Nha Trang

Size limits

General cargo vessels 20,000DWT, passenger vessels 60,870GT.

Hyundai-Vinashin Shipyard: Cape size vessels.

Water density

1020.

Load line zone

China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Jan 21 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.

Tides

MHHW 1.8m; MLLW 0.8m. Tide is usually diurnal.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The port is approached from seaward either from the South Access Channel, SW of Hon Tre, or from the North Access Channel, N of Hon Tre.

Southern approaches to Nha Trang: When approaching Nha Trang Bay from the S, pass E of Iles de Pecheurs and proceed either between Hon Mieu and Hon Tam or between the latter and Hon Mot, avoiding Roche du Lion.

Eastern approach to Nha Trang: When approaching Nha Trang Bay from the NE, pass approx 0.5nm off the NW end of Hon Cha La and well outside the line joining the entrance points of Cay Ban Bay.

The harbour access channel is length 2.8nm and dredged to a depth of 11.5m.

Anchorages

Anchorage berths are allocated by the Harbour Master. During the SW monsoon season there is an anchorage in the bay, S of town, with a holding ground of sand and mud.

Vessels carrying dangerous cargo anchor NW of Hon Mot (12°10'N 109°17'E), in depths of 20.0m. Other vessels anchor within 0.5nm of the quay, max depth 15m.

On the S side of Hon Tre, during the NE monsoon, good anchorage may be obtained in Vung Dam Chinh and Vung Dam Lom Bays.

On the N side of Hon Tre, during the SW monsoon, with local knowledge, secure anchorage may be obtained in Vung Dan Tre and Vung Dam Lia Bay.

Tugs

There are 3 tugs available of 700hp to 1,000hp. Ship's lines are used.

Charts and publications

BA 3883. Admiralty Pilot NP30, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

In the 4 hours prior to arrival message, the Master has to declare exact arrival time and health situation of crew members and passengers. Must also declare sickness or mortality onboard, if any.

Owners or charterers should also advise other relevant cargo related information to the vessel's nominated agent before arrival.

Communications

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) coast radio station can be used for long range communications.

Communication is possible via Inmarsat.

VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16.

Notice of readiness

The NOR should be tendered when the vessel arrives at the pilot station.

Documents

There are some other special forms to be completed which are delivered by the vessel's agent before or upon vessel's arrival at the pilot station.

In the case of a cruise ship, vessel's agent must mail the Entry/Exit cards for passenger completion before arrival.

If stowaways are onboard, the Master must inform the Port Authority and vessel's agent 72, 36 and 24 hours prior to arrival with full details.

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 then granted.

Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control 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.

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

Repairs

Contact vessel's agent. A 200m repair quay is under development.

Hyundai-Vinashin Shipyard: Repair quays with a total length of 590m are capable of accepting Cape size vessels.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by barge.

Fuel: Available from barges with 50t capacity.

Crew change

No restrictions though shore leave is restricted to local district only.

Transport

Nearest airport: Cam Rahn Airport, in the city, has connections with Tan Son Nhat Airport at Ho Chi Minh City and Noi Bai Airport at Hanoi. The latter have international services.

Working hours

Normally 0001-0800hrs, 0800-1600hrs and 1600-2359hrs.

Where it is

Nha Trang is situated on the extreme E coast of Vietnam, approx 170nm NE of Ho Chi Minh City.

The port

Nha Trang is a government port with three berths to handle general cargo and passenger vessels. There are also anchorage berths and oil terminals. The shipbuilding yard has two large drydocks.

Traffic

Approx. 800,000t of cargo and 400 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Nha Trang?

Pilots board during daylight hours only.

What time zone is Nha Trang in?

Local time at Nha Trang is UTC+7. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Nha Trang?

The deepest berth listed is at Nha Trang Oil: 5.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Nha Trang?

1020.

Which load line zone is Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang?

Port State Control at Nha Trang: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Nha Trang?

The UN/LOCODE of Nha Trang is VNNHA.

What crews who called at Nha Trang 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.

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