The Saigon Waterbus
The Saigon Waterbus - All you need to know
In 2017, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) opened a new public transport system. A water bus line along the Saigon River.
To facilitate the terrible traffic in Ho Chi Minh City, the local government has allowed water taxis to operate on the Saigon River, which have been operating between District 1 and District 9 since 2017.
Originally intended for commuters, the water taxis are now mainly used by tourists.
We looked at the water taxis last weekend, and booked a ride to the terminus in Linh Dong and back. For now you should expect long waiting times or book in advance. We waited more than 3 hours to get hold of one of the coveted spots in Saigon Waterbus.
The 40-minute boat ride, which runs along the Saigon River and Thanh Da Canal, picks up passengers at a total of 5 stops belonging to Districts 1, 2, Binh Thanh and Thu Duc. There are five ships with 75 seats in operation. Every day from 8:30 am to 6:15 pm, 15 cruises are offered along the 10.8 km long route.
Taking a water taxi, and one of the best and cheapest transportation options for anyone wanting to explore the city's skyline, past District 1 into the city center, District 2's new emerging metropolitan area is turning into the quiet suburb of Thu Duc District.
"There are also proposals to open new lines connecting the center of Saigon with the two neighboring districts of Cu Chi, Can Gio and Con Dao (Ba Ria - Vung Tau) to boost tourism and reduce congestion"
In addition, investors suggest using electric cars to help tourists and residents move from stops to popular hotels, destinations and vice versa, such as Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, City Museums, etc.
The journey ends in District 9 north of the city. We recommend that you buy the return ticket for the return trip to District 1, as there is not much to see at the last stop.
Price: 15,000 VND (0.66 USD)
Departure times 8:30 am to 6:15 pm
You can find the timetable and the route map of the Saigon Waterbus here. To book tickets, call the hotline at 1900636830 or come by in person. Be sure to book in advance, as it can sometimes lead to hours of waiting.
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By Karl-Heinz Kronpass
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