Tran De to Con Dao Ferry (2026): Superdong Speedboat

Riding the Tran De to Con Dao ferry represents the shortest, most economical, and most popular maritime route to Vietnam’s legendary offshore archipelago. Departing from Tran De commercial port in Soc Trang province at the southern mouth of the Hau River, modern high-speed passenger vessels navigate 54 nautical miles (roughly 100 kilometers) across the South China Sea to dock at Ben Dam Port on Con Son Island. This route provides a dependable alternative to domestic flights for travelers journeying through the Mekong Delta.

Ferry Timetable & Ticket Fares

Terminal Logistics & Boarding Procedures

1. Tran De Departure Terminal (Soc Trang)

The ferry pier (Ben tau Superdong Tran De) is situated in Dau Giong hamlet, Tran De district, approximately 35 kilometers southeast of Soc Trang City and 85 kilometers from Can Tho:

• From Soc Trang City Center: Superdong operates an air-conditioned shuttle bus from its booking office at 193 Le Hong Phong street directly to Tran De pier. The 45-minute transfer costs 40,000 VND ($1.60 USD) and leaves at 06:15 for the 08:00 boat. A private taxi (Mai Linh) costs 350,000 to 420,000 VND ($14.00 – $16.80 USD).
• From Can Tho: Take a local FUTA bus or private car down QL1A and QL91B to Soc Trang (1.5 hours, 80,000 VND / $3.20 USD), then connect via shuttle, or charter a direct private 7-seat car from Can Tho hotels to Tran De pier for 1,100,000 to 1,400,000 VND ($44.00 – $56.00 USD).
• Terminal Facilities: Tran De terminal features covered waiting areas, clean restrooms, ticket printing counters, and small food stalls selling banh mi (20,000 VND / $0.80 USD) and iced milk coffee (ca phe sua da, 15,000 VND / $0.60 USD).

2. Ben Dam Arrival Port (Con Dao)

Ferries arrive at Ben Dam Port on the southwestern tip of Con Son Island, nestled beneath scenic green peaks 12 kilometers from Con Son town center:

• Ferry Shuttle Vans: Shared 16-seat shuttle vans wait at the pier exit, transferring passengers directly to town hotels along Ton Duc Thang or Nguyen Hue street for 50,000 VND ($2.00 USD) per person.
• Metered Taxis: Mai Linh and Con Dao Taxi operate sedans and SUVs at the pier. A private metered transfer to Con Son town costs 160,000 to 220,000 VND ($6.40 – $8.80 USD) and takes 15 to 20 minutes along a spectacular coastal cliff road.
• Luggage Deposit: Luggage up to 20 kg per passenger is included free in the ticket and stored in the vessel’s rear cargo hold.

Weather & Open-Sea Crossing Realities

Because Tran De sits at the delta mouth, the initial 30 minutes pass through river waters before entering open sea:

• Calm Water Window (March to September): During the southwest monsoon and transitional months, the South China Sea south of the delta is calm, providing smooth, level sailing with minimal motion. This is the optimal season for marine wildlife and sea turtle nesting tours.
• Northeast Wind Season (November to February): Strong winter trade winds generate rough 1.5 to 2.5-meter ocean swells. Passengers prone to motion sickness should take anti-nausea medication (sold at port ticket kiosks for 10,000 VND / $0.40 USD) 30 minutes prior to boarding.
• Weather Cancellations: During tropical depressions or storms exceeding Beaufort Force 7, port authorities suspend ferry operations. Tickets are fully refunded or rescheduled to the next operating departure.

Motorcycle Transport to Con Dao

Superdong carries a limited number of motorbikes on lower outdoor decks. Transporting a semi-automatic scooter costs 250,000 to 300,000 VND ($10.00 – $12.00 USD) one-way, with an additional 50,000 VND ($2.00 USD) porter handling fee at each pier. You must present vehicle registration papers (ca-vet xe) and drain most petrol from the tank before loading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to Go Next

Upon reaching the island, select beachfront resorts and town hotels in our where to stay in Con Dao guide, review comprehensive island sights in our Con Dao travel guide, compare sea vs air options in how to get to Con Dao: flight vs ferry, compare alternative fast catamarans in Vung Tau to Con Dao ferry, or review mainland staging hotels in where to stay in Soc Trang.