If you're in Saigon and you're a die-hard fan of the beautiful city of Vung Tau, you cannot miss the 'so hot' news about the recently launched Can Gio to Vung Tau ferry route. It's a solution for those who often travel to Vung Tau on motorbikes but are frustrated with weaving through the heavy traffic on National Highway 51, amidst smoke and dust.
So, how to travel from Can Gio to Vung Tau by ferry? Every piece of information you're looking for will be revealed in detail in this article.
1. Information about the ferry route from Can Gio to Vung Tau
Traveling from Can Gio to Vung Tau by ferry is currently a 'hot search' that has been widely sought after recently, especially by sea lovers who are even more enthusiastic about this information.
Specifically, the Can Gio - Vung Tau sea route conducted a trial run on Christmas day, December 25, 2020, and was officially inaugurated on December 29, 2020, with the official operation scheduled to begin on January 4, 2021.
Officially, the hot Can Gio to Vung Tau ferry route – Source: Nguyen Phan To Uyen
Instead of the traditional way of traveling to Vung Tau through the three routes as before:
Route 1: Take National Highway 1A, cross Dong Nai Bridge, add 30 km, you will reach the Vung Tau intersection. Then, turn right to enter National Highway 51 and continue straight for another 100 km to reach Vung Tau.
Route 2: Take the road to Cat Lai Ferry in District 2 to reach Nhon Trach, Dong Nai, then follow this route to National Highway 51, right at the Nhon Trach Industrial Park section. Then, continue straight to reach Vung Tau.
This is a popular route because there is a ferry section that avoids a motorcycle journey, and a relatively cool rubber road, which is about 20km shorter, but the road is a bit rough.
Route 3: Depending on the starting point, you can choose Route 1 or 2 to National Highway 51. However, pay attention when you encounter a sign directing you to Long Son Island, which is 27 km away from Vung Tau.
This is a shortcut to Vung Tau, also known as the secret 'how to go to Vung Tau without getting caught by the police' for many people. Moreover, this new route is spacious, less crowded, and offers beautiful scenery.
If combined with the Cat Lai Ferry route, this direction seems reasonable. However, whether there are police or not, it's advisable to drive at the right speed for safety.
Above is the 'traditional' way to go from Saigon to Vung Tau. So, how about the route from Can Gio to Vung Tau by ferry? Does it have any advantages?
The Can Gio - Vung Tau sea route has officially started operating. If you travel from Can Gio to Vung Tau, instead of the previous 2 hours, now you can save a significant amount of time, less than 30 minutes for about 15km of travel on the ferry.
The ferry route from Can Gio departs from the Tac Suat ferry terminal in Can Thanh town, Can Gio district, and arrives at the pier in Vung Tau, located near the headquarters of the Vung Tau Maritime Administration in Ward 1, Vung Tau City.
Information about the ferry route from Can Tho to Vung Tau and vice versa - Source: Internet
Therefore, traveling to Vung Tau by ferry from Can Gio is perfect for those who want a quick weekend getaway but have limited time. You can make a day trip and save both time and effort.
Even residents from provinces like Long An and Tien Giang, who want to go to Vung Tau, will only spend about 2 hours and 30 minutes (including waiting time for the ferry). This is much shorter compared to traveling by road through the expressway from Ho Chi Minh City to Long Thanh - Dau Giay to Vung Tau.
As planned, the investing unit will operate the bi-directional sea ferry service from Can Gio to Vung Tau and vice versa starting from 4 AM to 10 PM daily. The service will feature two large ferries capable of carrying 350 passengers, 100 motorcycles, 20 cars, goods, etc., with a frequency of about 24 trips per day, spaced 60 minutes apart.
Accordingly, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has proposed the ferry fare for the Can Gio - Vung Tau sea route, with a one-way ticket priced at 70,000 VND for passengers, and vehicle prices ranging from 50,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND.
Specifically, the Can Gio - Vung Tau sea ferry tickets are tailored for each passenger trip and nine types of vehicles, applicable at the Binh Khanh ferry (connecting Can Gio district and Nha Be district), as follows:
Updated fare chart for the Can Gio to Vung Tau ferry - Source: Nguyen Phan To Uyen
- Passenger: 70,000 VND/person.
- Bicycles, electric bikes, motorcycles: 50,000 VND/vehicle.
- 4-seater cars, pickup trucks, 7-9 seater cars: 350,000 VND/vehicle.
- 12-16 seater cars: 450,000 VND/vehicle.
- 17-25 seater cars: 600,000 VND/vehicle.
- 26-seater cars and above: 800,000 VND/vehicle.
- Trucks under 3 tons: 400,000 VND/vehicle.
- Trucks from 3 to under 5 tons: 600,000 VND/vehicle.
- Trucks from 5 to under 8 tons: 750,000 VND/vehicle.
- Trucks over 8 tons: 1,000,000 VND/vehicle.
- 20-feet container trucks: 1,300,000 VND.
- 40-feet container trucks: 1,500,000 VND.
2. How to get to Can Gio ferry from Saigon
To travel to Vung Tau by Can Gio ferry from the center of Ho Chi Minh City by motorbike, you can use Google Maps to reach the Tac Suat ferry terminal.
Guidance on going to Vung Tau by motorbike, starting from Ben Thanh Market, follow Ham Nghi Street, cross Khanh Hoi Bridge to Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, then go across Tan Thuan 2 Bridge, and turn onto Nguyen Van Linh Street.
Continue approximately 1.7 km and then turn left at Thái Đức Company. Continue across Đa Khoa Bridge to reach Nguyễn Thị Thập Street.
From Nguyễn Thị Thập Street, travel another 1 km and turn left onto Huỳnh Tấn Phát Street, then continue straight for another 9 km to reach Bình Khánh ferry to Can Gio.
After crossing Bình Khánh ferry, go straight for 1.2 km towards the Sác Forest. This route is great for nature lovers, as the refreshing air and lush greenery along the way provide a more delightful experience than traveling on dusty National Route 51. This road also features many picturesque spots for photography enthusiasts.
Traveling on Can Gio road, admire the mangrove forest, beautiful scenery, and peaceful atmosphere – Photo by Đạt Lê
At the roundabout, take the second exit to enter Duyen Hai area, drive straight for another 2.5 km, then turn left onto Phan Trọng Tuệ Street. Continue straight for another section, then turn right onto Thạnh Thới Street. Drive approximately 3 km, and you will reach Tắc Suất Street on the left, with the ferry terminal about 1 km ahead.
If you have more time, you can visit Hàng Dương Market nearby to savor delicious fresh seafood before heading to Vũng Tàu to enjoy the sea and cool off with a refreshing swim.
According to many reviews from those who have traveled on the Tắc Suất ferry route, the 'specialty' of Cần Giờ is the numerous traffic checkpoints and law enforcement. Pay attention to maintaining the speed limit and staying in your lane to ensure safety and avoid fines that might dampen your trip. However, if you adhere to the speed limit, the journey takes about 60 minutes, quite a reasonable duration.
Many reviews mention the uniqueness of Cần Giờ: numerous traffic checkpoints ensuring safe and law-abiding travel – Photo by Đạt Lê
Have you managed to check-in at the trendy Cần Giờ ferry terminal? – Photo by Phan Lộc
The coastal ferry has a continuous route, but due to its recent operation, there might be a bit of chaos in organizing the boarding and disembarking of motorcycles, so this part may take a little longer. It's advisable to arrive early, about 1 hour before departure, to facilitate arrangement and avoid issues like sold-out tickets and long waits, especially during peak times with many motorcycles or cars.
Reference ship schedule (subject to change by day) – Photo by Đạt Lê
A small note is that, despite numerous continuous trips throughout the day, the ferry schedule may vary from day to day. Therefore, if you plan to reach Vũng Tàu by ferry, it's wise to check the schedule in advance. You can inquire at the hotline for proper arrangements.
If you're planning a day trip to Vũng Tàu or returning in the afternoon, a suggestion for you is to purchase tickets in advance. The ferry experiences high tourist traffic, especially during the last trips of the day, making it prone to sold-out tickets.
Become a passenger on the ferry to Vũng Tàu and capture those wonderful moments – Photo by Lê Hiếu
Especially, if you're not accustomed to traveling in the dark or traveling in a small group, consider returning to Cần Giờ a bit early in the afternoon. If you take a late trip around 4 – 5 PM, you'll have to navigate through a forest road without lights, which can be unsafe.
3. Is it advisable to go to Vũng Tàu by ferry from Cần Giờ?
Each mode of transportation has its own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on your starting location, you can consider choosing the most suitable means of transportation. However, it cannot be denied that traveling by ferry from Cần Giờ to Vũng Tàu is a relatively new and luxurious experience worth trying at least once.
If you're in the center of Ho Chi Minh City and want the most cost-effective way to take the Cần Giờ – Vũng Tàu ferry, here's a suggestion for you: take a bus from the city center to Cần Giờ, get off at Cần Thạnh station.
Here, you can travel to Vũng Tàu by ferry at a one-way fare of 70,000 VND, plus the bus fare, making the total cost just under 100,000 VND, which is quite economical.
Suggesting a cost-effective way to take the ferry from Cần Giờ to Vũng Tàu – Photo by Phan Lộc
If you are far from the center of Ho Chi Minh City and don't want to incur additional costs for your vehicle, you can drive to Bến Thành Market and park your motorbike here for only around 10,000 VND (prices may vary depending on the time). Then, continue your journey by bus to Cần Giờ as mentioned before.
With these two segments of your journey, you can enjoy leisure and dining in Vũng Tàu and return with a reasonable budget. However, if you stay overnight, consider finding overnight parking for your motorbike or explore more convenient transportation options!
For those driving their own cars, traveling via the national highway is considered much more convenient by many. The travel time is approximately 2 hours, depending on the route.
If you choose to take your car on the Cần Giờ – Vũng Tàu ferry, the vehicle fare is 350,000 VND/one-way, making it 700,000 VND for a round trip. This cost is relatively high, not to mention additional passenger fares.
Luxurious interior on the train for an even more comfortable journey – Photo: Huong Tran
So, traveling to Vũng Tàu from Cần Giờ is more suitable for those who prefer motorbike trips, enjoy sightseeing, and seek a more adventurous experience. However, depending on your purpose and budget, you can choose the most suitable transportation method for a complete and exciting trip.
4. Other ways to travel to Vũng Tàu
In addition to traveling from Cần Giờ to Vũng Tàu by ferry, taking the Hydrofoil or traveling by limousine are also popular choices for many people.
Hydrofoil
To purchase Hydrofoil tickets to Vũng Tàu, you can either book online on the website or buy them at the ferry station at the following addresses:
- Ho Chi Minh City: Bach Dang Ferry Ticket Office at 10B Ton Duc Thang Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Phone: 0901449888
- Vũng Tàu: Hồ Mây Cable Car Ticket Office, 01A Tran Phu, Ward 1, Vũng Tàu City. Phone: 0986908907.
Traveling by Hydrofoil allows you to capture the beauty of the water route from Saigon to Vũng Tàu. The well-appointed and luxurious interior is considered quite classy, with prices starting from 240,000 VND/person (for reference, may vary depending on the time).
How to travel to Vũng Tàu by Hydrofoil? – Source: Internet
For the regular schedule, there is a trip every 2 hours, and the frequency increases on weekends. You can visit the company's website for the most detailed information about the daily ferry schedule.
The travel time is approximately 120 minutes per trip, making it suitable for those prone to motion sickness to experience a journey to Vũng Tàu by Hydrofoil.
Limousine
Booking a limousine to Vũng Tàu is quite convenient with many reputable companies. The competitive prices range from 140,000 to 200,000 VND. You can contact the following company for reservations:
Hoa Mai Limousine
- In Vũng Tàu: Pick-up at your doorstep within the city limits of Vũng Tàu.
- In Saigon: Pick-up at various locations in District 1, Tan Son Nhat International Airport, or passengers can contact the hotline for assistance.
- Hotline in Ho Chi Minh City: 0283.915.2275 – 0283.914.7661.
- Hotline in Vũng Tàu: 02543.515.200 – 02543.515.369.
How to book a limousine to Vũng Tàu from Saigon – Source: Internet
Thành Vinh Car Service
- In Vũng Tàu: Kiosk #3, 278C Nguyễn An Ninh, Ward 7, Vũng Tàu City.
- In Saigon: Pick-up from Tan Son Nhat International Airport or assistance at specific locations for pre-booked passengers such as Hoang Van Thu Park, Mekong Obstetrics Hospital, along Nguyen Van Troi Street, Ly Chinh Thang Street, etc. Passengers can call the hotline for more details.
- Hotline in Vũng Tàu: 02543848585 – 0996848585.
- Hotline in Saigon: 0903.522.641
Phú Hải Car Service
- In Saigon: Pick-up at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
- In Vũng Tàu: 110 Phạm Hồng Thái, Ward 7, Vũng Tàu City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province.
- Hotline: 02543574838 – 02543574839
Hoping that the insights on traveling from Can Gio to Vung Tau by ferry have provided you with vivid information about this trendy mode of transportation that people have eagerly anticipated recently. Wishing you a safe and joyful journey in the beautiful coastal city of Vung Tau!