Ben Thanh Princess Luxurious Dining Cruise in Ho Chi Minh City

The Ben Thanh Princess gives you a different view of Ho Chi Minh City: from the Saigon River, where the city’s lights become the evening’s main show. You board at 7 pm for a two-hour cruise, with dinner options and live entertainment on board.

I like two things in particular: the river views paired with a meal make this a relaxed way to spend an evening, and the live band or magic show gives the trip more shape than a simple boat ride. The staff members My and Dien are noted for friendly, attentive service, though the crew may vary.

One point to check before booking: drinks are not included, and the available details describe dinner as an option without making clear which meal package comes with the $58 price. Confirm what you are buying, especially if dinner is central to your plans.

• Two hours on the Saigon River: The evening cruise offers a calm vantage point on Ho Chi Minh City’s illuminated skyline.
• Entertainment on board: Live band music or a magic show is included, though the exact program may vary.
• Dinner can be part of the evening: Local and international dishes are offered, and vegan or vegetarian meals are available if requested.
• A family option: Optional children’s dinners are listed as Donal Duck and Pluto.
• A sizeable boat experience: The maximum group size is 100, so expect a shared cruise rather than a private outing.
• A fixed 7 pm start: You meet at 5 Đ. Nguyễn Tất Thành in District 4 and return to the same point.

A different angle on Ho Chi Minh City after dark

This cruise is less about reaching a destination than about taking a pause from the city’s streets. For two hours, you trade traffic and pavement for the Saigon River, with the city’s lights as a changing backdrop. It is an easy way to make an evening feel like an occasion without planning a full night of sightseeing.

The Ben Thanh Princess is described as a luxury cruise ship with modern tropical styling. Its name nods to Ben Thanh Market, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s best-known cultural symbols. The boat is also designed for upscale gatherings and events, so the setting aims for a dressed-up dinner rather than a bare-bones sightseeing ferry.

That distinction matters when you decide if the price suits you. At $58 per person, you are paying for the two-hour boat outing and entertainment, with dinner options described as part of the experience. But since drinks are extra and the meal details are not fully clear, check the exact package before booking instead of assuming every food item is included.

The 7 pm departure and the first stretch of the cruise

The experience starts at 5 Đ. Nguyễn Tất Thành, Phường 13, Quận 4, in District 4. The listed departure time is 7 pm, and the cruise ends back at the meeting point. Plan to arrive with enough time to find the boarding location, since a fixed departure leaves less room for a late start.

Once aboard, the main change is pace. You have a place to sit, a view of the river, and an evening planned around the boat rather than a string of stops. The cruise is approximately two hours, so it fits neatly into a dinner outing without taking up the entire night.

The city looks different from the water. Ho Chi Minh City’s lit skyline, river beacons, and urban glow provide the scenery, while the boat moves along the Saigon River. The information available does not specify named landmarks or a detailed route, so book this for a broad city-at-night view, not for a narrated tour of particular sights.

Dinner, entertainment, and the atmosphere on board

The evening is built around a combination of scenery, food, and a performance. The cruise description refers to local and international fare, with the meal offered as an option. That mix should suit you if you want familiar choices alongside Vietnamese dishes, but the exact menu is not specified.

If you need a vegan or vegetarian meal, request it in advance. This is a useful option, but it is not a reason to leave the request until boarding. Children’s menus are also listed, with the names Donal Duck and Pluto. The names suggest child-focused choices, but the actual dishes and portion sizes are not given.

Do not forget that drinks are extra. That can affect the final bill, especially if you are planning a celebratory dinner or ordering more than one beverage. The operator also excludes personal expenses not otherwise mentioned, so treat the $58 as the starting point for your evening budget, not necessarily the total.

Entertainment is listed as live band music or a magic show. The overview emphasizes a live band, and music is described as part of the romantic, festive atmosphere. Since the included details allow for either a band or a magic performance, it is sensible to regard the entertainment as a feature, but not to count on a specific act unless you confirm it.

The service can help make or break a meal on a boat. My and Dien are named as friendly and attentive staff, and the meal service is described as well-timed, with good-quality food. Staff assignments can change, of course, but attentive service and a dinner that arrives at a comfortable pace are good signs for an evening where the point is to relax rather than rush.

What the two-hour format means for your evening

Two hours is long enough to settle into dinner and watch the city pass, but short enough to leave room for other plans afterward. It is not a full sightseeing excursion, and there is no listed stop or shore visit. Think of it as an evening activity with a moving view, not as a way to cover the city.

That makes the cruise a good fit after a day of walking or museum visits. You can sit down, enjoy the river air and lights, and let the entertainment carry part of the evening. If you prefer to explore on foot, hear a guide explain city history, or stop at landmarks, this boat ride may feel too passive.

The maximum capacity is 100 people. That gives you a sense of scale: the boat can host a substantial group, so do not expect a private or small-group meal. The experience can still feel special, but the mood will depend partly on the number of people aboard and the setup on your departure.

Is $58 a fair price?

The value depends on what matters most to you. For $58, the central appeal is a two-hour river cruise with entertainment and the chance to have dinner on board. If you want a contained evening plan with skyline views, music or a show, and a meal option, it may be a reasonable way to combine several things in one booking.

The price is harder to assess if you expect a full dinner and drinks to be included. Drinks are explicitly excluded, while the meal is described as an option and the specific inclusions are not detailed. Before paying, check the selected booking option for the adult meal, menu, and any difference between cruise-only and dining packages.

It can also be useful to compare the cruise with a restaurant dinner on land. A restaurant may offer more menu choice and a longer meal, but it will not provide the same river setting or moving view. Here, some of the value comes from the atmosphere and entertainment, not just what arrives on your plate.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would consider this for couples, families, or friends who want a comfortable evening outing without having to plan several separate activities. The music, city lights, and dinner format make it especially suited to a celebration or a first evening in Ho Chi Minh City when you want an easy introduction to the city after dark.

Families have a specific advantage in the listed children’s menu, and vegetarian or vegan diners have an option if they request it ahead of time. Still, parents should confirm what the children’s meals include, and anyone with dietary needs should ask the operator to confirm the request rather than rely on a general menu note.

This is less suited to someone who wants a small, quiet boat, a detailed history lesson, or a guaranteed live band. The capacity can reach 100, entertainment may be a band or magic show, and no route commentary or specific landmarks are promised. If you are comfortable with those limits, the river setting is the main reason to go.

Weather, booking, and a few practical checks

The cruise requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Otherwise, the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so check your schedule carefully before booking.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is open to most participants. Insurance is provided by the operator. The details do not specify accessibility arrangements, so contact Bay Mau Tour directly if you need particular assistance or have questions about boarding.

Before you book, confirm three things: whether your selected price includes dinner, what entertainment is scheduled, and how to request a vegan, vegetarian, or children’s meal. Those questions will help you judge the real cost and avoid surprises at the pier.

Should you book the Ben Thanh Princess?

Book it if you want a relaxed, planned evening on the river, with city lights, dinner options, and some live entertainment in one outing. The strongest points are the two-hour format, the skyline views, and the reported attentive service from staff such as My and Dien.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed menu, included drinks, a small-group atmosphere, or a tour focused on named sights and historical commentary. At $58 per person, it makes the most sense when you value the setting as much as the meal. Confirm the dinner package first, then decide if the boat, lights, and music are worth the added cost for your night in Ho Chi Minh City.

FAQ

How long is the Ben Thanh Princess cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

What time does the cruise start?

The listed start time is 7 pm.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

It begins at 5 Đ. Nguyễn Tất Thành, Phường 13, Quận 4, Ho Chi Minh City, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is dinner included in the $58 price?

Dinner is described as an option, but the available details do not clearly state which meal is included with the $58 price. Confirm the package details before booking.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks and other personal expenses not otherwise mentioned are excluded.

Can I request a vegan or vegetarian meal?

Yes. Vegan and vegetarian meals are available if requested.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled due to poor weather.