Houston to Ho Chi Minh City shipping route.

Ships leaving Houston for Ho Chi Minh City head north west and cover a sea distance of 11,745 nautical miles (21,752 km), via Panama Canal. The straight line between the ports is 14,923 km; coastlines and shipping lanes add the rest. On the way the vessel passes Panama Canal, so canal transit fees and waiting time at the canal are part of every voyage.

At sea, the voyage lasts 40.8 days at 12 knots, 35.0 days at 14 knots and 27.2 days at 18 knots. Liner schedules on the lane quote 38 to 51 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 11 sailings by 3 carriers (HMM, Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk).

The next option is via Suez Canal, 12,394 nautical miles, 649 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Suez Canal is congested or closed.

352 nm of the route, 3% of it, lies inside North American ECA. In an emission control area ships must burn fuel with no more than 0.1% sulphur or clean the exhaust with scrubbers. That fuel costs more, and carriers add it to the ocean freight bill as a low sulphur or ECA surcharge.

Recent freight rates for USHOU to VNSGN start at $7,640 for a 20GP and $9,075 for a 40GP ($9,140 for a 40HC). These are spot market prices from carriers that sail the lane; your quote will also include terminal handling, documentation and any bunker surcharge. At Ho Chi Minh City (VNSGN) carriers give about 4 free days before demurrage and detention charges start, so plan the truck or rail pickup before the box lands.

Of the 65 port to port routes from Houston in this directory, Ho Chi Minh City is the 62nd shortest. Closer destinations include Port Klang (11,581 nm), Haiphong (11,416 nm) and Manila (11,045 nm).