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Several Vietnamese cruise ports are some distance from the sights. A private car with driver lets you set your own pace and return on time.
Distances are a guide; travel times are approximate and traffic can change them.
| Location | Nearest central stop | km | Approx. Time | Traffic, from our drivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phu My port | White Palace | 45-46 | 45-85 min | National Road 51 is the main road around the port, with many trucks and containers |
| Chan May port | Hue salt coffee | 61 | 55-95 min | To Hue you mainly take National Road 1 or the expressway north |
| Tien Sa port | Vincom Plaza Ngo Quyen | 10 | 10-25 min | From the port into town you follow the peninsula along Yet Kieu - Ngo Quyen or the coast, over the Thuan Phuoc or Han River bridge |
| Ha Long International Cruise Port | Sun World Ha Long | 2 | 5-10 min | Bai Chay and Hon Gai are linked by the short Bai Chay Bridge |
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. To Saigon you usually take Road 51 then the HCMC - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway; the final stretch over the river into the city can be busy at rush hour. The southern rainy season (roughly May to November) brings afternoon showers, wet roads and slower driving.
Chan May port lies between Hue and Da Nang, about 61-64 km from the Hue Imperial City and about 71-79 km from Hoi An's old town. To Hoi An you go through the Hai Van Tunnel, past Da Nang and south; this is the longest leg from the port. Hue's rainy season is usually about September to December with long spells of rain; bring a rain jacket.
Tien Sa port sits at the foot of the Son Tra peninsula, about 10 km from Linh Ung Pagoda and 12 km from the Dragon Bridge. The road up to Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra is winding but short. Central Vietnam's rain and storm season is usually about September to December, which can affect ships and outdoor stops.
Ha Long International Cruise Port is at Bai Chay, right next to Sun World Ha Long (about 2 km). To Hanoi you take expressways via Hai Phong or Quang Ninh, about 150-155 km; usually close to 2 to over 2.5 hours each way. Summer (roughly June to September) can bring storms; winter brings fog and cold.
Under Vietnam's immigration law (Article 26), sea transit passengers are visa-exempt while they stay in the port area; to travel inland you need a visa or nationality-based exemption, or to join a programme organised by a licensed international travel company. In practice cruise lines usually guide passengers through the shore-pass process, so confirm with your cruise line before sailing. Always carry your passport (or the copy your ship advises) and your cruise card.
Our advice: plan backwards from the all-aboard time and be back at the port 60-90 minutes early.
Under Article 26 of Vietnam's immigration law, sea transit passengers are visa-exempt inside the port area; going inland needs a visa, a visa-exempt passport, or a programme run by a licensed international tour operator. Please check with your cruise line.
Ship excursions follow a fixed plan; a private car lets you choose the stops and pace. Either way, please be back before the all-aboard time your cruise line sets.
It depends on numbers: a 7-seater for small parties, a 16-seater or 9–11 seat limousine for 8–15 people and a 29-seater for big groups; English-speaking drivers are available on request.
All-aboard is usually 30 minutes before sailing, so finish sightseeing at least 45 minutes earlier. At Phu My or Cai Mep, central Ho Chi Minh City is around two hours each way; Vung Tau is far closer. At Nha Trang ships often anchor offshore and tender guests in, so drivers track the actual landing time.
Related reading: private car from Ha Long cruise port, Chan May port to Hue and Hoi An by private car, car rental with driver.
Please send us your flight or ship schedule and we will be pleased to prepare a private car quote.
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