From 5 June 2026, the Saigon River enters a new cadence—quieter, more intentional, and unmistakably human in scale.
Amiral Speedboats® for Explorers introduces two curator-led signature journeys, operating daily by speedboat—one in the morning, one in the afternoon—both shaped around a single, defining experience: discovering the Củ Chi Tunnels the way they are most meaningfully understood—from the water.
Each departure is limited to a maximum of 35 travelers, aboard custom-designed river–sea speedboats engineered specifically for southern Vietnam’s waterways. The experience is seamless from start to finish: smooth hotel pick-up and drop-off in Districts 1–4, onboard audio interpretation, professional guiding, and an unhurried pace that privileges depth over volume.
This intimate scale is intentional. It allows comfort, discretion, and genuine engagement—qualities rarely possible on land-based excursions.
This is not route expansion. It is purpose refined.
Amiral begins with one destination, two daily rhythms, and a clear conviction: meaningful travel is shaped by time, access, and proportion.
Together, these journeys form the speedboat expression of Amiral Cruises® for Presidents—Vietnam’s first river–maritime luxury boutique cruise line, created by LuxGroup®.
In a world of crowded itineraries, Amiral chooses clarity.
A Founder’s Note
A New Chapter on the Saigon River
“Amiral Cruises for Presidents® enters a new passage, guided by a singular belief: true luxury unfolds one river, one city, one meaningful moment at a time.
We do not offer tours. We craft refined journeys—intimate, culturally grounded, and shaped by the timeless rhythm of the Saigon River.
Each voyage is quietly purposeful, where design, service, and place converge to transform travel into significance.
The Saigon River has carried centuries of beginnings.
This chapter is written for those who travel with intention.”
— Phạm Hà, Founding President & CEO, LuxGroup®
CỦ CHI TUNNELS BY SPEEDBOAT
A Curated Half-Day River & Jungle Expedition
There are many ways to visit the Củ Chi Tunnels.
The most revealing begins on the river.
Departing by speedboat from the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, guests travel upstream as the skyline gradually dissolves into river hamlets, working docks, bamboo-lined banks, and wide green corridors—an unfolding portrait of southern Vietnam’s river-based civilization.
The transition is deliberate.
Urban intensity gives way to rural calm, allowing guests to arrive not rushed, but ready.
Approaching Củ Chi by water grants early, unhurried access—well ahead of large road-based tour groups. Guided by expert historians, guests explore the underground world of tunnels, kitchens, bunkers, and strategic systems—ingenious networks that sustained daily life beneath the forest floor and shaped Vietnam’s modern history.
The interpretation favors understanding over spectacle.
The return journey is equally considered. Cruising downstream in open air, guests enjoy river breezes and expansive views before concluding with a refined Vietnamese lunch—an elegant counterpoint to the morning’s historical immersion.
This is not a conventional tour.
It is a fast, green, and authentic waterborne experience, designed for travelers who seek depth, comfort, and genuine connection.
TWO DAILY RHYTHMS · ONE INTIMATE SCALE
Morning Signature
Củ Chi Tunnels by Speedboat
Morning light, cooler air, and early access create ideal conditions for focused exploration and quiet reflection—aboard a purpose-built river–sea speedboat designed for stability and discretion.
• Duration: ~5 hours
• Departure: 07:00 AM
• Capacity: Up to 35 guests
• Seating: 24 Deluxe Seats (theatre-style) · Sunset Lounge (stern sofa seating)
• Style: Cultural · River-led · Immersive · Low-impact
Afternoon Signature
Củ Chi Tunnels by Speedboat
The same journey unfolds with a softer cadence. Warmer light, a slower tempo, and a contemplative return along the river define the afternoon experience.
• Duration: ~5 hours
• Departure: 11:00 AM
• Capacity: Up to 35 guests
• End options: Hotel drop-off or dining at Vị Phở, Bùi Viện Street
• Style: Cultural · River-led · Immersive · Low-impact
EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
• Duration: ~5 hours
• Daily departures: 07:00 AM & 11:00 AM
• Maximum capacity: 35 guests per speedboat
• Price from: USD 90–120++
• Vessel type: Custom-designed river–sea speedboats
AMIRAL SPEEDBOATS® FOR EXPLORERS
Precision Craft for Vietnam’s Rivers & Coastal Waters
Before overnight cruises and grand river–sea voyages, Amiral begins with speed, precision, and intimacy.
Amiral Speedboats® are high-performance boutique vessels designed for curated half-day and full-day journeys, sunset cruises, night explorations, and private VIP transfers. Built in Vietnam to international marine standards, they form the agile foundation of Amiral Cruises® for Presidents and the broader Vietnam Waterways® vision.
Vessel Overview
Custom-built from marine-grade composite FRP, the enclosed-cabin vessel is certified under Vietnam Register (VR) SB classification for river–sea operations up to 12 nautical miles. A shallow draft and wide beam ensure smooth passage through canals, mangroves, and urban rivers—while remaining composed at higher cruising speeds.
Key Specifications
• Length overall: 12.82 m
• Beam: 3.13 m
• Draft: ~0.55 m
• Capacity: Up to 35 guests
• Crew: 3 professionals
• Fuel capacity: 240 L
• Classification: VR SB (river–sea)
Performance & Handling
Powered by twin Yamaha outboard engines (up to 500 HP combined), the vessel cruises comfortably at 40–50 km/h. French hydraulic steering by Lecomble & Schmitt delivers precise control—essential for both high-speed cruising and narrow waterways.
Comfort & Safety
• Enclosed cabin with panoramic windows
• Deluxe seating & Sunset Lounge
• Multiple boarding points (bow & stern)
• Shaded areas for sightseeing and photography
• Wi-Fi & USB charging
• Full marine safety systems (life rafts, adult & child life vests, fire suppression)
• Professional navigation suite: GPS, radar, AIS Class A, VHF/MF-HF
• Marine-grade electrical systems (EU & US sourced)
Engines are inspected every 100 operating hours and replaced after approximately 4,000 hours, following international best practices.
Journeys Unlocked
• Saigon River Discovery
• Củ Chi Tunnels by River
• Cần Giờ UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
• Mekong Delta Day Escapes
• Private VIP Transfers & Charters
Most routes are accessible within one hour from Bạch Đằng Wharf, maximizing time on experience—not transit.
Sustainability in Motion
As part of Travelife-certified operations, Amiral Speedboats®:
• Use new-generation, fuel-efficient engines
• Eliminate single-use plastics onboard
• Prioritize low-impact navigation in sensitive ecosystems
Sustainability is integrated by design, not added later.
WHERE AMIRAL BEGINS
Fast, elegant, and purposeful, Amiral Speedboats® are more than transfers or excursions.
They are the first expression of the Amiral philosophy—where time is respected, culture is revealed, and every journey carries meaning.
Luxury is Culture.
Launching 5 June 2026, marking 115 years since the historic departure of the Amiral Latouche-Tréville from Nhà Rồng Wharf, Amiral Cruises® for Presidents invites travelers to rediscover Vietnam from its original axis—the river.
One destination. Two daily journeys. One intentional philosophy.
Travel slowly—even when moving fast.
