The 9 Night River Cruises in Vietnam That Earn the Fare

1.Hoai River Boat Trip by Night and Floating Lantern

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,988 reviews · 20 min · from $8Our pick

Meet your English-speaking guide at the Kazimierz Kwiatkowski bust on Tran Phu Street. You’ll walk five minutes to the dock, board a private wooden boat for up to five people, and release one paper lantern per person with help from the rower. The ride lasts 10 to 15 minutes and is scenic rather than narrated.

“This was well worth booking… the normal queue for the boats was long and chaotic. My guide messaged me earlier in the day with meeting point, so met there and he escorted us down to the river and immediately onto a boat. No messing around, was great experience”

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2.Han River Local Cruise by Night

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,152 reviews · 50 - 90 minutes · from $6Best value

Spend 50 to 90 minutes on Da Nang’s Han River, passing the Sunworld Wheel, Love Lock Bridge, and Dragon Bridge. Choose a simple cruise or add dinner upstairs. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the boat positions near Dragon Bridge for its 9 PM fire and water show. Clear WhatsApp instructions from Phuoc or Thao help with boarding.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the river cruise. Da Nang is an amazing city and it is even more magical at night steeped in all the amazing colours. Dragon Bridge alone is worth the cruise, it's some sight. For such a small price, I would highly recommend this cruise to anyone.”

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3.Han River Night Boat Trip with Show on Weekends

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 455 reviews · 1h 30m · from $6

Take a 90-minute evening cruise from Bach Dang Street along Da Nang’s Han River. Enjoy city lights, a dance performance, and access to a bar and restaurant at your own cost. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday departures, the boat pauses near Dragon Bridge for its fire and water show. English and Vietnamese assistance is available.

“We did not have a guide or transportation option, but the boat was fantastic & we had front row seats to see the Dragon Bridge show. It was wonderful.”

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4.Scenic Han River Night Cruise On My Xuan Cruise.

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 175 reviews · 1 day · from $6

Board My Xuan Cruise at 26 Bach Dang for a 45-minute evening ride on Da Nang’s Han River. You’ll see the Dragon Bridge, Love Bridge, Sun Wheel, and city lights, with fruit, bottled water, local dancing, and music included. Choose 8:15 pm on Friday through Sunday for the best chance to catch the Dragon Bridge fire and water show.

“It was very easy to find, and the staff spoke great English, so it was very easy, and we had the best dancer of all the other boats, the most authentic!!”

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5.Hoai River Night Boat Trip and Floating Lantern

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 32 reviews · 15 min · from $10

Meet an English-speaking greeter opposite 140 Tran Phu Street, board a wooden boat for up to four people, and spend 15 minutes on the Hoai River. Light one flower lantern per person, make a wish, and watch it drift toward the sea. The ride is short, simple, and best paired with a walk through Hoi An’s night market.

“Was unable to make it on my original booking but they were able to accommodate for the next night. Super helpful and was a quick and easy activity. Highlight was them assisting me in still getting the lantern and night boat trip”

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6.Han River Night Cruise with Sunrise Cocktail

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 14 reviews · 1h 30m · from $10

Board near Novotel Da Nang for a 90-minute evening cruise on the Han River. You’ll see Da Nang lit up at night, watch a welcome dance, enjoy a free Sunrise Cocktail, and have access to a restaurant and bar. Choose a weekend sailing for the Dragon Bridge water and fire show.

“Good view of dragon bridge, pleasant cruise up and down 😌 Seats could have more comfortable, cushions maybe 🤔”

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7.HoiAn Small Boat By Night on Bach Dang River

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · from $9

Meet at 94 Bach Dang in Hoi An’s old town for a simple 20-minute private boat ride on the river. Choose sunset for photos or nightfall to release a lantern and make a wish. A local guide, coffee or tea, and mobile tickets are included, but confirm pickup details before booking.

“Unfortunately I didn’t go on this boat trip. It was very disorganised, I waited for 90mins and the boat still wasn’t ready. I ended up just booking another boat and it was an absolutely beautiful experience. I would recommend people just going down to the water and booking a boat while you’re there, it is much easier!”

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8.Hoai River Boat Trip by Night with Release Lantern

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · from $9

Meet your greeter at 142 Tran Phu Street and walk to the dock for a 20-minute shared boat ride on the Hoai River. You receive one flower lantern to release for luck and peace. The boat holds one to four people, and the outing finishes back at the meeting point, near Hoi An’s night market.

“It is a must do activity in Hoi An. In the evening the atmosphere becomes so magical. It is highly recommended. I just want to mention that it might not be necessary to book a tour online. During the evening, there are many people around selling the tour at that moment. When you have time, you can easily organise it over there.”

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9.Da Nang By Night & Han River Dragon Cruise with a local food

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 3 reviews · from $62

Join English-speaking female motorbike guides such as Cindy and Lin for a private evening through Da Nang. Visit the Dragon, Love Lock, and Han River bridges, eat local noodles, then board a bamboo dragon boat for beer, Champa dancing, and bridge views. The Dragon Bridge fire and water show is available on Friday or weekend evenings.

“Cindy and Lin are simply amazing. The best guides we have had during our stay in Vietnam ❤️🙌”

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