Private Tour

Private Can Gio Mangrove Forest by Speedboat – Escape from Saigon

Overview

Available languages

English

6 hours

Mobile ticket

Escape the busy streets of Saigon and discover the wild side of Vietnam at Can Gio Mangrove Forest — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — by speedboat.

Cruise along the Saigon River and into a vast network of mangrove forests, where you’ll encounter diverse wildlife and experience a completely different side of the country. Visit Monkey Island, home to hundreds of long-tailed monkeys, and explore the unique ecosystem that makes this area so special.

You’ll also have the chance to see saltwater crocodiles up close and learn about the region’s role in protecting Vietnam’s coastal environment.

With a small-group setting and expert local guides, this experience offers a more immersive, natural, and less touristy alternative to typical city tours.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Suitable for most travelers. This experience is well-paced and comfortable.

This experience includes some light physical activity. Guests can skip certain activities if preferred.

This experience is more active compared to standard bus tours.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Saigon River

Cruise along the Saigon River toward the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-listed ecosystem rich in wildlife and natural beauty.

Admission Not Applicable

Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve

Enjoy the peaceful transition from the bustling city to lush mangrove forests, offering a refreshing and unique glimpse into southern Vietnam’s natural landscape.

Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Authentic Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant

Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel in District 1

Dedicated English-speaking guide with local insights

Flexible and personalized itinerary tailored to your group

Light breakfast on board with fresh fruits & drinks

Private premium speedboat transfer from Saigon to Can Gio

Entrance fees to all included attractions

Alcoholic beverages (available for purchase)

Personal expenses and gratuities

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Options

Private Tour

Pickup included

Reviews

4.89

27 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Good River Tour
Daniel H,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Overall a nice river cruise, with fresh food and some croissants. Our guide Van was friendly and enthusiastic. Interesting crusing along Saigon River and seeing way of life. Can Gio/Vam Sat itself is interesting with good nature elements and animals, locals are friendly and offered a good lunch. The infrastructure in Can Gio is lacking and is in need of repair and investment - a lot of it feels quite dilapidated. We would have chosen an alternative destination if known this in advance. Of course, this is not an issue with Saigon River Tour. Would recommend Saigon River Tour, but probably a destination besides Can Gio until facilities improve.
Cui chi tunnel
408iftekhara,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Sang was an excellent tour guide. We had a memorable experience. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Highly recommend him to others
Awesome experienc in the mangroves!
Climber40325380076,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great family experience, our tour guide Mr Phat was very knowledgeable and provided excellent service. We were able to spot giant bats in the mangroves, fed macaque monkeys, went in a special cage to feed crocodiles. My two teenage boys had a blast! Lunch was delicious and plentiful. My boys had an incredible unforgettable experience. I highly recommend this tour specially for families.
A great way to spend time in Ho Chi Minh City
Peter M,Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Money and time well spent. Our guide Chi is a superstar and even after extensive reading, this tour taught me a lot. Highly recommend.
Peaceful Day in the Mangroves
Jet14661723097,Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great experience with Saigon River Tours on the Can Gio Mangrove Forest tour. The speedboat ride was smooth and scenic, offering a unique view of life along the river. The tour was well-organized, with highlights like exploring the mangroves, spotting wildlife, and enjoying a delicious local lunch. Our guide, Trang, was friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended for a nature-filled escape from Ho Chi Minh City!
Great and varied tour with great tour guide!
Mobile65302713453,Apr 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great trip with only 5 people on a speedboat. The ride was very pleasant, our tour guide Moon was so friendly, warm and very attentive and speaks perfect English! We were very well catered for, there was banh mi, fruit, coffee, water and a huge lunch. On the tour we visited a local market, took a boat trip through a mangrove forest with bats, watched monkeys, fished crocodiles and made several hikes through the jungle.
Cam Gio with Yo
734arib,Jul 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I just got back from a trip to the Cam Gio mangrove biosphere and it was amazing! Definitely off the beaten path, we didn't see any other tourists. The boat there was fun and comfy, and we got to see everything! A huge bat colony, crocodiles which we got to feed, a troupe of monkey mamas and their babies, and beautiful birds! You end with this incredible Vietnamese lunch, my only complaint was that it was SO MUCH incredible food I ate too much and there was still a bunch left over. But the best part of the trip was Yo! Our guide! He was as excited to see the mangroves as we were, and he was great at talking about the history of the mangroves, and their recovery after the Vietnam war. Even when we passed through the land of little wormy caterpillars he was a champ, and always made sure we had plenty of water and got to see all the exciting things! That man deserves a raise because he was the best. Overall, 10/10, I couldn't recommend doing it enough!
Escape the big city...
christiansD5390HQ,Apr 12, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
In a little over an hour, you can take a motorboat out of the center of Saigon and into another world. From the boat you can watch life in and by the river. You quickly notice once the national park is reached.. expect a mangrove forest, bats, crocodiles, monkeys, diverse bird species and of course insects and reptiles.
A brilliant experience. Well worth doing if looking to get out of the city for a few hours.
traveller061173,Jul 21, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had an amazing experience on this tour. Everything was superb. the boat ride to the reserve, the stunning scenery, the crocodiles and the monkeys. Anthony arranged everything efficiently and Sunny, my guide for the day, was most informative. I really recommend this trip to anyone coming to Ho Chi Minh City and wants to get out of the city for a morning.
Great trip and nice nature experiences
endrer976,Jul 17, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great ride by speedboat on the river, and the environment gradually changed from hectic metropolis to deserted mangrove forest. Nice paddling in the mangrove, and beautiful birds and giant flag mice. Then view of the forest and feeding of crocodiles and monkeys. Lunch on the way (seafood and local shrimp in total:-))

Related Experiences

Operated by Saigon River Tour

Private Tour

Private Can Gio Mangrove Forest by Speedboat – Escape from Saigon

Overview

Available languages

English

6 hours

Mobile ticket

Escape the busy streets of Saigon and discover the wild side of Vietnam at Can Gio Mangrove Forest — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — by speedboat.

You’ll also have the chance to see saltwater crocodiles up close and learn about the region’s role in protecting Vietnam’s coastal environment.

With a small-group setting and expert local guides, this experience offers a more immersive, natural, and less touristy alternative to typical city tours.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Suitable for most travelers. This experience is well-paced and comfortable.

This experience includes some light physical activity. Guests can skip certain activities if preferred.

This experience is more active compared to standard bus tours.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Saigon River

Cruise along the Saigon River toward the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-listed ecosystem rich in wildlife and natural beauty.

Admission Not Applicable

Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve

Enjoy the peaceful transition from the bustling city to lush mangrove forests, offering a refreshing and unique glimpse into southern Vietnam’s natural landscape.

Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Authentic Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant

Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel in District 1

Dedicated English-speaking guide with local insights

Flexible and personalized itinerary tailored to your group

Light breakfast on board with fresh fruits & drinks

Private premium speedboat transfer from Saigon to Can Gio

Entrance fees to all included attractions

Alcoholic beverages (available for purchase)

Personal expenses and gratuities

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Options

Private Tour

Pickup included

Reviews

4.89

27 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Good River Tour
Daniel H,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Overall a nice river cruise, with fresh food and some croissants. Our guide Van was friendly and enthusiastic. Interesting crusing along Saigon River and seeing way of life. Can Gio/Vam Sat itself is interesting with good nature elements and animals, locals are friendly and offered a good lunch. The infrastructure in Can Gio is lacking and is in need of repair and investment - a lot of it feels quite dilapidated. We would have chosen an alternative destination if known this in advance. Of course, this is not an issue with Saigon River Tour. Would recommend Saigon River Tour, but probably a destination besides Can Gio until facilities improve.
Cui chi tunnel
408iftekhara,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Sang was an excellent tour guide. We had a memorable experience. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Highly recommend him to others
Awesome experienc in the mangroves!
Climber40325380076,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great family experience, our tour guide Mr Phat was very knowledgeable and provided excellent service. We were able to spot giant bats in the mangroves, fed macaque monkeys, went in a special cage to feed crocodiles. My two teenage boys had a blast! Lunch was delicious and plentiful. My boys had an incredible unforgettable experience. I highly recommend this tour specially for families.
A great way to spend time in Ho Chi Minh City
Peter M,Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Money and time well spent. Our guide Chi is a superstar and even after extensive reading, this tour taught me a lot. Highly recommend.
Peaceful Day in the Mangroves
Jet14661723097,Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great experience with Saigon River Tours on the Can Gio Mangrove Forest tour. The speedboat ride was smooth and scenic, offering a unique view of life along the river. The tour was well-organized, with highlights like exploring the mangroves, spotting wildlife, and enjoying a delicious local lunch. Our guide, Trang, was friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended for a nature-filled escape from Ho Chi Minh City!
Great and varied tour with great tour guide!
Mobile65302713453,Apr 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great trip with only 5 people on a speedboat. The ride was very pleasant, our tour guide Moon was so friendly, warm and very attentive and speaks perfect English! We were very well catered for, there was banh mi, fruit, coffee, water and a huge lunch. On the tour we visited a local market, took a boat trip through a mangrove forest with bats, watched monkeys, fished crocodiles and made several hikes through the jungle.
Cam Gio with Yo
734arib,Jul 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I just got back from a trip to the Cam Gio mangrove biosphere and it was amazing! Definitely off the beaten path, we didn't see any other tourists. The boat there was fun and comfy, and we got to see everything! A huge bat colony, crocodiles which we got to feed, a troupe of monkey mamas and their babies, and beautiful birds! You end with this incredible Vietnamese lunch, my only complaint was that it was SO MUCH incredible food I ate too much and there was still a bunch left over. But the best part of the trip was Yo! Our guide! He was as excited to see the mangroves as we were, and he was great at talking about the history of the mangroves, and their recovery after the Vietnam war. Even when we passed through the land of little wormy caterpillars he was a champ, and always made sure we had plenty of water and got to see all the exciting things! That man deserves a raise because he was the best. Overall, 10/10, I couldn't recommend doing it enough!
Escape the big city...
christiansD5390HQ,Apr 12, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
In a little over an hour, you can take a motorboat out of the center of Saigon and into another world. From the boat you can watch life in and by the river. You quickly notice once the national park is reached.. expect a mangrove forest, bats, crocodiles, monkeys, diverse bird species and of course insects and reptiles.
A brilliant experience. Well worth doing if looking to get out of the city for a few hours.
traveller061173,Jul 21, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had an amazing experience on this tour. Everything was superb. the boat ride to the reserve, the stunning scenery, the crocodiles and the monkeys. Anthony arranged everything efficiently and Sunny, my guide for the day, was most informative. I really recommend this trip to anyone coming to Ho Chi Minh City and wants to get out of the city for a morning.
Great trip and nice nature experiences
endrer976,Jul 17, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great ride by speedboat on the river, and the environment gradually changed from hectic metropolis to deserted mangrove forest. Nice paddling in the mangrove, and beautiful birds and giant flag mice. Then view of the forest and feeding of crocodiles and monkeys. Lunch on the way (seafood and local shrimp in total:-))