Vietnam's largest high-speed passenger vessel, connecting Ho Chi Minh
City with the resort islands of Con Dao, has begun operations.
The Thang Long high-speed vessel can accommodate more than 1,000
passengers on the four-hour, 230-kms journey between Ho Chi Minh City
and the Con Dao archipelago. It will make three round trips per week.
From Ho Chi Minh City, the ship departs at 7 am from Hiep Phuoc Por
in Nha Be District. At Con Dao, the ship will depart at 1 pm from Ben
Dam Port.
Previously, travellers from Ho Chi Minh City could only connect by
air to Con Dao or go to Vung Tau City, around two hours from Ho Chi Minh
City, and then take a high-speed boat to the archipelago.
Can Dao’s main settlement of Con Son was once used by the French and
Americans as an island prison. Visitors can still visit some of these
prisons or learn about their gruesome history in the town’s museum.
Can Dao’s biggest attractions today include stunning beaches and coral reefs that represent some of the best diving in Vietnam.
Lonely Planet praises Can Dao as “Vietnam in the slow lane”.