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From the heart of the city to the historical land.
In the morning, as the city awakens, speedboats pick up passengers at Bach Dang Wharf. From there, the boat glides through the green spaces along the riverbank, passing under the Saigon Bridge, Thu Thiem Bridge, and Binh Trieu Bridge. On both banks are old buildings interspersed with modern structures – unique facets of the riverside city.
The journey begins from Bach Dang Wharf, Ho Chi Minh City.
The journey, lasting over an hour and a half, takes visitors to Cu Chi. Amidst the lush greenery, the tunnels appear as a perfectly preserved part of history. Stepping down into the tunnels, the damp and dark atmosphere evokes a sense of what life was like for the soldiers of yesteryear. Reconstructed sections of tunnels, fighting pits, the Hoang Cam kitchen, and resting areas allow visitors to see firsthand the living and fighting conditions of the soldiers and civilians during that era.
This is both a journey into the past and a trip to touch a living heritage – where history is written through the sacrifices of previous generations – ordinary yet indomitable and resilient people.
A glimpse of the tunnel system and layout of Cu Chi Tunnels is recreated using a model.
After leaving the historical site, the ship sailed back towards Binh Duong. The scenery gradually changed: from the red soil of Cu Chi to the green of rows of trees, orchards, and small villages along the river.
A peaceful afternoon amidst the riverside landscape.
The canoe docked at a riverside eco-tourism area in Binh Duong province. Here, the atmosphere was fresh and peaceful, with thatched houses nestled among the trees. Visitors rested and enjoyed lunch with traditional Southern dishes such as braised fish in a clay pot, sour soup with water lilies, and boiled vegetables with dipping sauce, all cooked with local ingredients.
After the meal, visitors can visit the nearby craft village, where locals still make wooden clogs, pottery, and other handicrafts. The sounds of saws and pottery hammering, mixed with the scent of wood and fired clay, create a slow-paced, intimate atmosphere. Each product here reflects the simple yet enduring life of the riverside region.
As evening fell, the boat returned to the main channel, stopping by a few small temples and shrines along the riverbank. The sound of temple bells echoed in the wind, and the water reflected the faint twilight. It was a moment of quiet contemplation, simply watching the river flow by, as if listening to the city tell its story.
Sai Gon River Star's speedboat offers visitors a journey down the historical and cultural waterways of Ho Chi Minh City's outskirts.
From Vam Sat to Thanh An - new routes on the river.
In the future, Sai Gon River Star's new tour will reveal a different facet of the city, where nature and human life blend in tranquility. Vam Sat is located within the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve, surrounded by mangrove forests and a rich ecosystem. The space here feels completely isolated from the city, with only the sound of wind rustling through the trees, birdsong, and the lapping of water. Visitors can navigate the deep green canals by boat, watch flocks of birds soaring across the sky, or stop to enjoy a rustic lunch by the river.
From Vam Sat, the journey continues to Thanh An island commune – considered the southernmost point of Saigon before the river flows into the sea. Life here retains its rustic charm with fishing, salt production, oyster farming, and cobblestone streets running along the coastline. While there aren't many tourist services, it's precisely this simplicity that makes Thanh An special. Stepping onto the wooden bridge, listening to the waves beneath your feet, and seeing the small houses nestled among coconut trees, visitors can clearly feel the peaceful, sincere, and vibrant spirit of Saigon.
The Vam Sat - Thanh An Island exploration tour will soon be launched, bringing tourists to the southernmost point of Ho Chi Minh City.
When the river becomes the center of the journey
With such excursions, Sai Gon River Star not only opens up new routes but also offers new perspectives, where the river leads people from the past of the Cu Chi war zone to the peaceful present of a small fishing village, all within the heart of the city of Saigon.
These journeys are operated by Sai Gon River Star, a river tourism brand developed from the foundation of Huong Hai Ha Long - a company with many years of experience in operating waterway tours in Vietnam. After making its mark in Ha Long Bay, Huong Hai brings its operational experience, safety standards, and philosophy of "respecting nature - preserving culture" to the South, continuing its journey on the Saigon River with nature-friendly trips, encouraging tourists to experience and feel rather than just admire.
Gon River Star is a river tourism brand developed from the foundation of Huong Hai Ha Long.
With Sai Gon River Star, river cruises are not just about sightseeing, but an opportunity to look back at the city from a different perspective – where the water flows alongside history, and each trip is a way back to the roots of Saigon.
