🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam — Cruise Port Guide
A motorbike-swarmed metropolis where French colonial boulevards meet war-history museums and endless bowls of pho — Vietnam's largest city, humming at full speed.
Updated September 2026
Quick facts
Getting ashore
When to visit Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My)
Best Dec-Apr for the dry season; May-Nov brings a wet monsoon season with frequent afternoon downpours.
Getting back to the ship on time
The round trip plus the gate transfer at each end eats most of the day, leaving little slack. Independent travelers should be heading back for the expressway at least 3 hours before all-aboard, and should book a return driver rather than counting on hailing a ride at an industrial port gate.
All-aboard is ship's time — check it in the daily programme, and set your watch to it.
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My)
War Remnants Museum
Sobering exhibits on the Vietnam War's impact.
Củ Chi Tunnels
Crawl through part of the famous wartime tunnel network.
Notre-Dame Cathedral & Post Office
French colonial-era landmarks in central Saigon.
Bến Thành Market
Historic market for souvenirs, food and local goods.
Mekong Delta day trip
Boat through river canals and floating markets.
Street food tour
Pho, banh mi and spring rolls at local stalls.
Popular excursions
Saigon City Highlights
Notre-Dame, the Central Post Office, Reunification Palace and Ben Thanh.
What to eat
- Phở
- Bánh mì
- Bún chả
- Fresh spring rolls
- Vietnamese iced coffee
Weather by month
Best time to visit: Dec–Apr (dry season)
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 89° | 71° | 0.6" |
| Feb | 91° | 73° | 0.2" |
| Mar | 93° | 75° | 0.4" |
| Apr | 94° | 77° | 2" |
| May | 93° | 77° | 8.6" |
| Jun | 90° | 76° | 12.3" |
| Jul | 89° | 75° | 11.6" |
| Aug | 89° | 75° | 10.6" |
| Sep | 88° | 75° | 12.9" |
| Oct | 88° | 74° | 10.5" |
| Nov | 88° | 73° | 4.6" |
| Dec | 87° | 71° | 1.9" |
Local phrases
A little history
The port of Phu My is about 90 minutes from central Ho Chi Minh City (still widely called Saigon).
The Củ Chi Tunnels, an underground network used during the Vietnam War, stretch over 120km outside the city.
Motorbikes vastly outnumber cars — crossing the street means walking steadily and letting traffic flow around you.
Vietnamese coffee, brewed strong through a metal phin filter with condensed milk, is a daily ritual.