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Being in operation since mid-2017, the Saigon Waterbus (or Saigon Water Taxi) is a relatively new addition in the busy transportation scheme of Ho Chi Minh City. Despite the name “taxi/bus,” it’s a boat decorated in yellow and white to look like an actual bus. You’ll enjoy the 10.8 kilometers (6.7 miles) route along the Saigon River, which starts from the Bach Dang port, through the Thanh Da Canal, and finally stops at the Linh Dong ward in the Thu Duc district. Scroll down to see if it’s worth the hype!
All About The Saigon Waterbus
General Information
Website: Saigon Waterbus
Operating hours: 7 AM – 7.30 PM, Monday – Sunday
Ticket fee: VND 15,000/one way – VND 30,000/two way (for all stations)
You can buy tickets at the counter at Bach Dang Station or book in advance here.
Address: Bach Dang Station (2, Ton Duc Thang Street, Ben Nghe ward, District 1)
This station is opposite the Tran Hung Dao statue in the Cong Truong Me Linh roundabout, so it’s effortless to find. The nearest attractions include Nguyen Hue walking street and the Bitexco Skydeck.
Other stations currently operating are the Binh An Station (District 2), Thanh Da Station (Binh Thanh District), Hiep Binh Chanh Station, and Linh Dong Station (Thu Duc District). The Tam Vu Station, Tan Cang Station, Binh Trieu Station, Thao Dien Station, and Truong Tho Station are not working.
Take a look at Ho Chi Minh City’s districts overview to find out what you can explore at each station!
When Is the Best Time to Take the Waterbus
Going early in the morning or at night is advisable to enjoy a more refreshing atmosphere. Avoid going from 10 AM – 3 PM as it can get sweltering outside. As for the date, there are pros and cons to each option. Choose one that you’re comfortable with:
Weekdays: It’s not crowded, so you can buy tickets at the station; you usually have to wait for 15+ minutes.
Weekends are very crowded, so book in advance. However, there are more departures, so you won’t have to wait very long.
Reasons To Choose The Saigon Waterbus (Saigon Water Taxi)
1. Saigon Water Taxi is a fantastic way to go sightseeing!
If you’re bored with the run-of-the-mill attractions, then this service is for you. It offers a new viewpoint of the bustling city from the Saigon River, which is rarely found in package tours. The Waterbus (or so-called Saigon Water Taxi) runs through Vinhome Central Park – a posh residential area that includes Landmark 81 (the tallest building in Vietnam), and a tour of the Ho Chi Minh City skyline which will look spectacular at night when you’re relaxing with the rhythm of the water.
2. Saigon Water Taxi is a convenient service!
The Saigon Waterbus services are in both English and Vietnamese, and instructions are everywhere to keep you posted. The air-conditioned bus has 66 seats to ensure the best experience, while in the waiting area, there’s always a cafe at a reasonable price to quench your thirst.
3. Saigon Water Taxi is fast transport!
It takes only 45 minutes to complete the one-way trip from Bach Dang station to Linh Dong station—faster than a car ride! Moreover, the average time to get from one station to the next is only 10 minutes! So, consider the Saigon water taxi if your destination is near one of the stations.
Reasons Not To Choose The Saigon Waterbus
1. Saigon Water Taxi services are limited
The staff is not all good at English, and there are no tour guides, so it can be pretty confusing for foreigners. During the week, most passengers are locals, so the Saigon Waterbus driver will not announce the names of the stops. Therefore, you must tell them beforehand to remind you or figure out where to get off yourself.
2. Saigon Water Taxi is inconvenient for conventional sightseeing
The Water Taxi only stops at designated points, and they’re pretty far from popular attractions and downtown (except for the Bach Dang station), so you have to dedicate a specific time for this activity.
It’s also not ideal for those who love the metropolitan look because you’ll mostly see the peaceful countryside view or the affluent residential areas along the riverbank, which can get bored after 20 minutes.
How you can have a more enjoyable experience: Find A Local Tour Guide who is fluent in English and provides professional services to help you with the process and show you the city’s best parts during your ride.
Find bus tickets to travel around Saigon:
Final Thoughts On The Saigon Waterbus
Saigon Waterbus (Saigon Water Taxi), though is intended to be a transportation option, has increasingly become one of the city dwellers’ and tourists’ new, economical entertainment in Ho Chi Minh City. If you have lots of time in the city, check it out!
Find more fun thing to do in Saigon below:
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