Cat Lai Port — Vietnam's Largest Container Terminal
The busiest container terminal in Vietnam, handling over 80% of Ho Chi Minh City's ocean freight. Direct services to USA, Europe, and Asia.
Cat Lai is Vietnam’s gateway for southern manufacturing — a river port connecting the Mekong industrial heartland to every major trade lane on the planet.
~6M TEU
Annual Capacity
Ho Chi Minh City
Location
80%+
Of Southern Vietnam Cargo
Direct USA
Services Available
Port Overview
Located on the Dong Nai River, 15 km from Ho Chi Minh City’s city center, Cat Lai is operated by Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP) — Vietnam’s largest port operator. The terminal features 10+ container berths and acts as the primary export gateway for Vietnam’s manufacturing heartland across Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An, and HCMC itself.
Note: River draft restrictions mean ultra-large container ships (ULCS) transship via Cai Mep–Thi Vai deep-water port. Large-vessel direct USA services depart from Cai Mep.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP) |
| Location | Dong Nai River, HCMC — 15 km from city center |
| Annual Capacity | ~6 million TEU |
| Berths | 10+ container berths |
| Vessel Size | Up to 4,000 TEU (river draft restrictions) |
| Connections | Feeder to Cai Mep for ULCS vessels |
| Industrial Zones Served | Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An, HCMC |
What Ships Through Here?
Garments & Apparel
Vietnam is the world's 3rd largest garment exporter. Cat Lai handles the bulk of southern Vietnam's clothing exports.
Electronics & Tech
Consumer electronics, components, and accessories from HCMC-area factories destined for US and European markets.
Footwear
Vietnam is the 2nd largest footwear exporter globally. Cat Lai moves millions of pairs of shoes every month.
Furniture & Homewares
Wood furniture, rattan goods, and home accessories from Vietnam's booming furniture manufacturing sector.
Agricultural Products
Rice, coffee, cashews, seafood — Vietnam's food exports flow through Cat Lai to global supermarkets.
Factory Inspection & QC
Pre-shipment quality inspections at Vietnamese factories. Catch issues before your products leave the factory.
Machinery & Parts
Industrial machinery, auto parts, and manufacturing equipment heading in and out of Vietnam's factories.
Shipping Services Available
Full Container Load (FCL)
Book your own 20ft or 40ft container direct from Cat Lai. Best for regular high-volume shippers.
Less than Container Load (LCL)
Share a container with other shippers. Flexible for smaller volumes and first-time importers.
US Customs Clearance
Licensed US Customs Broker services — ISF filing, entry, bond, and delivery coordination.
Door-to-Door Delivery
Factory pickup in Vietnam, export clearance, ocean freight, US import clearance, and final delivery to your warehouse.
Cai Mep Feeder Service
Transshipment via Cai Mep–Thi Vai for ultra-large vessel direct USA services.
Cargo Insurance
Comprehensive marine cargo insurance for your Vietnam shipments. All-risk and named-peril options.
Planning Your Shipment
Cai Mep vs Cat Lai
For direct USA West Coast calls on ultra-large vessels, use Cai Mep. Cat Lai is ideal for feeder connections and regional trade.
Book Early — Especially Pre-Holiday
Space fills fast before Chinese New Year and US holiday season. Book 4–6 weeks ahead for peak periods.
ISF Filing Deadline
US imports require ISF (Importer Security Filing) at least 24 hours before vessel departure. FreightVietnam handles this for you.
Ready to Ship from Vietnam?
FreightVietnam — air freight, ocean freight, and US customs clearance from Vietnamese factory to your warehouse door. Licensed US Customs Broker. Vietnam freight specialists.