Vung Tau to Con Dao Ferry (2026): Express Catamaran

Taking the Vung Tau to Con Dao ferry is the most popular sea passage linking Greater Ho Chi Minh City and the southern coastal region to Con Son Island. Operated by state-of-the-art double-hull catamarans departing from Cau Da Port in Vung Tau, this high-speed maritime service navigates 97 nautical miles (approximately 180 kilometers) across the East Sea to dock at Ben Dam Port. For travelers wishing to avoid high airfares or experience ocean travel, this modern catamaran offers comfort and sweeping maritime views.

Ferry Timetable & Pricing Tiers

Terminal Logistics & Boarding Points

1. Cau Da Port Departure (Vung Tau)

The ferry departs from Cau Da Port (Cang Cau Da) located at 09 Ha Long street in Ward 2, Vung Tau City. The terminal features automated ticket gates, an indoor waiting hall with air conditioning, charging stations, and clean restrooms:

• Connecting from Ho Chi Minh City: Express limousine vans (such as Hoa Mai, Huy Hoang, or Toan Thang) depart central Saigon (District 1 and Tan Son Nhat Airport) every 15 to 30 minutes via the Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway. The 2-hour trip costs 180,000 to 220,000 VND ($7.20 – $8.80 USD). Request to be dropped directly at Cau Da Port.
• Boarding Protocol: Passenger check-in opens 60 minutes prior to departure and closes 15 minutes before casting off. Have your original passport or Vietnamese citizen card ready for identity scanning.

2. Ben Dam Port Arrival (Con Dao)

Catamarans tie up at the deep-water jetty of Ben Dam Port, 12 kilometers southwest of Con Son town center:

• Port Transfer Shuttles: Ferry company electric shuttle buses and 16-seat Ford Transits line the dock to transfer passengers to town hotels along Ton Duc Thang or Vo Thi Sau street for a flat rate of 50,000 VND ($2.00 USD).
• Taxis: Metered taxis (Mai Linh and Con Dao Taxi) charge 160,000 to 220,000 VND ($6.40 – $8.80 USD) for 4-seater cars, making them practical for small groups or families with heavy dive bags.

Vessel Amenities & Open-Sea Stability

The Con Dao Express 36 is an advanced European-standard twin-hull vessel designed specifically for open-ocean transit:

• Roll-Reduction Technology: The twin-hull catamaran design significantly dampens side-to-side rolling compared to conventional single-hull boats. However, during the winter northeast monsoon (December to February), ocean swells can reach 2 to 3 meters. Taking motion sickness pills (15,000 VND / $0.60 USD) 45 minutes prior to departure is prudent.
• In-Cabin Features: Cabins feature ergonomic seats, wide legroom, USB phone charging points, LED television screens, and clean Western-style vacuum toilets. Free bottled water and wet towels are distributed upon boarding.
• Luggage Regulations: Each passenger ticket includes up to 20 kilograms of luggage. Excess luggage or sports equipment costs 30,000 to 50,000 VND ($1.20 – $2.00 USD) per piece.

Motorcycle Transport Guidelines

Motorbikes can be transported on designated cargo decks. Transporting a 110cc to 125cc scooter costs 350,000 to 450,000 VND ($14.00 – $18.00 USD) one-way, plus a 50,000 VND ($2.00 USD) dock loading fee. Motorbike slots must be reserved at least 3 days in advance at the Cau Da ticket office.

Terminal Boarding Protocol & Electronic Ticketing

Modern transit networks across Vietnam operate predominantly on paperless verification. Knowing the boarding routine prevents confusion at crowded transport hubs:

• Digital QR Code Check-in: Vietnam Railways (dsvn.vn) and major intercity coach operators (FUTA Bus Lines, Interbus, Hai Van) issue digital boarding vouchers directly to your smartphone. You do not need to print physical boarding passes. Present the PDF confirmation or SMS reservation code alongside your original passport at platform ticket barriers 20 to 30 minutes before departure.
• Luggage Allowances & Cargo Handling: Standard express limousine vans allocate space for one 20kg checked suitcase plus a small daypack per passenger inside rear cargo compartments. Vietnam Railways permits up to 20kg of personal luggage per ticket without surcharge. High-speed ferries to Con Dao and Phu Quoc enforce a 15kg carry-on limit, with oversized diving duffels requiring a nominal excess baggage fee of 30,000–50,000 VND at pier scales.
• Highway Rest Stop Realities (Trạm Dừng Chân): Overland coach journeys exceeding 3 hours schedule mandatory 20-minute rest breaks at commercial highway complexes (such as those along Expressways CT01 and CT02). These facilities feature clean Western-style restrooms, hot food noodle stalls (phở, bánh mì), and convenience marts. Note your bus license plate number carefully, as dozens of identical green or red coaches park simultaneously in busy transit lots.
• Arrival Station Scam Prevention: When disembarking at provincial railway terminals or bus plazas, bypass aggressive freelance drivers who crowd exit doors whispering flat rates. Proceed directly to marked taxi pickup bays to hire metered Mai Linh cabs, or book via ride-hailing applications (Grab, Be) where fares and routes remain digitally locked.

Vehicle Class & Operator Comparison (2026 Fleet Standards)

Choosing between competing transit categories determines your journey comfort and travel duration. Review how different fleet options compare across major routes:

Transit Booking Windows & Holiday Peak Fares

Fare pricing and seat availability fluctuate significantly around national public holidays. Following these timing rules guarantees confirmed reservations:

• Standard Advance Reservation Windows: Regular weekend departures should be reserved 3 to 7 days ahead through reputable digital platforms (such as 12Go Asia or Vexere). For standard mid-week journeys outside holiday cycles, reserving 24 to 48 hours in advance provides ample seat selection.
• Tet Holiday & Peak National Festivities: During the Lunar New Year (Tet Nguyen Dan, occurring in late January or February) and Reunification Day week (April 30 – May 1), rail tickets open 60 days in advance and sell out within hours. Intercity coach companies apply legal holiday surcharges of 30% to 50% to cover empty return legs. Book your transportation before locking in non-refundable hotel stays during these peak dates.
• Child Fares & Family Policies: Vietnam Railways offers free travel for children under 6 years old sharing a berth with an adult; children aged 6 to 10 receive a 25% discount on passenger tickets. On luxury limousine vans, children occupying their own leather seat pay full adult fare regardless of age. High-speed boat services provide discounted youth tickets for children measuring under 1.2 meters in height.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to Go Next

Plan your island accommodation with our where to stay in Con Dao guide, explore hiking trails and turtle nesting beaches in our Con Dao travel guide, compare flight vs boat logistics in how to get to Con Dao: flight vs ferry, evaluate shorter Delta sea routes via Tran De to Con Dao ferry, or review coastal lodging in our where to stay in Vung Tau directory.