The Saigon Water Festival 2024 returns for its second edition with an even larger scale. Officially running from May 31st to June 9th at multiple locations across the city.
Scale of the Saigon Water Festival 2024
The Saigon Water Festival 2024 will span 10 days instead of the previous 3-day format. Activities will not only be concentrated at the Nhà Rồng Wharf or Nhiêu Lộc – Thị Nghè Canal but will also take place at various locations such as the Nhà Rồng Khánh Hội – Saigon Port area, Bến Bạch Đằng Park, Saigon Riverside Park, Nhiêu Lộc – Thị Nghè Canal, Ngôi Sao Việt Wharf (District 7), Bình Đông Wharf (District 8), Suối Tiên Cultural Tourism Park, and other tourist spots across Thủ Đức City and various districts.

Highlights and theme of the festival
The highlight of this year's Saigon Water Festival 2024 will be the special art program “The River Tells a Story” season 2. With the theme “The Legendary Voyage,” it will take place from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM on May 31st at the Nhà Rồng Khánh Hội – Saigon Port area.
“The River Tells a Story Season 2 – The Legendary Voyage” will blend history, cinema, and entertainment. It aims to convey meaningful messages from the heroic historical tales of the nation, taking the audience from one surprise to another. The show will feature climactic moments, thrilling large-scale scenes, and emotionally profound highlights, delving into the inner lives of characters and drawing from historical stories and legends about significant figures in pivotal historical contexts tied to special voyages.


Activities at the Saigon Water Festival 2024
Opening Night of the Art Program
The opening ceremony will take place at 8:00 PM on May 31, 2024, featuring a contemporary dance performance as the highlight. Combining cutting-edge technology with a floating stage on the Saigon River, the event will also include a fireworks display, a new addition to this year’s festival. The fireworks will begin at 9:30 PM and last for 15 minutes.


Water sports activities
For the first time, Ho Chi Minh City will host a water sports event attracting athletes from 12 districts across 3 provinces and cities.
The 2024 Ho Chi Minh City Open River Swimming Championship will take place from June 1st to 2nd on the Saigon River, stretching from the ASEAN Flagpole to Ba Son Bridge. Spectators can enjoy the event from Bến Bạch Đằng Park. Additionally, the 1st Ho Chi Minh City Open Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Championship will be held on June 2nd at Nhiêu Lộc – Thị Nghè Canal. Water sports activities at Ngôi Sao Việt Wharf (District 7) will run continuously from June 3rd to 6th.

As part of the event, there will be various performances, including sailing boats, jet skis, sailing vessels, SUP, and paragliding on the Saigon River. Don’t miss these unique displays at Bến Bạch Đằng (District 1) at 7:00 PM on June 8th and 9th.

Fruit Week “On the Wharf, On the Boat”
The event will run from June 4th to 10th, 2024, along the Bến Bình Đông waterfront in District 8. It will feature stalls showcasing and selling fruits from Western region orchards and other provinces. Visitors can enjoy fresh, delicious fruits and watch traditional folk art performances.

Additionally, the “Floating Market of the West” will be recreated from June 1st to 9th, 2024, at Nhiêu Lộc – Thị Nghè Canal.

River Parade Activities
The river parade, spanning approximately 4 km, will take place from 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM on May 31, 2024, and from 8:00 PM to 8:30 PM from June 1st to 2nd and June 7th to 9th, 2024. The route runs from Nhà Rồng, Khánh Hội – Saigon Port to Landmark 81, featuring 30 to 40 brightly decorated boats sailing along the riverbank to promote the festival and the city’s river tourism activities.

Artistic decoration exhibitions
Running from May 31st to June 9th, 2024, the event will include outdoor art exhibitions like “Sails Reaching Far,” light art installations, and cultural spaces showcasing UNESCO-recognized national heritage art forms at Bến Bạch Đằng Park and Thủ Ngữ Flagpole.
Inter-provincial and city collaboration activities
As part of the Saigon Water Festival 2024, there will be surveys and seminars to evaluate waterway tourism programs linking Ho Chi Minh City with other provinces and cities. Collaborating with businesses, new waterway routes will be developed, existing ones improved, and the river system effectively utilized. Events and activities will also be organized in various provinces and cities to promote local waterway characteristics and tourism resources.
Water-themed culinary competition and Southern Fruit Festival
The water-themed culinary competition will take place starting June 1st on Lê Lợi Street (District 1), while the Southern Fruit Festival will run from June 1st to August 31st at Suối Tiên Cultural Tourism Park.
According to Mytour.vn
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Reference: Mytour.vn Travel Guide
Mytour.vnMay 30, 2024