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

Midnight fireworks over the Saigon River are the main event here. You board at Saigon Waterbus Station, share drinks and snacks on a speedboat, then watch the sky light up as the year turns. It is a small-group outing, with a maximum of 26 people.

I like the river setting, which offers a different vantage point from a crowded street, and the simple celebration built into the schedule, with finger food, drinks, and champagne for the countdown. One caution: the advertised duration is about two hours, but the posted times run from 9:15 pm check-in to a 12:30 am finish. Check the exact schedule before booking.

What to know before you book

• The fireworks are the centerpiece: The cruise is timed around the midnight display, with the celebration scheduled for 12:00 to 12:15 am.
• Expect a late evening: Check-in is listed for 9:15 pm, departure for 9:45 pm, and return for 12:30 am.
• It is a small-group boat trip: The maximum group size is 26, which keeps the outing more contained than a large party cruise.
• Drinks and finger food are included: The package lists beer, soft drinks, bottled water, snacks, and champagne for the countdown.
• Ask early about vegetarian food: A vegetarian option is available if requested in advance.
• Confirm the date and duration: The title refers to welcoming 2027, while a stray itinerary line refers to 2025. The scheduled event is December 31, 2026, continuing into January 1, 2027.

A New Year’s countdown from the river

Saigon’s river gives this celebration a different feel from standing shoulder to shoulder on a city street. You are on the water as midnight approaches, with the skyline and fireworks as the focus. The boat is a means to a viewpoint, not a sightseeing cruise with a long list of stops or commentary.

That distinction helps set expectations. The schedule does not describe a guided tour or a route past named landmarks. It promises a short ride, refreshments, and a place to watch the display. If your ideal New Year’s Eve is a relaxed toast with a view, that is the appeal. If you want a full evening of sightseeing, dinner, or a narrated trip, this is not that kind of outing.

A Tripadvisor comment specifically about a fireworks cruise describes friendly, professional staff and snacks and drinks that hit the mark. That is encouraging, but the wider feedback supplied for this operator mostly concerns Cu Chi Tunnels trips, not this New Year’s event. Those accounts praise guides such as Lan, Moon, Chister, and Mr. Chi, but they do not establish who will lead this cruise. I would not book expecting one of those guides or a history talk.

From check-in to the first toast

The meeting point is Ga Tàu Thuỷ Bạch Đằng, on Tôn Đức Thắng Street in Bến Nghé, District 1. Check-in is scheduled for 9:15 pm, and the instructions say to arrive on time. That matters on a New Year’s Eve departure: arriving late could mean starting the night in a rush, or missing the boat.

The cruise is scheduled to leave at 9:45 pm. Once aboard, you can expect light refreshments, including finger food, beer, and soft drinks. Bottled water and snacks are also listed as included. A vegetarian option is available on prior request, so make that request when arranging the booking rather than waiting until you board.

The timing leaves a gap between check-in and departure. The information does not explain how boarding is organized or what happens during that interval, so arrive prepared to wait at the meeting point. The mobile ticket should make it easier to show your booking, but it is still wise to have it ready when you arrive.

Watching the clock, and the fireworks

At 11:50 pm, champagne is scheduled for the countdown. Then, from midnight to 12:15 am, the boat is set to host the fireworks display and New Year celebration. That is the heart of the experience: a toast, the turn of the year, and the show above the river.

The schedule says the boat returns at 12:15 am and the tour concludes at 12:30 am at the same station. The short return gives you a clear end point, but keep in mind that the night will run past midnight. Arrange the rest of your plans with that finish time in mind.

There is an important timing wrinkle. The experience is described as about two hours, but the schedule spans 3 hours and 15 minutes from check-in to conclusion, or 2 hours and 45 minutes from departure to return. The posted times are more useful for planning than the approximate duration, but confirm the exact details with the operator before you commit.

There is also a date mismatch in the supplied description: the event is titled for New Year’s Eve 2027 and scheduled for December 31, 2026, which is the night leading into 2027. A separate itinerary line says the cruise welcomes 2025. Treat that as inconsistent copy, not as a second event date, and confirm that your booking is for the 2026 to 2027 celebration.

What the $150 price gets you

At $150 per person, this is a special-occasion purchase, not a budget river ride. The price includes a speedboat trip, snacks, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, and champagne for the countdown. The value rests mostly on the chance to watch the fireworks from the river in a group capped at 26, without needing to organize a boat or refreshments yourself.

The package does not list dinner. Finger food may be enough for a late-night snack, but you should not assume it replaces a proper meal. It also does not include an onboard restroom. That is worth considering for a night that begins with check-in at 9:15 pm and lasts beyond midnight, especially if you prefer not to go several hours without access to one.

In practical terms, you are paying for a timed spot on the water during a high-demand event, plus drinks and snacks. The experience may be good value if the river setting is central to your New Year’s plans. If you mainly want a meal or a long cruise, the listed inclusions do not promise either.

A small group, with a few limits

The maximum group size is 26. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large party boat, though it does not mean the boat is private. The information does not say how seating is arranged or whether everyone has an unobstructed view, so avoid assuming you can choose a particular spot.

The event requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum is not met, the options are another date or experience, or a full refund. For any other cancellation or change request, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed.

The broad tour rating is 4.9 out of 5, with 100 percent recommending it across 27 reviews. Use that as a positive signal, but keep its limits in view: many of the supplied comments are about the operator’s Cu Chi Tunnels trips, not the fireworks cruise. The directly relevant fireworks comment praises the view, crew, snacks, and drinks, which are precisely the parts of this short event that matter most.

Who will enjoy this river night

I would consider this cruise if you want a set plan for New Year’s Eve, like being on the water, and value a smaller group. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who are comfortable sharing a boat and want a toast and fireworks without arranging each detail themselves.

It may be less suitable if you need a restroom onboard, want a full meal, or prefer a quiet evening. The experience is centered on a midnight celebration, so there is no way around a late finish. Families or anyone sensitive to noise should also weigh whether a fireworks event is the right fit, though the available information does not specify sound levels or age limits.

The operator says most people can participate. No other accessibility details are provided, so ask directly if you have specific mobility or boarding needs. The same goes for any questions about seating, the exact route, or what food is served.

Should you book the Saigon fireworks cruise?

Book it if the idea of a midnight toast on the Saigon River feels worth $150 to you, and you are happy with a compact package of snacks, drinks, and fireworks rather than a full dinner cruise. The small group and river setting are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Before paying, confirm the December 31, 2026 date, the actual duration, vegetarian food request, and the late-night return plan. The mismatched date references and the two-hour versus 3-hour-and-15-minute schedule deserve a quick check. If those details line up with your plans, this could be a memorable, easy way to mark the new year from the water.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Ga Tàu Thuỷ Bạch Đằng on Tôn Đức Thắng Street in Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

What time should I arrive?

Check-in is listed for 9:15 pm. The instructions ask you to arrive on time.

What time does the boat depart?

The scheduled departure is 9:45 pm.

When are the fireworks?

The fireworks and New Year celebration are scheduled from 12:00 to 12:15 am.

When does the tour end?

The posted schedule says the tour concludes at 12:30 am at the meeting point.

How long is the experience?

It is described as approximately two hours, but the schedule runs from 9:15 pm check-in to 12:30 am. Confirm the exact timing before booking.

What is included in the price?

Included items are alcoholic beverages, snacks, and bottled water. The schedule also specifies beer, soft drinks, finger food, and champagne for the countdown.

Is vegetarian food available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available if requested in advance.

Is there a restroom onboard?

No. An onboard restroom is not included.

What happens if the cruise is canceled because of poor weather?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.