The 9 Best Night River Cruises in Vietnam

1.Hoai River Boat Trip by Night and Floating Lantern

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,988 reviews · 20 min · from $8Our pick

Meet your English-speaking guide at the Kazimierz Kwiatkowski Bust on Tran Phu Street. You’ll receive a paper lantern, walk five minutes to the Thu Bon River, and board a private wooden boat for your group. The rower helps light and release the lantern during a 10 to 15 minute ride. Guides including Linh and Phuoc Ho are praised for clear communication and smooth arrangements.

“The river was beautiful at night, and each party got their own boat, which was very nice. There was a crazy amount if people and boats in the area, but the experience was nice”

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2.Han River Local Cruise by Night

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,152 reviews · 50 - 90 minutes · from $6Best value

Spend 50 to 90 minutes on Da Nang’s Han River after dark, passing the Sunworld Wheel, Love Lock Bridge, and Dragon Bridge. Choose a simple cruise with a short Vietnamese dance performance, or add dinner on the second floor. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday departures at 9 PM can include a close view of the Dragon Bridge fire and water show.

“great way to see the city the lights and the dragon bridge”

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3.Han River Night Boat Trip with Show on Weekends

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 455 reviews · 1h 30m · from $6

Board a large cruise ship opposite Novotel on Bach Dang Street for a 90-minute evening ride along Da Nang’s Han River. You’ll see the lit skyline, enjoy a dance performance, and on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, watch Dragon Bridge’s fire and water show from the river. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard.

“We booked the 8:30pm cruise which included the fire show on Friday. The boat was spacious with nice sitting arrangements on the deck with a bar, which had pretty much everything except Coke Zero. Staff was friendly. Cruise lasted 1.5hrs. The unfortunately the fire show in itself was a huge disappointment, the dragon at the Dragon bridge was just smoking … no sign of Fire whatsoever. But the buildings lit up on the banks plus the other boats all lit up made the cruise worthwhile. I can recommend this activity if you have nothing else planned in the evening.”

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4.Scenic Han River Night Cruise On My Xuan Cruise.

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 175 reviews · 1 day · from $6

Board My Xuan Cruise opposite 26 Bach Dang for a short evening ride along Da Nang’s Han River. You’ll see the Dragon Bridge, Love Bridge, and Sun Wheel, with fruit, bottled water, music, karaoke, and a brief traditional dance. Choose 7:15, 8:15, or 9:15, and book the 8:15 sailing on weekends for the best chance of seeing the Dragon Bridge show.

“We had a fantastic experience and are extremely grateful for the opportunity. Despite the weather, we got to see parts of Vietnam and experience snippits of their way of life, which we wouldn't have been able to do without our guide Tham. We had a fantastic experience and are extremely grateful for the opportunity. Despite the weather, we got to see parts of Vietnam and experience their way of life, which we wouldn't have been able to do without our guide.”

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5.Hoai River Night Boat Trip and Floating Lantern

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 32 reviews · 15 min · from $10

Meet an English-speaking greeter opposite 140 Tran Phu Street, walk to the dock, and board a wooden boat for up to four people. You’ll float along the Hoai River for 15 minutes, light one flower lantern, make a wish, and watch it drift away. Afterward, explore Hoi An’s night market on foot.

“magical experience..we were the only 3 on boat so it was great ..would definitely recommend 10/10”

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6.Han River Night Cruise with Sunrise Cocktail

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 14 reviews · 1h 30m · from $10

Board a large cruise ship opposite Da Nang’s Novotel for a 90-minute night ride along the Han River. You’ll see the city lights, watch a welcome dance, and receive a free Sunrise Cocktail. Weekend departures may include Dragon Bridge’s fire and water show. Food and other drinks cost extra, and the English-speaking host can assist with boarding.

“Good view of dragon bridge, pleasant cruise up and down 😌 Seats could have more comfortable, cushions maybe 🤔”

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7.HoiAn Small Boat By Night on Bach Dang River

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · from $9

Take a private, roughly 20-minute boat ride from 94 Bach Dang in Hoi An’s old town. Choose sunset for river photos or night for the chance to release a lantern. A local guide, coffee or tea, and mobile ticket are included, but pickup details need checking.

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8.Hoai River Boat Trip by Night with Release Lantern

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · from $9

Meet your greeter at 142 Tran Phu Street for a 20-minute shared boat ride on the Hoai River. You’ll receive one flower lantern to release into the water, then explore Hoi An’s Old Town and night market independently. Boats carry one to four people, with queues most likely from 19:00 to 20:00.

“It’s was a quick tour. Took us only 20 mins. Great way to experience Hoi A from the water. Recommend doing it in the night so you can see vibrant night life.”

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9.Da Nang By Night & Han River Dragon Cruise with a local food

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 3 reviews · from $62

This private evening tour pairs a scooter ride with local guides such as Cindy and Lin, Da Nang’s famous bridges, a light noodle dinner, and a bamboo dragon cruise. You’ll see the Han River, Love Lock Bridge, and Dragon Bridge, with a chance to watch its fire and water show on eligible Friday or weekend evenings.

“Cindy and Lin are simply amazing. The best guides we have had during our stay in Vietnam ❤️🙌”

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