Cruising to Vietnam is one of the easiest ways to experience the country’s highlights in a short time, especially if you’re combining Vietnam with other Asian ports on a longer itinerary. Large cruise ships can only dock at a handful of ports, but each one opens the door to very different landscapes, cities, and cultural experiences. Below is a clear guide to the main cruise ports in Vietnam that can accept large vessels, what each port is like, and where you can realistically explore from each stop.
Hạ Long Bay
Hạ Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most iconic cruise stops and is usually served by either the Cái Lân Port area or via anchorage within the bay itself. Some larger ships are able to berth at Cái Lân, but many itineraries still operate as a tender port, with guests transferred ashore by small boats. When we stopped in Ha Long Bay on Westerdam (Holland America) we docked up at the cruise ship terminal and walked off of the ship.
The port primarily serves Hạ Long City, where you’ll find waterfront promenades, seafood restaurants, and access points for bay cruises. From here, you can also visit nearby Cẩm Phả or travel inland toward Hải Phòng if you’re looking for a less touristy city experience. This stop is more about scenery than city sightseeing, and many cruise excursions focus on limestone karsts, caves, and boat trips.
Guides for the above Ha Long Bay cruise ship stop:
Da Nang
Da Nang is one of Vietnam’s most cruise-friendly ports for large ships, using Tiên Sa Port, which is a full deep-water port rather than a tender anchorage. The port serves the modern coastal city of Da Nang, known for its long beaches, riverside cafés, and relaxed feel. You will be transported from the port to either the edge of the port or into Da Nang itself as you cannot travel by foot within the port.
From Da Nang, it’s very easy to travel to nearby Hoi An, a beautifully preserved historic town that is a favourite with cruise passengers, as well as Huế, which lies further north and is famous for its imperial citadel and royal tombs. This port offers some of the best day-trip options in Vietnam and is often considered one of the most rewarding cruise stops in the country.
Guides for the above Da Nang cruise ship stops:
- Da Nang with autistic children – coming soon
- Holland America’s Far East Discovery cruise
Phu My (for Ho Chi Minh City)
Phu My is a large industrial deep-water port and a full cruise terminal capable of handling the biggest ships. It serves Ho Chi Minh City, still commonly known as Saigon, although the city itself is around 1.5–2 hours away by road depending on traffic. From Phu My, most cruisers head into Ho Chi Minh City to explore landmarks such as the former presidential palace, markets, and museums. You can also visit Vũng Tàu, a closer seaside city with beaches and a more relaxed pace, or explore parts of the Mekong Delta on longer shore excursions. This is a port where planning transport in advance is especially important due to distances.
Guides for the above Ho Chi Minh City/Phu My cruise ship stop:
- Ho Chi Minh City with autistic children
- Phu My with autistic children – coming soon
- Vung Tau with autistic children
- Holland America’s Far East Discovery cruise
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is typically a tender port for large cruise ships, with vessels anchoring offshore and passengers brought into the city by small boats. The port serves Nha Trang itself, a lively coastal city known for its beaches, resorts, and island-hopping opportunities. From here, you can explore local temples, beach clubs, or take boat trips to nearby islands in Nha Trang Bay. Compared to other Vietnamese ports, this stop is more focused on relaxation and coastal scenery rather than major cultural landmarks.
Unfortunately, our stop in Nha Trang was cancelled due to the weather at the time.
Chan May
Chân Mây is another deep-water port capable of accommodating large cruise ships and is a full docking port rather than a tender. It sits between Da Nang and Huế and is often used as an alternative gateway to central Vietnam. From Chân Mây, cruise passengers can easily reach Huế, with its imperial history, or travel south to Da Nang and Hoi An depending on excursion length. The port itself is relatively undeveloped, so most visitors leave the port area quickly to explore the surrounding region.
Qui Nhon
Quy Nhơn (often spelled Qui Nhon on cruise itineraries) is a less common but growing cruise stop. Large ships usually anchor offshore, making this a tender port. It serves the coastal city of Quy Nhơn, which has a quieter, more local feel than Nha Trang. Nearby attractions include fishing villages, beaches, and historical Cham sites. This port is ideal if you want to see a less tourist-heavy side of Vietnam, though facilities are more limited than at major cruise hubs.
Vietnam landing card for cruise passengers
Cruise passengers arriving in Vietnam are required to complete a Vietnam landing card. For those arriving by cruise ship, this is usually a paper card provided on board or by local authorities at the port, rather than the online digital arrival form used by air passengers. The card is stamped when you enter Vietnam and again when you leave at your final Vietnamese port. Cruise lines or local agents typically handle much of the process, but you’ll still need your passport and should ensure it meets Vietnam’s validity requirements. If you’re arriving and departing solely by cruise, you will not be required to complete the online Vietnam digital arrival card.
Read: The Vietnam landing card – coming soon
Cruising to Vietnam offers a mix of dramatic landscapes, historic cities, and modern coastal hubs, and knowing which ports are tender ports, which are full terminals, and how far each city is from the dock makes a huge difference when planning shore days.
For more information about Vietnam, check out my Vietnam travel hub and Vietnam archives.
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