Enjoy Dragon Floating Temple Tour Vip & Premium Speed Boat

Phu Chau Floating Temple is the star here: a colorful, historic shrine spread across a small river island, reached by speedboat rather than by road. Add a quiet stop at Binh Quoi Village, and you get a quick look at rural life without spending a full day leaving Ho Chi Minh City.

I like the small-group or private-boat option, which makes the ride more personal than a crowded bus tour. I also like the simple local touches: fresh tropical fruit, coconut juice, and an English-speaking guide who explains the religious customs at Phu Chau. If Bien is leading your boat, you can expect a particularly friendly guide.

The main drawback is the short running time. Two hours gives you a taste rather than a full countryside outing, and $88 per person is not a low price for such a brief tour. You are paying for the speedboat, guide, convenience, and private-group possibility, not a long list of sights.

Key Details at a Glance

• Phu Chau Floating Temple occupies a whole river island, giving you a memorable setting that cannot be reached by ordinary road sightseeing.
• Binh Quoi Village offers a small Mekong Delta-style escape within easy reach of central Ho Chi Minh City.
• The speedboat ride passes Saigon Bridge, New Saigon Port, and Thanh Da Island, adding useful city and river views between stops.
• Coconut juice and tropical fruit are included, a welcome break during the village visit.
• The two-hour schedule works well for a free afternoon, though it leaves little room for a slow, unhurried visit.
• A private group is available, making the $88 price more appealing for families or couples who want their own boat.

Leaving the City from Saigon Waterbus Station

The tour begins at Saigon Waterbus Station, 10B Ton Duc Thang in Ben Nghe Ward, District 1. The meeting point is close to the riverfront, and the activity ends at the same station, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back across the city.

Your first boat ride lasts about 15 minutes. That is enough time to leave the streets behind and see Ho Chi Minh City from a different angle without committing to a long river cruise.

You pass Saigon Bridge and New Saigon Port before reaching Thanh Da Island. These views help you understand how quickly the city changes along the river. High-energy urban scenes give way to quieter water, open banks, and pockets of village life.

The boat may have 12, 24, or 34 seats. Ask about the boat size when you book if personal space matters to you. A smaller boat should feel more intimate, while a larger one may suit families or groups who want to travel together.

Life vests, insurance, mineral water, and wet towels are included. Those details are practical rather than glamorous, but they make a short boat outing easier, especially on a hot afternoon.

Phu Chau Floating Temple on Its River Island

The first major stop is Phu Chau Temple, with about 40 minutes for a visit and guided tour. The temple takes up an entire river island, which is what gives this stop its special character. You are not simply walking into a shrine on a busy city street. You reach it across the water and spend time on a place separated from the mainland.

Your English-speaking guide explains local religious beliefs and practices as you look around. This context matters. Temples can be visually striking, but the details mean more when you understand how local people use and regard the site.

Give yourself time to notice the setting as well as the temple. The river surrounds the island, and the boat approach provides views that a road-based tour cannot offer. The visit is short, so listen closely during the guide’s explanation and keep your own wandering focused.

Forty minutes is enough for an introduction, but it is not a long study visit. If you like to photograph every detail or prefer to explore religious sites slowly, the schedule may feel tight. The benefit is that the tour keeps moving and fits neatly into an afternoon in the city.

You should also dress for a warm, outdoor stop. Sunglasses, a sun hat, and comfortable shoes are recommended. Sandals, trainers, or hiking boots are suitable choices.

Thanh Da Island and the River Between Stops

After Phu Chau, you board the speedboat again for roughly 10 minutes before reaching Binh Quoi 1 Tourist Village. This stretch is brief, but it is not wasted travel.

The ride around Thanh Da Island lets you see a quieter side of Ho Chi Minh City. The tour describes Binh Quoi as a small Mekong Delta within the city, and that comparison is useful. You should not expect the scale or length of a true Mekong Delta trip, but you do get a short change of pace, with village scenery and open-air surroundings close to the center.

The river is the main reason to choose this tour over a standard city sightseeing route. From the road, you see buildings, traffic, and storefronts. From the boat, you see the edges of the city and the waterways that helped shape it.

Rain is possible from May through October, and raincoats are provided during the rainy season. Even so, carry sunglasses and protect your phone or camera. The boat ride is exposed, and conditions can change quickly.

Binh Quoi Village, Coconut Juice, and Rural Views

Binh Quoi 1 Tourist Village is the second major stop, with about 45 minutes for sightseeing, photos, a guided visit, and local snacks. This is where the tour slows down and gives you a little time on foot.

The village is presented as a quieter, more traditional farming setting. You can take in the fresh air, walk around, and look at the rural side of southern Vietnam without spending hours traveling to a distant province.

The included coconut juice and tropical fruit are a pleasant part of the stop. They are modest refreshments, but they suit the setting and give you a chance to pause after the boat ride. Mineral water is also included.

Keep your expectations in check. Binh Quoi is a tourist village, not an untouched rural community. The value is its easy access and its contrast with central Ho Chi Minh City. You get a small taste of the Mekong Delta feel, not a full agricultural tour or a long encounter with village residents.

The 45-minute visit works well for a short outing. You have enough time for photos, a stroll, and the included refreshments. If you want a detailed look at farming methods or a full meal, this tour will not provide it. Lunch is not included, and the overall schedule is designed around sightseeing rather than dining.

There are restrooms at Binh Quoi Village, which is useful because the boat itself does not provide them. The only other stated restroom location is Saigon Waterbus Station, so plan ahead before leaving the pier.

How the $88 Price Makes Sense

At $88 per person, this is a premium short tour. A two-hour activity at that price will not suit every budget, especially if you are comfortable arranging your own transport and visiting places independently.

The cost becomes easier to justify if you value convenience. Your return transport from the city center is arranged, the boat and guide are provided, and the temple and village are combined in one compact outing. You also receive fruit, coconut juice, water, wet towels, a life vest, and boat insurance.

The private-group option is the key value question. For a couple, family, or small party, having your own boat can make the price feel more reasonable. One especially positive account described having a private boat and a wonderful guide named Bien, with the temple and peaceful village both receiving praise. A second account specifically highlighted the guide’s friendly manner.

If you are booking alone or as a pair on a shared boat, compare the price with your wider Vietnam budget. You are buying a polished, time-saving excursion, not an inexpensive local ferry ride. The tour is strongest for people who want a controlled schedule and a clear introduction to the river surroundings.

Tips are not included. Lunch is also not included, but the activity is short enough that you can easily eat before or after it.

Timing, Comfort, and What to Bring

The tour lasts two hours, with afternoon departures. Check the available start times when booking, since the exact departure time is not fixed in the information provided.

Wear clothing and shoes that handle outdoor conditions. Comfortable sandals, trainers, or hiking boots are recommended. A sun hat and sunglasses are worth bringing, even if the day begins cloudy.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Pack lightly, with only what you need for the boat and short walks. A small personal bag is more practical than a suitcase, though the tour specifically warns against large bags.

Children must be supervised at all times, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Pregnant people, wheelchair users, and people with mobility impairments should not book this activity. The route includes boat boarding, movement around a river island, and walking at the village stop.

The boat has seating for 12, 24, or 34 people, depending on the departure. If you are sensitive to crowds or want a quieter ride, confirm the group setup and ask about the private option before paying.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your afternoon plans are still shifting.

Who Will Enjoy This Two-Hour Outing?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to leave Ho Chi Minh City’s traffic and pavement behind without giving up half a day. It works particularly well on a first visit, when you want a quick introduction to the Saigon River, a local temple, and a rural-style setting.

It also suits couples and families who prefer a guided outing with transport handled from start to finish. The fruit and coconut juice help keep the stop easy and family-friendly, while the short duration prevents the day from becoming tiring.

The tour may appeal to photographers, too. You get river views, a temple on an island, boats, village surroundings, and changing views of the city. Just remember that the stops are timed, so you will not have unlimited time for careful photography.

I would skip it if you want a full Mekong Delta trip, a long village visit, or a low-cost way to spend an afternoon. You should also choose another activity if you need wheelchair access, cannot walk comfortably, or prefer a substantial meal as part of the tour.

Should You Book the Dragon Floating Temple Tour?

Book it if you value speed, convenience, and a private or small-group feel. The combination of Phu Chau Floating Temple and Binh Quoi Village gives you two very different sights in only two hours, and the boat itself is an important part of the experience.

The strongest reasons to go are the temple’s river-island setting, the peaceful change of pace at Binh Quoi, and the chance to see Ho Chi Minh City from the water. A friendly guide such as Bien can add useful local context rather than leaving you to guess what you are seeing.

Think carefully about the price and short schedule. At $88, this is best treated as a polished city escape, not a budget excursion or a substitute for a multi-day Mekong Delta journey. If that distinction fits your plans, it is a practical and memorable way to spend an afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the Dragon Floating Temple Tour start?

The tour starts at Saigon Waterbus Station, 10B Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The exact meeting point may vary based on the option booked.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point, Saigon Waterbus Station.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. Afternoon starting times are available, but you should check the current schedule when booking.

Is an English-speaking guide included?

Yes. An English-speaking live guide is included. Guide Bien is specifically associated with the tour, though the guide assigned to your departure may vary.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the speedboat trip, life vest, boat insurance, English-speaking guide, mineral water, wet towels, fresh fruit, coconut juice, and pickup and drop-off at Saigon Waterbus Station.

Are meals included?

Lunch is not included. Fresh fruit, coconut juice, and local snacks at Binh Quoi Village are included.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. It is also not suitable for pregnant women.