What to Expect on a Han River Cruise
Stunning Views from the Water
From the deck of your Da Nang river cruise, you can watch the city’s most iconic bridges light up the sky:
- Dragon Bridge, which comes alive and spits fire and water on weekends at 9:00 PM.
- Han Bridge, Vietnam’s first swing bridge, aglow with color.
- Tran Thi Ly Bridge, a suspension bridge that is lit softly in pink.
Tran Thi Ly Bridge (Source: crystalbay)
Live Entertainment Onboard
A Han River Cruise is more than just what you see. On most ships, you can also experience cultural and musical performances:
- Live music: acoustic guitar, violin, or traditional Vietnamese instrument.
- Cham dance: a traditional dance with lovely costumes and storytelling.
- Weekend shows: There’s a gala program or, alternately, guest singers on special nights.
Han River Cruise Prices 2025
Cruise Type
|
Adults (VND)
|
Children (1m – 1m3)
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Under 1m
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Inclusions
|
Sightseeing Cruise
|
150,000
|
100,000
|
Free
|
45-minute ride, riverfront views
|
Dinner Cruise
|
500,000
|
350,000
|
Free
|
90-minute ride, dinner set or buffet, live show
|
Luxury Cruise (Poseidon)
|
290,000
|
150,000
|
Free
|
Welcome drink, music, sunset or night tour
|
DIFF Fireworks Cruise
|
800,000 to 5,000,000
|
Varies by package
|
Varies
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VIP seats, dinner, fireworks view
|
Choosing the Right Cruise for Your Trip
- Sightseeing Cruises are perfect for visitors who are looking for a relaxing, scenic ride with gorgeous city views and less time on the water. These are generally 45 minutes long and leave daily from 18:00
- Dinner Cruises 2-3hr cruises for couples, families, people wanting a cultural show experience, and a more social, fun night on the Bay!
- Luxury options such as Poseidon Cruise offer nicer seating, live performances all acoustically or with a DJ, and an overall more premium experience for a sunset or night tour.
- Festival Cruises will have a few available seats at crazy times, especially with DIFF (Da Nang International Fireworks Festival) on the horizon. Commonly available on certain cruises are special gala dinners, views of the fire show, and accompanying midrange and VIP prices.
Weekend and Holiday Surcharge
Expect higher prices during:
- Weekends (Fri to Sun): because of the fire-breathing dragon performance.
- Tet Holiday, Christmas, and National Day
- Nights of DIFF Festival (May to July) prices up to 5,000,000 VND/person for VIP packages.
Final Tips
- Most cruises are free for children under 1m.
- Be sure to check if meals and shows are included, not all options for a river cruise Da Nang style, are full service.
- For the best value, pair your Han River cruise with an activity in the vicinity after the tour, such as night markets or rooftop bars.
Departure Times & Duration: Choosing the Right Time
Daily Cruise Schedule
The majority of Han River Cruise vessels operate a fixed evening schedule, which is perfect for every type of traveler:
- 18:00 – It’s the perfect time for a sunset cruise, as the golden light fills the riverbanks and paints the bridges in gold.
- 20:00 – Popular dinner cruise offered with entertainment and cooler air.
- 21:00 – Perfect for Friday/Saturday nights to catch the Dragon Bridge fire show.
Dragon Bridge Fire Show (Source: benduthuyendanang)
Cruise Duration: What to Expect
Depending on the cruise type, durations vary slightly:
- Sightseeing cruises: ~45 minutes
- Dinner cruises: 75-90 minutes
- Luxury or event cruises may exceed 90 minutes, particularly when live shows or meals are involved.
Weekday vs. Weekend Experience
Both weekday and weekend cruises are available, but the vibe differs:
- Weekdays (Mon-Thu): Quieter, more relaxed. Great for families or those looking for bone-jarring solitude.
- Weekends (Fri-Sun): More fun and people on the boat; fire show times attract larger numbers of spectators.
Best Han River Cruises to Book in 2025
Poseidon Cruise – Modern Luxury with Buffet & Live DJ
With only one in the city, and according to its high quality and outstanding services, Poseidon Cruise is a standout among other Da Nang river cruise options. With indoor dining, upper deck lounge area, and a delicious buffet menu featuring locally-inspired and international selections of food, you will spend less time choosing and more time relaxing onboard. Even better, on some nights, a live DJ spins soothing or upbeat sounds.
- Best for: Groups, couples, party people
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Price: From 290,000 VND per adult
- Entertainment: Live DJ, music shows, LED lighting system
- Food: Welcome drink + buffet (optional upgrade)
Poseidon Cruise (Source: veduthuyen)
Han Princess Cruise – Cozy Dining & Family Atmosphere
For something a little more intimate and laid-back in a river cruise Da Nang setting, the Han Princess Cruise is quirkily charming with just the right amount of comfort. This cruise is perfect for families with young kids or elderly relatives, as it offers air-conditioned indoor dining with big river-facing windows.
- Perfect for: families, first-time visitors
- Duration: 75-90 minutes
- Price: From 500,000 VND per person (Adult) (Dinner included)
- Entertainment: Live acoustic music or soft background music
- Food: Fixed menu or Dinner à la carte
Han Princess Cruise (Source: danangfantasticity)
Du thuyen Rong – Traditional-Style Boat with Vietnamese Flair
Want to feel as if you could be sailing back in time? Dragon Cruise is a wooden Han River Cruise offering a chartered ride down the Han River with classic Vietnamese styles, including traditionally costumed staff and a genuinely local rhythm. This is a much more culturally aesthetic cruise, not so much the modern entertainment type.
- Perfect for: cultural travellers, locals, photography enthusiasts
- Duration: 45-60 minutes
- Price: From 150,000 VND per adult
- Entertainment: Live flute or zither on certain nights
- Food: Optional extra, local snacks available to purchase
Du thuyen Rong (Source: divui)
Live Shows & Night Performances
Traditional Cham Apsara Dance – A Cultural Highlight
The Cham Apsara dance is a standout of a Han River cruise Danang. This classical show is the beautiful embodiment of centuries of Central Vietnam culture, with beautifully dressed dancers performing to ancient beats.
It’s often described by guests as a stirring, peaceful “cultural moment,” and meaningful and beautifully set against the light waves of the river.
Traditional Cham Apsara Dance (Source: vietnam)
Contemporary Live Music – DJ, Violin, Acoustic
The onboard entertainment isn’t just traditional. Some cruises offer live acoustic music, violinists, or professional DJs for company. One night, it may be smooth jazz or gentle guitar playing; another, it might be uptempo lounge music or chill-out thump from the DJ booth.
This mix of modern and grassroots music keeps the vibe fresh, fun, and alive for everyone, whether an intimate couple or a pack group.
Professional DJ on Poseidon Cruise (Source: culaochamtravel)
The Dragon Bridge Fire Show – Weekend Spectacle at 21:00
Legend has it that burning with fire instead of smoke allows the dragon to become flesh, so at 9:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday night, at weekends, you can watch the spectacle known as the “fire-breathing dragon” or seemingly mythical “rain control dragon” in action. You’ll have a prime front-row spot from the deck of your boat, with no crowds along the banks.
The dragon bridge fire show is one of Da Nang’s top evening things to do, and a river cruise Da Nang providers offer shows the best views of the glowing spectacle! This is one of the primary reasons why tourists purchasing cruises to Da Nang have a wide range of options for cruising on weekend evenings.
Gala Dinners & Private Performances
Have a birthday, proposal, or company event on your agenda? And you can even book a private Han River Cruise with galas such as MCs, live singers, themed decorations, or performances created just for your team.
We have cruise packages for all types of events, large & small- from a romantic dinner to a company celebration, complete with custom entertainment, and a hand-picked series.
Romantic Proposal on Poseidon Cruise (Source: poseidondanang)
Best Viewing Spots for Photos
The river at night is a photographer’s dream. The city lights, lit up bridges, and cultural performances are quite a sight. And with the still water as your canvas, every picture is worth a thousand words.
Photography tip: Arrive early and select an upper-deck seat so you can spread out and get clear, wide views of Da Nang nightlife and the Dragon Bridge fire show.
Special Events & Seasonal Cruises
DIFF Fireworks Cruises (May – July 2025)
In Da Nang, the sky blazes with colour for the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF), which runs each Saturday from 31 May to 5 July 2025. On those nights, Han River cruise Danang operators offer special fireworks packages to get the best from the river views of the light displays.
Time & Details:
- Cruise boarding time: 19:00 – 19:30
- Fireworks show: ~21:00
- Cruise duration: 90-120 minutes
- Price: 800,000 VND to 5,000,000 VND (VIP upper deck, premium dinner, music, welcome drink)
DIFF Fireworks Cruises (Source: peacetour)
Holiday-Themed Cruises
During the year, the Han River Cruise becomes a floating space for seasonal festivities:
- Tet Lunar New Year Cruise
- Dates: February 1-10, 2025
- Time: 18:00, 20:00
- Highlights: traditional Chinese music, spring rolls, Gifts of Good Fortune, and red lights
- Valentine’s Dinner Cruise
- Date: February 14, 2025
- Time: 20:00
- Package: Romantic dinner for two, violin performance, flowers, and champagne
- Price: From 700,000 VND per couple
- Christmas & New Year Cruise
- Dates: December 24, 25, and 31, 2025
- Time: 20:00 – 22:00
- Features: festive lights, sounds of the season, wine, buffet dinner, countdown on deck
Valentine’s Day on Poseidon Cruise (Source: danangfantasticity)
Private Charter Cruises (All Year Round)
Planning a wedding, birthday party, or company gala? You can rent the whole Han River Cruise with Impress Travel. You have the flexibility to choose from any day of the year and time slot:
- Recommended start times: 17:30 (sunset), 19:00, or 20:00
- Duration: 90-120 minutes
- Capacity: 20-150 guests (depending on boat type)
- Booking window: At least 10-14 days in advance
Limited Edition Cruises (Selected Months Only)
These unique river cruises Da Nang run on selected dates throughout the year. Please contact Impress Travel for an updated itinerary.
- Sunset Wine Cruise
- Time: 17:30 – 19:00
- Best months: March – May, September – November
- Includes: wine tasting, light bites, sunset photography
- Jazz Nights on the River
- Time: 20:00 – 21:30
- Months: April, August, December
- Highlights: Live jazz band; deck seating by candlelight
- Cultural Evenings
- Time: 18:00 or 20:00
- Features: live music by traditional Vietnamese performers, local food vendors, ao dai photo booth
Impress Travel’s Top Han River Cruise Packages
Option 1: Night Sightseeing Cruise (No Meal Included)
It’s the best value option for travelers who want to experience the twinkling lights of Da Nang without the added frills. It’s short, it’s beautiful, and you can get there.
- Departure times: 18:00 / 20:00 / 21:00 (daily)
- Duration: 45-60 minutes
- Includes: Cruise ticket, access to upper/lower deck, live music on some days
- Ideal for: Budget-strapped tourists, solo visitors, and the spontaneous evening affair
- Price: From 150,000 VND per person
Option 2: Buffet Dinner & Fire Show Cruise (Friday-Sunday)
This is one of the most popular weekend options for anyone looking for a full night on the river, with dining, entertainment, and the famous fire show of Da Nang.
- Departure: 19:30 boarding | 20:00 – 21:30 cruising
- Days: Every Friday to Sunday
- Includes: Buffet dinner with Vietnamese, Live music or cultural dance, Dragon Bridge fire show
- Ideal for: Couples, families, first-time visitors
- Price: From 500,000 VND per adult
Option 3: Private Charter for Events (Available Year-Round)
Interested in having a private party or company function? At Impress Travel, we can do a full-service charter boat Da Nang to suit your party.
- All available days/ flexible start time!
- Personalization options: Decorations, on-ship MCs, live band or DJ, professional lighting
- Group size: 20-150 guests
- Catering: Set menus, buffet, drinks
- Suitable for: Weddings, birthdays, team building, product launches
Conclusion
With everything from high-energy cultural performances to breathtaking urban vistas to keep you entertained, and from romantic dinner cruises to festival fireworks to fill your night sky, few experiences in Da Nang could be more memorable than a trip on the Han River Cruise! Whether you take a leisurely evening ride or charter your vessel off the coast, you’re guaranteed to create memories that outlast the boat’s return to port. Reserve your Da Nang river cruise from Impress Travel now.