How to Negotiate for a Taxi Like a Pro in Phu My

Wondering why when planning your time in port in Vietnam that you can't find a "Phu My" section in your Fodor's or Lonely Planet? Here's why.

Phu My is a classic example of a South East Asian cruise port. Often container shipping ports aren't the destination, but rather the gateway to explore what the region has to offer. Just as Tianjin is to Beijing, or Laem Chabang is to Bangkok, Phu My is the industrial port that provides access to Ho Chi Minh City, located slightly over 40 miles / 65 km's to the southwest of the city. This distance can vary based on which dock in the port complex you arrive into- there is as many as seven docks along the river.

Whilst you have other options from this port of call, such as the smaller nearby town of Ba Ria, the beachside town to the south of Vung Tau, and the Cu Chi Tunnels to the north-west of the city, Ho Chi Minh City is hands down the number one reason why cruise ships come to Phu My.

You have a number of ways to get from the port to the city:

1. Cruise line arranged tour

2. Privately arranged tour 3. Cruise Line line arranged transfer (A bus going in at a set time, returning at a set time, but doing your own thing once arrived at the pre-arranged drop-off location)

4. Taking a taxi from the port.

We are going to focus on the latter.

First things first. When arriving at the port the best advice for independent travelers is to go as early as you can. This isn't just to maximise the time you'll have in the city, given it is approximately a 70 minute drive each way, but more so that there are only so many drivers at the port. There will be enough to accommodate maybe 300-400 people, but nowhere near enough to provide transport for the number of people coming off ships without tour/transfer arrangements on the day.

Rules regarding a taxi's ability to enter the port varying within the complex, and more often that not you will need to go outside the port gate. Sometimes the port will allow you to walk to the gates, other times they make you take a shuttle. The distances vary between roughly 1/3 mile to 3/4 mile (0.5-1.2 km's).

Once you make it to the gate you'll see a pod of drivers waiting. Take a deep breath and put on a stern face... it's negotiating time.

The challenge here, as it is with a number of ports in the region, is that these guys don't have the freedom to set their own rates. The system is a monopoly, and all the drivers have to abide by the rates set by 'the boss'. This makes it tricky to get a fair and reasonable rate.

They will generally work on a price per person in the vehicle basis, as opposed to a per hour price point. With that being said, the trick is to gather a larger group together and aim for one of the vans, as the price per person is usually lower for the larger vehicles. The key is to bring them into the ground while negotiating; they don't budge easily here!

Drivers Waiting Outside the Port Gate

What you are looking to do here is hire a vehicle with a driver to take you and your party into the city, drop you off at a set location, and then come back and pick you up later in the day from the same place and bring you back to the port.

Here are most of the most recent negotiated rates we have paid in the last couple of years from the port:

MARCH 2019 : 4 People: $120 Round Trip. $30 per person.

NOVEMBER 2019: 10 People: $260 Round Trip. $26 per person.

JANUARY 2020: 14 People: $308. $22 per person.

It has always been a fascinating observation watching the Phu My drivers go about getting their business. Many either aren't willing, or aren't allowed to price adjust, meaning quite often they will go without work for the day, rather than accepting what is a fair and reasonable rate for all involved.

As of January 2020, the minimum monthly wage in Ho Chi Minh City rose to 4,420,000 VND per month, which is $190 USD a month. That puts it in perspective how tightly bound these drivers are regarding what figures are deemed acceptable for driver day hire.

Ho Chi Minh Statue and City Hall

Here is your step by step guide:

1. Get up and go early to get a driver while they are available.

2. Aim to negotiate a rate between $25-30 per person for the day. Hard to get, but it's been done.

3. Arrange a drop off/pick up point in the city. I often use the Reunification Palace or the Ben Thanh Market, and you should pick based on what you are interested in seeing in the city. Do your research in advance!

4. Confirm your departure time (pick up time) from the city with your driver.

Tips:

1. Do not pay until you return back to the port at the end of the day.

2. Don't arrange for a one-way trip, with the aim of getting back cheaper from a different driver in the city. I have seen this go wrong too many times. Local city taxi drivers in Ho Chi Minh City will be more than willing to take the long drive to Phu My- even if they have never been before, and aren't aware of the fact there are 7 different docking locations, all spread out across a long distance from each other. I have seen people miss the all aboard time because their driver doesn't know where to go. Keep the same driver! The driver who left the port can return to the port.

3. After finishing negotiations, write the dollar figure down (you pay in U.S. dollars) on a piece of paper, and have the driver sign it for proof. Occasionally, I have heard of times where a figure has been agreed upon, and then 8-10 hours later, the price has changed, making for a sticky situation.

4. Take a photo of the driver / vehicle licence plate. The city can get very busy, and many cars can look the same. This helps you find yours back at your drop off point at the end of the day.

If all this sounds a little too stressful, don't swat it! That's why your cruise line will have an abundance of tour and transfer options available to take away the hassle of negotiating a ride. However, this is certainly the cheapest option available.

Enjoy Ho Chi Minh City!