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Sea routes

Sea routes and trade lanes from Vietnam

Main maritime trade lanes and sample port-to-port voyages from Vietnam, drawn on the map with their straits and canals, approximate distance in nautical miles and estimated transit range.

Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Los Angeles Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Long Beach Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Oakland Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Seattle Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Vancouver Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Manzanillo (Mexico) Hai Phong → Los Angeles Cai Mep – Thi Vai → New York / New Jersey Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Savannah Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Houston Hai Phong → New York / New Jersey Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Rotterdam Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Hamburg Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Antwerp-Bruges Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Felixstowe Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Le Havre Hai Phong → Rotterdam Hai Phong → Hamburg Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Genoa Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Barcelona Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Valencia Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Piraeus Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Singapore Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Port Klang Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Laem Chabang Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Manila Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Hong Kong Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Shanghai Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Ningbo-Zhoushan Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Busan Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Tokyo Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Yokohama Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Osaka Hai Phong → Hong Kong Hai Phong → Shanghai Hai Phong → Ningbo-Zhoushan Hai Phong → Busan Hai Phong → Tokyo Hai Phong → Yokohama Hai Phong → Osaka Hai Phong → Singapore Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Jebel Ali (Dubai) Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Jeddah Islamic Port Hai Phong → Jebel Ali (Dubai) Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Nhava Sheva (JNPA, Mumbai) Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Chennai Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Colombo Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Chattogram (Chittagong) Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Sydney (Port Botany) Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Melbourne Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Santos Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Durban Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Mombasa Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Tema Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Lagos (Apapa, Tin Can Island) Seattle, United States Vancouver, Canada Manzanillo (Mexico), Mexico Felixstowe, United Kingdom Le Havre, France Genoa, Italy Barcelona, Spain Jakarta (Tanjung Priok), Indonesia Manila, Philippines Tokyo, Japan Yokohama, Japan Osaka, Japan Jeddah Islamic Port, Saudi Arabia Nhava Sheva (JNPA, Mumbai), India Chennai, India Chattogram (Chittagong), Bangladesh Sydney (Port Botany), Australia Melbourne, Australia Santos, Brazil Durban, South Africa Mombasa, Kenya Tema, Ghana Lagos (Apapa, Tin Can Island), Nigeria Oakland, United States Houston, United States Valencia, Spain Savannah, United States Piraeus, Greece Colombo, Sri Lanka Hamburg, Germany New York / New Jersey, United States Long Beach, United States Los Angeles, United States Laem Chabang, Thailand Antwerp-Bruges, Belgium Rotterdam, Netherlands Port Klang, Malaysia Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China Jebel Ali (Dubai), United Arab Emirates Busan, South Korea Ningbo-Zhoushan, China Singapore, Singapore Shanghai, China Cai Mep – Thi Vai, Vietnam Hai Phong, Vietnam Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam
  • Transpacific – US West Coast, Canada & Mexico
  • Asia – US East Coast & Gulf
  • Asia – North Europe
  • Asia – Mediterranean
  • Intra-Asia
  • Asia – Middle East & Red Sea
  • Asia – Indian Subcontinent
  • Asia – Oceania
  • Asia – Latin America
  • Asia – Africa

Trade lanes

Distances are the sum of great-circle legs between waypoints along the usual sea lanes, through the relevant straits and canals, rounded to the nearest 10 nautical miles. Transit ranges assume a typical service speed of 16–18 knots plus time for intermediate port calls and canal transits; transshipment adds several days for the connection at the hub. Figures are estimates for planning and comparison, not carrier schedules.

Transpacific – US West Coast, Canada & Mexico 7

Vietnam to Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver and Mexico’s Pacific coast, mostly through the Luzon Strait and across the North Pacific.

Route Distance Transit (direct) With transshipment Via Service
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Los Angeles 7,170 18–21 days — Luzon Strait Direct services common
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Long Beach 7,170 18–21 days — Luzon Strait Direct services common
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Oakland 6,860 17–20 days 20–27 days Luzon Strait Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Seattle 6,660 16–19 days 19–26 days Luzon Strait Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Vancouver 6,670 16–19 days 19–26 days Luzon Strait Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Manzanillo (Mexico) 8,300 20–24 days 23–31 days Luzon Strait Direct & transshipment options
Hai Phong → Los Angeles 7,070 17–20 days 20–27 days Luzon Strait Direct & transshipment options

Asia – US East Coast & Gulf 4

Vietnam to New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Houston and other East Coast and Gulf ports, via the Panama Canal or via Suez (Cape of Good Hope during Red Sea diversions).

Route Distance Transit (direct) With transshipment Via Service
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → New York / New Jersey 12,100 31–37 days 34–44 days Luzon Strait, Panama Canal Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Savannah 11,800 30–36 days 33–43 days Luzon Strait, Panama Canal Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Houston 11,630 30–35 days 33–42 days Luzon Strait, Panama Canal Direct & transshipment options
Hai Phong → New York / New Jersey 12,000 31–36 days 34–43 days Luzon Strait, Panama Canal Usually via transshipment

Asia – North Europe 7

Vietnam to Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Felixstowe and Le Havre via Malacca and Suez, or around the Cape of Good Hope.

Route Distance Transit (direct) With transshipment Via Service
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Rotterdam 8,980 24–28 days 27–35 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, Suez Canal, Strait of Gibraltar, Strait of Dover Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Hamburg 9,250 24–29 days 27–36 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, Suez Canal, Strait of Gibraltar, Strait of Dover Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Antwerp-Bruges 8,980 24–28 days 27–35 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, Suez Canal, Strait of Gibraltar, Strait of Dover Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Felixstowe 8,920 24–28 days 27–35 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, Suez Canal, Strait of Gibraltar, Strait of Dover Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Le Havre 8,810 23–28 days 26–35 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, Suez Canal, Strait of Gibraltar Direct & transshipment options
Hai Phong → Rotterdam 9,690 25–30 days 28–37 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, Suez Canal, Strait of Gibraltar, Strait of Dover Usually via transshipment
Hai Phong → Hamburg 9,960 26–31 days 29–38 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, Suez Canal, Strait of Gibraltar, Strait of Dover Usually via transshipment

Asia – Mediterranean 4

Vietnam to Piraeus, Genoa, Barcelona, Valencia and other Mediterranean ports via Suez, or via the Cape and Gibraltar.

Route Distance Transit (direct) With transshipment Via Service
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Genoa 7,200 20–24 days 23–31 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, Suez Canal Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Barcelona 7,250 20–24 days 23–31 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, Suez Canal Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Valencia 7,350 20–24 days 23–31 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, Suez Canal Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Piraeus 6,270 18–21 days 21–28 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, Suez Canal Direct & transshipment options

Intra-Asia 20

Short-sea services between Vietnam and China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia — frequent sailings and transit times of days rather than weeks.

Route Distance Transit (direct) With transshipment Via Service
Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Singapore 650 2–3 days — — Direct services common
Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Port Klang 830 2–3 days — Singapore Strait Direct services common
Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Laem Chabang 630 1–3 days — — Direct services common
Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) 1,020 2–4 days 4–8 days — Direct & transshipment options
Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Manila 890 2–3 days 4–7 days — Direct & transshipment options
Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Hong Kong 940 2–3 days — — Direct services common
Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Shanghai 1,600 4–5 days — Taiwan Strait Direct services common
Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Ningbo-Zhoushan 1,570 4–5 days — Taiwan Strait Direct services common
Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Busan 1,980 5–6 days — Taiwan Strait Direct services common
Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Tokyo 2,430 6–7 days — Luzon Strait, Miyako Strait Direct services common
Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Yokohama 2,420 6–7 days — Luzon Strait, Miyako Strait Direct services common
Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) → Osaka 2,210 5–7 days — Luzon Strait, Miyako Strait Direct services common
Hai Phong → Hong Kong 690 2–3 days — — Direct services common
Hai Phong → Shanghai 1,430 3–5 days — Taiwan Strait Direct services common
Hai Phong → Ningbo-Zhoushan 1,390 3–5 days — Taiwan Strait Direct services common
Hai Phong → Busan 1,810 4–6 days — Taiwan Strait Direct services common
Hai Phong → Tokyo 2,320 5–7 days — Luzon Strait, Miyako Strait Direct services common
Hai Phong → Yokohama 2,310 5–7 days — Luzon Strait, Miyako Strait Direct services common
Hai Phong → Osaka 2,100 5–6 days — Luzon Strait, Miyako Strait Direct services common
Hai Phong → Singapore 1,350 3–5 days — — Direct services common

Asia – Middle East & Red Sea 3

Vietnam to Jebel Ali and other Gulf ports via Hormuz, and to Jeddah via Bab-el-Mandeb.

Route Distance Transit (direct) With transshipment Via Service
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Jebel Ali (Dubai) 4,130 11–14 days 14–21 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Strait of Hormuz Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Jeddah Islamic Port 4,990 13–16 days 16–23 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb Direct & transshipment options
Hai Phong → Jebel Ali (Dubai) 4,850 12–16 days 15–23 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Strait of Hormuz Usually via transshipment

Asia – Indian Subcontinent 4

Vietnam to India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh via the Strait of Malacca, directly or via Singapore, Port Klang and Colombo.

Route Distance Transit (direct) With transshipment Via Service
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Nhava Sheva (JNPA, Mumbai) 3,130 8–10 days 11–17 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Chennai 2,210 6–8 days 9–15 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Colombo 2,200 6–8 days 9–15 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Chattogram (Chittagong) 2,150 6–8 days 9–15 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca Usually via transshipment

Asia – Oceania 2

Vietnam to Australia, mostly through Indonesian waters and around Western Australia for the southern ports.

Route Distance Transit (direct) With transshipment Via Service
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Sydney (Port Botany) 4,940 12–16 days 15–23 days Karimata Strait, Lombok Strait, Bass Strait Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Melbourne 4,470 11–15 days 14–22 days Karimata Strait, Lombok Strait Direct & transshipment options

Asia – Latin America 1

Vietnam to the East Coast of South America around the Cape of Good Hope, usually with transshipment.

Route Distance Transit (direct) With transshipment Via Service
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Santos 9,630 25–31 days 28–38 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Cape of Good Hope Usually via transshipment

Asia – Africa 4

Vietnam to East, Southern and West Africa across the Indian Ocean, often relayed in Singapore or other hubs.

Route Distance Transit (direct) With transshipment Via Service
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Durban 5,540 15–18 days 18–25 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca Direct & transshipment options
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Mombasa 4,630 13–16 days 16–23 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca Usually via transshipment
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Tema 8,940 23–27 days 26–34 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Cape of Good Hope Usually via transshipment
Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Lagos (Apapa, Tin Can Island) 8,960 23–27 days 26–34 days Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, Cape of Good Hope Usually via transshipment

Data as of October 2026. Information on this page is general guidance compiled by Global Logistic Group from public sources. Port facilities, carrier networks, routings and transit times change frequently; always confirm current schedules, cut-offs and requirements with us or the carrier before booking.

Compare voyages side by side

Pick two to four routes — for example Cai Mep to Rotterdam via Suez versus via the Cape of Good Hope — and compare distance, time and risks.

Open route comparison

Red Sea and Suez: situation note

Since early 2024, attacks on merchant ships around Bab-el-Mandeb led most carriers to divert Asia–Europe, Asia–Mediterranean and some Asia–US East Coast services around the Cape of Good Hope, adding roughly 3,000–3,500 nm and about 7–14 days depending on the route and service speed. Some carriers have since tested or resumed Suez transits on selected services. Routing is decided per service by each carrier, so check the current routing when you book.

Frequently asked questions

How is sea distance measured?

Sea distances are given in nautical miles (1 nm = 1.852 km) along navigable routes, which are longer than the straight-line distance because ships follow sea lanes through straits and canals and around land.

Why are transit times shown as a range?

The time depends on vessel speed (carriers often slow-steam to save fuel), the number of ports called before yours, canal waiting times, weather and whether your container is transshipped. A range is therefore more realistic than a single figure.

Is a direct service always better than transshipment?

Direct services are usually faster and reduce handling, but transshipment can offer more frequent sailings, more destinations and lower rates. The best choice depends on your cargo, deadline and budget.

Talk to an ocean freight specialist

These are planning estimates. We check live sailings, cut-offs and space on the routes you are considering.

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