout helps you enjoy dinner and photos
- Dinner cruise entertainment: Vietnamese dinner, live band, magician
- Following the Saigon skyline past Vinhomes, Landmark 81, and Bitexco
- Pickup, timing, and what a 3-hour night feels like
- Price and value: what $79 buys you (and what to budget for)
- Should you book the Ben Thanh Princess luxury dinner cruise?
- FAQ
- How long is the Ben Thanh Princess dinner cruise?
- What’s included in the $79 per person price?
- Do they offer hotel pickup?
- What if my hotel is outside District 1, 3, or 4?
- Where does the tour start and end?
- What happens if I’m booking for 31 Dec 2025?
Key things to know before you go
- 360-degree sky views from the top sundeck make night photos easy.
- Dinner is included, with traditional Vietnamese dishes served while you cruise.
- Live band plus magician-style entertainment keeps the vibe fun.
- English-speaking hosting helps you feel at ease from pickup to drop-off.
- You get a guided night ride past major skyline landmarks along the river.
Saigon River at night, with a 360-degree sundeck view
The big reason to pick this kind of cruise is simple: the best Saigon night photos come from moving water. The Ben Thanh Princess is designed for that. Up top, the sundeck gives you a 360-degree view, which means you can face whichever direction has the best lighting, rather than playing camera roulette.
Below, the ship’s interior keeps the dinner comfortable. The style mixes modern furniture with a classic European look, so you don’t feel like you’re stuck in plastic chairs on a party boat. When the skyline lights hit, you can shift between indoor comfort and outdoor viewing with minimal hassle.
If you’re the type who likes to watch a city’s details appear one by one—river lights, bridges, tall buildings—you’ll enjoy how the cruise keeps changing your perspective as it follows the Saigon River.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Ho Chi Minh City
How the ship layout helps you enjoy dinner and photos
The Ben Thanh Princess is described as a multi-level vessel with a practical flow. There’s a lower deck used for crew and kitchen operations, then the main guest decks handle the dinner atmosphere, and the top deck is built for sky-view time.
For you, that matters because it prevents the usual problem: being stuck in one corner while the best sights pass by. You can stay for dinner on the main deck, then head up when you want open-air photos. If you’re traveling as a couple, this setup makes it easier to do the classic rhythm—eat, look outside, eat again, then relax up top as night deepens.
The top deck can also shift in mood at night. Depending on the evening’s program, it may feel more like a dance-and-music space, not just a quiet lookout. So if you’re after romance, you can still find calmer moments—but don’t assume it’ll be silent.
Practical tip: if you care about photos, try to claim your viewing spot early during the cruise portion so you’re not constantly moving when the skyline peaks.
Dinner cruise entertainment: Vietnamese dinner, live band, magician
This is not just a dinner delivery with sightseeing stuck on the side. The cruise experience is designed around your evening staying lively, but not chaotic. You’ll have dinner on board, and the music program runs in the background—think relaxing selections of past and now favorites—so the atmosphere stays comfortable while you eat.
On top of that, the entertainment includes a live band. People highlight the band as a real part of the night, not just background noise. There’s also mention of a magician on board, which adds a playful element and gives you something to do besides scan buildings. If you like being surprised, that extra layer helps this feel like an event, not a routine tour.
Now, the balanced bit: the dinner is included, but the drinks aren’t. So if you’re used to a full open-bar feel, plan on paying separately for alcohol and soft drinks. And if you’re the kind of guest who always wants a tip included, it won’t be here—tipping is personal expense.
Following the Saigon skyline past Vinhomes, Landmark 81, and Bitexco
The route is built around the parts of Ho Chi Minh City you’ll want to see at night. The ship travels along the Saigon River with views of major riverside and downtown icons such as Vinhomes Central Park, Vinhome Golden River, Landmark 81, and Bitexco Tower.
Why does this matter? Because those names aren’t just marketing—at night, they’re exactly the kind of tall, lit landmarks that look different from street level. From the river, the skyline often looks cleaner and more layered, since you’re not battling crowds or traffic viewpoints.
You’ll also get the sensation of Saigon as a city in motion. The lights don’t just sit there; they slide across the waterline. That makes the cruise especially good for first-time visitors who want their bearings without a long walking day.
If you’re sensitive to strong city light glare, consider timing your photo breaks and using the main deck windows when the sun-style brightness feels too intense for your camera settings.
Pickup, timing, and what a 3-hour night feels like
This runs about 3 hours (approx.), with the cruise portion described as around 2 hours. That time format is actually a sweet spot. You’re not committing to half the day, but you still get enough river time to feel like you left the city noise behind.
Pickup is offered, and drop-off is included at hotels or at Saigon Port in District 1, 3, and 4 at no extra charge. That’s important because a dinner cruise lives or dies by logistics. You don’t want the night to start with a long taxi hunt or last-minute scrambling.
The meeting point is Saigon Opera House, 07 Công trường Lam Sơn, Bến Nghé, Quận 1. If you’re not using pickup, this is where you’ll connect with the experience. The tour ends back at the meeting point.
From the way the evening is described and how it’s run, punctuality seems to be taken seriously. One of the standouts in feedback is that boarding and departure go smoothly, without drama. You’ll feel that on your schedule too: arrive with time to check in, then let the cruise handle the rest.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ho Chi Minh City
Price and value: what $79 buys you (and what to budget for)
At $79 per person, you’re paying for a package: dinner on board, an English-speaking guide, and central-area pickup/drop-off. That’s the value angle—this isn’t just a boat ride. It’s structured around a guided night outing with dinner served during the cruise.
The best way to think about the value is this: you’re buying convenience and an experience setting, not just food. A normal dinner in Ho Chi Minh City won’t include a moving night viewpoint with live music and a top-deck skyline stage. If you factor in that the dinner is part of the price, the overall deal looks more reasonable.
What costs extra:
- Drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks)
- Personal expenses and tipping
- If you need pickup outside District 1, 3, or 4, there’s an extra $7–$10 per person
Also watch for the New Year twist. On 31 Dec 2025, the Saigon/Ben Thanh cruise is described as full booked. In that case, reservations shift to the Ben Nghe Cruise with extra charges collected on tour: $25 per person for Regular Menu or $35 per person for Premium value. If your dates include that period, it’s worth planning this in advance so you’re not surprised.
Should you book the Ben Thanh Princess luxury dinner cruise?
Book it if you want a low-effort night in Ho Chi Minh City with skyline views, dinner included, and entertainment that feels like part of the event. This is a strong fit for couples, birthdays, and groups who want something special without spending hours planning routes or chasing views. The top-deck 360-degree option is a real quality-of-life feature.
Skip it (or consider another format) if your idea of a great night is heavy drinking or long, structured touring. Drinks cost extra, and the cruise is designed mainly for dinner and atmosphere, not in-depth site commentary all night.
If you’re deciding between sitting in a restaurant and taking to the river, this cruise wins on simplicity. You get the city at night in motion, with a dinner and music package that’s built to keep your evening flowing.
FAQ
How long is the Ben Thanh Princess dinner cruise?
The experience runs for about 3 hours (approx.), with the cruise and dinner portion described as around 2 hours.
What’s included in the $79 per person price?
Dinner on the cruise is included, along with an English-speaking tour guide. Pickup/drop-off is also included for hotels or Saigon Port in District 1, 3, and 4.
Do they offer hotel pickup?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off at hotels or Saigon Port in District 1, 3, and 4 are included at no extra charge.
What if my hotel is outside District 1, 3, or 4?
There’s a small extra fee of $7–$10 USD per person for pickup in other districts, collected by the tour.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at the Saigon Opera House on Công trường Lam Sơn, Quận 1, and ends back at the meeting point.
What happens if I’m booking for 31 Dec 2025?
The Saigon/Ben Thanh cruise is full booked on 31 Dec 2025. The operator can reserve the Ben Nghe Cruise instead with an extra charge collected on tour: $25 per person (Regular Menu) or $35 per person (Premium value).
