PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Can Tho
Pilot
updated Dec 2010- Can Tho pilot boarding place Pilot boards09°29.0′N 106°31.0′E
Pilotage is compulsory and available daylight hours only. Pilotage should be requested 24 hours in advance. Distance from the pilot station at Dinh An (09°29.2'N 106° 30.8'E) is approx 65nm. Pilot boards in position 09°29.17'N 106°30.83'E.
Vessels awaiting a pilot may anchor in the vicinity of the pilot boarding position; a dangerous wreck, marked by a lightbuoy, lies in the vicinity.
The Harbour Master will advise of any change of the pilot boarding position owing to weather conditions.
Key data
updated Jun 2023Size limits
LOA 151.5m, beam 26m, draught 7.50m, 19,961DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Jan 21 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.
Tides
Average tidal range 3-4m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cai Cui Terminal | — | 152 m | 2 |
| Can Tho | 7.50 m | 127 m | 2 |
| Cang VIMC Hau Giang Terminal | — | 89 m | 1 |
| Song Hau 1 Thermal power station | — | 61 m | 2 |
| Tan Cang Cai Cui Terminal | — | 113 m | 1 |
| Nam Song Hau Terminal | — | 36 m | 1 |
| Petrolimex Petrochemical Corporation | — | 105 m | 1 |
| Tra Noc Oil Terminal | — | 52 m | 2 |
| Western Oil Terminal | — | 62 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Apr 2012Approach
The depth in the channel from the pilot station at Dinh An to the berths is an average 6.5m. Max draught permitted is 7.5m.
Cai Cui Seaport, 15km lower down the river from Can Tho has a depth of 4.2m plus height of tide.
Restrictions
Vessels make the river passage in daylight only.
Tugs
The port has 5 tugs; 1 x 135hp, 2 x 500hp, 1 x 1,200 and 1 x 80hp.
Charts and publications
BA 3986. Admiralty Pilot NP30, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Apr 2012Communications
Radio: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) coast radio station can be used for long range communications. Communication is possible via Inmarsat.
VHF: Port: Ch 16 and 02.
Notice of readiness
The NOR should be tendered when the vessel arrives at the pilot station.
Health
Pratique cannot be applied for by radio. It is normally applied for after the Quarantine delegation have viewed all the vessel's documents related to health (such as Health Declaration, Vaccination books, Ship Sanitation Control Certificate) and granted.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates may be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Customs: Officers and crew have to declare their personal effects to Customs as required. This includes foreign exchange, accompanied baggage and goods. The customs allowance for officers and crew are a max of 1.5 litres of alcohol, a max of 400 cigarettes, 50-100 cigars, a max of 100gm of tobacco. Penalties for non compliance are based upon individual circumstances.
The bonded store will be sealed while a vessel stays in the port. A release of bonded goods may be permitted at any time subject to customs approval and presence onboard.
Crew/passenger are not allowed to sell or change their personal effects, which are already declared to customs, with local people. It is strictly prohibited to supply any bonded goods to shore personnel.
The following are prohibited from import/export: Weapons, explosives, drugs, antiques, documents relating to national security, cultural articles which may cause harm to Vietnam morality.
Flags
Vietnam regulations require vessels entering a Vietnamese port to display the Vietnam flag. If the vessel does not possess a Vietnamese flag, the Master can request the local agent to supply it on arrival at the pilot station. Penalty for non compliance is approx US$100-200.
Notices and regulations
The main/emergency radio transmitter and direction finder will be sealed when the vessel is in port. No direct communications are therefore possible so all messages must be routed through the vessel's agent.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Vietnam Maritime Administration.
Position: Director of Marine Safety Department.
Address: 8 Pham Hung Road, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Tel: +84 4 768 3194.
Fax: +84 4 768 3058.
Mob: +84 90 329 5340.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Minor repairs available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available.
About Can Tho
updated Jun 2023Where it is
Can Tho is situated on the Hau Giang, a river making up the Mekong estuaries, approx 61km from the sea. The new Cai Cui Seaport (9°59.059'N 105°50.127'E) lies approx 15km lower down the river.
The port
The port handles tankers, containers, dry bulk, breakbulk and liquid bulk cargo vessels.
Traffic
Approx 1,600,000t of cargo, 13,000TEU and 400 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Can Tho
Where does the pilot board at Can Tho?
The pilot boards at Can Tho pilot boarding place, 09°29.0′N 106°31.0′E.
What time zone is Can Tho in?
Local time at Can Tho is UTC+7. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Can Tho?
The deepest berth listed is at Can Tho: 7.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Can Tho?
1025.
Which load line zone is Can Tho in?
China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Jan 21 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.
Who carries out Port State Control at Can Tho?
Port State Control at Can Tho: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Can Tho?
The UN/LOCODE of Can Tho is VNVCA.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Can Tho say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.