Cruise port · Vietnam · Southeast & East Asia
Phu My cruise port guide
Phu My is an industrial port and the usual cruise gateway to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), about 1.5 to 2 hours away by road. A Saigon day typically covers the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, French colonial landmarks and Ben Thanh Market. US and Canadian citizens need a visa for Vietnam, so check your cruise line’s instructions well ahead.
- Vietnam War history
- Street food
- French colonial architecture
- Markets
- City energy
- Country
- Vietnam
- Region
- Southeast & East Asia
- Type of stop
- Cruise port
- Language
- Vietnamese. English is spoken in hotels and tourist areas, less so at markets and street stalls.
- Currency
- Vietnamese dong (₫). Cards are accepted in hotels and larger shops; markets and street food need cash.
- Best time to visit
- January–December
- Average highs
- 87–101°F through the year
About Phu My
Ho Chi Minh City, still widely called Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest and most energetic city: a sea of motorbikes, French colonial boulevards, glass towers, street-food stalls and pagodas. For many Americans and Canadians, it’s also where the history of the Vietnam War, known locally as the American War, feels closest.
Big ships can’t navigate the Saigon River to the city, so most dock at Phu My, an industrial port to the southeast. That means a long day: roughly three to four hours of round-trip travel for perhaps four or five hours in the city. Some itineraries overnight, and some smaller ships sail up the river to berth in or near the city center, which makes things much easier.
Saigon suits curious travelers who enjoy history, food and city energy. If you’d rather avoid a long coach ride, the beach town of Vung Tau, about 30 to 40 minutes from Phu My, is a shorter alternative.
Where cruise ships dock in Phu My
Most large ships berth at Phu My, a cargo port with no attractions within walking distance. Ho Chi Minh City is roughly 50 miles (80 km) away, about 1.5 to 2 hours each way, and traffic can add more. Lines usually offer shuttle buses to central Saigon as well as tours. Vung Tau is about 30 to 40 minutes by road. Smaller ships may sail up the Saigon River and dock close to the city center. Independent travelers should pre-book a reputable driver and keep a generous buffer for the return.
Best things to do in Phu My on a cruise
- 1
War Remnants Museum
history
This museum presents the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective through photographs, military hardware and exhibits on Agent Orange. It’s graphic and one-sided in places, and many North American visitors find it emotionally challenging, but it’s an important and thought-provoking visit. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours.
- 2
Independence Palace
history
Also called Reunification Palace, this 1960s modernist building was South Vietnam’s presidential palace until a tank crashed through its gates on April 30, 1975. Its war rooms, basement bunker and state reception halls are preserved as they were.
- 3
Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office
history
Two French colonial landmarks face each other in District 1. The red-brick cathedral, built with materials shipped from France, has been under long-term restoration, so check what’s open. The grand Central Post Office, with its vaulted hall and vintage maps, is still a working post office.
- 4
Ben Thanh Market
shopping
Saigon’s best-known market sells clothing, coffee, lacquerware and souvenirs, with food stalls in the center. It’s crowded and prices start high, so bargain politely. It’s a good place to buy Vietnamese coffee to take home.
- 5
Cu Chi Tunnels
history
A network of narrow tunnels used by Viet Cong fighters, with demonstrations of booby traps and a chance to crawl through a widened section. The site is about 1.5 hours from central Saigon, so from Phu My it’s a long day best done on a ship tour.
- 6
Vung Tau
beach
A seaside city close to Phu My, popular with Saigon weekenders. Climb the steps to the giant Christ of Vung Tau statue on Small Mountain for sea views, then try banh khot, crispy mini pancakes topped with shrimp. It’s a relaxed option with far less driving.
Phu My weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 9133 | 9736 | 10139 | 10139 | 9535 | 8932 | 8731 | 8731 | 8730 | 8731 | 8831 | 8831 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7122 | 7222 | 7624 | 7926 | 8026 | 7725 | 7625 | 7625 | 7625 | 7624 | 7424 | 7222 |
| Rain in (mm) | 0.411 | 0.12 | 0.614 | 1.436 | 6.4163 | 10.1256 | 9.9252 | 7.8197 | 7.9200 | 8.8224 | 3.897 | 1.948 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
What to eat and drink in Phu My
Saigon is a street-food capital. Try pho, rice noodle soup with beef or chicken, banh mi, the crusty baguette sandwich, and com tam, broken rice with grilled pork. Banh xeo, a crispy turmeric pancake wrapped in herbs, and goi cuon, fresh rice paper rolls, are other essentials. Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk, ca phe sua da, is strong and sweet. In Vung Tau, banh khot is the local specialty.
Tips for your port day
- Sort out your Vietnam visa early: US and Canadian citizens need one, and some lines arrange it while others ask you to get an e-visa yourself.
- Cross streets at a slow, steady pace and let the motorbikes flow around you; don’t stop suddenly or run.
- Check notes carefully when paying; dong denominations have many zeros, and some, such as the 20,000 and 500,000 notes, are similar in color.
- A ship tour or the line’s shuttle is the safest way to get back in time; traffic between Phu My and the city can be unpredictable.
- It’s hot and humid year-round, with a rainy season roughly May to November that brings heavy afternoon downpours.
Cruise lines that visit Phu My
Often on the same itinerary
Phu My cruise FAQs
How far is Phu My from Ho Chi Minh City?
About 50 miles (80 km), typically 1.5 to 2 hours each way by road. Heavy traffic can make it longer, so plan a big buffer before all aboard.
Do US citizens need a visa for a cruise to Vietnam?
Yes. US and Canadian citizens need a Vietnamese visa. Some cruise lines arrange it; others require you to obtain an e-visa before departure, so follow your line’s instructions.
Is it worth going to Saigon from Phu My?
Yes, for most first-time visitors, despite the long drive. You’ll see the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace and colonial landmarks in a single day.
Can you visit the Cu Chi Tunnels from Phu My?
Yes, but it’s a long day. The tunnels are about 1.5 hours beyond central Saigon, so a ship tour is the most reliable way to fit them in.
What can you do near Phu My port?
Vung Tau, about 30 to 40 minutes away, has beaches, the Christ of Vung Tau statue and good seafood. It’s a relaxed alternative to Saigon.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.