Circular No. 18/2020/TT-BGTVT on the announcement of the waters of the seaports within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, Tien Giang Province, and the management area of the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Branch

This Circular stipulates the waters of the seaports of Ho Chi Minh City - Long An - Tien Giang and the management areas of the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Branch, Vung Tau Maritime Branch, and Dong Nai Maritime Branch. It also defines the responsibilities of the relevant parties in reporting and coordinating to ensure maritime safety, maritime security, and environmental pollution prevention.

Document No.18/2020/TT-BGTVT
Document typeCircular
Issuing authorityMinistry of Construction
Signed byNguyễn Văn Công — Thứ trưởng
Updated14/06/2026
SectorLabour, War Invalids and Social Affairs
FieldUncategorized
Issued date14/08/2020
Effective date01/10/2020
Expiry date
StatusIn effect
✦ Smart summary

This Circular stipulates the waters of the seaports of Ho Chi Minh City - Long An - Tien Giang and the management areas of the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Branch, Vung Tau Maritime Branch, and Dong Nai Maritime Branch. It also defines the responsibilities of the relevant parties in reporting and coordinating to ensure maritime safety, maritime security, and environmental pollution prevention.

Scope of application

This Circular applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals related to maritime activities in the waters of the seaports of Ho Chi Minh City - Long An - Tien Giang.

Key points

  • Provisions on the boundaries of the waters of the seaports of Ho Chi Minh City - Long An - Tien Giang
  • Determination of the management areas of the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Branch, Vung Tau Maritime Branch, and Dong Nai Maritime Branch
  • Responsibilities for reporting and coordination among the relevant parties to ensure maritime safety, maritime security, and environmental pollution prevention.
  • Effective from October 1, 2020.
  • Repeals Circular No. 02/2015/TT-BGTVT and part of the waters of the seaports of Tien Giang and Long An as previously defined in other circulars.

🌐 Social impact of this document

  • Ensuring maritime safety for vessels operating in the area
  • Preventing environmental pollution caused by maritime activities
  • Enhancing cooperation among maritime management agencies.
  • Improving the efficiency of managing and directing maritime activities in the waters of the seaports of Ho Chi Minh City - Long An - Tien Giang.

❓ Frequently asked questions

When does this Circular take effect?

This Circular takes effect from October 1, 2020.

Which circulars are repealed by this Circular?

Circular No. 02/2015/TT-BGTVT and part of the waters of the seaports of Tien Giang and Long An as previously defined in other circulars are repealed.

Which agencies are responsible for implementing this Circular?

The Director of the Ministry's Office, the Inspector General of the Ministry, the Heads of Departments, the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, the Directors of the Department of Transport of Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Dong Nai Province, Binh Duong Province, Long An Province, Tien Giang Province, and related agencies are responsible for implementing this Circular.

Full text

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION
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SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
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Number: 18/2020/TT-BGTVT

Hanoi, August 14, 2020

CIRCULAR

Announcing the port water area within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, and Tien Giang Province, and the management area of the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Port Office. the provinces of Long An and Tien Giang and the area under the management of the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Branch

Pursuant to the Vietnam Maritime Code on November 25, 2015;

Pursuant to Decree No. 12/2017/NĐ-CP dated February 10, 2017, issued by the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

1. Amending Clause 2 Article 2 as follows:

At the proposal of the Director of the Legal Department and the Director General of the Vietnam Maritime Administration;

The Minister of Transport issues this Circular to announce the port water area within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, and Tien Giang Province, and the management area of the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Port Office.

Article 1. Announcing the port water area within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, and Tien Giang Province.

The port water area within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, and Tien Giang Province includes the following areas:

1. The port water area of Ho Chi Minh City at the Ganh Rai Bay area.

3. The port water area of Ho Chi Minh City on the Nghe Bai River, Long Tau River, Nha Be River, Du River, Tac Dinh Cau River, and Tac Roi Creek.

4. The port water area of Ho Chi Minh City on the Dong Tran River, Go Gia River, Tac Ong Cu River, Tac Bai River, and Tac Cu River.

5. The port water area of Ho Chi Minh City on the Dong Nai River.

6. The port water area of Ho Chi Minh City on the Sai Gon River.

7. The port water area of Ho Chi Minh City - Long An - Tien Giang on the Soai Rap River.

2. The port water area of Ho Chi Minh City at the Dong Tran Bay area and the Soai Rap River mouth area.

Article 2. Scope of the port water area within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, and Tien Giang Province.

The scope of the port water area within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, and Tien Giang Province is defined according to the highest tidal level as follows:

1. The scope of the port water area of Ho Chi Minh City at the Ganh Rai Bay area is limited as follows:

From the meridian 106°58'12" E (the boundary with the port water area of provinces of Ba Ria - Vung Tau), running along the coast of Can Gio District and the bank of Phu Loi Island to the two farthest points of the Nghe Bai River mouth.

2. The scope of the port water area of Ho Chi Minh City at the Dong Tran Bay area and the Soai Rap River mouth area is limited as follows:

The straight lines connecting the following points in sequence: HCM1, HCM2, HCM3, HCM4, and HCM5 with the following coordinates:

HCM1: 10°25’10” N, 106°58’12” E (Cang Gio Cape);

HCM2: 10°24’00” N, 107°00’00” E;

HCM3: 10°15'00" N, 107°00'00" E;

HCM4: 10°15'00" N, 106°49'30" E;

HCM5: 10°16’07” N, 106°45’20” E.

3. The scope of the port water area of Ho Chi Minh City on the Nghe Bai River, Long Tau River, Nha Be River, Du River, Tac Dinh Cau River, and Tac Roi Creek is limited as follows:

a) From the two farthest points of the Nghe Bai River mouth, running along both banks of the Nghe Bai River, Long Tau River, and Nha Be River to the Red Light Cape. Excluding the port water area of Dong Nai on the Nha Be River and Long Tau River managed by the Dong Nai Maritime Port Office, which is limited by a line perpendicular to the right side of the navigation channel of the Long Tau River at the farthest point of the left bank of the intersection of the Dong Tran River and Long Tau River, running along the bank of the river belonging to Dong Nai Province and the edge of the navigation channel of the Long Tau River - Nha Be River upstream from the 186 fuel depot by 200 meters (upstream direction).

b) From the two farthest points of the Du River mouth (at the intersection of the Du River and Nghe Bai River) running along both banks of the Du River to the intersection of the Du River and Tac Dinh Cau River, running along both banks of Tac Dinh Cau River, and Tac Roi Creek (from the intersection of Tac Dinh Cau River and Tac Roi Creek to the intersection of Tac Roi Creek and Long Tau River).

4. The scope of the port water area of Ho Chi Minh City on the Dong Tran River, Go Gia River, Tac Ong Cu River, Tac Bai River, and Tac Cu River is limited as follows:

From the two farthest points of the Go Gia River mouth (at the intersection of the Go Gia River, Cai Me River, and Thi Vai River) running along both banks of the Go Gia River to the upper limit boundary at the latitude 10°35'00" N (at the intersection of the Go Gia River, Ba Giỏi River, and Tac Cu River) and running along both banks of the Tac Ong Cu River, Tac Bai River, and Tac Cu River to the intersection of the Tac Ong Cu River and Dong Tran River and the entire Dong Tran River.

5. The scope of the port water area of Ho Chi Minh City on the Dong Nai River is limited as follows:

From the intersection of the Dong Nai River, Nha Be River, and Sai Gon River (Red Light Cape) running along both banks of the Dong Nai River to the line intersecting the intersection of the Dong Nai River from the two farthest points of Tac Thay Bai (Ong Com Island) and Long Truong Commune. The boundary between the Dong Nai River and the Sau River is a line intersecting the Sau River determined by the line connecting two points with the following coordinates (HCM6: 10°46’06.69” N, 106°48’22.52” E and HCM7: 10°45’46.53” N, 106°48’22.11” E).).

6. The scope of the port water area of Ho Chi Minh City on the Sai Gon River is limited as follows:

From the intersection of the Sai Gon River, Nha Be River, and Dong Nai River (Red Light Cape) running along both banks of the Sai Gon River to the line intersecting the river at the edge of Ben Nghé Creek downstream.

7. The scope of the port water area of Ho Chi Minh City - Long An - Tien Giang on the Soai Rap River is limited as follows:

From the Soai Rap River mouth area and point HCM5 specified in Clause 2 of this Article, running along both banks of the Soai Rap River to the intersection of the Soai Rap River and Nha Be River (Binh Khanh Intersection).

8. The boundaries of the branches of rivers and creeks entering the rivers specified in Clauses 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of this Article are limited by the straight line connecting the two farthest points of the river branch or creek entrance. For the Rach Dau Creek and Dong Dien River, the boundaries are the downstream safety corridors of Phu Xuan Bridge and Dong Dien Bridge. For the Vam Co River, the boundary is the meridian 106°43'41"E.

9. The boundaries of the port water area specified in this Circular are determined on the Hydrographic Charts published in 2016 (numbers: VN3GR001, VN300025, VN4DN001, VN4DT001, VN4DT002, VN4DT003, VN4DT004, VN4SG002, VN4SG003, VN4SR001, VN4SR002) of the Southern Marine Safety Assurance Corporation, updated to the latest version in 2020. The coordinates of the points, meridians, and parallels specified in this Article apply to the VN-2000 coordinate system and are converted to the WGS-84 coordinate system as set forth in the Appendix attached to this Circular.

Article 3. Pilot reception areas, quarantine zones, anchorage areas, cargo transfer areas, storm shelters, and other related water areas

The Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration shall organize the announcement of pilot reception areas, quarantine zones, anchorage areas, cargo transfer areas, and storm shelters for vessels entering and leaving seaports within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, Tien Giang Province, and other relevant water areas as prescribed.

Article 4. Responsibilities of the Ho Chi Minh City Marine Port Supervision Authority and related port supervision authorities

1. The Ho Chi Minh City Marine Port Supervision Authority shall be responsible for:

a) Implementing tasks and powers as stipulated in the Vietnam Maritime Code and related legal documents concerning maritime activities at wharfs and waters of seaports within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, and Tien Giang Province.

b) Based on actual conditions regarding meteorological and hydrological conditions, draft depth, and vessel load capacity, nature of cargo, designate specific positions for vessels to receive and deliver pilots, undergo quarantine, anchor, transfer cargo, and avoid storms in accordance with regulations, ensuring maritime safety, maritime security, and prevention of environmental pollution.

c) Processing procedures for vessels entering and leaving wharfs and waters of seaports within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, and Tien Giang Province.

d) Inform the Vung Tau Marine Port Supervision Authority about the name, nationality, call sign, main technical specifications, and other necessary information of vessels, at least two hours before the vessels arrive at the Vung Tau pilot reception area; the movement of vessels from positions designated by the Vung Tau Marine Port Supervision Authority to enter the waters of Ho Chi Minh City seaport must be informed at least one hour before the vessels leave their positions.

đ) Cooperate with the Vung Tau Marine Port Supervision Authority to ensure maritime order, maritime safety, maritime security, and prevention of environmental pollution for vessels entering and leaving seaports within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, and Tien Giang Province but which must receive and deliver pilots, undergo quarantine, anchor, and avoid storms in the waters of seaports within the jurisdiction of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

e) Based on actual conditions regarding weather, waves, draft depth, and vessel load capacity when entering and leaving wharfs and berths on Dong Nai River, Nha Be River, Long Tau River within the jurisdiction of Dong Nai Province and Binh Duong Province, but which must anchor and avoid storms in the waters of Ho Chi Minh City seaport, designate specific positions for vessels to anchor and avoid storms, and inform the Dong Nai Marine Port Supervision Authority at least one hour after receiving notification, and must report back to the Dong Nai Marine Port Supervision Authority.

2. The Vung Tau Marine Port Supervision Authority shall be responsible for designating specific positions for vessels to receive and deliver pilots, undergo quarantine, anchor, transfer cargo, and avoid storms in the waters of seaports within the jurisdiction of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province based on actual conditions regarding weather, waves, draft depth, and vessel load capacity when entering and leaving seaports within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, and Tien Giang Province, ensuring maritime safety, maritime security, and prevention of environmental pollution, and informing the Ho Chi Minh City Marine Port Supervision Authority at least one hour before the vessels arrive at the pilot reception area.

3. The Dong Nai Marine Port Supervision Authority shall be responsible for:

a) Informing the Ho Chi Minh City Marine Port Supervision Authority about the name, nationality, call sign, main technical specifications, and other necessary information of vessels entering and leaving wharfs and berths with routes passing through the waters of seaports within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, and Tien Giang Province, at least two hours before the vessels arrive at the waters of seaports within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, and Tien Giang Province. For vessels leaving wharfs and berths on Nha Be River and Long Tau River within the jurisdiction of Dong Nai Province, they must be informed before the vessels leave the wharfs and berths.

b) Cooperating with the Ho Chi Minh City Marine Port Supervision Authority to ensure maritime order, maritime safety, maritime security, and prevention of environmental pollution for vessels entering and leaving wharfs and berths on Dong Nai River, Nha Be River, and Long Tau River within the jurisdiction of Dong Nai Province and Binh Duong Province but which must anchor and avoid storms in the waters of seaports within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, and Tien Giang Province.

4. In cases where incidents involving vessels occur in the waters of seaports managed by which marine port supervision authority, that marine port supervision authority shall take the lead in resolving them according to the law. If incidents occur at the boundary waters of seaports managed by two marine port supervision authorities, the marine port supervision authority where the vessels enter and leave the wharfs and berths shall take the lead in resolving them.

Article 5. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from October 1, 2020.

2. Repeal Circular No. 02/2015/TT-BGTVT dated February 25, 2015, of the Minister of Transport announcing the waters of Ho Chi Minh City seaport and the management area of the Ho Chi Minh City Marine Port Supervision Authority.

3. Repeal part of the waters of Tien Giang seaport specified in point a Clause 1 and the waters of Long An seaport specified in Clause 4 Article 2 of Circular No. 55/2015/TT-BGTVT dated September 29, 2015, of the Minister of Transport announcing the waters of seaports within the jurisdiction of Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Long An Provinces, and the management area of My Tho Marine Port Supervision Authority, which according to this Circular belong to the waters of Ho Chi Minh City - Long An - Tien Giang seaport on Soai Rap River.

Article 6. Implementation Organization

The Head of the Ministry's Office, the Inspector General of the Ministry, Heads of Departments, Directors of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, Directors of the Vietnam Inland Waterway Administration, Directors of the Department of Transport of Ho Chi Minh City, Directors of the Department of Transport of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Directors of the Department of Transport of Dong Nai Province, Directors of the Department of Transport of Binh Duong Province, Directors of the Department of Transport of Long An Province, Directors of the Department of Transport of Tien Giang Province, Directors of the Ho Chi Minh City Marine Port Supervision Authority, Directors of the Vung Tau Marine Port Supervision Authority, Directors of the Dong Nai Marine Port Supervision Authority, Directors of the Dong Thap Marine Port Supervision Authority, Heads of agencies, organizations, and individuals concerned shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

Place of Receipt:
- As Article 6;

- The Minister of Transport;
- Supreme People's Court;
- Supreme People's Procuracy;
- Government Office;
- Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government-affiliated agencies;
- People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities;
Deputy Ministers of the Ministry of Transport;
- Ministry of Justice's Legal Documents Inspection Department;
- Official Gazette;
- Government Electronic Portal;
Electronic portal of the Ministry of Transport;
Transport News, Transport Journal;
- To be filed: VT, PC.

DEPUTY MINISTER
DEPUTY MINISTER

(Signed)


Nguyen Van Cong

ANNEX

CONVERSION OF COORDINATE SYSTEMS FOR LOCATIONS

(Pursuant to Circular No. /2020/TT-BGTVT dated / / 2020 of the Minister of Transport) of the Ministry of Transport)

LOCATION/ROAD

VN-2000 System

Meridian axis 106, projection zone 30

WGS-84 System
Latitude (N) Longitude (E) Latitude (N) Longitude (E)
HCM1 10°25’10” 106°58’12” 10°25’06.3” 106°58’18.5”
HCM2 10°24’00” 107°00’00” 10°23’56.3” 107°00’06.5”
HCM3 10°15'00" 107°00'00" 10°14’56.3” 107°00’06.5”
HCM4 10°15'00" 106°49'30" 10°14’56.3” 106°49’36.5”
HCM5 10°16’07” 106°45’20” 10°16’03.3” 106°45’26.5”
HCM6 10°46’06.69” 106°48’22.52” 10°46’02.99” 106°48’29.02''
HCM7 10°45’46.53” 106°48’22.11” 10°45’42.83” 106°48’28.61”
Meridian line 106°58’12” 106°58’18.4''
Meridian line 106°43’41” 106°43’47,5''
Parallel line 10°35’00” 10°34’56.3”

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18/2020/TT-BGTVT
Circular No. 18/2020/TT-BGTVT on the announcement of the waters of the seaports within the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, Long An Province, Tien Giang Province, and the management area of the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Branch
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