How to take a speedboat to Con Dao island

How to take a speedboat to Con Dao island

Are you looking for a way to take a speedboat to Con Dao to experience the journey of discovering this pristine island? The article below will provide detailed instructions, from popular boat routes, schedules, ticket prices to how to book tickets and notes when traveling.

1. The most popular high-speed ferry routes to Con Dao
Below are the popular high-speed ferry routes to Con Dao that are currently chosen by many tourists:
- Route Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon Port - District 4 or Hiep Phuoc Port - Nha Be) - Con Dao
Previously, to get to Con Dao from Saigon, you had to go from Vung Tau or Soc Trang. However, the journey is now more convenient with high-speed ferry routes departing directly from Ho Chi Minh City:
Phu Quy Express: Departing from Nha Rong Wharf (District 4), the new train route will be in operation from the end of March 2025. The train has both seats and beds, travel time is about 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours, providing a more comfortable experience for tourists.
Thang Long Express: Used to operate from Hiep Phuoc Port (Nha Be), with the advantage of large capacity, more than 1,000 passengers. This route is suitable for large groups or collective travel needs.

With a speed of more than 30 nautical miles/hour, the travel time is only about 5 hours . The ship also has private beds in each cabin and air conditioning, providing a comfortable experience for passengers.
- Route Vung Tau (Cau Da Port) - Con Dao
The journey from Vung Tau to Con Dao now takes only about 3-4 hours by Con Dao Express or Thang Long speedboat, significantly shortening the previous 13 hours. The boat has a large capacity, modern amenities, ensuring comfort for passengers. Every day, the boat departs from Cau Da port (No. 9 Ha Long, Vung Tau City) and returns from Ben Dam port, Con Dao.

- Route Soc Trang (Tran De Port) - Con Dao
If you choose to travel by speedboat from Soc Trang to Con Dao, the departure point will be Tran De port. Here, there are currently two popular shipping companies serving this route: Phu Quoc Express of Con Dao Express and Superdong Con Dao.

- Route Can Tho (Ninh Kieu Wharf) - Con Dao
The Can Tho route is a convenient option for visitors from the Mekong Delta region. Currently, there are shipping companies operating such as Con Dao Express and Mai Linh Express, with a travel time of about 4 hours.

2. Summary table of schedule and ticket prices for high-speed ferry to Con Dao 2025
Note: Ticket prices may vary depending on weekdays, weekends and the type of ticket class you choose.

Departure route
Shipping line
Travel time
Flight frequency
ECO Fare (Weekday)
ECO Fare (Weekend/Holiday)
VIP Ticket Price (General)
Note
Soc Trang (Tran De) - Con Dao
Phu Quoc Express (Con Dao Express)
About 2 - 2.5 hours
2-3 trips/day
390,000 VND
450,000 VND
590,000 VND
Catamaran, less seasickness.
Superdong
About 2.5 - 3 hours
1-2 trips/day
370,000 VND
450,000 VND
-
-
Vung Tau - Con Dao
Con Dao Express 36
About 3 - 4 hours
1 trip/day (Odd days or by schedule)
790,000 VND
950,000 VND
1,100,000 - 1,200,000 VND
Thang Long Express
About 3 - 4 hours
1 trip/day (Even days or according to schedule)
790,000 VND
950,000 VND
1,000,000 - 1,100,000 VND
Large ship, capacity of more than 1,000 passengers.
Ship CQ-03 (Regular passenger ship)
About 10 - 12 hours
Few flights (About 2-3 flights/week)
390,000 - 559,000 VND
390,000 - 559,000 VND
N/A
Usually cheaper but travel time is very long.
Can Tho (Ninh Kieu) - Con Dao
Con Dao Express (Trung Nhi/Trung Trac Ship)
About 3 - 4 hours
1 trip/day
690,000 VND
690,000 VND
890,000 VND (Business)
Ticket prices can be classified by Veteran, Ex-Military.
Mai Linh Express
About 3.5 - 4 hours
1 trip/day
600,000 VND
680,000 VND
790,000 VND (Businessman), 1,500,000 VND (Head of State)
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon Port/Hiep Phuoc) - Con Dao
Phu Quy Express
About 5.5 - 6 hours
1 trip/day
Seat: 990,000 VND
Seat: 1,090,000 VND
Bed: 1,150,000 VND
There are both seat and sleeper classes.

3. Guide on how to book train tickets to Con Dao
Currently, tourists can book train tickets to Con Dao in two popular ways: buy directly at the port or book tickets online through the official website of the shipping lines.
Buy directly at the port: If you choose this method, you should arrange to arrive 30 minutes to 1 hour before the ship departs to buy tickets and ensure there are seats available. During peak season, it is best to buy tickets a few days in advance to avoid sold out.
Buy tickets online: Visit the website of the shipping company you choose, then fill in your personal information, choose the departure date and time, the number of tickets and make payment. Once completed, you will receive an electronic ticket code via email or text message. When the departure date comes, just bring the ticket code to check in.

Booking tickets online not only saves time but also helps you be more proactive in planning your trip to Con Dao.

4. Important notes to know when taking the boat to Con Dao
To make your trip to Con Dao by boat smooth and comfortable, you should note the following important things:
Book early and choose a round-trip ticket: You should buy tickets about 1 week in advance, especially during holidays, Tet or peak tourist season. Buying a round-trip ticket helps you be more proactive about time and avoid the situation of "sold out" return tickets.
Ticket prices may change: Train ticket prices may fluctuate depending on weather conditions or holidays, so you should follow information from the shipping company to plan accordingly.
Book a transfer service in advance: After booking your room and train tickets, you should contact your accommodation to book a pick-up service at the pier. This will make traveling to your accommodation easier and save time.
Prepare anti-seasickness medication: If you are prone to seasickness or have a weak constitution, prepare anti-seasickness medication and take it before the ship departs.

Pay attention to the above experiences of traveling to Con Dao to help you have an interesting experience, both relaxing and convenient for exploring this beautiful island.

5. Frequently Asked Questions
Should I go to Con Dao by speedboat or plane?
Going to Con Dao by plane is suitable for those who prioritize time, like convenience and are not too concerned about costs . It only takes about 1 hour to fly from Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho, you will be on the island.
Meanwhile, speedboats are a reasonable choice if you want to save money, enjoy the feeling of traveling on the sea and do not worry about seasickness . In addition, traveling by boat is also an interesting experience for those who love exploring travel.

How long does it take to go to Con Dao by boat?
The boat trip to Con Dao ranges from 90 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the company and route. Fast boats like Greenlines take only about 90 minutes , while the CQ-03 boat from Vung Tau takes about 3 hours.

Is the high-speed ferry route from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao operational yet?
The high-speed ferry route from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon Port, District 4) to Con Dao has officially been in operation since March 28, 2025. The ferry has a capacity of 374 seats , with a maximum of one trip per day, operated by Thanh Thanh Phat Company.

Hopefully the above information will help you better understand how to take a speedboat to Con Dao and easily plan your upcoming trip. Wishing you a safe, smooth journey and many memorable experiences in this beautiful island!

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