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First printed July 2022 | Phrases and photographs by Vietnam Coracle
Tom Divers is the founder & creator of Vietnam Coracle. He’s lived, travelled & labored in Vietnam since 2005. Born in London, he travelled from an early age – his first journey to Vietnam was in 1999 – visiting over 40 international locations. Now, at any time when he has the chance to make a visit, he hardly ever seems past Vietnam’s borders & his trusty motorcycle, Stavros. Learn extra about Tom on the About Web page, Vietnam Instances and ASE Podcast.
A quick ferry route linking the mainland seaside metropolis of Vũng Tàu with the distant island of Côn Sơn, within the magical Côn Đảo Archipelago, this sea crossing is a superb various to flying for travellers preferring a voyage to a flight, or who worth an expertise over comfort. I like boat journeys and, within the case of the Côn Đảo Islands, I can’t consider a extra spectacular introduction to this archipelago than arriving by ship. The Côn Đảo Islands have grown in recognition over the previous few years and extra quick boat connections to the mainland have opened to fulfill demand. However another excuse is that Côn Sơn Island’s airport will shut for a number of months in 2023 for an improve, that means that the one option to attain the Côn Đảo will probably be by sea. The present boat holds 500-600 passengers, however a brand new vessel is about to function on the route with capability for over 1,000 passengers.
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On this web page, I’ve written an entire information to taking the specific ferry between Vũng Tàu and Côn Sơn Island, within the Côn Đảo Archipelago. I’ve included a map and all related data for travellers on this ferry route. To e-book tickets, you may assist assist my web site by utilizing the Baolau.com hyperlinks and search containers on this web page. Alternatively, go to the Côn Đảo Specific web site or Fb web page. Be aware that the crusing schedule modifications recurrently and a brand new, a lot greater and sooner ship is nearly to begin working on this route, later in 2022. Click on from the contents beneath:
CONTENTS:
Route Map
About this Ferry
Instances & Costs
Reserving Tickets
Departure & Arrival Ports
The Boats
The Voyage
Associated Guides
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I by no means obtain cost for something I write: all my content material is free to learn & independently financed. There’s no sponsored content material by any means. When you like this information, please contemplate making a donation or changing into a patron.
Thanks, Tom
Vung Tau→Con Dao Specific Ferry
View LARGER MAP
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About this Ferry:
Operated by Côn Đảo Specific (the identical firm that run Phú Quốc Specific), the quick boat between Vũng Tàu and Côn Sơn Island has been working for not less than a few years now, changing the previous sluggish ferry. Nevertheless, the ferry route has been disrupted by the pandemic for the final two years and frequent unhealthy climate has brought about lengthy intervals with out operation. However now, the route is absolutely operational, with a reasonably common schedule, a surge in passenger numbers and on the cusp of introducing a model new vessel, which can improve passenger capability and lower journey time dramatically, in addition to having the ability to sail throughout stormy situations.
What makes this ferry route interesting to me (aside from the truth that I like taking boats), is that it’s the closest sea connection to the Côn Đảo Islands from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh Metropolis), the place I reside. Within the comparatively close to future, there will probably be a direct ferry service between Saigon and Côn Đảo, however till then the Vũng Tàu boat is the most suitable choice. This will probably be notably vital for travellers in 2023, as a result of the airport on Côn Sơn Island is because of shut for a number of months for an improve, that means the one option to get to the islands will probably be by sea. Therefore the current improve in ferry routes to Côn Đảo from the mainland: it’s now doable to sail straight from Vũng Tàu, Cần Thơ, and Trần Đề (in Sóc Trăng Province).
Sadly, due to the present crusing schedule, it’s not fairly doable to hyperlink the Vũng Tàu→Côn Đảo ferry straight with the Saigon→Vũng Tàu ferry, thus creating an entire ferry route Saigon→Vũng Tàu→Côn Đảo. The arrival and departure instances don’t fairly synchronize. Nor do the crusing instances for the Cần Giờ→Vũng Tàu ferry. Which means you basically must journey to Vũng Tàu the evening earlier than departure on the ferry to Côn Đảo. However this isn’t an issue as Vũng Tàu is a really nice place to spend a day or two. The one option to get from Saigon to Côn Đảo in a single day through the ferry is to journey to Vũng Tàu very early within the morning, leaving Saigon at round 4.30am.
*Guide ferry tickets straight from this web page & assist assist my web site. Use the Baolau.com search field beneath to e-book your ferry tickets on the Vung Tau→Con Dao route. When you make a reserving, I obtain a small fee. All earnings go straight again into this web site. Thanks. Tom
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Instances & Costs:
Travellers ought to keep in mind that the crusing schedule on this route modifications recurrently and, throughout very tough seas, boats usually don’t sail in any respect – typically for days, even weeks, at a time. Beneath is the crusing schedule on the time of analysis (July, 2022). Frequency will probably improve very quickly with the arrival of a second, a lot bigger vessel on this route, someday in 2022. The brand new ship must also considerably cut back journey time, which is presently between 4-5 hours (extra if situations are tough). The present ship has capability for 500-600 passengers; the brand new one will probably be over 1,000 passengers. Automobiles, motorbikes and (so far as I do know) bicycles are not permitted on the boats. Ticket costs are larger from Friday to Sunday and on public holidays:
Crusing Schedule:
Route | Departure Time |
Vũng Tàu→Côn Đảo | 8am (Mon, Wed, Fri, Solar) |
Côn Đảo→Vũng Tàu | 1pm (Tues, Thurs, Sat) |
Ticket Costs:
Day | Ticket Value |
Monday to Thursday | 790,000vnđ |
Friday to Sunday & public holidays | 950,000vnđ |
*There’s additionally a VIP ticket choice (1,200,000vnđ) for a bigger seat in a personal cabin with extra leg room (not price the additional price, in my view). There are lowered charges for youngsters and the aged (630,000vnđ/760,000vnđ) and passengers with disabilities (550,000vnđ/665,000vnđ). To examine the most recent schedule and costs both use the search field beneath or go to the Con Dao Specific web site.
*Guide ferry tickets straight from this web page & assist assist my web site. Use the Baolau.com search field beneath to e-book your ferry tickets on the Vung Tau→Con Dao route. When you make a reserving, I obtain a small fee. All earnings go straight again into this web site. Thanks. Tom
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Reserving Tickets:
Reserving tickets must be a reasonably hassle-free course of. Travellers can e-book on-line or in-person. Attempt to e-book not less than a couple of days or every week upfront, particularly throughout the peak summer season months and public holidays, throughout which tickets can promote out quick.
On-line: You possibly can e-book by way of Baolau.com utilizing the hyperlink or search field beneath. Alternatively, go to the Côn Đảo Specific web site and e-book there. Each platforms assist most types of on-line cost.
In Particular person: Côn Đảo Specific has a ticket workplace on the port in Vũng Tàu (map) and in Côn Sơn city (map). Keep in mind to deliver your passport when making a reserving.
*Guide ferry tickets straight from this web page & assist assist my web site. Use the Baolau.com search field beneath to e-book your ferry tickets on the Vung Tau→Con Dao route. When you make a reserving, I obtain a small fee. All earnings go straight again into this web site. Thanks. Tom
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Departure & Arrival Ports:
In Vũng Tàu, the Cầu Đá ferry port is conveniently situated and fairly trendy; on Côn Sơn Island, Bến Đầm port is fairly inconveniently situated, however completely spectacular. Nevertheless, the latter is because of change very quickly, as a result of the brand new Bến Tàu Khách ferry port is scheduled to open in August, 2022, proper on the bay that fronts Con Son city: a way more handy arrival and departure level and equally scenic to its predecessor. See beneath for extra about all three ports:
Vũng Tàu: Cầu Đá Port [MAP]
Simply north of fairly Bãi Trước seaside, Cầu Đá port is about as central as you will be on the Vũng Tàu seafront. Simply accessible by motorcycle taxi, journey hailing automobile, on even on foot alongside the enticing seafront highway, Cầu Đá is a fairly weird trendy construction – presumably representing waves or ripples on the ocean – jutting over the ocean. There’s a gasoline station, quick meals eating places, cafes, long- and short-term motorcycle and automobile parking, and ticket kiosks. It must be pretty straightforward to navigate for many travellers. The Côn Đảo Specific ticket workplace is simply contained in the central entrance entrance; parking is on the fitting of the principle port constructing as you enter from the highway; the ferry pier is on the north finish of the port advanced. Metered taxis queue as much as meet the boats or you may e-book a pick-up by way of a journey hailing app, similar to Seize. You probably have your personal wheels, the long-term parking zone has its day/evening charges clearly listed in English as you enter the lot. Total, the expertise of utilizing this port must be straightforward and environment friendly.
Côn Sơn Island: Bến Đầm Port [MAP]
Means down within the southwestern nook of Côn Sơn Island, Bến Đầm port is spectacularly situated in a lagoon of blue water enveloped by jungle-clad hills. It’s a magical introduction to the Côn Đảo Islands. Nevertheless, Bến Đầm is over 10km from Côn Sơn city, the place many of the island’s lodging is. Arrival and departure from the port is fairly simple, though it’s fairly an extended stroll up/down the pier for those who’re carrying lots of baggage within the warmth or rain. Taxis, motorcycle taxis and electrical buggies meet the boats. Costs for the journey alongside the gorgeous coast highway to Côn Sơn city must be between 100,000-300,000vnđ relying on the transportation technique and variety of individuals. However, for those who’ve booked a lodge upfront, they may be capable of organize a decide up for you (for an added cost). There are snack retailers clustered across the port entrance and an echoey ferry terminal with indoor seating and ticket counters. Total, Bến Đầm port is purposeful however probably not a spot to linger. Simply as nicely that the brand new ferry port will probably be opening quickly (see beneath).
Côn Sơn City: Bến Tàu Khách [MAP]
Scheduled to open in August, 2022, the brand new Bến Tàu Khách port is situated proper on the seafront of Côn Sơn city, on the centre of the east coast of the island. The port has been below development for a lot of, a few years, so I wouldn’t put cash on it really opening in August, but it surely appears extremely probably it will open a while in 2022. Typically, that is excellent news for guests, as a result of the brand new port will probably be a lot extra conveniently situated: strolling distance from many of the lodging on the island, that are clustered alongside Côn Sơn city’s fairly seafront highway or quiet backstreets. Nevertheless, the brand new port is a little bit of an eyesore in comparison with the low-key, low-rise, colonial-era buildings that characterize a lot of the remainder of the city. One other concern may be that with increasingly, greater and greater specific boats arriving on the island, there’s a threat that relocating the port to the city may result’s an increase in water air pollution on this stunning bay. Anyway, when it opens, ferries will dock on the finish of a really lengthy pier stretching into the ocean with a shocking backdrop of mountains and jungle. The terminal constructing – one other trendy ‘wavy’ construction – can have seating, ticket kiosks and snack retailers.
*Guide ferry tickets straight from this web page & assist assist my web site. Use the Baolau.com search field beneath to e-book your ferry tickets on the Vung Tau→Con Dao route. When you make a reserving, I obtain a small fee. All earnings go straight again into this web site. Thanks. Tom
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The Boats:
The one boat presently working on the Vũng Tàu→Côn Đảo route is Trưng Nhị, a two-storey catamaran vessel painted crimson with white stripes, run by Côn Đảo Specific. The boat has a capability of 500-600 passengers in coach-style seating on reclining comfortable chairs over two decks. Nevertheless, a brand new, a lot greater vessel, additionally operated by Côn Đảo Specific, is because of begin crusing this route very quickly. This ship, the Thăng Lengthy, can have virtually twice the capability – over 1,000 passengers – throughout three deck ranges, making it the most important quick ferry presently working in Vietnam. Certainly, press photographs of the Thăng Lengthy vessel make it look extra like a Russian oligarch’s yacht than a quick ferry.
The seating is ok and fairly snug, however a bit tight if, for instance, you need to work in your laptop computer (lap room is dramatically decreased if/when the passenger in entrance reclines their seat again). There are 4 columns of seating, and though there’s nothing glamourous concerning the cabins, they’re spacious and under no circumstances claustrophobic. The home windows are massive and the ceilings are excessive. Nevertheless, upstairs seating is preferable to downstairs, partly as a result of there are fewer seats, and partly as a result of upstairs passengers have simpler entry to the skin deck.
The cabins are air-conditioned with a few widescreens TVs enjoying films and pop movies, however the quantity is stored at a mercifully cheap degree. Every row of seats has two electrical sockets to cost your telephone or laptop computer. Behind the cabins, the bathrooms are stored fairly clear, and the final degree of cleanliness is pretty good. Additionally on the again, is a snack station promoting iced espresso, sodas and pot noodles. However, I’d suggest bringing your personal drinks and snacks for the 4-5 hour voyage.
The skin deck is accessed through the again door on the higher degree. A big however naked area on the stern of the ship, the deck gives some bench seating, contemporary air, picture alternatives and aid for people who smoke. The deck is closed for quarter-hour after departure and earlier than arrival, and through tough seats it stays off limits. Passengers must be very cautious whereas out on deck, as a result of the wind, waves and water make it straightforward to lose your stability and slip over.
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The Voyage:
Queuing within the shiny morning sunshine on the pier at Vũng Tàu, it’s a comparatively calm, casual boarding course of. On board, there’s a measure of quiet chaos are tons of of passengers are funneled by way of the slender door, onto the boat, standing within the aisles, stowing their baggage and discussing who sits the place. All seats are allotted on tickets, however in actuality – as is very often the case in Vietnam – seat numbers are sometimes ignored. If that is so, normally all it takes is a fast, well mannered alternate and a present of your ticket earlier than sitting in your rightful spot. The engines rev and the boat pulls away from the pier at 8am sharp. Delicately maneuvering out of port, the ferry shortly will get to hurry and cuts by way of the ocean heading due south.
The environment on board is calm and quiet, particularly as soon as cellular knowledge is out of attain: with no telephones to distract them, nearly all of passengers recline their seats and shut their eyes. Outdoors the cabin home windows, the ocean is blue, large and ruffled. Tankers stand stationary on the ocean, ready for obtainable births within the ports of Vũng Tàu and Sài Gòn. The dual hills of Vũng Tàu recede on the horizon. Quickly the ferry is on their own within the East Sea, save for the inhabitants of wind generators seen to the west within the Mekong Delta province of Trà Vinh.
The passengers come alive once more as soon as the doorways to the again deck open, roughly quarter-hour into the voyage (sea situations allowing). On the windy, sun-drenched deck, individuals mass for photographs and snacks. Nearly all passengers are Vietnamese – vacationers, pilgrims, veterans, or islanders. Only a few overseas travellers select to take the boat to the Côn Đảo Islands, preferring to fly.
In good situations, it’s a clean, satisfying, straightforward journey. The 4 hours go comfortably, with out incident: an opportunity to relaxation, to speak to your fellow passengers, to work in your laptop computer or to mirror as you watch the waves go by. The one discomfort being the naked ft in your armrest from the passengers within the row behind (a standard ‘apply’ in Vietnam, particularly among the many older technology). Nevertheless, issues are in no way at all times like this. The crossing is well-known for being tough. I used to be as soon as ‘stranded’ on Côn Sơn Island for 7 days as a result of the winds had been whipping up the ocean and no boats might run. On my return journey, the waves reached 2-3 metres and the boat’s motion was alarming at instances.
Seasickness is extra widespread amongst Vietnamese travellers than another nation I’ve visited (I’ve no concept as to why). A tangible nervousness enters the cabin when situations get tough. Vomiting is widespread. Clearly, for those who additionally endure from seasickness, the journey might be very uncomfortable. However, even for those who don’t, you may be unlucky sufficient to be sat between two passengers who’re relentlessly throwing up into paper luggage. For sure, this may be very disagreeable. However, in fact, it have to be a lot worse to your neighbours. I’ve associates who take this ferry route recurrently, and so they guarantee me it may be a harrowing expertise. What’s extra, Vietnam doesn’t precisely have a shining maritime security document. Nevertheless, in my expertise on this crossing, I’ve felt secure and in fairly good palms.
*Disclosure: I by no means obtain cost for something I write: my content material is at all times free and impartial. I’ve written this information as a result of I need to: I like this ferry and I need my readers to learn about it. For extra particulars, see my Disclosure & Disclaimer statements and my About Web page
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Questions, updates and journey stories are all welcome. Nevertheless, please preserve feedback well mannered and on-topic. See commenting etiquette for particulars.
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