River trips · VIETNAM

15 Vietnam River Cruises Worth Booking

37 sailings  ·  boarding from $6 a head

Good sailings fill up days ahead and the best ones first. Below: the 15 vietnam river cruises to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

CuChi Tunnels&Mekong Delta-Boat,TukTuk,Coconut Village SmallGroup - Starting from central Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City River Cruises, Mekong Delta Tours, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tuk-Tuks, Vietnam River Cruises

CuChi Tunnels&Mekong Delta-Boat,TukTuk,Coconut Village SmallGroup

1.CuChi Tunnels&Mekong Delta-Boat,TukTuk,Coconut Village SmallGroup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,113 reviews · from $32Our pick

Pack Vietnam’s wartime past and river life into one 11-hour day. Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, crawl through a passage, ride motorboats and sampans near My Tho, travel by tuk-tuk or electric car, eat Vietnamese lunch, and hear traditional music. Guides such as Xem, Jackie, Lockie, and Tinh are praised for lively storytelling.

“The tunnels are very tight. But I’m glad I tried the old entrance and went through the tunnel. There are exits every 20 meters so if you can handle the claustrophobic feeling that long, you can go for it. Note they do stop at several cultural/ shopping sites, but no pressure.”

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HCM: Mekong Delta Islands Boat & Tuk-Tuk Tour with Tastings - The road from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho
Ho Chi Minh City River Cruises, Mekong Delta Tours, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tuk-Tuks, Vietnam River Cruises

HCM: Mekong Delta Islands Boat & Tuk-Tuk Tour with Tastings

2.Mekong Delta Islands Boat & Tuk-Tuk Tour with Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,285 reviews · 9 hours · from $14

Spend nine hours exploring the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City with an English-speaking guide such as Steve, Phong, Lam, or Little Trung. Ride motorboats and sampans, visit four islands, cycle through coconut groves, taste honey tea and coconut candy, eat Vietnamese lunch, and hear southern folk music. Expect a busy, social day with several tourist-oriented stops.

“Enjoyed the tour. Well thought, planned and executed. Guide Lam took good care of us and made it even more intresting and engaging. Our group “Banana” was fun traveling with people from different countries. Highly recommend this tour.”

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Hoi An : Hoai River Boat Trip by Night and Floating Lantern - The five-minute walk to the Thu Bon River
Hoi An River Cruises, Night River Cruises, Night River Cruises in Hoi An, Night River Cruises in Vietnam, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vietnam River Cruises

Hoi An : Hoai River Boat Trip by Night and Floating Lantern

3.Hoai River Boat Trip by Night and Floating Lantern

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

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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Hoi An: River Lantern Boat Experience with Free 5G eSIM - Starting at 153 Tran Phu Street
Hoi An River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vietnam River Cruises

Hoi An: River Lantern Boat Experience with Free 5G eSIM

4.River Lantern Boat Experience with Free 5G eSIM

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,819 reviews · 20 min · from $8

Meet at 153 Tran Phu Street near the Japanese Bridge, where English-speaking staff lead you to a short Hoai River boat ride. Your ticket includes a lantern, herbal tea, and a free 24-hour eSIM with 8GB of data and 10 local-call minutes. Expect roughly 20 minutes on the water, photo stops, and an easy walk through Hoi An’s Old Town at night.

“Very well organised easy to find and hassle free . Was glad I paid for this in advance as I didn’t have to worry about anything”

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Mekong Delta Discovery Tour from Ho Chi Minh - Cruising the Mekong from My Tho
Ho Chi Minh City River Cruises, Mekong Delta Tours, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Vietnam River Cruises

Mekong Delta Discovery Tour from Ho Chi Minh

5.Mekong Delta Discovery Tour from Ho Chi Minh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,427 reviews · from $59

Spend about eight hours traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho and the Mekong Delta with a local English-speaking guide. You’ll cruise by private boat, ride a Xe Loi cart, paddle narrow canals, visit farms, taste coconut candy and tropical fruit, and eat a set Vietnamese lunch. Groups are limited to 12 people.

“It is an interesting tour to get a glimpse of life along the Mekong. The tour itself isn't too adventurous or very long but time enough for a boat ride, a walk on the island, and some local honey/coconut tasting. Huongle has a way of making oRead more”

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Small-Group Mekong Delta Day Trip: Boat Ride, Cottages & Pagoda - The 1.5-hour ride from Ho Chi Minh City
1-Day Tours, Ho Chi Minh City River Cruises, Mekong Delta Tours, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vietnam River Cruises

Small-Group Mekong Delta Day Trip: Boat Ride, Cottages & Pagoda

6.Small-Group Mekong Delta Day Trip: Boat Ride, Cottages & Pagoda

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,327 reviews · from $48

Spend 9 to 10 hours exploring My Tho and Ben Tre with a small group of up to 12 people. Expect motorboat and hand-rowed boat rides, coconut candy, honey tea, tropical fruit, a five-course lunch, traditional music, optional cycling, and Vinh Trang Pagoda. Guides such as James, Nam, Manh, and Luan are known for lively local insight.

“Vinh gave us a wonderful adventure! Action packed with many, varied, fun experiences. He is a great communicator and enthusiastic about his culture. The whole day ran smoothly, without a hitch. My favorite parts were the coconut island experiences, the boat trip through the coconut grove "tunnel", and lunch + crocodiles + bike ride. There were only 10 in the group and everyone was pleasant. HIGHLY recommend ☺️”

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Da Nang: Han River Local Cruise by Night - The river route from ticket booth to Dragon Bridge
Da Nang River Cruises, Night River Cruises, Night River Cruises in Vietnam, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vietnam River Cruises

Da Nang: Han River Local Cruise by Night

7.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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Hoi An: My Son Sanctuary and Thu Bon River Boat Trip - Morning departure: cooler hours and a full local lunch
Hoi An River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vietnam River Cruises

Hoi An: My Son Sanctuary and Thu Bon River Boat Trip

8.My Son Sanctuary and Thu Bon River Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 653 reviews · 5 hours · from $16

Travel from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary with an English-speaking guide such as Philip, Ben, or Lee, then see a Champa dance and return by Thu Bon River boat. The morning tour includes a local lunch with vegetarian options. The afternoon tour includes banh mi, so eat lunch beforehand.

“Our tour guide was the best, knowledgeable and could answer all questions.”

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Saigon River Dinner Cruise: Buffet, Set Menu, Fine Dining (3hrs) - Boarding the Saigon River cruise
Buffet Experiences, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in Ho Chi Minh City, Dinner Cruises in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vietnam River Cruises

Saigon River Dinner Cruise: Buffet, Set Menu, Fine Dining (3hrs)

9.Saigon River Dinner Cruise: Buffet, Set Menu, Fine Dining (3hrs)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 592 reviews · from $50

Spend an evening on the Saigon River with a private table, Vietnamese buffet or set menu, live music, and views of Ho Chi Minh City lit up after dark. Pickup is available in Districts 1, 3, and 4. Guides such as Joey, Daniel, and Barney are praised for friendly care, but food quality and transport coordination can vary.

“It's an awesome experience would recommend to anyone coming here keep up the good work you guys do..”

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Da Nang: Han River Night Boat Trip with Show on Weekends - Finding the boat at 36 Bach Dang Street
Da Nang River Cruises, Night River Cruises, Night River Cruises in Vietnam, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vietnam River Cruises

Da Nang: Han River Night Boat Trip with Show on Weekends

10.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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Hoi An: My Son Sanctuary & Sunset River Cruise BBQ or Banhmi - Leaving Hoi An at 12:30
BBQ, Hoi An River Cruises, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Vietnam, Tour Reviews, Vietnam River Cruises

Hoi An: My Son Sanctuary & Sunset River Cruise BBQ or Banhmi

11.My Son Sanctuary & Sunset River Cruise BBQ or Banhmi

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 345 reviews · 5 hours - 330 minutes · from $18

This five-hour Hoi An outing pairs My Son Sanctuary with a sunset cruise on the Thu Bon River. Your English-speaking guide, such as Lam, Tin, Thao, or Van, explains Cham culture, temple history, and local life before you board for BBQ skewers, fruit, and rice liquor, or a banh mi. Hotel pickup, bottled water, and drop-off are included.

“The tour was really good and our guide Tin made it! He was so knowledgeable and full of facts and history. It wouldn’t have been as good without him”

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Hue: Dragon Boat, Perfume River, Pagoda & Royal Tomb Tour - A gentle start on the Perfume River
Hue River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Vietnam River Cruises

Hue: Dragon Boat, Perfume River, Pagoda & Royal Tomb Tour

12.Dragon Boat, Perfume River, Pagoda & Royal Tomb Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 194 reviews · 4 - 5 hours · from $11

Travel by private car and dragon boat from Hue to Thien Mu Pagoda, Minh Mang Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb, Tu Duc Tomb, and Thuy Xuan Incense Village. You can book a driver-only option or add an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Long, Austin, Leo, and Anna are known for clear history and friendly local tips.

“Austin was absolutely amazing! He made the whole experience enjoyable, informative and completely stress-free. His knowledge of Hue’s history, culture and landmarks brought everything to life and he explained everything in such a clear and engaging way. We loved the dragon boat ride, the beautiful Perfume River and visiting the pagoda and royal tombs and Austin made each stop feel special. He was friendly, patient and always made sure we were comfortable and having a great time. Honestly, we couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Highly recommend Austin!”

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Da Nang: Scenic Han River Night Cruise On My Xuan Cruise. - Key points to know before boarding
Da Nang River Cruises, Night River Cruises, Night River Cruises in Vietnam, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vietnam River Cruises

Da Nang: Scenic Han River Night Cruise On My Xuan Cruise.

13.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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Hue: Sunset Cruise along Perfume River - Why the Sunset Timing Matters
Hue River Cruises, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Vietnam, Tour Reviews, Vietnam River Cruises

Hue: Sunset Cruise along Perfume River

14.Sunset Cruise along Perfume River

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 72 reviews · from $38

Walk from your Hue hotel to the boat station, then cruise the Perfume River on a traditional dragon boat with an English-speaking guide. You’ll pass old homes, pagodas, churches, villages, and green fields before stopping at Thien Mu Pagoda. Guides such as Nhiên and Hoa are praised for clear explanations and warm service.

“Naien our guide was very nice and gave us lots of explanations of everything we had questions for. During the Pagoda visit there was lots to learn, good experience. The boat ride itself was calm and easy going, very relaxing. Unfortunately due to cloudy weather there was no sunset so we were unable to see that part of the cruise. Overall very relaxing and easy.”

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Can Tho: Peaceful Private Boat Ride on the Mekong(No Guide). - Stilt homes, gardens, and working riverbanks
Mekong Delta Tours, Private River Charters, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vietnam River Cruises

Can Tho: Peaceful Private Boat Ride on the Mekong(No Guide).

15.Can Tho: Peaceful Private Boat Ride on the Mekong(No Guide).

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 65 reviews · 3 hours · from $20

Spend three private hours on the Mekong with a local boatman, not a tour guide. From Can Tho’s modern riverfront, you pass stilt homes, fruit gardens, fishermen, and schoolchildren by boat. Choose sunrise or sunset, bring a WhatsApp number for meeting details, and expect a calm, unscripted ride with no market or attraction stops.

“We had a nice and quiet time on the river with our nice driver.”

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Newly added: Vietnam River Cruises

★ 4.3From Ho Chi Minh: 2-Day Mekong Delta to Phnom Penh by BoatFrom $22814 reviews
★ 4.8From Ho Chi Minh: Cai Be Boat & Bike Mekong Delta ExperienceFrom $3011 reviews
★ 3.0Da Nang/Hoi An: Coconut river boat tour & Lantern FestivalFrom $314 reviews
★ 4.3Experience Dinner On Luxury Cruise Along Saigon RiverFrom $623 reviews
★ 5.0Dragon Floating Temple & Simulate Mekong Island by SpeedBoatFrom $872 reviews
★ 5.0Dinner on Cruise Saigon River – Group tourFrom $512 reviews
★ 3.7Dinner on Cruise on Saigon RiverFrom $526 reviews
★ 3.6Danang: My Son Sanctuary and River Cruise 7.30 am/12.30 pmFrom $3320 reviews
★ 3.7Da Nang By Night & Han River Dragon Cruise with a local foodFrom $623 reviews
★ 3.8Han River Night Cruise with Sunrise CocktailFrom $1014 reviews
★ 3.2Authentic Mekong Delta: Tuk Tuk, Rowing Boat, Biking TourFrom $189 reviews
★ 5.0Amazing My Son Sunset & River Cruise Tour From Hoi An/DaNangFrom $272 reviews
★ 4.0Half-Day to My Son Sanctuary & Sunset River CruiseFrom $208 reviews
★ 4.5Hoai River Boat Trip by Night with Release LanternFrom $98 reviews
★ 4.0HoiAn Small Boat By Night on Bach Dang RiverFrom $99 reviews

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