The double-decker river bus route in Ho Chi Minh City offers foreign travelers panoramic views of both riverbanks while immersing them in the cultural space of Central Highlands gongs during Lunar New Year.

The gong culture of the Central Highlands - recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity - has been incorporated into the river cruise experience since late January 2026. Performances take place in the late afternoon and evening, from 4pm to 10pm, serving both domestic and international visitors during Tet.

Throughout the 45-minute journey, guests listen to bilingual Vietnamese-English commentary about the landscapes, historical sites and architectural landmarks along the Saigon River. They enjoy light pastries and beverages while watching live gong performances.

Artist Krajan Dion, 50, from the Co Ho ethnic group, has devoted 23 years to gong music and traditional Central Highlands instruments. He said this marks his first time performing on a cruise in the middle of a river, instead of within the communal spaces of his village.

“In the village, gongs are part of community life and social exchange. On the cruise, the format shifts to a stage performance, but the cultural spirit remains intact,” he said.

Currently living in Langbiang, Lam Dong Province, he only travels to Ho Chi Minh City when scheduled to perform. He expressed joy at having the opportunity to introduce his people’s culture to visitors. “I try to keep the original melodies and let the music flow with the river. Seeing the audience listen attentively moves me deeply,” he shared.

Joining him is artist Ka Hem, 32, who learned gong music and traditional instruments from a young age in her village and regularly performs at community festivals.

Two pieces are featured on the cruise: “Hello Vietnam,” performed with Central Highlands instruments, and “Co gai nho,” a folk melody of the Co Ho people.

Passengers are also invited to interact, keep rhythm and dance alongside the artists on board, creating a lively atmosphere rather than a purely passive performance.

Cherish, a visitor from St Lucia, said she traveled to Vietnam this year and had the chance to celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year in Ho Chi Minh City with a friend’s family. She described feeling excited and curious experiencing Tet in Vietnam for the first time. The gong performance on the cruise left a strong impression. “The music is very unique and distinctive,” she said.

According to Cherish, the Saigon River cruise offers a different perspective of the city, allowing guests to observe the illuminated riverside scenery at night.

A representative of the Saigon River bus operator said that in Vietnamese cultural life, images of rivers and wharves are closely tied to collective memory and community activities.

Organizing traditional art performances on the Saigon River not only creates a distinctive experiential space, but also conveys regional cultural values to visitors. “We want each journey to become a cultural storytelling voyage about Vietnam, especially for travelers from afar,” he said.

Notably, the lower deck of the cruise boat is decorated with 1,000 multicolored Thanh Tien paper flowers, creating a vivid visual highlight along the river journey.

The handmade paper flower craft of Thanh Tien village in Hue has a history of nearly 400 years. In the past, during Tet, five-colored paper flowers were commonly used to decorate royal spaces.

Last Tet, passengers enjoyed classical opera performances on the Saigon River cruise. This year, Thanh Tien paper flowers and Central Highlands gongs continue to be introduced on the river, enriching Ho Chi Minh City’s waterway tourism offerings.

The journey lasts about 45 minutes and offers three ticket categories. The Sky ticket costs VND679,000 (approximately US$27) for second-deck seating, including light snacks and drinks, with a panoramic view of both riverbanks. The other categories are River at VND479,000 (approximately US$19) and Cabin at VND399,000 (approximately US$16). Tickets can be purchased directly at Bach Dang Wharf or booked online.

Nguyen Hue