Vietnam Shore Excursions

Vietnam shore excursions are great chances for tourists from cruise ships to explore the timeless and charming beauty of the S-shaped country. It is not important where your cruise docks, you can find your favorite tourist attractions around the seaport. Let me share with you the ultimate guide to Vietnam shore excursions: which ports, what to see, what to eat, common scams, tips to book great tours,…

FAQ about Vietnam shore excursions

Should I book a private transfer or a guided tour?

Where to exchange for Vietnamese Dong?

Should I book a shuttle bus or a private transfer?

Should I book a tour or a private transfer with the cruise ship company, travel agency in my country, or a travel agency in Vietnam?

Should I walk to the gate of the seaport or let them pick me up at the cruise ship?

Are travel destinations in Vietnam safe enough to visit on Vietnam shore excursions?

If you have other questions about Vietnam shore excursions, contact Tracy Do & Bill Bui at +84938314386 (SMS/Whatsapp/Call) or email us at support@scootersaigontour.com.

Which ports will your cruise ship dock at in Vietnam?

The most popular seaports for cruise ships from the North to the South of Vietnam include Phu My Port (Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province), Nha Rong Port and Hiep Phuoc Port (Ho Chi Minh City), Cau Da Port (Nha Trang City), Tien Sa Port (Da Nang City), Chan May Port (Thua Thien – Hue), Cai Lan Port (Quang Ninh Province), Hai Phong Port (Hai Phong City), Quy Nhon Port (Quy Nhon Province). Let’s learn more about them before planning your cruise trips and Vietnam shore excursions.

Phu My Port (Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province)

Phu My Port is located in the Thi Vai River basin, Phu My Town, Tan Thanh District, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province. This is the major cruise port in Southern Vietnam, and a great seaport to visit the coastal Vung Tau City (40 km), Ho Chi Minh City (70 km) – the biggest city in Vietnam, with lots of things to do, the green and splendid Mekong Delta’s countryside (from 120 km). Phu My is the most popular seaport for large cruise ships in South Vietnam and offers you a great chance to see lots of great things in the country.

Shore Excursions from Phu My (list of tours)

Phu My Port Travel Guide

Nha Rong Port (Ho Chi Minh City)

Nha Rong Port is located at 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Ward 12, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City. The seaport is only 2.5 km from Ben Thanh Market – the iconic site and the main tourist attraction in Saigon. It is easy to reach other must-see landmarks, historic sites, sacred places, and hidden gems from Nha Rong Port. It is perfect to book a Ho Chi Minh City Tour, Cu Chi Tunnels Tour (60 km), Mekong Delta Tour (from 70 km),…

Shore Excursions from Nha Rong Port (list of tours)

Nha Rong Port Travel Guide

Hiep Phuoc Port (Ho Chi Minh City)

Hiep Phuoc Port is also located in Ho Chi Minh City, but in the Nha Be Suburban District. The port is about 10 km from District 1 – the city center with most of the top tourist attractions. Similar to Nha Rong Port, Hiep Phuoc Port is a great place to start journeys to Cu Chi Tunnels Tour (75 km), Mekong Delta Tour (from 75 km),…

Hiep Phuoc Port Travel Guide

Shore Excursions from Hiep Phuoc Port

Cau Da Port (Nha Trang City)

Located right on the expensive Tran Phu Street, Cau Da Port is a great cruise port to start any trip to explore the beautiful Nha Trang City. You can visit Ponagar Cham Towers, the Stone Church, Chong (Husband) Rocks, fascinating islands (Hon Tam, Hon Tre, Hon Mieu,…) with tons of amazing activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, soaking in mud and hot spring water. Or you can simply enjoy Nha Trang’s beaches which are well-known by a large number of foreigners.

Shore Excursions from Cau Da Port

Tien Sa Port (Da Nang City)

Located in Tien Sa Bay, in the North of Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang City, Tien Sa Port is the great seaport from which tourists can do day trips to Da Nang, Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary, or Hue. It takes about 13 km to reach the center of Da Nang City from Tien Sa Port. You will visit Non Nuoc carving village, Marble Moutain, Linh Ung Pagoda, Con Market, and other main landmarks on a Danang City Tour Full Day. Or you can spend a day on Ba Na Hills – the way to heaven and also walk along the famous Golden Bridge. Hoi An City with the ancient town, attractive yellow houses, many old pagodas and assembly houses,… is about 35 km from the port, it is very easy to book a Hoi An City Tour from Tien Sa Port. My Son Sanctuary is a little further but you can learn more about a remnant of Champa culture including many temples and distinct architectures. Being the ancient capital of Vietnam at the beginning of the 19th century, Hue City is one of the trop travel destinations in Vietnam and worth visiting on your trip to Vietnam. Finally, Tien Sa is a great cruise port for amazing Vietnam shore excursions.

Tien Sa Port Travel Guide – Tien Sa Shore Excursions

Chan May Port (Thua Thien – Hue)

Located in Loc Vinh Commune, Phu Loc District, Thua Thien Hue Province, Chan May Port is also a great place to start a tour to Hue, Da Nang, or Hoi An. Chan May Port is 60 km from Hue City, 45 km from Da Nang City, and 70 km from Hoi An City. In

Chan May Shore Excursions – Chan May Port Travel Guide

Quy Nhon Port (Quy Nhon Province)

It can be said that Quy Nhon Port, Tien Sa Port, and Chan May Port are the three most popular cruise ports in Central Vietnam. Not many cruises ships dock at Quy Nhon Port although there are many fascinating spots to visit and various thrilling things to do in Quy Nhon City. Queen Beach, Ky Co Beach, Mausoleum of Han Mac Tu Poet, Eo Gio Landmark,… can be visited easily from Quy Nhon Port which is conveniently located in the city center.

Cai Lan Port (Quang Ninh Province)

In Northern Vietnam, cruise ships usually dock at Cai Lan Port, Halong International Cruise Port, and Hon Gai Port in Halong City. Cai Lan Port is a deep-sea port receiving large cruise ships, a great place to start tours to Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, Yen Tu Mountain, Hai Phong City, Hanoi City,… Halong Bay is perhaps the top 1 travel destination in the S-shape country thanks to the amazing sceneries, dramatic rocks, and islets covered with green trees, amazing hidden caves and nice beaches. A trip to the Yen Tu complex of mountains, pagodas, and temples is not a bad choice. And you should not miss Hanoi Capital which dates back 1,000 years ago, being the oldest capital in Southeast Asia, and full of cultural, historical, and architectural landmarks.

Ha Long International Cruise Port also welcomes cruise ships and offers tourists the chances to visit Northern Vietnam.

Shore Excursions from Cai Lan Port

Hai Phong Port (Hai Phong City)

Hai Phong is known as not only the phoenix city but also the city of deep seaport in Vietnam. Hai Phong Port is capable of welcoming large cargo ships and cruise ships. Tourists can choose to visit tourist attractions in Hai Phong City, Hanoi City, or Halong City from this cruise port.

Shore Excursions from Hai Phong Port

Which travel destinations in Vietnam are for perfect shore excursions?

Northern Vietnam

Quang Ninh Province – Halong Bay (the most famous one), Bai Tu Long Bay, Yen Tu Mountain

Tourists should not miss a Halong Bay Tour to visit the Natural World Heritage seascape with jagged limestone mountain peaks. My recommendation is to have a cruise trip on which you can relax on the sundeck, enjoy the beauty of the bay, climb on mountain pick, explore beautiful caves, kayak, swim in the ocean, and see fishing villages. Halong Bay overnight cruises give you chances to see more and enjoy the quiet, cool, and sparkling bay.

Halong Bay Shore Excursions (list of tours and travel guide) from Cai Lan Port/Ha Long International Cruise Port/Hai Phong Port

Located further and less busy than Halong Bay and probably the least developed compared to Lan Ha and Halong Bays, Bai Tu Long Bay is a nice and quiet spot. This is a great choice if you have more than one day.

If you have visited the bays, you can spend your time enjoying the lovely Bai Chay Beach, having fun at Sun World Ha Long (Dragon Park and Typhoon Water Park), and learning more about geology, seascapes, and species at Quang Ninh Museum.

Known as the land of Buddha, Yen Tu Mountain is located in Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province has attracted thousands of tourists thanks to the majestic mountains, dense bamboo and pine forests, religious and cultural sites.

Yen Tu Mountain Tour from Cruise Ship Port from Cai Lan Port/Ha Long International Cruise Port/Hai Phong Port

Hai Phong City – Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island,

Although Lan Ha Bay is less famous than Halong Bay, it is worth visiting and there are enough amazing activities. If your cruise docks in Hai Phong City, you can enjoy yourself on Lan Ha Bay with fewer tourists and locals. Cat Ba Island is a great place to enjoy wonderful beaches and hike in the green forests. A simple Hai Phong Sightseeing Tour to visit the main landmarks, cultural and religious tourist attractions and sample great specialty foods is also a good choice.

Hai Phong Shore Excursions from Cai Lan Port/Ha Long International Cruise Port/Hai Phong Port

Hanoi City – the capital of Vietnam – one of the biggest cities in the country – the oldest capital of a country in Southeast Asia

Founded by Emperor Ly Thai To in 1010, Hanoi City has more than you can see in one day. However, a full-day Hanoi tour from the seaport gives you an overview of this cultural, religious and political center. You can visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, The Old Quarter, Hanoi Opera House, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, Temple of Literature, Saint Joseph’s Cathedral,… for sightseeing and listening to various stories.

A day trip to the Red River countryside by motorbike, boat, bicycle or jeep is a unique experience if you would like to escape the busy city.

Hanoi Shore Excursions (list of tours and travel guide) from Cai Lan Port/Ha Long International Cruise Port/Hai Phong Port

Central Vietnam

Quang Nam Province – Hoi An City, My Son Sanctuary

With 1,000 ancient houses, including 844 houses listed as UNESCO’s cultural heritage, Hoi An ancient town has lots of tourist attractions such as Japanese Bridge, Fujian Assembly Hall, Hoi An Old Market, Tran Family Chapel, Sa Huynh Culture Museum,… The “yellow city” since 16 – 17th centuries is not only a place to see ancient houses, pagodas, and temples but also to enjoy exotic street foods, try to make handicrafts, buy some nice souvenirs, take cyclo rides and boat rides on the romantic Thu Bon River.

A small trip to My Son Sanctuary which is a complex of partially ruined Hindu temples dating from the 4th to the 13th centuries CE in a lush jungle valley is a good choice for tourists from Tien Sa Port and Chan May Port.

Hoi An Shore Excursions (list of tours and travel guide) from Chan May Port/Tien Sa Port

Da Nang City – Ba Na Hills

The growing and bustling port Da Nang City has become a gleaming and modern tourist magnet. Danang sightseeing tours usually include beautiful bridges, Han Market, Cham Museum, Linh Ung Pagoda, Marble Mountains and Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village.

Tourists should not miss the unforgettable cable car ride up to the scenic Ba Na Hills, the vibrant Le Jardin D’Amour, the Golden Bridge – one of the most Instagrammable places in Vietnam, the Fantasy Park. Ba Na Hills Day Trip from cruise ship is perhaps your choice who love to see the marvelous nature blended with amazing human-made structures.

Da Nang Shore Excursions (list of tours and travel guide) from Chan May Port/Tien Sa Port

Hue City – Hue Citadel

Hue is the cradle of Vietnamese culture and the educational, cultural and political center of the country under the Nguyen Dynasty. The Hue Citadel has an impressive 500m x 600m wall and lots of buildings in traditional Vietnamese style. Thien Mu Pagoda, Perfume River, Tombs of Nguyen Emperors are the top tourist attractions in the romantic Hue City. A Hue Sightseeing Tour from Chan May or Tien Sa Port is recommended to do.

Hue Shore Excursions (list of tours and travel guide) from Chan May Port/Tien Sa Port

Quy Nhon City

Although there are not many cruise ships dock at Quy Nhon Port, I would like to introduce to you the attractive coastal city with Eo Gio Site, Queen Beach, Ky Co Beach, Mausoleum of Han Mac Tu Poet, Banh It Towers, …

Quy Nhon Shore Excursions from Quy Nhon Port

Nha Trang City

Nha Trang City has been a popular beach destination in Vietnam for a long time, the top tourist attractions include Vinpearl Land Nha Trang amusement park, Institute of Oceanography, Chong Rocks, Ponagar Towers, Mieu Island, Tam Island, Canary Island, hot spring and mud bath centers, Tran Phu Beach, Dai Beach,…

Nha Trang Shore Excursions (list of tours and travel guide) from Cau Da Port

Southern Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels

If you would like to explore a vibrant city with the perfect blend of the past and the modern, the old and the new, Ho Chi Minh City is the right place for you. Cho Lon – the biggest China town in Vietnam, many beautiful architectural buildings in French style, War Remnants Museum, holy pagodas and temples, the iconic Ben Thanh Market, Bui Vien – Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area,… are amazing things to do in Ho Chi Minh.

Located about 70 km from the city center, Cu Chi Tunnels is a piece of great memory and evidence of the wars against the French colonist, the Republic of South Vietnam State and the U.S. army.

Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursions (list of tours and travel guide) from Phu My Port/Hiep Phuoc Port/Nha Rong Port

Mekong Delta Region

The attractions in Mekong Delta Region (also known as Nine Dragon Region or the Rice Bowl of Vietnam) are the scenic boat cruises along the Mekong River and small canals, the islands covered with fruit gardens, local houses, and sacred pagodas. Tourists are welcomed at farms, and traditional handicraft villages, local restaurants, and ancient houses, floating markets, churches,…

Which are Vietnam Shore Excursions best for your group?

If you are a beach lover, Halong Bay, Nha Trang City, Quy Nhon City, Vung Tau City are great destinations.

If you would like to learn more about big and vibrant cities in Vietnam, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Da Nang cities with the mix of culture, architecture, cuisine, and history are great choices.

Nostalgic places in Vietnam include the ancient town in Hoi An City, Hanoi Old Quarter, and Hue Citadel.

Stunning islets, islands, caves, and fishing villages can be explored in Halong City and Nha Trang City.

If you would like to learn more about Vietnam’s history, War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoa Lo Prison, Thang Long Citadel in Hanoi, and Hue Citadel.

Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Saigon Opera House in Saigon, St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi are beautiful French architectural buildings.

My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam (near Chan May and Tien Sa Ports), Ponagar Towers in Nha Trang, Banh It Towers in Binh Dinh Province (near Quy Nhon Port) are great places to learn more about the history, culture, and architecture of Champa civilization.

Ba Na Hills is a mix of dramatic and romantic landscapes, the amusement park, the Golden Bridge, the French village, wine cellars and colorful gardens.

Con Market in Da Nang, Han Market in Nha Trang, Dong Ba Market in Hue, Ben Thanh Market in Saigon, Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi are great places to go shopping, and learn more about the local life in Vietnam.

What are the best tours for senior tourists? Although there are some amazing activities such as swimming, kayaking, climbing, and hiking in Halong City, senior tourists can choose easy cruise tours to beautiful limestone islets with extraordinary shapes and amazing caves. On Hanoi city tours, Ho Chi Minh city tours, Da Nang city tours, and Hue city tours, tourists usually do not walk too much so seniors can join these tours to learn more about Vietnam’s history, culture, traditional French, and modern architecture. Excursions to the Mekong Delta are always refreshing and relaxing, senior tourists have chances to enjoy delicious dishes, try to sit on boats and sampans, and plug fruits in orchards,… At Cu Chi Tunnels, seniors can skip crawling the dark and narrow tunnels, but they can see other things like juniors. In Nha Trang, senior tourists should consider being transferred by motorboat or canoe to the islands. Nha Trang city tour by car/cyclo or taking cable car to Hon Tre, enjoying at mud bath and hot spring center are good choices for the elderly. At last, we are sure that the elderly love to get lost in the peaceful yellow Hoi An ancient town.

Which tours to choose if you travel with kids? Sightseeing tours in Vietnam’s cities are good choices to teach your kids about lots of things, including real local life. Cu Chi Tunnels is a great place to do educational activities. Mekong Delta tours are always fun and enjoyable thanks to farm animals (chicken, duck, fish, bee, crocodile,…), amazing boat trips, picturesque landscapes, fruit gardens, rice paddies, rice fields,… Your kids will be surprised by the islets and caves in Halong Bay and enjoy boat trips to nice islands in Nha Trang. A cyclo ride in Vietnam is not a bad choice because your kids will love to be on three-wheel vehicles.

We need something romantic and beautiful for honeymoon vacations, Halong Bay, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Mekong Delta are great destinations for charming sceneries and wonderful photos.

Scams on your Vietnam Shore Excursions and How to avoid?

Cyclo ride offer

Cyclo riders around tourist attraction may offer tourists exciting rides in the city for half an hour or one hour. Whether tourists do or do not deal the final price, riders will ask them to pay more than the rides should be. The amount of 500,000 VND is too much. It is recommended to not take any cyclo ride by yourself. If you would like to experience sitting on a cyclo, just book a cyclo ride or a city tour including a cyclo ride with a reliable travel agency.

Costume character

Costume characters usually wander around, they may ask tourists to take some nice photos. Tourists might think that all are free, but costume characters usually charge 20,000 – 50,000 VND for having the “nice” photos taken with them. Do not interact with costume characters on the street to be safe and enjoy the tour.

Street vendor

A bad street vendor may give you a cake or a fruit and tell you to enjoy it. After that, he/she forces you to buy a package of cakes or 1 kilograms of fruits at a high price because you have eaten the cake or the fruit. Just say thank you or nothing when they ask you to try anything on the streets.

Taxi scam

In case you travel on your own from the seaport, you need to book taxis to go to tourist attractions. Taxi drivers may try to charge you for extra luggage, parking fees, toll fees,… or modified taximeters to charge customers unfairly. Mai Linh and Vinasun taxis are recommended, booking a Grab car drive is also a good choice.

Pick pocket and snatch thief

Pickpockets and snatch thieves are popular in many countries, including developed countries. Be careful with your luggage, bring a high-quality small or medium-sized bag or backpack, and make sure that they can not steal your passport and wallet. Going in a private car is safer and more comfortable.

ATM skimming

In Vietnam, they may try to steal PINs and other information off credit cards and debit cards when you withdraw money at ATMs. My advice is that you should pay in advance for services (tours, transfers,…). For your information, you can exchange for Vietnamese Dong at banks or trusted places in your country before your cruise trip. If you need to exchange currency in Vietnam, you should need help from your tour guide, or simply send me (Tracy Do & Bill Bui +84 938314386) a message via WhatsApp for support.

How to avoid scams on your Vietnam shore excursions? It is always best to book organized tours with reliable tour companies, you will be transferred by private cars, guided by professional local tour guides. Polite and well-trained drivers will make the trips stressless and totally safe. If you forget your phone in a car, it is easy to get it back. If you forget the phone in a taxi, we are not sure about having it back. Tour guides and drivers from travel agencies will protect you from scams and share with you all the most beautiful things of the country.

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