VIP Tour in Saigon: New Year’s Eve Fireworks 2027 by SpeedBoat

Fireworks feel different from the river. This two-hour New Year’s Eve cruise gives you a front-row view of Ho Chi Minh City’s midnight celebration, with speedboat travel, finger food, beer, soft drinks, and champagne for the countdown. I especially like the small maximum group of 26 and the simple riverside setting, which should feel more personal than watching from a crowded city street.

I also like the clean timing. You check in at 9:15 PM, leave at 9:45 PM, receive champagne just before midnight, then return to the same station shortly after the fireworks. The main drawback is the lack of a restroom on board, and the $150 price is a serious splurge for a two-hour outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Fireworks from the Saigon River: The boat is on the water for the midnight display, giving you a different view from land-based celebrations.
• Maximum of 26 people: This is a small group by excursion standards, though the boat is not private.
• Food and drinks included: Expect finger food, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, and champagne for the countdown.
• Late-night, tightly timed outing: Check-in is at 9:15 PM, and the tour finishes around 12:30 AM.
• No onboard restroom: Plan ahead before boarding, since the cruise lasts roughly two hours.
• Book early and check the date: The activity is listed as welcoming 2027, but some supplied timing refers to 2025. Confirm the exact year and fireworks schedule before paying.

Why a Saigon River countdown is worth considering

Ho Chi Minh City’s New Year celebration can be exciting, loud, and crowded. A boat changes the mood. Instead of standing shoulder to shoulder on a street, you watch the city from the Saigon River, with open water around you and the skyline nearby.

That setting is the main reason to consider this experience. You are not booking a long sightseeing cruise with several historical stops. You are paying for a special viewing position during one short, important moment of the year.

I like that the cruise does not try to overcomplicate the evening. There is no long transfer, no lengthy meal, and no early departure. You arrive at the waterbus station, board, enjoy light refreshments, wait for midnight, and return after the display.

The 4.9 rating from 27 ratings and a 100 percent recommendation mark suggest that the basic formula has worked well for people who booked it. The strongest praise focuses on the staff, the view, and the quality of the snacks and drinks. That matters on a short event tour, where friendly handling and good timing can make or break the night.

Arriving at Saigon Waterbus Station at 9:15 PM

The meeting point is Ga Tàu Thuỷ Bạch Đằng, on Ton Duc Thang in Ben Nghe, District 1. The listed start time is 9:15 PM, which is the check-in and boarding time rather than the actual departure.

You should treat that time seriously. New Year’s Eve traffic and crowds can make even a short journey across central Ho Chi Minh City slower than expected. The tour asks you to arrive on time, and a speedboat cannot wait indefinitely for late arrivals.

The activity uses a mobile ticket, so keep your booking confirmation easy to access on your phone. A fully charged phone is a sensible idea for any late-night outing, especially if you need to show your ticket or arrange your return transport after the cruise.

The waterbus station is a practical launch point because it places you directly beside the river. Still, the supplied information does not promise private transfers, hotel pickup, or help with transport to the meeting point. You need to make your own way to the station.

The 9:45 PM speedboat departure

The cruise leaves at approximately 9:45 PM. This gives the crew about 30 minutes to organize boarding after the 9:15 PM check-in.

The boat carries no more than 26 people. That is a useful limit for an event where everyone wants a clear view and some room to move. It is not a private charter, though, so do not expect a completely exclusive setting.

The word VIP points to the boat format and smaller capacity rather than a long list of luxury extras. You receive included refreshments and a dedicated fireworks outing, but there is no mention of private seating, a personal host, or a premium dinner.

Once underway, you can expect a short cruise along the Saigon River before the midnight display. The available details do not specify the exact route or a particular fireworks viewing position. That means your final sightline may depend on where the boat stops and where you sit or stand.

The speedboat itself is part of the appeal. A faster boat gets you onto the river and back to the station without turning the evening into a full-night cruise. If you enjoy the movement of a boat, this will likely feel more memorable than waiting beside a road.

Snacks, beer, soft drinks, and vegetarian food

Light refreshments are included after departure. The package lists snacks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, beer, and soft drinks. The schedule describes the food as finger food, so you should treat it as something to nibble on rather than a replacement for dinner.

Plan to eat a proper meal before boarding. New Year’s Eve is a long night, and the included food is intended to support the cruise, not serve as a full restaurant meal. The available details do not identify the exact menu, portion size, or brands of drinks.

A vegetarian option is available if you request it in advance. This is important because it is not presented as an automatic choice. Contact the operator before the cruise and make the request early, rather than waiting until boarding.

One positive detail is that the refreshments received specific praise. The service was described as friendly and professional, with snacks and drinks arriving in good shape. That is encouraging, but you should still keep expectations realistic. This is a fireworks cruise with finger food, not a formal New Year’s Eve banquet.

Alcohol is included, but responsible drinking matters on a moving boat. The most enjoyable version of this experience is one where you can still appreciate the river, watch the fireworks, and return safely.

Champagne at 11:50 PM and fireworks at midnight

The schedule saves the central moment for the end. Champagne is served at approximately 11:50 PM, giving you time to raise a glass before the countdown.

At midnight, the fireworks display is scheduled to run from 12:00 to 12:15 AM. Fifteen minutes is long enough for a proper celebration, but the exact display can vary from year to year. Fireworks are also weather-dependent, so the operator may need to change the date or cancel the activity if conditions are poor.

The value of the cruise rests heavily on this part of the evening. If you want a quiet dinner, cultural explanation, or long river tour, this is not the right product. If your priority is a festive view from the water with a drink in hand, the schedule is well designed.

You should not assume every seat offers the same view. The supplied information does not promise assigned seating or a particular side of the boat. Arriving promptly for boarding may give you more choice, but no exact seating policy is provided.

After the fireworks, the boat begins the return journey at about 12:15 AM. The tour ends at the original station around 12:30 AM. That simple return point is helpful, since you do not have to figure out a second meeting place in the middle of the night.

What the $150 price really buys you

At $150 per person, this is expensive for a two-hour activity. The snacks and drinks alone do not justify the cost. You are paying for the special date, the limited-capacity boat, the river setting, and the convenience of having the evening organized around the fireworks.

New Year’s Eve pricing often reflects demand. The same river ride on an ordinary night would not have comparable value, but this is a once-a-year event. If you place a high value on a memorable setting and do not want to fight for space along the city streets, the price may feel reasonable.

The small group helps the calculation. A maximum of 26 people is more appealing than a large party boat packed with strangers. Still, the experience is not private, and there is no included hotel transfer, full meal, or onboard restroom.

I would compare this with your other New Year’s Eve plans. If you already have a rooftop dinner or a hotel event booked, spending another $150 for a short fireworks view may be hard to justify. If the fireworks are the main purpose of your night, the boat gives you a clear, organized option.

The tour is booked about 60 days ahead on average. That is a useful warning for anyone planning a December trip. You should not leave this booking until the last minute, particularly if you are visiting Ho Chi Minh City during the holiday period.

The practical problem: no restroom on board

The operator specifically excludes a restroom from the boat. This is the most important comfort issue to understand before booking.

The total time from check-in to finish is about three hours and 15 minutes, although the actual cruise lasts roughly two hours. Use a restroom before boarding and avoid treating the included drinks as an invitation to overdo it.

This detail may be minor for some people and decisive for others. Families with young children, people who need frequent restroom access, and anyone uncomfortable with a fixed boat schedule should think carefully.

The boat also has a set departure and return time. Once you leave the station, you cannot simply step off for a break. That is a normal limitation for a speedboat, but it deserves attention because the evening includes alcohol and soft drinks.

Weather, cancellations, and date confusion

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, the stated options are a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached, with the option of a different date or experience or a full refund.

In ordinary circumstances, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That makes early planning useful, but it also means you should be confident in your date before paying.

There is one detail I would confirm directly with the operator: the year. The tour title refers to New Year’s Eve 2027, while the schedule says December 31, 2026, which would make sense for welcoming 2027. Elsewhere, the description refers to welcoming 2025. The most likely explanation is old calendar wording, but you should verify the exact departure date, fireworks plan, and booking year before finalizing.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want:

• A festive New Year’s Eve activity with a clear schedule
• A river view instead of a street-side crowd
• A small-group boat rather than a large party vessel
• Included beer, soft drinks, snacks, and champagne
• A short activity that finishes soon after midnight
• A central meeting point in District 1

It is less suitable if you need a restroom on board, want a full dinner, prefer a private boat, or dislike fixed event schedules.

The cruise also works well for couples, friends, and small groups who want the fireworks to be the centerpiece of the night. Families can consider it too, but the late hour, boat setting, and lack of restroom deserve careful thought.

Although several comments about this company praise guides named Lan, Chister, Moon, and Mr. Chi on other excursions, no guide is named for this New Year’s Eve cruise. You should not book it expecting a history talk or guided tour. The focus is the boat ride, refreshments, and countdown.

Final call: should you book it?

I would book this speedboat cruise if you value location and convenience over quantity. You receive a special river setting, a limited group size, drinks, finger food, champagne, and a return to the same station shortly after the fireworks.

I would skip it if $150 feels high for two hours or if you want a full meal and more onboard facilities. The lack of a restroom is real, and the exact fireworks viewing position is not guaranteed in the information provided.

For the right person, this is a neat way to welcome 2027 without spending the entire night in a city crowd. Confirm the year, request vegetarian food in advance if needed, arrive early, use the restroom before boarding, and book well ahead.

FAQ

What date does this New Year’s Eve cruise take place?

The tour title refers to New Year’s Eve 2027, and the schedule gives December 31, 2026, as the departure date for welcoming 2027. Some supplied wording refers to 2025, so confirm the exact date before booking.

What time should I arrive?

Check-in and boarding begin at 9:15 PM at Saigon Waterbus Station. The boat is scheduled to depart at approximately 9:45 PM.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Ga Tàu Thuỷ Bạch Đằng on Ton Duc Thang in Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point, Saigon Waterbus Station, at approximately 12:30 AM.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise is listed as approximately two hours. The full schedule runs from the 9:15 PM check-in until the 12:30 AM finish.

What food and drinks are included?

Included refreshments are finger food or snacks, beer, other alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water, and champagne for the countdown.

Is a vegetarian option available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available with prior request. You should make the request before the cruise.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. A restroom is not available on board, so use one before boarding.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of people is not reached, the stated options are a different date or experience or a full refund.