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Do I need to book dragon boat dinner cruise in advance or can I just walk in?

You don’t have to book a dragon boat dinner cruise on the Perfume River in advance. You can just walk up to Toa Kham wharf late afternoon — say, around 4:30 to 5:30 pm — and there’ll usually be someone standing around with a laminated menu or a worn-out sign that says “Dragon Boat Dinner – Ca Hue Music.” Prices are pretty upfront. You ask, they give you a number, and if you’re okay with it, you pay, hop on later.

See more details >>> Dinner Cruise on the Dragon Boat with Hue Folk Songs on the Perfume River

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That’s what I did in April 2025. I was walking along the river, just killing time. Saw a guy sitting on a low plastic stool near the steps down to the dock, drinking iced tea, casually waving at tourists. I stopped, we talked for maybe 3 minutes, and boom — had a seat for a 6:30 cruise that same evening. Paid 450,000 VND in cash. No fancy app, no form, no fuss.

That said, weekends and holidays (especially around Tet or the Hue Festival) can get crowded. Not sold out like a concert, but the better boats — ones that aren’t falling apart or blasting LED lights like a karaoke bus — go quick. If you want something private, or if you’re picky about the boat having actual cushions or clean restrooms, you’re better off booking a day or two ahead.

There are a few operators online — some have Zalo or WhatsApp numbers printed on faded banners at the dock. I used Hoi An Explorer Travel once, messaged them directly, and they reserved a spot for me with no deposit. Just a name and a time. They followed up with a photo of the boat, too, which helped. That trip in June 2023 cost 320,000 VND per person, and they threw in some lotus tea and fresh fruit.

So yeah, walking in works, especially on weekdays. Just don’t wait till the last second if you’re hoping for a quieter boat or if you’re traveling in a group. Also, don’t show up at 6:25 and expect things to go smoothly. These cruises run on loose schedules, but they do leave eventually. Give yourself some buffer. Stand by the river, grab a sugarcane juice, and let the evening drift in.