Two hours on the Saigon River feels like a reset. This Ben Thanh Princess cruise turns Ho Chi Minh City’s night lights into your dining room, with a 2-hour scenic ride and music running through the evening. I love the easy pace that keeps the mood relaxed, and I love that the meal is built into the cruise so you’re not scrambling for dinner after dark. One thing to consider: drinks aren’t included, and the cruise depends on good weather.

The boat is named after one of Ho Chi Minh City’s best-known cultural symbols, and it’s styled with modern tropical touches. On top of the views, you get either a live band or a Magic show, which makes the whole experience feel more like an event than a simple ride. In the smooth-service stories, crew members like My and Dien are noted as friendly and attentive, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to enjoy the night without micromanaging logistics.

If you’re traveling with kids, there’s an optional kids menu with Donal Duck and Pluto choices. If you’re avoiding animal products, you can request vegan/vegetarian in advance—just make sure you do it when booking.

Key highlights at a glance

• Saigon River skyline views from the water for a different angle than the street
• Live band or Magic show so the evening has energy beyond dinner
• Meal included during the 2-hour cruise with local and international options
• Vegan/vegetarian available by request to keep plans stress-free
• Optional kids menu with Donal Duck and Pluto
• Small-ish group feel with a maximum of 100 travelers

Ben Thanh Princess: what the theme and setting are really for

This cruise is branded around the Ben Thanh identity—one of the city’s most recognizable cultural symbols. That matters because it signals the vibe the operator is going for: upscale nights, family-friendly celebrations, and a setting that feels “special” without requiring you to dress like you’re going to a wedding.

The ship itself is described as having a modern tropical look. Translation for you: you’re not crammed into something industrial. The goal is to make the boat feel comfortable for evenings—great if you’re the kind of traveler who likes a plan that’s straightforward and photogenic, but not stiff.

Also, there’s a practical upside to the “event” framing. With entertainment running during the ride and dinner served onboard, you’re less likely to feel like you’re just waiting around for one highlight. The whole 2-hour block is meant to work as a complete evening.

Price and value: is $58 worth it?

At $58 per person for about 2 hours, the value comes from what you get together: the scenic cruise, onboard entertainment, and dinner service. In many cities, if you price those pieces separately—especially dinner plus a paid activity—you’ll often spend similar money without getting the river-view bonus.

Here’s the honest math in plain terms:

• You’re paying for time on the Saigon River at night, not just a meal.
• Dinner is included, but drinks aren’t. So if you plan to order cocktails, expect to add to the total.
• You’re also getting either a live band or a Magic show, which increases the “event feel” beyond food alone.

So I’d call it good value if you want one ticket that handles your evening. If you’re the type who already has a dinner plan and only wants photos from the river, you might feel like it’s overkill.

Your evening flow: what happens from 7:00 pm to back at the dock

This cruise starts at 7:00 pm, and it runs for about 2 hours. You meet at 5 Đ. Nguyễn Tất Thành, Phường 13, Quận 4, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you don’t have to worry about arranging transport at the finish.

Even though the exact second-by-second schedule isn’t listed, the experience is designed to run like this:

1) Arrival and boarding

You show up at the meeting point and check in, then you settle in. With a maximum of 100 travelers, the ship should feel lively but not chaotic.

2) Cruise across the Saigon River

Once underway, the focus shifts to the lights. The cruise is described as offering a calm, tranquil perspective on Saigon’s glow—green and red beacons, skyline views, and that “night city” feeling you can’t fully get from a rooftop.

3) Dinner during the ride

Dinner is served onboard. In the experiences shared, dinner timing is described as served perfectly, with good quality food. Practically, that means you can relax and let the staff handle serving rather than feeling like you’re eating between distractions.

4) Music (or Magic show) as you go

You’re serenaded by live music throughout the journey. If your night includes a Magic show instead of a band, the purpose stays the same: keep the atmosphere entertaining while the city slides by.

5) Return

After the 2-hour scenic loop, the cruise ends back where you started. That makes it easy to pair with an early night plan or a second stop nearby.

Saigon River at night: when the views hit hardest

The biggest reason to do a river cruise like this is simple: the city looks different from the water. On the Saigon River, you get reflections, layers of light, and a skyline view that feels more cinematic than street-level sightseeing.

The cruise description highlights how you’ll see Saigon’s skyline with glowing beacons. That matters because beacons and colored lights create visual depth. Instead of one flat skyline, you get light patterns stretching across the water.

Timing-wise, a 7:00 pm start is smart. You’re usually catching the transition into full night, when the buildings and streets are lit up but the air still feels comfortable for spending time onboard.

My advice: plan to look up often. Sounds obvious, but it’s easy to get stuck filming the moment and miss the next one. Give yourself a few rounds—one for photos, one for just watching.

Dinner and entertainment: what you’ll care about most

What’s included in dinner

Dinner is included, with a spread of local and international foods. That’s a good setup for mixed groups—especially if someone in your party wants “safe” flavors and someone else wants local tastes.

Food quality is praised as very good, and dinner service is described as timed nicely. That’s important on a cruise because if service drags, your evening turns into waiting. Here, the tone is that dinner comes in a smooth way so you can enjoy the ride, not just endure it.

If you’re vegan/vegetarian, the key detail is that you can request it in advance. Don’t wait until you’re onboard unless you enjoy stress. Ask for it when you book.

Kids menu: Donal Duck and Pluto

If you’re traveling with children, there’s an optional kids menu with Donal Duck and Pluto options. That tells you the operator is at least thinking about families, not only couples.

Live band vs Magic show

Entertainment is listed as Live band music or Magic show. Either way, it’s designed to keep the energy up while you’re sailing. The live band is described as entertaining and adding a lot to the atmosphere, which makes sense: music helps fill the space between courses and keeps conversations easy.

So you can choose based on your group:

• If you want a relaxed, sing-along vibe, lean toward live music nights.
• If you’ve got kids or you prefer a show-style moment, Magic show nights can be fun.

Who should book this Ben Thanh Princess cruise?

This is a strong choice for:

• Couples who want a low-effort date night with skyline views and music
• Families needing a single-ticket plan that’s easy to manage
• Groups of friends who want dinner without the “where do we eat now?” debate
• Vegetarian or vegan travelers who can request dietary options in advance

It may be less ideal if:

• You’re on a strict budget and already have dinner covered elsewhere.
• You hate weather-dependent plans. The experience requires good weather, and the operator won’t run it normally in poor conditions.
• You want a high-intensity sightseeing itinerary. This is about a scenic ride and atmosphere, not a list of stops.

Comfort tips that make this cruise feel effortless

A couple of practical tips help you get the most out of the night.

1) Budget for drinks

Drinks aren’t included. If you want a beer, wine, or cocktails, factor that into your total. You’ll enjoy the evening more if you’re not doing surprise math in the moment.

2) Choose your meal expectations

Dinner is included and described as good quality, but it’s still a cruise meal. Bring the right mindset: you’re going for a nice onboard dinner with views, not for a chef’s-table tasting menu.

3) If you need vegan/vegetarian options, request them up front

The info is clear: vegan/vegetarian is available if you request it. Make sure it’s part of your booking so staff can prepare properly.

4) Plan for a weather-sensitive evening

Since the cruise requires good weather, keep your schedule flexible around other plans. If your trip has a hard fixed dinner or a late appointment, don’t stack it right over this cruise.

5) Arrive with a calm buffer

You’re meeting at the dock address and checking in. Even if everything runs smoothly, arriving a bit early gives you breathing room—plus time to settle in before the boat leaves.

Weather and refunds: the part you should take seriously

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That’s the strict part.

The key exception is weather. If the cruise is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. In other words, if the operator cancels, you’re protected. If you cancel, you’re not.

So I’d treat this like a normal evening plan with a weather safety net—not like a flexible ticket you can reshuffle casually.

Should you book the Ben Thanh Princess dining cruise?

Yes, if you want a simple, good-looking night plan that combines a river ride, dinner, and entertainment in one ticket. The best version of this cruise is when you’re ready to slow down and enjoy the skyline from the water, not rush through stops.

I’d especially recommend it if you:

• have friends or family with mixed tastes and want one plan that works for most people,
• like the idea of live music as part of dinner,
• want vegan/vegetarian options handled through an advance request,
• or want something more romantic and relaxed than a traditional walking tour.

Skip it if you already have dinner locked in, you don’t enjoy weather-dependent activities, or you’re expecting a long sightseeing route with multiple stops. This is a tight, scenic night experience. If that’s your style, you’ll likely feel like you got good value for $58.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Ben Thanh Princess dining cruise?

It lasts about 2 hours.

What time does it start in Ho Chi Minh City?

The start time is 7:00 pm.

How much does it cost per person?

The price is $58.00 per person.

What’s included with the ticket?

Included are the 2-hour cruise, insurance provided by the operator, and live band music or a Magic show, along with dinner (including a kids menu option). Vegan/vegetarian is available if requested.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included.

Is there a kids menu?

Yes. There is an optional kids menu dinner with Donal Duck and Pluto.

What about weather cancellations?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Where do I meet and where does the cruise end?

Meet at 5 Đ. Nguyễn Tất Thành, Phường 13, Quận 4, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam, and it ends back at the same meeting point.