VIP Tour in Dragon Floating Temple sightseeing by SpeedBoat

The most unusual part of this Ho Chi Minh City outing is the visit to Phu Chau Floating Temple, a small religious site reached by boat and known locally as Dragon Floating Temple or Snake Island. In about 90 minutes, you leave the city center, pass major river landmarks, and reach a quieter corner of Saigon’s waterways.

I like the short, family-friendly format and the chance to see Thanh Da Island without giving up half a day. I also like the simple touches, including coconut juice, fruit, bottled water, and wet towels on the boat. The main drawback is the price: at $230 per person, this is costly for a brief excursion, especially since you must meet at Bach Dang pier rather than relying on the promised hotel pickup.

Key points to know before booking

• Phu Chau Floating Temple is the main event: Visit the colorful temple site and hear about local religious beliefs from an English-speaking guide.
• The cruise stays close to central Saigon: You pass Saigon Bridge, New Saigon Port, and Thanh Da Island before reaching quieter waters.
• The tour lasts about 90 minutes: It is easy to fit into a morning or afternoon, but too short for anyone seeking a full Mekong Delta experience.
• The boat includes small comforts: Coconut juice, fruit, Lavie water, wet towels, life jackets, and boat insurance are provided.
• Morning is the better choice for families: A morning departure was more comfortable for children aged 4 and 2 on one outing because the heat was less intense.
• The meeting point matters: You start and finish at Saigon Waterbus Station, Bach Dang pier, in District 1.

Leaving central Ho Chi Minh City by boat

The tour begins at Ga Tàu Thuỷ Bạch Đằng, also called Saigon Waterbus Station or Bach Dang pier, on Ton Duc Thang Street in District 1. This is a useful central starting point, but you should plan your own way there. The supplied details identify Bach Dang pier as both the pickup and return point, so do not assume that hotel pickup is included.

The experience is described as a VIP speedboat tour, while the broader description also refers to a traditional boat. Since the exact vessel can affect comfort, shade, and the feel of the ride, I would confirm the boat type when booking. In either case, you should expect a short water trip rather than a long river voyage.

A maximum of 15 people keeps the group fairly small. That matters here because the temple visit is compact, and a large crowd would make the stop feel rushed. A smaller group also gives you a better chance to hear the guide while moving around the boat and temple area.

Life jackets and boat insurance are included. You also receive Lavie water and wet towels, useful in Ho Chi Minh City’s heat. The boat ride includes coconut juice and fruit, but a full meal is not part of the price.

Saigon Bridge, New Saigon Port, and the river view

Once underway, the route gives you a different look at Ho Chi Minh City. From the water, you see Saigon Bridge and New Saigon Port, two useful points of reference for understanding how the city connects to its river.

The contrast is the point. Central Ho Chi Minh City can feel crowded and loud at street level. On the river, the pace changes. You still see the city’s working waterfront, but the view opens up and the tour offers a quieter way to understand Saigon’s geography.

The route continues past Thanh Da Island. The island is close to the city center, yet the setting feels more rural than the streets around Bach Dang pier. The excursion description also refers to Binh Quoi Village as a local version of the Mekong Delta, with time to walk and enjoy the surroundings.

Keep your expectations measured. This is not a full Mekong Delta trip, and the 90-minute duration leaves little time for a long village visit, extended walking, or several separate sightseeing stops. Think of it as a quick introduction to the city’s nearby waterways and rural edges.

Phu Chau Floating Temple, also called Snake Island

The temple is the reason to choose this tour instead of a simple sightseeing cruise. Phu Chau Floating Temple is reached by boat and sits apart from the regular streets of Ho Chi Minh City. The name Dragon Floating Temple appears in the tour title, while Snake Island is another local name used for the site.

Your English-speaking guide explains local religious beliefs and practices during the visit. That context is important because the temple is not just a photo stop. You get a glimpse of how spiritual life fits into the daily culture of southern Vietnam.

The available details do not list specific statues, halls, or ceremonies, so you should not book this expecting a long guided temple tour. The visit is best understood as a compact cultural stop, paired with the river ride. You will have some time to look around on foot, but the tour is built around movement between the pier, boat, and temple rather than a long stay in one place.

Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking and easy to manage. The tour includes both boat travel and a visit on foot, although the exact walking distance is not specified. A hat or umbrella is sensible from May through October, when rain and strong sun can both affect the outing.

Cruising around Thanh Da Island with fruit and coconut juice

After visiting the floating temple, the route includes a cruise around Thanh Da Island. Coconut juice and fruit are served on the boat, giving the ride a welcome local touch without turning it into a formal meal.

This part of the trip is less structured than the temple visit. You can focus on the views, take photos, and watch the river change as the city gives way to quieter surroundings. The tour also provides bottled water and wet towels, which are small details but useful in hot weather.

The rural setting is appealing precisely because it is so close to central Saigon. You do not need to spend a full day reaching the Mekong Delta to get a short break from the city. At the same time, the trip does not provide the scale or variety of a dedicated delta tour. There is no information about extended paddling, markets, farm visits, or a full village meal, so do not expect those activities here.

One practical point: the tour summary says food and drinks are not included, but the inclusions specifically provide coconut juice, fruit, and water. I would read that as no full meal or extra refreshments beyond the listed items. If you need a special meal, state your dietary requirements when booking, and note that a surcharge may apply.

Why the morning departure may work best

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. The morning option is the safer pick for families and for anyone sensitive to heat. A family who brought children aged 4 and 2 found the morning outing more comfortable because the temperature was not as high.

That advice is especially useful on a boat, where shade may not cover every seat. It also leaves the rest of your day open for museums, markets, or a relaxed meal in District 1.

The afternoon departure may suit you if you want a slower start or have morning plans. Still, the supplied guidance recommends an umbrella from May to October and a light jacket from November to February. Weather can change, and the activity requires good conditions. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The 90-minute length makes either departure easy to fit into a busy Ho Chi Minh City schedule. It also means the outing will feel brisk. You will not spend long periods lingering at the temple or village, so keep your camera ready and listen closely when the guide explains the sites.

A good choice for families, but not a full-day river adventure

The strongest case for this tour is its ease. You get a boat ride, a temple, a little rural scenery, and light refreshments without committing to a long excursion. The short duration can be a real advantage if you are traveling with young children.

The boat crew and guide were especially kind and engaging with small children on one morning outing. The children enjoyed the boat and the captain, which tells you something practical about the atmosphere: this is not a demanding cultural tour that expects children to sit quietly for hours.

The tour is also suitable for most people, and it is near public transportation. The small maximum group size of 15 helps keep the experience manageable, though the tour is not described as private. Group discounts are available, which may improve the value if you are booking for several people.

The main limitation is that the tour can feel too short if you want a full rural excursion. One family enjoyed the boat ride and temple but wished the trip continued longer. That is a fair criticism. The program gives you a taste of the river and nearby rural areas, not a complete day away from Saigon.

Is $230 per person good value?

At $230 per person, this is a premium price for an experience lasting about an hour and a half. You are paying for the guide, boat arrangements, insurance, refreshments, and a small group rather than for a long list of activities.

The value depends on what you want. If you have limited time and care most about visiting Phu Chau Floating Temple with an English-speaking guide, the price may be acceptable. The tour combines a cultural stop with river views and avoids the planning involved in arranging a boat independently.

If your priority is the greatest amount of sightseeing per dollar, the cost is harder to justify. A 90-minute cruise does not include a meal, and the meeting point is at Bach Dang pier. You should also remember that the exact boat type is not fully clear from the supplied description, so confirm what the VIP label means before paying.

Group discounts could change the calculation for families or small parties. Ask about the final group price rather than assuming the listed per-person rate is fixed.

The published rating is 4.9 from 124 reviews, with 100 percent recommending the experience. The strongest themes are the friendly captain and guide, the floating temple, and the appeal for families with young children. Those positives support the tour’s quality, but they do not remove the short duration or high price.

What to bring and how to plan the day

Bring sun protection, a phone or camera, and clothing that works for warm, humid weather. An umbrella is recommended from May to October, while a light jacket is recommended from November to February.

You receive a life jacket, water, wet towels, fruit, and coconut juice. Food beyond those listed refreshments is not included, so eat beforehand if you need something more substantial. Special meal requests should be made at booking, and an extra charge may apply.

Arrive at Bach Dang pier with enough time to locate the meeting point. The activity ends back at the same place, which is convenient for continuing your day in District 1. The tour is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not specify hotel transfers despite the general overview referring to hotel pickup and drop-off. Treat the pier as the firm meeting and return location.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Late cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund. Weather and minimum group numbers can also affect departure, with a different date or a full refund offered if the operator cancels.

Should you book this Dragon Floating Temple tour?

Book it if you want a short, unusual river outing close to central Ho Chi Minh City, especially if Phu Chau Floating Temple appeals to you or you are traveling with young children. The morning departure, small group limit, kind guide and captain, fruit, coconut juice, and easy return to District 1 make it a simple addition to a city stay.

Think twice if you expect a full Mekong Delta experience, extensive village time, or strong value for money. At $230 per person, the tour makes sense mainly for its convenience and distinctive temple visit. Confirm the boat type and meeting arrangements before booking, then choose the morning slot if heat or young children are concerns.

FAQ

How long does the Dragon Floating Temple tour last?

The activity lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Ga Tàu Thuỷ Bạch Đằng, Saigon Waterbus Station, on Ton Duc Thang Street in Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Bach Dang pier.

Is hotel pickup included?

The detailed meeting information lists pickup and drop-off at Saigon Waterbus Station, Bach Dang pier. The general tour description refers to hotel pickup and drop-off, so confirm this point with the provider before booking.

What will I see during the boat trip?

The route includes Saigon Bridge, New Saigon Port, Thanh Da Island, rural surroundings, and Phu Chau Floating Temple, also called Dragon Floating Temple or Snake Island.

Is a guide included?

Yes. An English-speaking guide is included.

Are refreshments provided?

Yes. The boat provides Lavie water, wet towels, coconut juice, and fruit. A full meal is not included.

Is a life jacket provided?

Yes. Life jackets and insurance on the boat are included.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.