he high-speed ferry service between Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Con Dao, which can accommodate 1,017 passengers, will be halted starting July 29, just two months after its initial launch, due to operational challenges.
Phu Quoc Express Boat Company, the service operator, has informed its partners and ticket vendors of the suspension. The timeline for resuming operations is currently unknown.
The ferry service began on May 13, operating thrice weekly with departures from Hiep Phuoc Port at 7 a.m. and return trips from Con Dao’s Ben Dam Port at 1 p.m.
Tickets, priced between VND615,000 and 1.1 million (US$24-43) depending on class and departure time, were available through various agents, ticket offices, and online platforms.
Within the first two weeks, the service experienced low passenger numbers, filling less than 50% of its capacity, largely due to service shortcomings.
Although passengers appreciated the amenities and service quality on the country’s largest passenger vessel, many found the distance from downtown HCMC to Hiep Phuoc Port inconvenient.
Vu Van Khuong, the general director of Phu Quoc Express Boat Company, admitted that the company struggled with transporting passengers from the city center to the departure port, which deterred many from using the service.
On average, the ferry carried 200 passengers per trip on weekdays, with numbers rising to 600-700 on weekends.
With a maximum speed of 35 nautical miles per hour (over 60 km/h), the ferry completes the journey between HCMC and Con Dao in four hours. Con Dao, an island off the coast of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, is about 230 kilometers (143 miles) southeast of HCMC.
Historically known for its prison established by the French and later used by the Americans during the Vietnam War, the 16-island Con Dao Archipelago is now celebrated for its pristine beaches and clear blue waters, making it a notable destination on the global tourism map.
