Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise worth booking?
Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise is a 3.5-hour experience in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from $68 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 51 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (7)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $68 per person
At the Labor Culture House, we will watch Water Puppet Show. It originated in the delta of the Red river in the tenth century. The farmers used natural mediums found in their environment to devise a unique form of entert
What you get
About this experience
At the Labor Culture House, we will watch Water Puppet Show. It originated in the delta of the Red river in the tenth century. The farmers used natural mediums found in their environment to devise a unique form of entertainment. In the past, the stages for Water puppet shows were ponds and paddy-field after harvesting. We head to Sai Gon River by car and get on the cruise where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the city with twinkling lights. Or, admire the traditional junk boat for 2 hours cruise along Sai Gon River. Then you have dinner with local or western cuisine. The wonderful evening will be completed with a delicious dessert before you get back to your dock. The cruise finishes at 9: 30 PM.
What's included
Included
- On-board WiFi
- Dinner
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Show ticket, Pick up and Drop off in district 1
- On-board restrooms
Not included
- Tip, Drinking, Personal cost...
What you'll see and do
Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater
18:00 Picking up from meeting point. Our car and guide transfer you to Labor & Culture House to enjoy the show which recounts Vietnamese folk tales, legends, and significant seasonal events, like the celebration of the rice harvest, which was depicted humorously... 19:00 We continue to Sai Gon River to have Dinner on the Cruise. During 1,5 hours along the Sai Gon River while dinner is served with five-course Vietnamese food. At the same time, you will also enjoy listening to traditional music and watching the beautiful lights of the city at night. Disembark the boat by 21:00 and transfer back to your hotel.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Saigon River
Ho Chi Minh City at night is truly beautiful, especially the landscape along the Saigon River. If you want to escape the busy streets, normal resultants full of tourists, a Dinner cruise on the river would be a great choice for you. Dinner on the river cruise will give you the chance to not only taste the delicious food but also enjoy the beauty of the Saigon River. Let explore more about Dinner on the cruise in Ho Chi Minh city with us in this article. Having dinner on the cruise in the Saigon river will be a great experience. Let see the reason why many people choose to have dinner on the cruise instead of a restaurant on the mainland Great scenery view from a cruise on Saigon river. The service on the cruise is great, and often combines with traditional and modern ethnic music The air on the River is fresh, cool. The cuisine is unique, diverse, and often prepared by professional 5-star chefs. The menu is dishes with new flavors, fresh ingredients, and ensuring food safety.
135 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Ho Chi Minh City
The Sun Tourist's Office.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Ends at
The Sun Tourist's Office.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- The Sun Tourist
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are not encouraged to participate. In cases of infant participation, parents must ensure the safety of the baby and hold the baby in their arms.
- We can accommodate dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. If you have dietary requirements, please indicate them when booking.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Puppet show great! Dinner cruise not so much.
The puppet show was unique and I would recommend it! The whole show, I was imagining how much coordination and imagination the puppeteers must have to create such a lively show that depicts Vietnamese culture. All said, I cannot recommend the dinner cruise. It was obnoxiously loud, far too overcrowded, music blasting like a night club the whole time, and not relaxing at all for what I imagined a dinner cruise would be. They literally sang happy birthday (shouting, loud, performance concert style) 5 times so what could have been a sweet celebration became just obnoxious and disruptive. Our servers also didn’t know English very well so it was difficult communicating. One of our servers (female) was also very rude when we asked if she could speak to us in English and was also rude to her coworkers. The dinner cruise seemed much more geared to local Vietnamese families and really not very tourist-friendly. I would definitely do the water puppet show but skip the dinner cruise unless you can confirm that it is the atmosphere you are looking for.
via Viator
Water Puppet Show with Dinner on Cruise
The whole experience was terrible from start to finish. The driver turned up half an hour earlier than the time we had been given therefore when we arrived at the time we had been told, it made us late for the water puppet show so missed half of it. When we came out of the show we had to ring the driver twice and wait for him to come and collect us. This meant we were late for the dinner cruise. We were one of the last to arrive, there was very little food left and despite the company saying that the food was topped up, it was not topped up after we arrived and we ended up having a plate of rice. The crew were more interested in selling you drinks than anything else so that they could make money. I definitely would not recommend this, don’t waste your money. When I contacted the company to complain, they are not interested, just full of excuses.
via Viator
He was out tour guide, very punctual, no always make sure we are okay. So many trivias and tips for us. You
James our tour guide is very helpful, funny and very energetic. Lucky to have him as our guide! He is takes good care of us, good in speaking english too. He also shared tips to avoid scams in vietnam! Highly recommended!
via Tripadvisor
Saigon River Cruise
The view is amazing and so our food in the river cruise. Our tour guide was great, funny and have lots of enerrgy
via Tripadvisor
Dinner Cruise
I enjoyed the tour, good food, good atmosphere and great tourguide! However we we’re able to avail the water puppet show since it was sold out.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 51
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ho Chi Minh City.
How much does Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise cost?
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Prices start at $68 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Ho Chi Minh City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise take?
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Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Ho Chi Minh City is not rushed.
Is Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Ho Chi Minh City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Ho Chi Minh City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Ho Chi Minh City and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Ho Chi Minh City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City?
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On Outty we rank every Ho Chi Minh City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Adventure Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Tour From HCM, Cu Chi Tunnels Small-Group Tour: Vietnam War Underground Network, Cu Chi underground tour - Learn Vietnam war with others. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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