WHERE IS THE PHU MY PORT 

PHU MY PORT TRAVEL TIPS

Introduction
Phu My is the port in Ba Ria - Vung Tau provice which is an hour and a half away (60km) over an expressway to Ho Chi Minh City or 50km to Vung Tau city. HCMC was previously called Saigon and this name is still used by locals.

Visas
Citizens of most countries will be issued a visa on arrival and this will be charged to their shipboard account depending on the ship's processing fee.

Where are you arrival
Phu My is a commercial port with nothing nearby. Cruise ships dock at container terminal piers at the port.  The best way to get to Ho Chi Minh City or Vung Tau City is rent a private car from travel agency or book a private tour. Taxis may wait outside the port gates but it will make you confuse with the costs diferent and some time you have to bargains.

• Be advised that the travel agency require your passport details in advance to arrange port passes.
• The permit to pick tourists up at the port is compulsory to the company if tourists want to be safe and legal. Expecting to pay 20-30 USD/person or maybe less. If not, you need to walk or get on shuttle bus of the port to outside.

Money and tipping
Vietnam's currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). US dollars is accepted almost everywhere. However, purchases in USD tend to be rounded up to the nearest number (1USD = 20.000VND or 23.000VND). Merchants also prefer new, crisp bills and may not accept old bill. Using VND will save you a bit. This may not see like much but the cost of living is very low in Vietnam and goods and services are very inexpensive by western standards. ATM's can be found throughout HCMC and Ba Ria - Vung Tau. If you want to change money in HCMC, a good currency exchange is at beside Ben Thanh Market, right in the city center. Otherwise banks and jewellry shops will do exchange as well as the post office (not the best rate).
The international ATM services and Western Union is located at city central.
Though tipping is generally not required, leaving a small tip would be appreciated considering the low cost of living and wages.

Local Transportation
Taxis start at average at 12,000 VND for the first kilometer and 17,000 VND per kilometer thereafter. Do not take unmetered taxis!
On Your Own Tours from Phu My to HCMC may drop off at the Central Post Office beside Notre Dame Cathedral church.

Must See Sights

Ho Chi Minh City

1. The War Remnants Museum. The museum’s best exhibit is the collection of bombs, tanks, planes and war machinery. It’s as much propaganda as it is history.
2. Notre Dame Cathedral and General Post Office. They are the beautiful examples of architecture from the French colonial period.
3. The Reunification Palace. Formerly known as the Presidential Palace. The place symbolizes the end of Vietnam War when a North Vietnamese army tank went through its gates.
4. Jade Emperor Pagoda. This pagoda was built in late 20 century to honor the supreme Taoist god, Emperor Jade. It’s one of the most impressive pagodas in Vietnam. The building is filled with intricate woodcarvings and statues of divinities and heroes, including Emperor Jade himself. The roof is also covered in detailed tile work showing characters from Buddhist and Taoist legends.
5. Saigon Skydeck Tower. For a 360-degree panorama of the city, you can head to the saigon skydeck tower. The observation deck is on the 49th floor.

Vung Tau City

1. Jesus Christ statue. You will take 900 steps to the top of the mountain to watch the sunrise. On the way, the lovely smell of blossom porcelain and the breath-taking scenery will help you de-stress and feel relaxed. The giant Jesus statue on top of the mountain is the symbol of Vung Tau. It was built in 1971 with the height of 32 meter and the length of arm arms is 18,4 meter. This statue special is you can take the stairs inside of the body to climb up to Jesus’ arms where you can breathe the fresh air of the ocean and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the beach city.
2. White Palace (Bach Dinh) of Vung Tau City. White Palace has its French name which is La Villa Blanche. Tracing back to the year of 1898, it was considered as a summer holiday villa of French Governor General Paul Doumer. This palace was named after his lovely daughter. Unfortunately, while the structure was being built, Doumer had to come back to France and became the President of France later.
3. Whale Temple. The temple displays the bones which came to symbolize the protector deity of the coast. Famous with a bone of whale have been keep more than 100 years.
4. The Lighthouse. This lighthouse is said to be one of the most ancient lighthouses in Vietnam. The French built the lighthouse in 1862 on the highest peak of Nui Nho Mountain and rebuilt in 1913 with the purpose of showing the way for the boats at night.
5. Buddha Shrine - Thich Ca Phật is made famous by its large and serene environment and its statue of Buddha, 6.2 m tall and in the meditation pose , perching on a pedestal 4m high shaped like a lotus.

How To Cross The Street

Traffic can be hard to navigate in Ho Chi Minh City. Motorbikes are everywhere, and as a pedestrian, crossing the street can be scary. Wait for a break in the traffic before crossing the road and then slowly go to the other side. If you are scared, cross with a local.

Shopping & Restaurants

• Ho Chi Minh City

1. Dong Khoi Street. The main street of souvenir shop, café shop, restaurant.
2. Ben Thanh Market - This is the city's main central market and a popular tourist attraction. You will need to bargain and US dollars are typically accepted. Besides the shopping, it's also a great spot to try local street food. In the back area of the market several vendors occupy stalls selling cheap and tasty Vietnamese food and drinks. Stalls sell popular street cuisine including pho (beef noodle, banh mi (vietnamese sandwiches) and bun thit nuong (grilled pork with vermicelli). Prices, considering the location inside a popular tourist attraction, are cheap and English menus are generally available.
3. Saigon Square - A modern indoor market/shopping mall with good deals on clothing or purses if you know how to haggle and lots of fakes. Air-conditioned is offer inside.
4. Nha Hang Ngon (Ngon Restaurant): Vietnamese cuisine. Location: 160 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh.
5. Pho Hoa (Vietnamese Beef Noodle). Location: 260C Pasteur, Phường 8, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh.

• Vung Tau City

1. Lotte Mart Vung Tau. The shopping mall with local goods.
2. Ganh Hao restaurant. The restaurant serving delicious food, prices here are a little above the norm. However, Ganh Hao offers a fantastic experience to match, with one of the most beautiful seaside views in Vung Tau. Location: 5 Tran Phu Street, ward 5, Vung Tau City.
3. Banh Khot Goc Vu Sua restaurant. Bánh khọt (small pancake) is another one of Vung Tau’s specialties. Bánh khọt is a local favorite that’s become increasingly popular with foreigners, drawn inside by the sounds of sizzling pancake batter and the delicious smells. Location: 14 Nguyen Truong To Street, Ward 2, Vung Tau City.
4. Lau Ca Duoi Hoang Minh Restaurant (stingray hot pot).The hot pot comes with many different ingredients in addition to stingray – pickled bamboo, chili, vermicelli, rice crackers and a side plate of herbs... Location: 44 Truong Cong Dinh Street, Ward 3, Vung Tau City.

Internet

Wi-Fi will be offer free for all customers at café shop, restaurant and shopping mall.