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Phu My is a deep-water cargo port sitting between two choices: Vung Tau about 44-48 km away and central Saigon about 57-62 km by route data. What shapes your day ashore is National Road 51 with its heavy container traffic, so this guide compares the realistic time for each direction.
Times are approximate, from free-flowing to busy traffic, and only a guide; traffic, weather and time of day can change them.
| Destination | km | Approx. Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Back Beach and Front Beach | 43-44 | 45-85 min |
| Seaside cafes in Vung Tau | 43-44 | 45-85 min |
| White Palace | 45-46 | 45-85 min |
| Christ the King statue on Small Mountain | 46-48 | 50-100 min |
| Vung Tau Lighthouse | 48 | 55-95 min |
| Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office | 58-60 | 60-90 min |
| Nguyen Hue Walking Street | 57-60 | 60-90 min |
| Saigon-style iced milk coffee | 57-60 | 60-90 min |
| Vincom Center Dong Khoi and Saigon Centre | 58-61 | 60-90 min |
| Ben Thanh Market | 57-60 | 60-90 min |
| Independence Palace | 59-62 | 60-90 min |
| Diamond Plaza and Giong coffee | 58-60 | 60-90 min |
| Cu Chi Tunnels | 97-98 | 100-170 min |
From our drivers' on-the-road experience picking up and dropping off guests here, these are the points to keep in mind. Distances and times in this guide are approximate, and real conditions can differ.
Vung Tau's two main beaches, with seafood restaurants and cafes. (43-44 km)
Front and Back Beach are lined with sea-view cafes, a pleasant break before returning to the port. (43-44 km)
A French-era villa on Big Mountain with gardens and views over Front Beach. (45-46 km)
A statue with outstretched arms on the summit of Small Mountain facing the sea, reached by a stairway. (46-48 km)
A lighthouse on Small Mountain with wide views of the city and sea. (48 km)
City stops, measured from the port: Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office (58-60 km), Nguyen Hue Walking Street (57-60 km), Saigon-style iced milk coffee (57-60 km), Vincom Center Dong Khoi and Saigon Centre (58-61 km), Ben Thanh Market (57-60 km), Independence Palace (59-62 km), Diamond Plaza and Giong coffee (58-60 km), Cu Chi Tunnels (97-98 km).
Each plan below allows 45 minutes for disembarking and returns 90 minutes early, as we advise. Times count from the ship docking.
| 0:00-0:45 | Disembark, pass the port gate, meet your driver |
| 0:45-2:00 | Drive (46-48 km) |
| 2:00-2:45 | Christ the King statue on Small Mountain |
| 2:45-4:00 | Back to the port |
| 4:00-6:00 | Buffer before all-aboard |
Left out for time: Back Beach and Front Beach, Seaside cafes in Vung Tau.
| 0:00-0:45 | Disembark, pass the port gate, meet your driver |
| 0:45-2:00 | Drive (46-48 km) |
| 2:00-2:45 | Christ the King statue on Small Mountain |
| 2:45-3:00 | Drive |
| 3:00-3:45 | White Palace |
| 3:45-3:55 | Drive |
| 3:55-4:40 | Vung Tau Lighthouse |
| 4:40-4:50 | Drive |
| 4:50-5:20 | Seaside cafes in Vung Tau |
| 5:20-6:25 | Back to the port |
| 6:25-8:00 | Buffer before all-aboard |
Left out for time: Back Beach and Front Beach.
| 0:00-0:45 | Disembark, pass the port gate, meet your driver |
| 0:45-2:00 | Drive (58-60 km) |
| 2:00-2:45 | Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office |
| 2:45-2:55 | Drive |
| 2:55-3:40 | Nguyen Hue Walking Street |
| 3:40-3:50 | Drive |
| 3:50-4:20 | Saigon-style iced milk coffee |
| 4:20-4:30 | Drive |
| 4:30-5:15 | Vincom Center Dong Khoi and Saigon Centre |
| 5:15-5:25 | Drive |
| 5:25-6:10 | Ben Thanh Market |
| 6:10-7:25 | Back to the port |
| 7:25-10:00 | Buffer before all-aboard |
| 0:00-0:45 | Disembark, pass the port gate, meet your driver |
| 0:45-2:00 | Drive (59-62 km) |
| 2:00-2:45 | Independence Palace |
| 2:45-2:55 | Drive |
| 2:55-3:40 | Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office |
| 3:40-3:50 | Drive |
| 3:50-4:35 | Diamond Plaza and Giong coffee |
| 4:35-4:45 | Drive |
| 4:45-5:30 | Nguyen Hue Walking Street |
| 5:30-5:40 | Drive |
| 5:40-6:25 | Vincom Center Dong Khoi and Saigon Centre |
| 6:25-6:35 | Drive |
| 6:35-7:20 | Ben Thanh Market |
| 7:20-8:35 | Back to the port |
| 8:35-12:00 | Buffer before all-aboard |
About 57-62 km by route data; shore-excursion operators typically allow 1.5-2 hours each way, and the late-afternoon return can take longer.
Vung Tau is closer (about 45 km) and suits 6-8 hours ashore. Saigon is about 60 km, often 1 to over 1.5 hours each way, and suits longer calls.
Your driver meets you in the area the port allows; we confirm the meeting point once you send the ship name and date.
Cu Chi is about 97 km from the port, too far for a normal day ashore; we do not suggest it.
Related details are covered in Vung Tau by Private Car with Driver: Routes, Timing and Tips.
Please send us your flight or ship schedule and we will be pleased to prepare a private car quote.
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Travel guides for this trip
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