Opening of high-speed ferry route from Ho Chi Minh City center to Con Dao

This morning (March 21), the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport and Thanh Thanh Phat Passenger Transport Company Limited held a ceremony to announce the waterway transport route from Ho Chi Minh City - Con Dao (Ba Ria Vung Tau province) at Bach Dang Wharf Park.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Dang - General Director of Thanh Thanh Phat Passenger Transport Company Limited, said: As one of the places with the most potential for tourism development in Vietnam, Con Dao district not only has great historical value but is also an ideal destination with pristine nature and rich marine ecosystem. However, over the past many years, traffic connecting Con Dao with provinces and cities across the country has still had many limitations, causing many difficulties for people and tourists to travel.

Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the waterway transport route from Ho Chi Minh City - Con Dao (Ba Ria Vung Tau province)

Faced with that reality, the Ho Chi Minh City - Con Dao waterway transport route was born with the mission of connecting more quickly, conveniently and safely, contributing to reducing pressure on existing transport methods, especially aviation - which depends on weather conditions and airport capacity.

When put into operation, this transport route will shorten travel time, helping people and tourists have more flexible and convenient options in their journey to Con Dao; promote tourism development, expand opportunities to explore Con Dao at a more reasonable cost, creating conditions for many tourists to access this attractive destination. At the same time, it will support trade and economic development, helping the transportation of goods and local specialties between Con Dao and the mainland to take place more quickly and conveniently.

"As the operator of this transport route, we are committed to investing in a modern fleet, ensuring safety standards, high quality, meeting the travel needs of passengers; Providing professional, dedicated services, aiming at the most comfortable and convenient experience for residents and tourists. From there, we will accompany local authorities and tourism businesses to build an increasingly developed Con Dao tourism ecosystem" - Mr. Nguyen Van Dang said.

The vehicle used is the Phu Quy Express high-speed boat, with a capacity of 374 seats, including 94 passenger seats.

Welcoming the determination of enterprises in exploiting this new passenger transport route, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport Bui Hoa An affirmed that the city pays special attention to passenger transport by waterway to develop the socio-economy and share the pressure on road traffic. In 2024, Ho Chi Minh City also exploited the fixed route Ho Chi Minh City - Con Dao, but due to some objective conditions that were not favorable for traffic access, it was temporarily suspended.

Currently, the legal foundation is available - the planning of Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi area has been adjusted from a cargo port to a passenger port, so the starting point from Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi area on the new ship route is completely convenient in terms of traffic. The operation of the Ho Chi Minh City - Con Dao transport route has received the agreement and connection of the two localities and the great attention of the people, demonstrating the development of waterway transport and waterway tourism in the city.

"I request that units continue to improve quality and service, ensure safety when traveling on the high-speed train route from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao, meeting the travel needs of people. At the same time, create conditions for socio-economic development of Ho Chi Minh City, Con Dao, and Vung Tau" - the leader of the Department of Transport directed.

280 beds on the train, serving the maximum needs of passengers

The Ho Chi Minh City - Con Dao high-speed ferry route has 374 seats, maximum 1 trip/day. The high-speed ferry will depart from Ho Chi Minh City at Saigon Port, District 4 at 7:00 am (time 5:30). The opposite direction departs from Ben Dam Fishing Port or Con Dao Passenger Port, Con Dao District at 11:30 am. The first ferry is expected to depart on March 29.

Train fares are set by the company based on seat type and passenger group. The lowest price for a seat ticket on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) is 720,000 - 990,000 VND; a sleeper ticket is 800,000 - 1,250,000 VND. On weekends (Friday to Sunday), ticket prices are adjusted higher, with the lowest seat ticket price being 790,000 VND and the highest being 1,090,000 VND. A sleeper ticket on weekends is 880,000 VND at its lowest and 1,370,000 VND at its highest.

The current fare proposed by the company includes the entrance ticket to the port and the electric car transfer from the gate to the high-speed train area. In addition, passengers can go by motorbike or car to the port in District 4 to take the high-speed train.