UN/LOCODE: VNVUT📍 Viet Nam
Port of Vung Tau (UN/LOCODE VNVUT)
❖ Coordinates: 10.3500°N, 107.0700°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Saigon
❖ UN/LOCODE: VNVUT
## About the Port
### Location & Geographic Setting
Vung Tau (UN/LOCODE: **VNVUT**) is situated on the southeastern coast of Vietnam, in the province of **Bà Rịa – Vung Tàu**. The port occupies a natural deep‑water bay at the mouth of the Cai Ray and Cai Beo rivers, providing an strategic gateway to the Mekong Delta and the South China Sea. Its coordinates are **10.35° N, 107.07° E**, and it operates within the **Asia/Saigon** time zone, facilitating seamless coordination with regional shipping schedules.
### Administrative & Operational Context
Managed by the **Vietnam Maritime Administration (VMA)** under the Ministry of Transport, Vung Tau functions as a secondary hub that complements the larger container facilities of Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong. The port’s jurisdiction extends over a 12‑nautical‑mile radius, encompassing auxiliary terminals, oil depots, and fish‑processing zones. Its proximity to major highways (National Route 1A and 51) and the **Vung Tau‑Long Thanh Expressway** enhances multimodal connectivity, allowing efficient hinterland distribution to Ho Chi Minh City (≈ 90 km) and beyond.
### Strategic Position for SEO
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## History
### Early Development (Pre‑1975)
The harbor of Vung Tau was first developed during the French colonial era as a modest fishing and naval anchorage. By the 1930s, it had been upgraded to accommodate coastal trade between Saigon and the central highlands, leveraging its protected bay and abundant anchorage space.
### Expansion Phases (1975‑1990)
Following national reunification, the Vietnamese government prioritized the modernization of Vung Tau’s facilities to support post‑war reconstruction. Between 1976 and 1985, a series of dredging projects deepened the navigation channel to 10 m, enabling the berthing of larger cargo vessels. The construction of the first dedicated container terminal in 1988 marked a decisive shift toward containerized trade.
### Recent Modernization (1990‑Present)
Since the 1990s, Vung Tau has undergone iterative expansions focusing on automation and environmental sustainability. The 2005 inauguration of the **Vung Tau Deep‑Water Port Project** introduced a 150‑meter‑long berth capable of handling post‑Panamax vessels, while a 2018 pilot program for electric‑powered refrigerated containers underscored its commitment to green logistics. Recent investments include a 30 % increase in yard capacity and the implementation of a digital port‑call management system, aligning the port with the **World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index** benchmarks.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Terminals & Berthing Capabilities
Vung Tau currently operates **four deep‑water berths**:
- **Berth 1** (150 m) – optimized for container ships up to 8,000 TEU.
- **Berth 2** (200 m) – configured for bulk carriers and tankers (max draught 12 m).
- **Berth 3** (120 m) – dedicated to Ro‑Ro and passenger ferries.
- **Berth 4** (100 m) – used for offshore support vessels and offshore wind turbine assembly.
The total quay length exceeds **800 m**, allowing simultaneous handling of multiple vessel calls and reducing turnaround time to an average of **12 hours** for container ships.
### Equipment & Technology
The port’s material handling fleet includes:
- **12 high‑reach ship‑to‑shore cranes** (max lift 65 tonnes).
- **6 automated guided vehicles (AGVs)** for intra‑yard transport.
- **Advanced cargo scanning and x‑ray inspection** systems compliant with IMO 2023 safety standards.
A dedicated **terminal operating system (TOS)** integrates with major shipping lines via APIs, providing real‑time vessel‑berthing forecasts and yard optimization.
### Ancillary Services
Supporting infrastructure includes:
- **Oil and chemical storage depots** with a combined capacity of 500,000 m³, certified under ISO 14001.
- **Cold‑chain facilities** capable of preserving 150,000 tonnes of perishable goods annually.
- **On‑site pilotage and towage services** managed by the Vietnam Naval Forces, ensuring compliance with local maritime regulations.
For detailed operational specifications, refer to the official **Vung Tau Port Authority↗** website.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Trade Hub
Vung Tau handles roughly **3.2 million TEU** and **15 million tonnes** of cargo annually, representing about **12 %** of Vietnam’s total seaborne trade. Its role as a secondary gateway alleviates congestion at Ho Chi Minh City, particularly for agricultural exports from the Mekong Delta, such as rice, coffee, and rubber.
### Employment & Revenue Generation
The port directly employs **approximately 4,200** workers and supports an estimated **15,000** indirect jobs across logistics, customs brokerage, and ancillary manufacturing sectors. Annual port‑generated revenue surpasses **US$120 million**, contributing significantly to the provincial GDP of Bà Rịa‑Vung Tàu (≈ 6 %).
### Strategic Role in ASEAN Connectivity
As part of the **ASEAN Master Plan on Transport Connectivity (2025‑2030)**, Vung Tau is designated a **“Strategic Maritime Node”** linking the **Northern Economic Corridor** (China‑Vietnam) with the **Southern Maritime Belt** (Thailand‑Malaysia‑Indonesia). Its integration with the **Trans‑Asian Railway** and the upcoming **East‑West Economic Corridor** enhances multimodal trade flows across the region.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Inbound Commodities
Key inbound cargo streams include:
- **Coal and LNG** (primarily from Australia, Qatar, and the United States) destined for power plants in Southern Vietnam.
- **Containerized manufactured goods** (electronics, textiles, automotive parts) shipped from China, South Korea, and Japan.
- **Bulk raw materials** such as bauxite, iron ore, and timber from neighboring ASEAN producers.
### Outbound Exports
Outbound cargo concentrates on:
- **Agricultural products** (rice, coffee beans, pepper) exported to the EU, Japan, and the United States.
- **Seafood and processed marine products** shipped to markets in the Middle East and South Korea.
- **Petrochemical derivatives** produced by nearby industrial zones (Da Nang‑Khanh hprovince) destined for ASEAN and European consumers.
### Key Trading Partners
The primary trading partners linked to Vung Tau are:
- **China** (major source of containerized imports).
- **Australia** (coal and iron‑ore shipments).
- **Japan** and **South Korea** (energy imports, technology‑driven manufactured goods).
- **European Union** (export of agricultural commodities).
These routes are continuously optimized using predictive analytics platforms such as **MarineTraffic** and **GIS‑based freight demand models**, ensuring Vung Tau remains responsive to shifting market dynamics.
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*This article provides a comprehensive, SEO‑friendly overview of Vung Tau (VNVUT) port, targeting maritime professionals seeking actionable intelligence on one of Vietnam’s most pivotal maritime gateways.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
VNVUT
Country
Viet Nam
Province / Region
Bà Rịa - Vung Tàu
Latitude
10.350000
Longitude
107.070000
Timezone
Asia/Saigon
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Vung Tau?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Vung Tau is VNVUT.
Where is Port of Vung Tau located?
The Port of Vung Tau is located in Viet Nam, Bà Rịa - Vung Tàu. Its coordinates are 10.3500°N, 107.0700°E.
What time zone is Port of Vung Tau in?
Port of Vung Tau operates in the Asia/Saigon time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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