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UN/LOCODE VNSGN · Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is Vietnam's commercial and largest port, with several terminals: Cat Lai (the main container facility), Cai Mep international port (deep-sea), Saigon Port. Shore leave is granted under standard Vietnamese procedure. Welfare provision via Stella Maris Saigon + Mission to Seafarers.
Cat Lai terminal is 60 minutes from central Ho Chi Minh City by agent van. Cai Mep (the deeper-water international terminal) is 75-90 minutes. Saigon Port is 30 minutes. District 1 (central HCMC) has the principal tourist services.
ATMs: Vietcombank, ACB, HSBC Vietnam everywhere in District 1Money changers: Ben Thanh Market area + gold shops in District 1Hospital: FV Hospital (international standard), Cho Ray Hospital (public)Prayer rooms: Saigon Central Mosque (Dong Du Street)Halal food: small but growing — Cham Muslim community + tourist-area Indian restaurantsSupermarket: Co.opmart, Big C, Lotte Mart, AEONSIM card: same Vietnamese options as Haiphong
Do: visit District 1 if time permits — central Ho Chi Minh City is genuinely interesting. Don't: ride motorbike taxis (xe om) without negotiating fare in advance. Watch for: traffic in HCMC is dense, and the crew-change van can take 90+ minutes during rush hour. Plan flights with a buffer.
Last verified: 2026-06-29