VIP Tour in Dragon Floating Temple sightseeing by SpeedBoat

That river ride changes your whole Saigon mood.

This VIP SpeedBoat excursion gets you out past the Saigon Bridge and into quieter water-and-village scenery in just about 90 minutes. I like it because it mixes easy boat time with a real walking stop, and you also get a guided look at Vietnam’s floating-temple life—especially at the Dragon/Snake Island floating temple (and the tour also references Phu Chau Floating Temple) where your guide explains local religious beliefs and practices. A big plus is the included touches: English-speaking guide, life jacket, and even coconut juice and fruit on the boat.

One thing to plan around: you’re going to be on open water, and the tour says it depends on good weather. If you’re going in the hot stretch, afternoon can feel warmer; the tour also recommends an umbrella from May to October and a light jacket from November to February.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

• 90 minutes, real variety: Speedboat cruising plus a short foot-walk in the countryside
• Floating temple focus: You visit the Dragon/Snake Island area and hear how floating religious life works
• Saigon’s river landmarks: You cruise past Saigon Bridge, Saigon Port, and around Thanh Da Island
• Onboard comfort: Life jackets, insurance on the boat, plus water and wet towels
• Snacks included: Coconut juice and fruit are served during the boat portion
• Small groups: Maximum of 15 travelers keeps it manageable

Leaving Traffic Behind: The SpeedBoat Feeling

If you’ve spent any time in Ho Chi Minh City, you know the city can be intense—noise, movement, and heat all at once. This tour offers a simple fix: you switch from streets to water fast. The trip runs about 1 hour 30 minutes, and that timing matters. It’s long enough to feel like you went somewhere, but short enough that you won’t burn half a day just getting out of town.

You’ll be picked up in the Ho Chi Minh City area (the tour overview mentions hotel pickup and drop-off, while the practical meeting info points to Saigon Waterbus Station at Bach Dang pier). Either way, the goal is the same: get you to the pier without the hassle of figuring out transport on your own. From there, the ride is the main event. You’ll cruise past landmark river spots like Saigon Bridge and Saigon Port, and you’ll also pass Thanh Da Island.

The “why this works” part is the pacing. Many river excursions feel either too long (you get bored) or too short (you see almost nothing). Here, the boat time is balanced with brief moments on land, so you come away with a sense of place instead of only getting a moving view from one angle.

Saigon Bridge to Thanh Da Island: What You’ll See From the Water

Once you’re on the boat, you’re not just traveling—you’re sightseeing in motion. The route is built to give you a mix of big-city river structure and more relaxed scenery.

Here’s what you should expect during the cruise:

• You’ll pass Saigon Bridge and Saigon Port, which puts you right into the story of the city’s river life.
• You’ll continue cruising and make it around Thanh Da Island.
• You’ll enjoy coconut juice and fruits on board, which turns the ride from pure transit into an actual break.

A quick reality check: you’re on a speedboat, so it’s not a gentle floating daydream. It’s energetic. If you’re the type who wants slow, postcard-perfect reflections, you might prefer a calmer boat. But if you want a lively ride that gets you out quickly and keeps things moving, this is the right style.

Also, the tour includes insurance on the boat & life jacket, plus water and wet towels. That’s a practical comfort bundle. In hot or humid conditions, wet towels and water do more than you’d think, especially if you’ll be walking right after.

Dragon Floating Temple (Snake Island): The Stop That Gives Meaning

The most memorable part for me is the temple visit, because it’s where the scenery turns into understanding. The tour’s stop is the Dragon Floating Temple, called Snake Island, and it also refers to Phu Chau Floating Temple as part of the overall program. Either way, you’re going to a floating religious site where your guide explains local religious beliefs and practices.

That kind of guided context is valuable. A floating temple isn’t just a picture opportunity. It connects to how communities live with water, worship on waterways, and keep traditions going in an environment that changes with the river.

On the ground (or on the floating area), what to pay attention to:

• How the temple is set into the water setting, not against it
• How religious activity seems built for daily river life rather than isolated tourism
• The guide’s explanation of practices, since the tour specifically says your guide shares details about local beliefs

Since this is a sightseeing tour, you likely won’t have hours to wander. The best way to get value is to treat this stop like a focused visit: look first, then ask a simple question if something about the practices feels unfamiliar. That’s how you get more from 10–15 minutes than most people get from an hour.

Respect matters here, too. Floating temples are living places of worship, not indoor museums. Keep your voice low, be mindful with photos, and follow any guidance from your boat team or guide.

The Countryside Walk at Binh Quoi Village: When the Pace Slows

After the boat portion, the tour shifts gears into quieter scenery. The program takes you into a rural village area—referred to as a city version of the Mekong Delta—and you get time to wander by foot.

What makes this part worth it is contrast:

• You spend the first chunk seeing the Saigon river’s bigger structures.
• Then you walk through a more relaxed setting with fresh air and less urban intensity.

In the tour description, the walk is described as happening with scenic backgrounds and a feeling of untouched surroundings. Even if it’s not completely wild (it’s still within Ho Chi Minh City’s orbit), the experience is designed to feel like you stepped away from the city’s constant rush.

A practical note: because the tour is only about 90 minutes total, the walking time is not huge. So don’t plan on this being a long hike. Instead, think of it as a reset—legs stretch, you breathe different air, you see how people live and move around the water edges.

If you’re bringing kids, this walking segment can be a plus because it’s active but short. If you’re sensitive to heat, choose your departure time carefully, which I’ll cover next.

Morning vs Afternoon: Heat, Light, and Comfort

The tour offers morning or afternoon departures, and picking the right time is not just about schedules—it affects comfort a lot.

Here’s what the tour guidance suggests:

• An umbrella is recommended from May to October
• A light jacket is recommended from November to February

That tells you something important: conditions can swing quickly, and the tour spends time outdoors. On a speedboat, you also feel sun and wind in a direct way. So I’d choose the departure based on your own tolerance for sun and heat.

My practical rule:

• If you want cooler conditions and more comfortable walking, go morning.
• If your day plans only fit the afternoon, still come prepared with sun protection and shade gear.

The tour is also limited to a maximum of 15 travelers, which helps. Smaller groups tend to move together more smoothly at each stop, so you don’t lose time waiting around or dealing with chaos.

Price and Value: Is $230 for 90 Minutes Reasonable?

At $230 per person, this isn’t a cheap outing. For some travelers, the time length alone might feel like a lot to pay for. But value is not only about minutes—it’s about what’s included and how much hassle it removes.

What you’re getting for the money:

• English-speaking guide
• Insurance on the boat and a life jacket
• Water and wet towels
• Coconut juice and fruit on the boat
• Pickup and drop-off associated with Saigon Waterbus Station (Bach Dang pier)
• Group discounts (so the per-person cost can change depending on how it fills)
• Mobile ticket

So the value equation looks more like this: you’re paying for a guided, structured river escape with safety gear and food/drink included, plus transportation to the pier.

Where it makes the most sense:

• You want a guided floating-temple experience without planning ferry routes and transfers
• You want a short day break from the city that still feels like a real trip
• You value the comfort add-ons (wet towels, water, life jacket, insurance)

Where it might not be the best match:

• If you’re budget-first and comfortable building your own river route, you may find lower-cost options
• If floating temples are not a priority for you and you mostly want scenery, you might prefer a longer, cheaper cruise

For me, the sweet spot is this: you’re not paying for a marathon day. You’re paying for a smooth package that gets you from Saigon’s center to river life, temple culture, and a short countryside look with minimal friction.

What to Bring (and What’s Provided) on the Day

The tour is pretty thoughtfully equipped, but you still want to show up ready.

Included basics:

• Life jacket and boat safety coverage (insurance)
• Water and wet towels
• Coconut juice and fruit
• English-speaking guide
• Group size stays capped (max 15), which helps with flow

Not included:

• Food and other drinks beyond the coconut juice and fruit

So I’d pack like this:

• A way to protect from sun or light rain (the tour specifically recommends an umbrella from May to October)
• A light layer if you’re going from November to February (the tour suggests a light jacket then)
• Comfort-first shoes for the short walk
• If you wear sunscreen or bug spray, bring your own since those aren’t listed as included

One more tip: bring a little patience. Speedboats and outdoor stops mean you’ll be moving through the day in bursts. The tour is designed to keep things moving, and that’s part of the fun.

How the Stop Time Adds Up: A Realistic Itinerary Snapshot

Even without a long schedule on paper, you can picture how the 1 hour 30 minutes likely feels in practice.

You typically get:

• A cruise segment that includes the Saigon river landmarks like Saigon Bridge and Saigon Port
• A passing-by and viewing moment around Thanh Da Island
• A temple stop at Dragon Floating Temple (Snake Island) and/or Phu Chau Floating Temple, with your guide explaining beliefs and practices
• A countryside foot-walk in the village area (often described as Binh Quoi Village)
• A return back to the pier area, ending where you started

The order matters less than the rhythm: boat → temple context → short walk → boat return. That rhythm is what turns a short tour into something you actually remember.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This is a strong match if:

• You want an organized, guided river experience instead of DIY logistics
• You care about seeing a floating temple and hearing explanations, not just snapping photos
• You’re short on time but still want more than a quick city stop
• You’d like a small group setting (max 15)

It’s also a practical choice for families, especially those managing very young kids. The tour’s structure is short and active: boat rides for excitement, then a manageable walk, plus the comfort touches like water and wet towels.

Should You Book the VIP Dragon Floating Temple SpeedBoat Tour?

I’d book it if you want a fast, guided escape from Saigon into river culture, floating temple life, and a short countryside look—without spending a half day on transport. The included safety and comfort (life jacket, insurance, wet towels, water) plus the coconut juice and fruit make it feel like a complete outing, not just a transfer.

I would think twice if:

• You’re extremely price-sensitive
• You hate weather-dependent plans and you can’t be flexible
• You want a long walk or deep sightseeing time

If you’re deciding between the morning and afternoon departures, I’d lean morning for comfort—especially if you’re sensitive to heat or traveling with kids.

FAQ

How long is the VIP Dragon Floating Temple SpeedBoat tour?

It runs about 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.).

What area does the tour start from in Ho Chi Minh City?

The meeting point listed is Ga Tàu Thuỷ Bạch Đằng – Tôn Đức Thắng – Phường Bến Nghé, Bến Nghé, District 1. The included pickup/drop-off is associated with Saigon Waterbus Station (Bach Dang pier).

Is it offered as a morning or afternoon tour?

Yes. The tour offers both morning and afternoon sightseeing departures, and you choose which one to book.

What’s included in the price?

Included are an English-speaking guide, insurance on the boat, life jacket, water and wet towels, coconut juice and fruits on the boat, and pickup/drop-off tied to Saigon Waterbus Station (Bach Dang pier).

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included beyond the coconut juice and fruits provided on the boat.

What group size should I expect?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Do I need to worry about the weather?

Yes. The tour requires good weather. The tour also suggests packing an umbrella from May to October and a light jacket from November to February.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes—free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.