Incorporating the Andaman Sea, Gulf of Thailand, Malacca Straits, Darwin to Singapore, the Philippines and Hong Kong

Vietnam & Cambodia

Apart from the Hong Kong to Nha Trang Race and a few intrepid cruisers, there has been very little activity for private yachts in Vietnam. Now the country has opened its waters up to cruising yachts and commercial charter activity started in 2006 with the establishment of a Sunsail Base in Nha Trang. The operation is currently suspended (2009) pending a new look at facilities for a base of operations. One problem of cruising in Vietnam is that boats must check in and out of each province having given an advanced itinerary − difficult to achieve without an agent.

The province’s 60-mile coastline encompasses 70 islands. With constant 8-15 knot afternoon breezes, clear calm waters and friendly locals, it has been a big hit with the yacht crews. Nha Trang is Vietnam’s premier beach resort town and its location and geography give clear skies and good weather between May and September. The town has many hotels and restaurants ranging from the basic to luxurious – and provisioning here is easy.

Within the cruising area are several resorts. Seafood can be bought or bartered for at one of the hundreds of fish farms. The islands south of Nha Trang offer dozens of protected anchorages for any season and the diving in the Hon Mun marine park area is equal to the best in Asia.

North of Nha Trang is Vung Fang Bay, which is populated by many small islands and has a massive sand dune along its northern side. Hidden away here is Whale Island, an eco-friendly resort that has done much to re-grow coral destroyed by dynamite fishing. In the past, yachts have based themselves here for weeks to take advantage of the excellent nearby dive sites and perfect sailing conditions.

It is still early days for marine tourism in Vietnam and entry procedures can be time-consuming, if not overly expensive. The authorities do place restrictions on boat movements but are loosening up slowly and local pilots are no longer required on foreign-flagged yachts full time.

Still not many tourists come this way -
Photo by Simon James

Former Super-Yacht manager, Alan Goodman is based in Nha trang and is the best contact for any yacht wishing to cruise these waters. He has been instrumental in encouraging a more open-minded approach towards visiting yachts by the Peoples Committee and local military officials. He can arrange all the necessary clearances, provide visas on arrival and more importantly fuel bunkering for foreign-flagged yachts. Email gmipacific.net.sg

In general, the ‘Change and Renewal Principle’ (Doi Moi ) has brought numerous changes in attitude and outlook. The overall willingness of the government and people to embrace new business opportunities bodes well for the future of the country. A marina is being developed further north at Da Nang and with this there is an expectation that soon the 300-mile stretch of coastline between Nha Trang and Da Nang will be open to cruising.

Na Trang and Hon Tre Na Trang in Khanh Hoa Province is a major port on the east coast of Vietnam. The town itself is considered Vietnam’s most charming, being in the old French colonial heartland. Just offshore is the Hon Tre group of islands where there are some excellent anchorages, great scenery, good snorkelling and diving and ...

Vung Thuc Bay This large bay on the mainland is mostly shallow. Our only recommended anchorages are at the mouth of the bay or on the small island further south ...

Vung Fong Bay To the north is the famous all-year playground of Vung Fong Bay. A large deep area protected by two outer islands with many channels and inlets to explore. It is home to hundreds of fish-farms which tend to get moved around on ...

Cambodia in brief These notes have been kindly supplied by Jean-Claude Racine, an experienced cruising yachtsman who spent some interesting time exploring this yachting frontier. We include them as a guide to other yachts contemplating the trip ...