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Boat Tour to Dragon Floating Temple from Ho Chi Minh City

Make an unforgettable journey to the Dragon Floating Temple from bustling Ho Chi Minh City with our boat tour! Be prepared for a trip that will take you from the vibrant streets and the busy life of Saigon to the quiet and peaceful boathouses on the water of the Mekong Delta. We’ll begin our journey by sailing along the picturesque Saigon River en route to the mystical Dragon Floating Temple. This special cultural and spiritual touchstone, ordained with detailed carvings and more than 100 dragon sculptures, is a window into the great past of Vietnam. Come along with us in this wonderful adventure full of enchantment in the beauty of the landscape that lies before you in the temple.

Delving into the History and Beauty of Dragon Floating Temple

Historical Background

The Dragon Floating Temple is one of the most beautiful and holy structures testifying to deep spiritual roots in Vietnam. According to legend, a fisherman who built a shrine after finding the dead body of a woman in the river got his good fortune and blessing from that. It’s known that with the passing years, this image of a little shrine changed into what is seen nowadays as magnificent temple beauty.

The Dragon Floating Temple is very significant to Vietnamese culture and spirit. It was dedicated to the five elemental deities: Kim-Metal, Moc-Wood, Thuy-Water, Hoa-Fire, and Tho-Earth; thus, it had always been a refuge for many in search of blessings and life’s harmonies.

Dragon Floating Temple

Dragon Floating Temple

Architectural Highlights of Dragon Floating Temple

Be ready to be astounded by the architecture of the Dragon Floating Temple! It’s a stupendous mixture of Vietnamese and Chinese styles; it’s a feast for the eyes. It is famous for having more than 100 statues of dragons made of colorful ceramic tiles. The dragons depict strength, goodness, and prosperity, twisting themselves along the temple.

Intricate carvings from Vietnamese folklore and many spiritual motifs are displayed at the temple. Colors are bright, designs are very intricate, and such atmosphere mesmerizes right from the ornate altars down to the delicate lotus patterns, all creations exuding craftsmanship and artistic beauty.

Cultural Significance of Dragon Floating Temple

The Dragon Floating Temple became an important part of the local community. It is the center of worship, pilgrimage, and cultural activities that bind everyone to peace. Quite often visitors find the local people burning incense sticks and making prayers, more so on the occasions of festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival.

The Dragon Festival Annual, then, is one of the features whose continuous occurrence demonstrates joyful celebration characterized by traditional music, dragon dances, and colorful parades symbolizing the cultural importance of the temple.

Practical Information of Dragon Floating Temple

  • Address: Phu Chau Mieu, Vam Thuat River, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
  • Getting There: To reach the Dragon Floating Temple, visitors must take a short ferry ride from the dock located at 3 Nguyen Thai Son Street, Go Vap District.
  • Admission Fee: Entrance remains free into the temple, though a small donation is welcomed toward the temple’s maintenance.
  • Opening Hours: The temple is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Dragon Floating Temple Boat Tour

07:00 – Departure

Plan your day trip from Ho Chi Minh City to the stunning Dragon Floating Temple. From our meeting point, Impress Travel rendezvous, our friendly guides will take you to Tan Cang Pier, where you’ll hear some fascinating stories about the history and culture of Ho Chi Minh City to set up the perfect start for an unforgettable experience later in this trip.

08:00 – Journey Along the Saigon River

Saigon River of Dragon Floating Temple

Saigon River

First, we head for the very scenic Bình Quới Tourist Village in the Mekong Delta. Located in a tropical paradise famous for its beautiful landscapes and rustic settings of southern Vietnam, explore serendipitous gardens shaded by coconut palms, become tranquil like nature, and immerse yourself in local culture. You will find activities such as fishing, trying your hand at rowing traditional boats right on the spot, and opportunities to taste different local specialties. It’s the best time to discover local Mekong Delta inhabitants’ simple but heart-warming lifestyle.

11:00 – Discover the Dragon Floating Temple

We take a canoe onward to the very mystic Dragon Floating Temple, lying within the Vam Thuat River as a spiritual haven. This is an absolute beauty with architectural influences from both Vietnam and China, embellished with over 100 dragons formed using colored ceramic tiles that symbolize powerful luck. It stands in the middle of the river, far away from the noise of the city. Stroll around the grounds of this temple, discovering its serenity while seeing at the altar a huge Buddha Maitreya enshrined along with other statues of Buddha Shakyamuni and the Earth Goddess. Not missing out on the courtyard, one finds a small turtle pond with gentle creatures swimming along, an ideal point to take in nature and be in inner reflection.

14:00 – Return to Ho Chi Minh City

After the indelible exploration of this Dragon Floating Temple, take our way back to Tan Cang Pier. Drive back leisurely, and rest your eyes on the beautiful views distributed on both banks of rivers to review all today’s experiences.

Tips and Useful Information for Tour Dragon Floating Temple

Best Time to Visit

Dragon Floating Temple is a site that remains good to visit any time of the year; however, there are moments when this visit would be most experience never forgotten:

  • Dry Season (December to April): It is the peak time for visiting when the temperature is cool and humidity is also low. You will also get a chance to experience some of the local festivals whose exuberance in colors would be an added delight to your tour.
  • Lunar New Year (Tet): Visiting during the lunar time of the year offers guests a special cultural experience with festive decorations and ceremonies.
Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year

These are the times when the weather is fine and, along with cultural events, adds to your overall experience of visiting the Dragon Floating Temple, thus making it truly memorable.

Cultural Etiquette

Respecting and following the local culture and tradition when visiting the Dragon Floating Temple is recommended. However, heed these tips:

  • Dress Modestly: in clothes that cover your shoulder and knee areas as a mark of respect for this holy place.
  • Remove Shoes: One should remember to remove the shoes when entering the deep sanctum of the temple as a mark of respect.
  • Quiet Reflection: Maintain silence while exploring the temple grounds to blend in with the spiritual ambiance.

Remembering these cultural etiquettes will not only be a means to show respect to the hosts but also build a spiritual bond toward the worth of the Dragon Floating Temple.

Dragon Floating Temple.

Dragon Floating Temple.

Safety Considerations

Your safety is our topmost priority, and here are some tips to guarantee a secure and enjoyable trip:

  • Boat Safety: Comply with what your guide tells you and make sure you have a life jacket on when boarding. Be careful when you board and disembark.
  • Hydration: Stay properly hydrated, and it’s always hot outside especially. Bring a reusable bottle and keep yourself fresh all through the day
  • Health Precautions: Travelers should have a health check with a doctor regarding their health conditions. Necessary medical supplies should be taken along corresponding to health status.

Impress Travel: Trusted Provider of Boat Tours to Dragon Floating Temple

Looking for a tour of discover Dragon Floating TempleHo Chi Minh Tours, then Impress Travel is the best choice. We are one of the leading tour operators in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, specializing in offering regular and private tours to discover the beauty and culture of Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Our enthusiastic team has worked for years to plan each tour in detail with the accompaniment of a local guide who is very proud of sharing all knowledge about the long-lasting history of this country. Our well-maintained boats guarantee both safety and comfort while aboard, with our tailored service guaranteeing enriching experiences designed according to your taste. Other than the Dragon Floating Temple, there are Mekong Delta Tours, Cultural Heritage Tours, and Adventure Tours.

Join us to explore Vietnam’s wonders! For inquiries or bookings, please contact:

Hanoi Head Office

Saigon Office

  • 155 Ben Van Don, Rivergate, 4 District, HCM
  • Tel: (+84)961675566
  • Email: saigon@impresstravel.com

Conclusion

The Dragon Floating Temple Boat Tour from Ho Chi Minh City is a great adventure that gives an utterly different experience of culture, history, and spirit. Its stunning architecture, tranquil ambiance, and vivid display of Vietnamese heritage will make it momentous.  Don’t forget to regularly follow our Impress Travel for more interesting information about traveling Ho Chi Minh City to and to book Ho Chi Minh City Tours at the best prices.

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Tours Itinerary

Day 01

WELCOME TO VIETNAM & HO CHI MINH ARRIVAL

  • On arrival in Ho Chi Minh city, our guide & driver – Impress Travel Team will be there to meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.
  • Enjoy free leisure time
  • Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

 What is included today: Transfer, tour guide, hotel in Ho Chi Minh city

Day 02

HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR AND CU CHI TUNNELS

Your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. We will visit the following places of interest:

  • The Reunification Palace: Here on April 30th, 1975 the Vietnam War officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.
  • War Remnants Museum: Formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes, this is a poignant display of the futility of war. Some of the black and white photography in the ‘Requiem’ exhibit is particularly touching, dedicated to both foreign and Vietnamese journalists and photographers who perished during the conflict. The courtyard outside contains the spoils of war, namely rusting jets, tanks and cannons captured from the American military machine.
  • Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office: Built between 1877 and 1883 this is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Remarkably every stone used in its creation was shipped from France to Vietnam. Her two 40m towers, topped with iron spires dominate the city’s skyline. The Old Post Office is another example of French colonial architecture and is also the country’s largest post office.
  • Jade Emperor Pagoda: Building in 1909 in honor of the supreme Taoist god, this is one of the most spectacularly atmospheric temples in HCMC, stuffed with statues of phantasmal divinities and grotesque heroes. The pungent smoke of incense fills the air, obscuring the exquisite woodcarvings.
  • Cu Chi Tunnels: Watch a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, then spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels. Also, on display are various mantraps, the remains of an American tank and numerous bomb craters made by 500 pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers. For those interested there’s even the opportunity to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range

• Free time & overnight at hotel in central Ho Chi Minh City

Day Inclusions: Private A/C transfer, hotel accommodation

Day 03

HO CHI MINH – MEKONG – MY THO (B,L)

Pick-up time: 8:00-8:30/ End tour 18:00 19:00
Our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel, and drive 1,5 hours to Mỹ Tho. We will stop along the way for refreshments and toilet.
• Upon arrival, we board a motor-boat and cruise along a vast network of canals and channels to enjoy wonderful views of the Mekong River, including four famous islands “Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix”.
• Stop at one of the floating fish houses, in nets and wire baskets under their house, the villagers cultivate freshwater fish and shrimp – a major export product of the region.
• Cross the River to the other side, you will stop at a traditional workshop to witness a step-by-step process on how to make coconut candy, honey farming… while trying some yourself and listening to traditional music.
• Enjoy what local people offer by hand rowing a sampan along the shady, breezy canal. We will transfer to local transportation called Xe Lôi to travel throughout the villages.
• Lunch will be served at a riverside restaurant with a Vietnamese 5-course set menu. Please request in advance if you have a food allergy, you are a vegetarian, or you observe Halal.
• Take a rest after lunch before boarding the motor-boat back to Mỹ Tho. We drive to Vĩnh Tràng pagoda, an ancient southern architectural gem built in the middle of the 19th century. There are many Buddha statues including some that are over a hundred years old.

We drive another 1,5 hours back to Hồ Chí Minh city and drop you at your hotel or somewhere in District 1 on request. End of services.
***Please note that timing and itinerary are subject to change without notice. However, we will do everything we reasonably can to make sure everything goes according to plan.
Inclusions: breakfast, A/C land transfer, lunch, local English-speaking tour guide, entrance fee, boat trip, hotel

Day 04

HO CHI MINH– FAREWELL ( B )

• Your free leisure time may be spent shopping in Ho Chi Minh City center at Supermarkets etc or at Ben Thanh market.
• You will be transferred to the Ho Chi Minh city airport via your scheduled flight back home or continue seeing other cities in Vietnam.
• We hope you enjoyed your trip and see you again!

Inclusion:  hotel breakfast, English speaking tour guide, private A/C transfer, hotel accommodation – check out before 12:00 mid-day

What’s included in this trip:

  • Accommodation based on Twin/Double sharing room, ( notice: a single room is surcharged following single supplement policy/ all room night including daily hotel breakfast.
  • All the meals as mentioned in the detailed itinerary
  • Entrance Fee to visit attractive places are mentioned as itinerary
  • Private Car/Van/Bus with air-conditioned and good experienced driver.
  • Boat trip in My Tho
  • Experienced English speaking tour guides as specified ( French-speaking guide/ Chinese speaking guide are available on request )
  • Complimentary drink water and Tissue on Van/Bus/Van as mentioned on itinerary
  • International Ticket Fare with insurance surcharge and Fuel surcharge
  • Arport tax.
  • Visa Fees & Travels insurance
  • Porter Charges & Camera Fees.
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) do not mentioned as in this itinerary
  • Tipping for Tour guides, Bus driver, Crew
  • Other personal expenses such as beverages, telephone calls, laundry services, Minibar, etc….
  • Other services are not specifically mentioned in the tour Itinerary and the above Inclusion

3 STAR HOTELS & CRUISES IN VIETNAM  SELECTED

 

Destination

Room Type

HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE

Ho Chi Minh City 3-star Hotels

Signature Deluxe

 HA HIEN SIGNATURE HOTEL 

Refer:http://hahienhotel.vn

 

4 STAR HOTELS & CRUISE IN VIETNAM SELECTED

 

Destination

Room Type

HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE

Ho Chi Minh City 4-star Hotels

Palace Saigon Suite Room

SAIGON PALACE HOTEL

Refer: www.palacesaigon.com/en/

5 STAR HOTELS & CRUISE IN VIETNAM SELECTED

 

Destination

Hotel Category

HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE

Ho Chi Minh city

Superior Room Sofitel Hotel Saigon

SOFITEL HOTEL SAIGON

Refer: https://sofitel.accorhotels.com/

 

The hotels and cruise are subject to change to similar category in case of fully booked

Vietnam Travel Map: 15 Days

Ranana

You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.

We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.

Ebrahim

Tour of Vietnam

Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!

Solly Pochee

The tour was fantastic

I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee

Bernard Lim

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.

Derek.Schooling

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel

This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.

My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress

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