Visitors have the option to stay in splendidly decorated boats with roofs and safety equipment to float past poetic scenes along the 4.5-kilometre-long canal, which runs through Districts 1 and 3, Binh Thanh and Phu Nhuan.

Tourists are informed with stories about the foundation and development of the canal as well as the evolution history of Sai Gon – now known as Ho Chi Minh City.

Vacationers currently have two options. The first tour includes 10 “Phung” (Gondola) boats - each can carry 2-6 passengers together with one boat rider. Besides exploring the city’s sceneries, visitors are treated to folk music.

The second tour includes two boats – each designed with capacity of 7-20 passengers, mainly serving families or companies. Tourists can bring food and beverages on board.

To join the tour, visitors can purchase tickets at District 1’s station on Hoang Sa Road, next to Thi Nghe Bridge, and District 3’s station on Hoang Sa Road, close to Chantaransay Pagoda.

Tourists can also book tickets at tour offices, travel agencies and hotel receptions in the city with prices ranging 110,000-220,000 VND (4.9-9.9 USD) per passenger.

Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hong said the city has focused on developing waterway tourism over the past two years by carrying out river tours around Can Gio district and District 9.

She added that the launch of such tours is expected to bring new exploration experiences for tourists and develop the city’s inland waterway tourism.