HCMC – A new high-speed ferry service connecting HCMC and Con Dao will begin operations on March 28, offering a direct route from Saigon Port in District 4 to the island off Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.
The HCMC Department of Transport has authorized Thanh Thanh Phat Passenger Transport Company to operate the service under a temporary permit until new regulations are introduced, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
The HCMC-Con Dao high-speed ferry will be operated using the Phu Quy Express, a vessel with a capacity of 374 passengers, making up to one trip per day.
The ferry will depart Saigon Port at 7:00 a.m. and return from Ben Dam fishing port or the Con Dao passenger terminal at 11:30 a.m. The journey is expected to take approximately five hours.
Authorities have mandated that the operator comply with maritime safety standards, fire prevention regulations, and environmental protection requirements. Ticket prices have not yet been announced, as the company is still finalizing pricing procedures.
This marks the second attempt to establish a high-speed ferry route between HCMC and Con Dao in recent years.
In May 2024, Phu Quoc Express launched a service using the Thang Long Super Ship, a larger vessel with over 1,000 seats. However, the service was suspended in July due to low passenger demand, which was largely attributed to its departure point at Hiep Phuoc Port in Nha Be District, far from the city center.
