OCC CRUISING INFORMATION SERVICE

George Curtis, Blacksmiths Cottage, Aston Tirrold, Oxfordshire, OX11 9DQ, England

Tel/Fax:+44 (0) 1235 850794; e-mail cis@oceancruisingclub.org

Ed - This is very dated information. Any updates will be gratefully received by the CIS!

Information from Robert Verschoyle's letter aboard the schooner So Fong, Oct '92

The Vietnamese Government have decided to embrace International Maritime law and I have had some meetings with the Vietnam Maritime Department who have been rather helpful and have given me the correct procedure for entry. As yet this is only for entry to Saigon as the others are still unsure of procedures.

Firstly, any persons coming to this county must have a valid visa and this may be collected in a Vietnam Embassy. Apart from London there are Embassies in Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong which may be more useful for approaching yachts.

Visas require there to be a 'sponsor' in Vietnam and the Maritime Department have agreed to act as sponsors in this case.

The procedure is:-

1) Telex (811499 FALCON VT) or Pax (lnt-84-8-223215) this department with the following information on the boat and crew:-Passport name, crew ranks (owner, captain, mate, cook etc. and not 'bilge rat' or 'bottle washer'), nationality, passport number, date of birth, place of birth, last issue date. expiry date. purpose of visit (Tourist'), probable duration of stay, and very approximate ETA. Approach port (Vung Tau), boat name, country of registry. LOA, colour.

Also suggest Embassy (Hong Kong, Bangkok. Singapore or London or whatever), to collect passport and any other appropriate details of your intentions you may think useful to them.

After this (about a week) the Department will/should reply with confirmation and visa collection details (but assume 3 weeks).

2) Telex or Fax the Department again when ready to sail with a more exact ETA, repeat of boat details, crew details and a general' look forward to seeing you, please inform Vung Tau Pilot station and immigration. Ask for confirmation by telex or fax reply. I would not come without this reply being sent first.

I suggest that ail communication at this time be marked 'Attention of Vice Director. Mr. Ha Due Bang (sic). Vietnam National Maritime Department, 6th Floor -27-28 Ton Due Thang Street, District 1. Ho Chi Minh City.

The yacht should enter Vung Tau (the old Cap St. Jac, which is a lousy and deepish anchorage), and moor somewhere between the ships at anchor and the town. Have the Q flag up as you enter. Hang all fenders out. The Vietnamese, and particularly the Customs, are not too hot on coming alongside and care not a jot for your pristine topsides. Also it's roly poly out there.

It is probably a good idea to request the officers to 'sell' a courtesy flag,river charts, rent of taxi etc. As soon as they are sure that the boat is innocent they will turn their minds to business matters and always assume that all 'foreigners' are millionaires at the least. Haggle, but assume that the slightly exorbitant charges really comprise the lads' 'bung' as well as the true cost of the items. DO NOT attempt direct bribery as it will cause friction.

Taxis are about 25 - 35 USD per day (decent new ones).

The Vietnamese authorities, unlike the average people, have a strange mixture of German and Asian attitudes. Smiling is compulsory. However, it's very acceptable to offer packets of cigarettes (all chain smoke) and beer. But be careful to avoid slipping into party mode or you will find yourself the centre boat of a large flotilla of official and other craft. I know.

Vung Tau itself is worth a day or so if the weather looks fair. There are NO facilities for yachts, so come well found. There are some quite acceptable restaurants and hotels and fresh fruit and vegetables are abundant and fairly cheap. Again, haggle.

Do not leave the boat unattended but hire a local boatman or similar to guard the WELL LOCKED boat if necessary. Get him to repel boarders, scrub, polish etc. (pride of position) and offer about 3 - 4 US per day (max.) and pay afterwards. Piracy IS a problem in these waters but, unless crewed by fully trained mercenaries. precautions should probably be confined to well hidden money and valuables with just enough 'out' to satisfy any unwelcome guests. However, I would think that most yachts would be left alone. Most pirates here are really the bigger fishing boats who are moonlighting.

It is quite possible to get painting and brightwork done here but NOT at a Vietnamese yard. Contact the French company. Saigon shipyard, at Mac Thi Bui St, Saigon (150 metres from Floating Hotel). They can slip smaller draft (2 metres) boats and can arrange for most mechanical or electronic repairs. Other good buys are upholstery (if you have sample) and carving. The biggest difficulty for now is leaving a boat unattended. It is probably best to permanently hire a boatman cum night guard while here and, even then, not the first person you meet. As local long-term expats for advice.

The OCC Cruising Information Service is provided by the OCC. The information is supplied to the OCC by members and is for OCC members only. The date given in the above is the date that the members supplying the information visited this place and the information may have changed at any time. The OCC has taken no steps to verify the information, which should be confirmed independently. The OCC accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the information and cannot be held liable for any damage howsoever caused whether directly or indirectly or any consequential losses.