Ben Thanh Princess Luxurious Dining Cruise in Ho Chi Minh City

The best part of the Ben Thanh Princess is the change of pace. At 7:00 pm, you leave busy Ho Chi Minh City behind for a two-hour ride on the Saigon River, with red and green lights, city towers, and evening music setting the mood. I like the polished ship and the chance to pair the cruise with dinner. I also like that the program may include a live band or magic show, so the night has more than scenery.

The main thing to consider is that the $58 price does not include drinks, and dinner is described as an option rather than a clear part of every booking. You should confirm exactly what meal package you are selecting before paying, especially since the booking is non-refundable.

Key points to know before boarding

• The cruise begins at 7:00 pm: Meet at 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh in District 4, then return to the same point after the cruise.
• You get about two hours on the river: This is an evening outing, not a full-day sightseeing trip with shore stops.
• The city lights are the main view: Expect a fresh look at Ho Chi Minh City from the water as the skyline glows after dark.
• Entertainment is built into the evening: A live band or magic show may accompany the ride.
• Dinner can include local and international food: Drinks and personal spending are extra.
• Special meals need advance notice: Vegan and vegetarian meals are available if requested, and a children’s menu featuring Donald Duck and Pluto can be arranged.

Seeing Ho Chi Minh City from the Saigon River

Ho Chi Minh City is noisy, fast, and full of motion at street level. The Ben Thanh Princess gives you two hours to see it from a quieter angle. The river becomes the center of the evening, while the city’s lights provide the backdrop.

You are not signing up for a sightseeing cruise with repeated stops or guided visits to landmarks. This is a moving dinner setting. The appeal comes from watching the urban lights pass by while you sit with friends, family, or a partner.

The view is at its best when you want a break from traffic and crowds. Green and red beacons, illuminated buildings, and the city skyline create a more relaxed picture of Saigon. I would treat the scenery as a mood setter rather than expect close-up views of every famous attraction.

That distinction matters. If you want detailed facts about Ho Chi Minh City, this may not be the right choice. If you want a pleasant evening with views, food, and music, the format makes sense.

What the 7:00 pm schedule feels like

The fixed start time helps you plan a night in the city. You meet at 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Phuong 13, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City. The cruise ends back at that same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup at the end.

The supplied details give an approximate duration of two hours. That is long enough for a proper evening outing without taking over your entire night. You can plan dinner around it, but allow yourself enough time to reach the meeting point before 7:00 pm.

The experience provider is Bay Mau Tour. The cruise has a maximum capacity of 100 people, which means this is not a small private boat experience. At the same time, a stated limit gives you a clearer idea of scale than an open-ended public cruise.

I would arrive ready for an evening event rather than a casual boat ride. The ship is designed for upscale gatherings and uses modern tropical architecture. That makes the Ben Thanh Princess a better match for a celebration, date night, or family occasion than for someone seeking a simple ferry-style ride.

The Ben Thanh Princess setting

The name refers to Ben Thanh Market, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s best-known cultural symbols. That connection gives the cruise a local identity, even though the experience itself focuses on modern dining and entertainment.

The ship combines a polished interior with a tropical design. You can expect the boat to feel more formal than a basic river tour. This matters if you are choosing an evening activity for a birthday, anniversary, or a night with visiting family.

The setting also helps explain the price. At $58 per person, this is not a low-cost way to see the river. You are paying for the ship’s dining atmosphere, the entertainment, the scheduled cruise, and the sense of occasion.

I would compare it with the cost of an ordinary dinner plus a separate evening activity. If you already plan to eat somewhere inexpensive, the cruise may feel costly. If you want dinner, river views, and live entertainment in one planned outing, the price can be reasonable, provided your booking includes the meal you want.

Dinner options, from local dishes to children’s plates

The meal option includes a spread of local and international fare. The information does not give a fixed menu, so you should not book expecting a particular dish. Think of the meal as a broad dining selection rather than a focused Vietnamese tasting menu.

That can be useful for a mixed group. One person may want local food, while another prefers familiar international choices. The setup also makes the cruise easier for families, since a children’s menu featuring Donald Duck and Pluto is available as an option.

Vegetarian and vegan meals are available if requested. I would make that request before the cruise rather than assume it will be handled automatically at boarding. The same advice applies to the children’s menu.

Drinks are not included. This is the clearest extra cost to plan for, since the $58 price covers the cruise and listed inclusions but not beverages or other personal expenses. If you are watching your budget, check the drink prices before ordering several rounds.

The dinner question deserves special attention. The description says you have the option to enjoy a meal during the ride, while the inclusions list the children’s dinner as optional. Before booking, confirm if your selected rate includes a full dinner, a dinner supplement, or cruise-only access. That small check can prevent a surprise at the pier.

Live music, magic, and the evening mood

The entertainment may be a live band or a magic show. The supplied details do not promise both at the same time, so keep your expectations flexible.

Live music suits the cruise well. One direct account of the evening praised the music for adding to the atmosphere, while the food and service were also described as strong. The result is less about a formal concert and more about having a steady soundtrack as the boat moves along the river.

A magic show gives the night a different feel. It may work especially well for families or groups who want something active to watch between courses. Couples seeking a quiet dinner should note that any live entertainment can make the room more social and less private.

This is one reason I would not choose the Ben Thanh Princess only for silence. The cruise is built around a complete evening program: lights, food, music or magic, and a luxury setting. It is meant to feel festive.

Service details that can shape your night

The service account specifically names My and Dien as friendly and attentive. Dinner was served in a well-timed way, and the food was described as good quality. Those details matter because a cruise meal has a fixed schedule. Slow service can leave you rushing through dinner or missing part of the view.

Here, the reported service was a strong part of the evening. I would still keep in mind that service can vary by date and crowd size. The boat may accommodate up to 100 people, so a busy sailing can feel different from a quieter one.

The most useful expectation is simple: plan to enjoy the full setting, not just the plate in front of you. The river views, ship design, food service, and entertainment all work together. If one part is not your favorite, the other elements still give the evening some shape.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I think the Ben Thanh Princess works best for people who want a prepared night out with little planning once they arrive. Couples can use it for a romantic evening, especially with the city lights and live music. Friends and families get a shared activity that does not require constant movement from one attraction to the next.

It also suits visitors who have already spent time on Ho Chi Minh City’s streets and want a different view. The river provides a calmer setting without asking you to leave the city.

Families should pay attention to the optional children’s menu. The Donald Duck and Pluto theme may make dinner easier for younger children, while the magic show option can add another family-friendly touch.

The cruise is less suited to independent food explorers. You will not be choosing small restaurants along a street or sampling dishes from several neighborhoods. It is also not the best fit if you want a small boat, a private guide, or a detailed history talk.

What the cruise does not include

The activity includes operator-provided insurance, the two-hour cruise, live band music or a magic show, and the meal options listed for children and special diets. Drinks and other personal expenses are not included.

No hotel transfer is listed. You need to reach the meeting point at 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh yourself, then return there at the end. Since the start and finish are the same, the transport plan is straightforward once you have arranged your route to District 4.

There are no separate stops described. You should expect the ship to remain the focus for the full outing, with the scenery changing as you travel along the Saigon River.

The activity can accommodate up to 100 people, and most people can participate. No special physical requirement is listed. Still, anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator for current boarding details before booking, since the supplied information does not explain the pier or ship access.

Is $58 a fair price?

At $58 per person, the Ben Thanh Princess sits in the special-occasion category. It is more expensive than simply finding dinner in Ho Chi Minh City, but it combines a two-hour river ride with a designed dining environment and entertainment.

The value depends on how much you want the complete package. If you are happy to pay for atmosphere, city views, music, and a scheduled evening, the cost can make sense. If food is your only priority, you may find better value in a restaurant where you can choose exactly what you want.

I would also factor in drinks. Since they are extra, the final bill can rise beyond the advertised rate. Ask about the meal and beverage arrangements before committing.

The experience has a perfect 5 rating from 21 ratings and a 100 percent recommendation rate, which points to a strong record in the supplied feedback. The most praised details are the attentive service from My and Dien, well-timed dinner, good-quality food, and entertainment that supported the atmosphere.

Weather and the non-refundable booking rule

This is an outdoor-facing river activity, so weather matters. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Your own cancellation terms are strict. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or request an amendment, the amount paid is not returned.

That makes the booking worth checking carefully before payment. Confirm your date, the dinner option, special meal requests, and the meeting point. A little planning matters more here because you cannot rely on a later date change if your plans shift.

Should you book the Ben Thanh Princess?

Book this cruise if you want an easy, polished night with Saigon River views, dinner options, and live entertainment. It is especially suitable for couples, families, and groups celebrating something, or for anyone who wants a break from the city streets without leaving Ho Chi Minh City.

I would skip it if you want a cheap meal, a private boat, or a detailed sightseeing tour with stops and commentary. Also confirm exactly what your $58 package includes, since drinks are extra and dinner appears to depend on the option selected.

For the right occasion, the Ben Thanh Princess offers a pleasant change of scene. My strongest reasons to choose it are the two-hour timing, the evening skyline, and the combination of food and entertainment. My main caution is the fixed, non-refundable booking and the need to budget separately for drinks.

FAQ

Where does the Ben Thanh Princess cruise start?

The cruise starts at 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Phuong 13, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

What time does the cruise begin?

The scheduled start time is 7:00 pm.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh.

Is dinner included?

Dinner is presented as an option, and the available food includes local and international fare. Confirm the exact meal arrangement when booking. A children’s dinner menu is also optional.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included in the tour price.

Are vegetarian and vegan meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan meals are available if you request them.

What entertainment is provided?

The cruise includes either live band music or a magic show.

Can children participate?

Most people can participate, and a children’s menu featuring Donald Duck and Pluto is available as an option.