Vietnam amends rules on foreigners’ access to Cam Ranh Port

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed Decision No. 38/2025/QD-TTg on Monday to amend and supplement several provisions of the Ministry of National Defense's Regulations on the Management of Operations at Cam Ranh International Port.

The decision will take effect on December 1, 2025.

One of the key revisions involves Article 10b of the Regulations, which provides clearer and more flexible procedures for granting entry and exit permits to foreign visitors, as well as overseas Vietnamese, at the port, according to the Vietnam Government Portal.

Accordingly, the Minister of National Defense has the authority to decide and delegate the power to issue permits for these individuals, while allowing applications and results to be submitted and received online.

The new measure is meant to improve administrative efficiency and ensure transparency.

Permit applications must include a request letter from Tan Cang – Petro Cam Ranh Co., Ltd. or relevant units under the ministry responsible for inviting foreigners or overseas Vietnamese; lists of these persons following the prescribed forms; and copies of passports, ID or Citizen ID cards (for overseas Vietnamese), or other valid international travel documents.

Applications must be submitted to the competent licensing agency at least five days before the planned port visit.

Within three working days of receiving a valid application, the authority must issue a written response and, if the request is denied, provide specific reasons.

Once approved, the organizing agency must coordinate with the Cam Ranh military base's security forces and Tan Cang – Petro Cam Ranh to facilitate the permitted persons' entry and exit through the eastern route of the base, ensuring safety and compliance with defense and port security regulations.

For crew members and passengers aboard foreign vessels anchored at the port, shore leave is permitted under licenses issued by the port border guard.

When going ashore, they must follow the instructions and remain under the supervision of the Cam Ranh military base's security forces and Tan Cang – Petro Cam Ranh.