VIP Tour in Dragon Floating Temple sightseeing by SpeedBoat

Saigon looks different from the water. This short boat-and-walking excursion takes you from Bach Dang pier toward Thanh Da Island, Binh Quoi Village, and Phu Chau Floating Temple, also called Dragon Floating Temple or Snake Island. I like the chance to see a quieter side of Ho Chi Minh City, and I like that coconut juice, fruit, water, wet towels, a guide, and boat insurance are included.

The tour also works well for families with young children. The morning departure is likely the better choice in hot weather, and two young children, ages 4 and 2, handled that schedule well. The main drawback is value: at $230 per person for about 90 minutes, this is costly unless the small-group format, private attention, and hotel arrangements matter greatly to you. Also, the details about pickup need checking, since some information describes hotel pickup while the meeting point is clearly Bach Dang pier.

Key Points at a Glance

• Phu Chau Floating Temple: Visit the colorful religious site known as Dragon Floating Temple and Snake Island.
• Thanh Da Island by boat: Cruise around the island while enjoying coconut juice and fresh fruit on board.
• A quick rural escape: Trade central Saigon streets for village paths, open air, and a slower setting.
• Family-friendly timing: The morning trip is a sensible choice with small children or during hot months.
• Small maximum group: The boat is limited to 15 people, which should feel more personal than a large sightseeing cruise.
• Weather matters: Rain can cancel the trip, and an umbrella from May through October is a useful precaution.

Why Leave Central Saigon for Thanh Da Island?

Ho Chi Minh City can feel intense. Traffic, engines, shop signs, and crowds fill much of central District 1. This tour gives you a quick change of pace without requiring a full-day trip into the Mekong Delta.

From Bach Dang pier, the boat heads toward the Saigon Bridge and New Saigon Port. You also pass Thanh Da Island, a part of the city that feels far removed from the central streets. The route offers a useful contrast: Saigon is not only high-rise buildings, cafés, and motorbikes. It also has waterways, small communities, village paths, and pockets of open countryside.

I like this kind of short outing because it adds context to a city visit. You are not simply looking at another temple or taking another road tour. You see how the river connects the working port, the urban center, and quieter districts beyond it.

The tour lasts about one hour and 30 minutes, so it is best viewed as a compact side trip rather than a full cultural excursion. If you want long village walks or a full explanation of local religious practice, this may feel brief. If you have only a few days in Ho Chi Minh City, the short length makes it easier to fit into your plans.

Boarding at Bach Dang Pier

The stated meeting point is Ga Tàu Thuỷ Bạch Đằng, also called Bach Dang waterbus station, at Ton Duc Thang in Ben Nghe, District 1. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

This location is practical if you are staying in central Ho Chi Minh City. It places you near the riverfront and avoids a long transfer to the outskirts before the boat ride even begins. The included service specifically lists pickup and drop-off at Saigon Waterbus Station, not necessarily at your hotel.

There is one detail I would confirm before paying. The general tour description says hotel pickup and drop-off in Ho Chi Minh City, while the meeting information says the trip starts and ends at Bach Dang pier. Those are different arrangements. Ask the operator exactly where you will meet and whether hotel transport is included for your booking.

The group maximum is 15 people. That is small enough to make it easier to hear the English-speaking guide and ask questions. It is not a private boat, though, so you should not expect the complete freedom or quiet of a chartered cruise.

Cruising Past Saigon Bridge and New Saigon Port

The first part of the experience is the boat ride itself. The route includes views of Saigon Bridge, New Saigon Port, and Thanh Da Island. These sights show the river as a working part of the city, not just a pretty backdrop.

The description uses both speedboat and traditional boat language, so the exact vessel may vary. If the feel of the ride matters to you, ask the operator whether your departure uses a fast modern boat or a more traditional craft. Either way, the boat is covered by insurance, and life jackets are provided.

This section is likely most enjoyable for people who appreciate changing views and open air. You can watch the city edge give way to quieter stretches of water, then continue toward the temple and rural village area. The ride is not presented as a long commentary cruise, so expect a sightseeing transfer with guiding rather than a detailed river lecture.

Coconut juice and fruit are served on board. Lavie bottled water and wet towels are also included. Those are modest touches, but they matter in Ho Chi Minh City’s heat. They mean you do not need to bring every refreshment for a short outing, though meals and other drinks are not included.

Phu Chau Floating Temple, Also Called Snake Island

The main cultural stop is Phu Chau Floating Temple. You may hear it called Dragon Floating Temple or Snake Island. It is located on the water, which makes the visit different from seeing a temple along a city street.

The guide explains local religious beliefs and practices during the stop. That added explanation is important because a floating temple can be easy to treat as a quick photo stop. The value comes from learning why the place matters, how it fits local worship, and what you are seeing beyond the colors and decorations.

The available comments praise the floating cathedral, especially for children. That makes sense. The unusual setting gives young visitors something concrete to look at, while the short visit avoids the attention problems that can come with a long temple tour.

You should still keep your expectations in proportion. The temple is one stop on a 90-minute outing, not the subject of a full religious study. The guide can introduce the beliefs and practices, but the amount of detail will depend on timing, group questions, and the day’s conditions.

Walking Through Binh Quoi Village

After the boat ride, the route includes Binh Quoi Village, described as Ho Chi Minh City’s own version of the Mekong Delta. You get time to leave the boat and walk through a quieter rural setting.

This is where the tour gains its strongest sense of contrast. In a short distance, you move from ports and bridges to village paths and open surroundings. The walk gives you a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy fresh air instead of remaining seated for the full outing.

The wording about untouched surroundings should not lead you to expect a remote wilderness trip. Binh Quoi is still part of metropolitan Ho Chi Minh City. The appeal is the change in mood, not total isolation. You are seeing a rural pocket within the city rather than traveling far into the countryside.

Wear comfortable shoes. The walking portion is part of the appeal, but the tour is still brief, so do not expect a long hike or an extensive village visit. The product details describe the stop but do not provide a fixed walking distance.

How the Morning and Afternoon Options Compare

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. The morning option has the clearest practical advantage for families and for anyone sensitive to heat.

A published family account describes taking children ages 4 and 2 on the morning tour because it was not as hot. That is useful advice. Young children may enjoy the boat and temple, but heat can quickly change the mood. Morning also gives you the rest of the day for other sightseeing.

An afternoon departure may suit you if your hotel schedule makes mornings difficult. It can also fit neatly after a late breakfast or a central city visit. Still, the information provided does not give exact departure times or sunset details, so ask for the current schedule before booking.

From May through October, bring an umbrella. From November through February, a light jacket is recommended. These suggestions are simple, but they reflect the fact that weather can change the comfort of an open-boat trip quickly.

Family Suitability and Group Size

This is one of the better choices in Ho Chi Minh City for families with very young children who want a short activity outside the center. The boat ride is the main attraction, and the floating temple gives children an unusual place to see.

The available family feedback is especially useful here. The 4-year-old and 2-year-old enjoyed the morning outing, the boat, and the captain and guide. That points to a relaxed family rhythm rather than a demanding cultural program.

I would not choose this tour mainly for children who need a full activity schedule. The duration is short, and the walking stop may not fill an entire day. You also need to keep children safe around the water, even though life jackets are supplied.

For adults, the tour works best if you want a light introduction to the city beyond the center. It is less suitable if you want an intensive history tour, a substantial meal, or a full-day countryside journey.

Is $230 Per Person Good Value?

The listed price is $230 per person, with group discounts available. For a 90-minute experience, that is a high price compared with many ordinary city sightseeing activities.

The price can make more sense if the booking gives you a smaller, more personal group, a direct guide, hotel transport, and a carefully arranged boat visit. The maximum group of 15 helps, but it does not by itself prove that the trip is private or premium.

Several useful items are included: boat insurance, life jackets, an English-speaking guide, bottled water, wet towels, coconut juice, and fruit. Food and additional drinks are not included. The inclusions reduce minor expenses, but they do not change the short duration.

My advice is to compare the price with your priorities. If you have only one free morning and want a simple river, temple, and rural visit without arranging transport yourself, you may find the convenience worthwhile. If you are watching your budget, a 90-minute tour at this rate deserves careful comparison with longer boat trips.

The published rating is 4.9 from 124 reviews, with 100 percent recommendation shown in the tour details. Two available comments give a slightly more measured picture, both rating the experience 4 out of 5. One says it is a good little excursion for small children. Another praises the floating cathedral but wishes the trip continued longer. That difference is important: the tour seems to deliver what it promises, but you may wish it lasted more than 90 minutes.

What to Bring and What to Confirm

Bring sun protection and an umbrella from May through October. A light jacket is sensible from November through February. Comfortable clothing and shoes will serve you better than formal sightseeing clothes because the outing includes both boat travel and walking.

The operator provides life jackets, bottled water, wet towels, coconut juice, and fruit. You do not need to plan around a meal, but food is not included. If you have dietary requirements, provide them at booking. Special meal arrangements may carry a surcharge.

Confirm these points before departure:

• Exact meeting place and time at Bach Dang pier
• Whether hotel pickup and drop-off apply to your booking
• Which type of boat will be used
• Whether the morning or afternoon schedule is better for your party
• Any extra charge for special food arrangements

Confirmation is normally issued at booking. If you book within two days of departure, confirmation can take up to 48 hours and depends on availability.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you can receive a different date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of bookings, so a cancellation for that reason comes with the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Later cancellations and changes are not refunded or accepted.

Who Should Book This Boat Trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to families with small children, first-time visitors who want a quick look beyond central Saigon, and anyone who enjoys seeing a city from the water. The mix of temple, village, and river scenery gives you more variety than a simple cruise.

It is also a good fit if you want an organized outing with an English-speaking guide and a small maximum group. The provided drinks and wet towels make the short trip easier in hot weather.

I would hesitate if you want a long rural tour, a full Mekong Delta experience, a substantial food component, or strong value at the lowest possible price. The duration is short, and the price is steep for the time involved.

Should You Book the Dragon Floating Temple Tour?

Book it if your ideal outing is a compact change of pace: a boat ride from central Saigon, views around Thanh Da Island, a floating temple, and a short walk through Binh Quoi Village. The morning departure is the safest choice for families and hot months.

Before committing to the $230 price, confirm the transport arrangement and boat type. If hotel pickup is not included, you will need to reach Bach Dang pier yourself. If you want a longer excursion, the brief schedule may leave you wishing for more.

For a family-friendly introduction to Ho Chi Minh City’s waterways and quieter edges, this tour has real appeal. Just treat it as a short city escape, not a full countryside expedition.

FAQ

How long is the Dragon Floating Temple tour?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Bach Dang waterbus station, also called Bach Dang pier, on Ton Duc Thang in Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What places are visited?

The route includes Phu Chau Floating Temple, also called Dragon Floating Temple or Snake Island, and a cruise around Thanh Da Island. It also includes time in Binh Quoi Village.

Is the tour available in the morning and afternoon?

Yes. You can choose a morning or afternoon departure.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes an English-speaking guide, boat insurance, a life jacket, Lavie water, wet towels, coconut juice, and fruit on the boat.

Is food included?

Food and additional drinks are not included. You should provide any dietary requirements when booking, and special meal arrangements may involve a surcharge.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in a different date or a full refund.