Phu My is not a traditional tourist city in its own right. It is primarily an industrial port town in Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province in southern Vietnam. However, for cruise passengers, Phu My is the gateway to some of the most exciting destinations in southern Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and the coastal city of Vung Tau. If you are arriving by ship, you will dock at a working commercial port rather than a purpose-built cruise terminal, but from here you can access vibrant city life, beaches, markets and historic sites.
How to get from the airport and cruise port
If you are flying into southern Vietnam, you will most likely arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. From there, you have several options to reach Phu My:
From Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Phu My:
- Private transfer: The easiest option for families, especially with luggage. Journey time is around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic.
- Taxi: Readily available at the airport. Agree a price or ensure the meter is used.
- Ride-hailing apps: Grab operates widely in Vietnam and can be convenient and cost-effective.
- Coach or bus: You can take a bus to Vung Tau and then continue to Phu My by local taxi. This is cheaper but less straightforward and does add extra miles by heading further south to Vung Tau first.
- Car hire: Possible but not common for short stays, and traffic in Ho Chi Minh City can be intense.
From Phu My Cruise Port:
Large cruise ships dock at the Cai Mep–Thi Vai port complex, which is a working industrial port. You cannot simply walk out and explore. You will need organised transport, usually a bus organised by the ship to reach the entrance of the port and then your own transport from there.
- Ship’s organised shore excursion: The simplest option. Coaches collect you directly from the dock area. Excursions to Phu My aren’t common, but some to other cities may stop there on the way.
- Pre-booked private tour: A popular choice for families wanting flexibility. Your guide will meet you port-side (usually just outside the secure area).
- Local taxi: Many taxi drivers wait just outside of the port gates on the days ships are docked, you will not have any trouble finding a taxi to take you anywhere you want to go.
- Grab car: You can also meet a Grab driver just outside of the port and have them take you to Phu My.
Most cruise passengers head either to Ho Chi Minh City (around 75–90 minutes each way) or to Vung Tau (around 45 minutes each way). For families with autistic children, these might seem like too much in a short port visit and you might want to consider visiting Phu My nearby instead.
Where to stay in Phu My
Phu My itself is not packed with tourist accommodation, as most visitors use it as a transit point. However, if you are staying locally before or after a cruise, there are a few family-friendly options.
Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort:
Located along the Ho Tram coastline, this is a higher-end beachfront resort offering spacious rooms and villas. It has large pools, beach access and on-site dining, making it suitable for families wanting a relaxed stay near the coast rather than in an industrial port area.
The Grand Ho Tram:
This large resort complex offers multiple pools, restaurants and entertainment options. Family rooms are available, and the beach location makes it a more attractive base than central Phu My itself.
Palace Hotel Vung Tau:
If you prefer to stay in Vung Tau rather than Phu My, this (Palace Hotel Vung Tau) is a well-known family hotel close to the beach and city amenities. It gives you more access to restaurants and local attractions.
When I visited, I arrived by cruise ship and returned to the ship at the end of the day, so I did not stay overnight in Phu My itself. For cruise passengers, it is typically a day stop rather than a base.
Family friendly things to do in Phu My
Phu My is mainly a port and industrial area, so most families choose to travel onwards. Here are the most popular options from the port.
Ho Chi Minh City
A visit to Ho Chi Minh City offers a mix of history, culture and modern Vietnamese life. Families often explore Ben Thanh Market for souvenirs, visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon and the Central Post Office, or take a river cruise along the Saigon River.
The War Remnants Museum is powerful but may not be suitable for younger children due to its graphic content.
Learn more: Ho Chi Minh City with autistic children
Vung Tau
Vung Tau is closer to the port and offers beaches, seafood restaurants and a more relaxed atmosphere. Back Beach is the most popular stretch of sand.
Read: Vung Tau with autistic children
You can also visit the large Christ the King statue for sweeping views, though there are many steps to climb.
Mekong Delta
Some cruise tours offer full-day trips into the Mekong Delta. These usually include a boat ride through the canals, visits to local villages and sampling tropical fruit. It is a longer day and may suit older children better.
It can be a fairly relaxed trip on a coach, but the heat can make it much harder for those with heat intolerance problems.
KNG MALL PHÚ MỸ
KNG Mall in Phu My is a small mall with everything you might need on your cruise stop. For families with autistic children, you can find KFC here, and a Pizza Hut. There is also a supermarket with a huge clothes section – it is called mini go!
These are not easy to spot on Google maps, so I have included the links to the locations of them below incase you want to check out reviews/photos before you make the trip there.
BHD Star Phú Mỹ
Also inside the KNG Mall in Phu My, there is a cinema called BHD Star Phu My. We did not go into the cinema, but it did look modern and clean from what we could see. It is definitely an option if you want to get off the ship for a while and fancy somewhere with aircon.
Tan Thanh Market
Tan Thanh Market sits behind KNG Mall in Phu My and is a traditional market like others you see across Vietnam. Again, because Phu My is not a big city it can be hard to spot these places on Google maps so I have left a link to the location below.
Getting around Phu My with autistic children
If you are staying locally, taxis and Grab are the easiest way to get around. English is not widely spoken outside major tourist areas, so having your destination written down can help especially if it is somewhere tourists do not often go. I like using Grab for this reason, you select where you want to go before the driver accepts the ride so they know exactly where to take you when they pick you up.
From the cruise port, it is not possible to get to Phu My by foot. You will need to arrange some kind of transport to get you there.
Where to eat in Phu My
In Phu My itself, dining options are limited and mainly local Vietnamese restaurants. You can wander and pick somewhere if you are happy to eat local food, or you can head to KNG Mall (see my info on that above) where you will find KFC and Pizza Hut.
If you are heading to Vung Tau or Ho Chi Minh City, you will have far more choice.
In Ho Chi Minh City, you can find everything from street food stalls to international restaurants in District 1. Ben Thanh Market has numerous casual food options.
In Vung Tau, seafood is the highlight. Many beachfront restaurants allow you to choose fresh fish and shellfish which are then cooked to order.
If you are visiting on a cruise, many organised excursions include lunch, which simplifies logistics for families.
Practical tips for visiting by cruise
- Phu My is a working commercial port, so the setting on arrival is industrial rather than scenic. Do not expect to step off the ship into a charming town square.
- Allow plenty of buffer time when planning independent tours to Ho Chi Minh City, as traffic can be heavy and unpredictable. Ships will not wait if you are late back.
- Vietnam uses the Vietnamese dong, though US dollars are sometimes accepted in tourist areas. It is useful to carry small denominations.
- If travelling with children, especially those who struggle with long journeys, consider choosing Vung Tau over Ho Chi Minh City due to the shorter travel time from port.
Phu My may not be a destination in its own right, but as a cruise stop it opens the door to some of southern Vietnam’s most vibrant and memorable experiences.
Is Phu My autism-friendly?
Phy My is certainly certified as autism-friendly in any way, and does not have many attractions or places which are sensory-friendly for families to visit.
Things That Make Vung Tau Stand Out
- Phu My is not your typical travel destination, which makes it a much quieter spot to visit during a cruise. Most people will visit Ho Chi Minh City or Vung Tau, so the crowds in Phy My are very minimal.
- The ride from the cruise port to Phu My is very quick, between 10 to 15 minutes.
- There is everything you might need withing KNG Mall, making a trip to Phu My quick if you want it to be.
- There are international foods available for those who require safe and familiar foods.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
- Plan Ahead: Research each location and contact them to discuss any special accommodations your child might need. If you can plan to arrive after check-in time you should, or try to arrange an early check-in. Head to our Vietnam travel hub for all of our Vietnam guides and autism-friendly recommendations.
- Sensory Tools: Bring along sensory tools and comfort items that help manage sensory needs, such as noise-cancelling headphones, sensory toys, and a sensory toolkit.
- Clear Communication: Ensure that everyone involved in the trip understands the needs and preferences of the neurodiverse individual. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and enhance the travel experience. Consider using PECS or an AAC. Most suitably, I have created a pack of Vietnam PECS cards. We also have a free pack of travel PECS available for download. You may find our bumper pack of travel PECS helpful.
- Safety: Consider getting an autism card for your child, or even better – use our emergency passport for medical information and important contacts. Our absolute must have safety item for travelling with an autistic child is a TinyTags wristband or tag that can be tapped or scanned by a mobile phone – giving the person who tapped it all of the information they need to get your child back to you. TinyTags also feature a location alert to help you find your child.
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