After Vesak 2025 conference finished on 9th May (and I checked out of the magnificent The Reverie Saigon hotel by the river), I decided to take a short boat cruise on the fabulous Saigon river at night. There are two options of boat to go from the main pier in the centre of HCMC District 1.
One is the public transport called the Saigon Waterbus, a bargain round-fare trip of 6000 VND. The other is the tourist sightseeing bus, same trip but with an English speaking guide at three times the price: 175 000 VND.
I decided to first try the public transport one with the locals and Vietnamese tourists, and see what it was like. It was definitely worth it. A 20 minute cruise along the Saigon river gave one a river view of some of the most stunning sky-scraper and iconic architecture in the world today. Lit up at night, I was like a big kid in a sweet shop! There were some children on the boat, but I think I may have been more goggle-eyed and excited.
The boat travels along the river for about twenty minutes and the final stop, there is a great cafe to get the iced coffee to cool off, and a chance to take photos in front of one of the most iconic and tallest skyscrapers along the Saigon River in District 1, the Bitexco Financial Tower. It stands at 262.5 meters (861 ft) tall, making it the tallest building in District 1 and the 4th tallest in Vietnam. The height to the top is 469.5m. The highest Skyview observatory in Vietnam is located on floors 79 to 81 of the building, offering panoramic views of the city.
The round trip takes you back to the pier, and the iconic view of two huge skyscraper buildings, one the Hilton hotel (another amazing 5 star) and an interesting contrast of the moat-surrounded statue on a pedestal depicting a legendary 13th-century military leader, Tran Hung Dao. What a difference a few centuries make! Here are some photos and videos below I took of the short, blissful and fun trip.
Music? SÀI GÒN by Y Vân, Tân Cảng Sài Gòn – Tạ Quang Thắng (Song for Saigon New Port) and Passenger by Iggy Pop.
On the way back one gets a magnificent view of the Saigon River bridge from the back of the boat too.
The round trip takes you back to the pier, and the iconic view of two huge skyscraper buildings, one the Hilton hotel (another amazing 5 star) and an interesting contrast of the moat-surrounded statue on a pedestal depicting a legendary 13th-century military leader, Tran Hung Dao. What a difference a few centuries make!