Saigon Canal Tour: Sunset cruise along the Nhieu Loc Canal, Jade Emperor Pagoda, Da Kao & the pink Tan Dinh Church
City Tour
Experiential tour
Cultural tour
Standard
Departure point
→
Destination
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City
1N (Participation Duration)
Boat - Cruise Ship,Walking (Transportation)
English (Language)
Number of participants 0/10
0 booked
Tour description
Saigon developed along its waterways. Before the boulevards and motorbikes, the city was a network of canals connecting the river with the rice-growing areas of the Mekong Delta, of which the Nhieu Loc–Thi Nghe Canal was one of the most important waterways. By the 1990s, the canal had become a polluted open waterway lined with stilt houses; the canal improvement project and green parks along its banks were among the city's major transformations. Since 2023, a small sightseeing boat has operated on the canal.
This tour combines a canal cruise with an exploration of the neighborhoods along its banks. We begin at the Jade Emperor Pagoda, a Taoist temple built in 1909, filled with incense smoke and intricately carved statues of deities, then walk through Da Kao, one of Saigon's oldest neighborhoods, to the sweet pink Tan Dinh Church. At sunset, we board a low boat for a one-hour cruise along the canal, passing under nine bridges with Landmark 81 standing out on the skyline, while the canal-side parks come alive with joggers, anglers and families, and the bridges light up one by one.
This tour combines a canal cruise with an exploration of the neighborhoods along its banks. We begin at the Jade Emperor Pagoda, a Taoist temple built in 1909, filled with incense smoke and intricately carved statues of deities, then walk through Da Kao, one of Saigon's oldest neighborhoods, to the sweet pink Tan Dinh Church. At sunset, we board a low boat for a one-hour cruise along the canal, passing under nine bridges with Landmark 81 standing out on the skyline, while the canal-side parks come alive with joggers, anglers and families, and the bridges light up one by one.
Meeting point:
View on map
Jade Emperor Pagoda (Chua Ngoc Hoang), 73 Mai Thi Luu Street, Ho Chi Minh City
Meet at the pagoda gate. Hotel pick-up in the city centre is available on request.
Detailed itinerary
Stop 1 - Jade Emperor Pagoda (15:30): The 1909 Taoist pagoda, its altars and turtle pond.
Stop 2 - Da Kao quarter (approx. 16:15): The lanes and old houses of one of Saigon's oldest neighbourhoods, with a stop for iced coffee.
Stop 3 - Tan Dinh church (approx. 16:50): The pink 1876 church on Hai Ba Trung Street (exterior and, outside mass, the interior).
Stop 4 - Nhieu Loc canal cruise (approx. 17:30): About 1 hour and 4.5 km on the canal, under nine bridges, at sunset.
Stop 5 - Canal-side park (approx. 18:40): Evening life on the banks.
Finish (19:00): Near the pier; taxi back to your hotel on request.
Stop 2 - Da Kao quarter (approx. 16:15): The lanes and old houses of one of Saigon's oldest neighbourhoods, with a stop for iced coffee.
Stop 3 - Tan Dinh church (approx. 16:50): The pink 1876 church on Hai Ba Trung Street (exterior and, outside mass, the interior).
Stop 4 - Nhieu Loc canal cruise (approx. 17:30): About 1 hour and 4.5 km on the canal, under nine bridges, at sunset.
Stop 5 - Canal-side park (approx. 18:40): Evening life on the banks.
Finish (19:00): Near the pier; taxi back to your hotel on request.
Tour price includes
• English-speaking local guide
• Nhieu Loc Canal boat ticket (approximately 1 hour)
• A glass of iced coffee or soft drink
• Bottled drinking water
• Taxes and service fees
• Nhieu Loc Canal boat ticket (approximately 1 hour)
• A glass of iced coffee or soft drink
• Bottled drinking water
• Taxes and service fees
Tour price excludes
• Hotel pickup (upon request)
• Dinner
• Tips
• Travel insurance
• Dinner
• Tips
• Travel insurance
Cancellation policy
Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the tour start time for a full refund. Cancellation requests made within 24 hours of the tour will not be refunded. If boat services are suspended due to storms, flooding, high water levels or directions from the authorities, we will reschedule the tour or provide a full refund.
Other notes
Life jackets are provided on all boats and must be worn when traveling on the small uncovered boat. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
The boats on the canal are operated by a licensed local company; departure times may vary depending on the tide, low clearance beneath the bridges and weather, and the cruise may be canceled when the tide is exceptionally high (usually from October to December) — we will reschedule the boat trip or refund the boat ticket.
Please cover your shoulders and knees when visiting the pagoda and church.
The rainy season lasts from May to November; afternoon showers are common.
The boats on the canal are operated by a licensed local company; departure times may vary depending on the tide, low clearance beneath the bridges and weather, and the cruise may be canceled when the tide is exceptionally high (usually from October to December) — we will reschedule the boat trip or refund the boat ticket.
Please cover your shoulders and knees when visiting the pagoda and church.
The rainy season lasts from May to November; afternoon showers are common.
Detailed price list
| Guest type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $45 |
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