A private river expedition connecting luxury travelers with authentic culture, pristine nature, and meaningful local encounters in Southern Vietnam
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – June 2026 — Amiral Explorers®, the expedition and discovery collection of Amiral Cruises for Presidents®, has launched Thiềng Liềng Salt Island Discovery Through the Cần Giờ UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a new immersive full-day experience created for travelers seeking authentic connections, cultural depth, and nature-based exploration beyond traditional sightseeing.
Operating exclusively on a private charter basis, the eight-hour experience invites families, couples, friends, incentive groups, and special-interest travelers to discover one of Southern Vietnam’s most remarkable hidden destinations in complete privacy and comfort.
Departing from historic Nhà Rồng Wharf on the Saigon River, the journey combines river cruising, biodiversity, gastronomy, local culture, wellness, and community engagement in an experience designed around the growing global demand for transformational travel.
The New Luxury: Access, Authenticity and Connection
Around the world, luxury travel is evolving.
Today’s affluent travelers increasingly seek authentic experiences over material indulgence, meaningful human connections over crowded attractions, and memorable stories over conventional sightseeing.
Amiral Explorers® was created to answer this demand.
Inspired by the philosophy that “Luxury is Culture,” the experience offers guests privileged access to places, people, and traditions rarely encountered by international visitors.
“Travelers today are looking for something deeper,” said Dr. Phạm Hà, Founder and CEO of LuxGroup and Founder of Amiral Cruises for Presidents®.
“They want to understand a destination through its people, its culture, its food, and its landscapes. Thiềng Liềng represents a side of Vietnam that remains authentic, untouched, and genuinely connected to nature. This is precisely what modern luxury travelers value.”
Through a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
The voyage begins aboard a private Amiral Explorers® vessel at Nhà Rồng Wharf, one of Vietnam’s most historic riverfront landmarks.
As the vessel leaves the skyline of Ho Chi Minh City behind, guests witness an extraordinary transformation of landscape.
The urban environment gradually gives way to the vast waterways and mangrove forests of the Cần Giờ UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, recognized internationally as one of Southeast Asia’s most important coastal ecosystems.
The expedition passes through the reserve’s ecological zones—including the protected core zone, buffer zones, and transition areas—offering rare insight into how biodiversity conservation and community life coexist within a living UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The journey highlights the remarkable contrast between one of Asia’s most dynamic cities and one of Vietnam’s most pristine natural environments.
For photographers, nature lovers, birdwatchers, and environmentally conscious travelers, the route provides an exceptional opportunity to observe Southern Vietnam’s ecological richness from the water.
A Visit to Cần Giuộc Market
Unlike conventional excursions focused solely on attractions, Thiềng Liềng Salt Island Discovery emphasizes human connections and cultural immersion.
One of the most memorable encounters is a visit to Cần Giuộc Market, a vibrant local marketplace serving surrounding river communities.
Far removed from tourist circuits, the market offers an authentic glimpse into daily life in the Mekong gateway region.
Guests stroll among stalls filled with fresh seafood, tropical fruits, local herbs, handmade products, and seasonal produce while observing the rhythms of local commerce.
The experience allows travelers to interact naturally with vendors, farmers, fishermen, and residents whose lives remain deeply intertwined with the waterways of Southern Vietnam.
It is these spontaneous encounters that often become the most cherished memories of a journey.
Discovering Thiềng Liềng Salt Island
Beyond the mangrove forests and beyond the biosphere reserve lies Thiềng Liềng, a remote island community accessible only by boat.
Home to fewer than one thousand residents, the island remains one of the least-visited destinations in Southern Vietnam.
Here, life is shaped by tides, sunshine, wind, and salt.
The island’s dazzling white salt fields stretch across the landscape like a natural work of art, creating one of Vietnam’s most distinctive cultural and photographic environments.
Guests explore the island by bicycle, following peaceful village roads through salt farms and local communities.
Along the way, they meet salt-farming families whose livelihoods have depended on traditional salt production for generations.
These encounters provide rare insight into a way of life that continues to thrive despite the rapid modernization occurring elsewhere in the country.
Unlike staged tourism experiences, interactions on Thiềng Liềng are genuine, personal, and deeply meaningful.
Culinary Encounters Rooted in Place
Food serves as a powerful gateway to culture.
A leisurely island lunch showcases authentic Southern Vietnamese cuisine prepared using local ingredients and regional recipes.
Fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and traditional flavors create an experience that reflects the island’s identity and culinary heritage.
Meals are designed not only to satisfy but also to tell the story of place through ingredients, traditions, and hospitality.
Music, Heritage and Living Culture
The cultural experience continues with an intimate performance featuring the traditional Đàn Sến by local artisan Hồ Tự Huỳnh.
The gentle melodies evoke the spirit of Southern Vietnam and provide guests with a deeper appreciation of the region’s artistic heritage.
Rather than a performance created for tourism, the experience celebrates living culture and the preservation of traditions passed from generation to generation.
Wellness Inspired by Salt
Salt is more than an industry on Thiềng Liềng—it is part of the island’s identity.
Inspired by this heritage, guests enjoy a restorative foot ritual using locally harvested sea salt and aromatic herbs.
Simple, natural, and deeply relaxing, the experience reflects Amiral’s commitment to slow travel and mindful exploration.
Additional opportunities for stand-up paddleboarding and swimming allow guests to engage directly with the island’s tranquil waters and natural surroundings.
Exclusively Private, Deeply Personal
Unlike traditional scheduled tours, Thiềng Liềng Salt Island Discovery operates exclusively on a private charter basis aboard Amiral Explorers®.
This approach allows every departure to be tailored to guests’ interests, pace, and preferences.
Whether celebrating a special occasion, hosting family and friends, organizing a corporate retreat, entertaining VIP clients, or simply seeking privacy and exclusivity, guests enjoy complete flexibility and personalized service throughout the journey.
The charter concept aligns with emerging luxury travel trends that prioritize privacy, customization, and meaningful experiences over standardized itineraries.
A New Chapter for Southern Vietnam River Tourism
The launch of Thiềng Liềng Salt Island Discovery reflects Amiral Cruises’ broader vision of positioning the waterways of Southern Vietnam among Asia’s most compelling experiential travel destinations.
As Ho Chi Minh City continues investing in river tourism and the nighttime economy, experiences built around culture, heritage, biodiversity, and local communities are increasingly recognized as key drivers of sustainable tourism growth.
By connecting travelers with places such as Thiềng Liềng, Amiral Explorers® demonstrates how tourism can generate meaningful economic opportunities while preserving cultural heritage and protecting natural ecosystems.
“This journey is not about checking off attractions,” said Dr. Phạm Hà.
“It is about slowing down, listening, learning, connecting, and experiencing Vietnam through the people who live here. That is the future of luxury travel.”
About Amiral Explorers®
Amiral Explorers® is the expedition and discovery collection of Amiral Cruises for Presidents®, specializing in private charter experiences on the rivers, coastlines, and cultural waterways of Southern Vietnam. Designed around authenticity, immersion, and meaningful connections, Amiral Explorers® offers bespoke journeys that reveal the natural beauty, cultural richness, and living heritage of Vietnam.
About Amiral Cruises for Presidents®
Amiral Cruises for Presidents® is Vietnam’s first luxury boutique river and maritime cruise brand operated by LuxGroup®. Inspired by history, culture, and the country’s waterways, the company develops transformative travel experiences guided by its founding philosophy: Luxury is Culture™.
Amiral Explorers®
The River Remembers™
Private Charter Experiences in Southern Vietnam
