Vietnam's ferry routes — Cát Bà, Phú Quốc, Côn Đảo and the rest

Vietnam has a long coastline, a scattering of offshore islands, and a ferry network that ranges from 30-minute speedboat hops to overnight cargo runs. Most routes are straightforward, but weather, operator reliability, and booking logistics catch visitors off guard. This page covers the main routes, the operators running them, realistic prices (marked as estimates), and the weather caveats that matter.

Phú Quốc ferries — Rạch Giá and Hà Tiên

Phú Quốc is served by two mainland departure points: Rạch Giá and Hà Tiên. Both are in Kiên Giang province. Hà Tiên is the shorter crossing at around 45 minutes by fast ferry; Rạch Giá takes roughly 2 hours 15 minutes on a standard speedboat.

Hà Tiên is useful if you are coming from Cambodia via Prek Chak — the border crossing is close, and the short crossing makes it a natural transit point. Rạch Giá has more frequent departures across the day and is the more common entry point from Ho Chi Minh City (roughly 4 hours by bus).

Estimated prices (2026): Hà Tiên to Phú Quốc around 160,000–200,000 VND one way; Rạch Giá around 200,000–250,000 VND. Prices shift by operator and season — treat these as ballpark figures.

Most departures run roughly 07:00 to 15:00. There are no reliable overnight crossings on these routes. If your bus from HCMC arrives late in the afternoon, you may be overnighting in Rạch Giá.

Cát Bà — Hải Phòng route

Cát Bà sits at the southern edge of Hạ LongHạ Long (Ha Long)hah longBay in northeastern Vietnam featuring thousands of limestone karst islands; a UNESCO World Heritage site and top cruise destination. Bay. The main ferry connection runs from Đồng Bài port (Hải Phòng city) or from Bến Bính ferry terminal, depending on the operator and season.

Journey time is roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes on a fast boat. Slow car ferries also operate on some legs, particularly for vehicles. If you are travelling without a motorbike or car, the fast passenger ferry is almost always the better choice.

There is a competing approach via Tuần Châu (Hạ Long City) by boat into the bay with a stop at Cát Bà — this is sold as part of bay cruise packages rather than as a pure transport option, and pricing is bundled with sightseeing.

Estimated price for the direct Hải Phòng–Cát Bà fast ferry: 120,000–160,000 VND per person (2026 estimate). Check at the port or via Vietcompass / local booking apps for the current operating schedule — services have changed terminal points multiple times in recent years.

Côn Đảo — Vũng Tàu route

The Côn Đảo crossing is the most demanding regular ferry run in Vietnam. Vũng Tàu to Côn Đảo is approximately 97 nautical miles. On the fast ferry operated by Côn Đảo Express (formerly marketed under several names), crossing time is around 4 hours.

This is a genuinely open-sea crossing. Swells above 1.5 metres are common outside the dry season (roughly November to April), and cancellations happen. Many visitors choose to fly into Côn Đảo (Con Son airport) from Ho Chi Minh City or Cần Thơ, which is quicker and more reliable.

If you are set on the ferry, book it as early as possible — the boat has limited capacity and frequently sells out, especially during Vietnamese public holidays. Estimated price: 500,000–700,000 VND one way (2026 estimate).

Lý Sơn — Sa Kỳ route

Lý Sơn island sits off Quảng Ngãi province in central Vietnam. The ferry departs from Sa Kỳ port, roughly 25 km from Quảng Ngãi city. Crossing time is about 30 minutes on the fast boat or 60–75 minutes on the slower vessel.

This is one of Vietnam's best islands for day-tripping — the island is compact enough to cover in a day. However, Lý Sơn sees very rough seas during the central Vietnam storm season (roughly September to November). Cancellations are common in that period and can strand you for days.

Estimated price: 110,000–160,000 VND one way (2026 estimate).

Nam Du archipelago

Nam Du is a cluster of islands in the Gulf of Thailand, roughly 90 km southwest of Rạch Giá. It is significantly less visited than Phú Quốc but has become popular with Vietnamese domestic tourists.

Ferries run from Rạch Giá's An Thới port. Crossing time varies — roughly 2 hours on the fast boat. Services are less frequent than the Phú Quốc routes, with most departures in the morning. Accommodation on the islands is limited and tends to book out during Vietnamese public holidays.

Operators — Superdong, Phu Quoc Express, Mai Linh Express

Superdong is the dominant operator on the Phú Quốc routes, running both the Rạch Giá and Hà Tiên crossings. Their boats are generally well-maintained and have a decent track record. Online booking is available via their website and through third-party aggregators.

Phú Quốc Express is the main competitor on the Rạch Giá–Phú Quốc corridor. Pricing is similar to Superdong. Both operators have cancelled departures in rough weather, so the competition does not eliminate weather risk.

Mai Linh Express (sometimes referred to as Côn Đảo Express on the Vũng Tàu route) operates the Côn Đảo crossing. Their fleet has been updated in recent years. Phone booking is often more reliable than the online system for this particular route.

For Cát Bà and Lý Sơn, local operators run the routes without a dominant national brand — you book at the port or via local guesthouses.

Weather and cancellation realities

Vietnam's coastal weather is regional and seasonal, and it directly affects ferry operations.

• Gulf of Thailand (Phú Quốc, Nam Du): The south-west monsoon (May–October) brings rough conditions. Most crossings still run, but check conditions on departure day.
• South China Sea (Côn Đảo, Lý Sơn): Tropical storm season (roughly June–November) brings the highest cancellation risk. Côn Đảo crossings are cancelled multiple times per season even in moderate years.
• North (Cát Bà): Winter north-easterly winds (November–March) can delay or cancel services. Less severe than open-sea routes but worth checking.

If a ferry is cancelled, refund processes vary by operator. Most will offer a rebooking, but cash refunds can take time. Build buffer days into your itinerary if the ferry is part of a tight connection.

Booking — apps vs port

For Phú Quốc routes, online booking through Superdong's site or aggregators like Baolau, 12Go, or Vexere works reasonably well. Print or download your ticket — port Wi-Fi is unreliable.

For the Côn Đảo crossing, booking directly with Mai Linh Express by phone or at their Vũng Tàu office is often more reliable. Third-party booking for this route has had inconsistent availability.

For smaller routes (Lý Sơn, Nam Du, Cát Bà), buying at the port is standard practice. Arrive at least 30–45 minutes before departure — queues for popular morning boats can be long, and Vietnamese holidays cause sold-out boats with little online warning.

Common pitfalls

• Last ferry timing: Most routes stop running by 14:00–15:00. Missing the last boat means an unplanned overnight. Plan arrivals with this in mind.
• Luggage on speedboats: Overhead storage is minimal. Large backpacks go in cargo holds that may get wet. Pack important documents and electronics in a waterproof bag or carry-on.
• Seasickness: The Gulf of Thailand crossings are calm most of the year, but the Côn Đảo run in moderate swell is rough. Bring medication if you are prone — pharmacy access once on the island is limited.
• Holiday blackouts: Vietnamese public holidays (especially Tết, April 30–May 1, and September 2) see massive domestic travel. Ferries sell out days in advance. Flying is often the practical alternative.
• Port location confusion: Hải Phòng has multiple ferry terminals. Confirm the exact terminal for your Cát Bà boat before booking your taxi or bus transfer.

Related

• Best islands in Vietnam
• Phú Quốc island guide
• Cát Bà island guide
• Bus operators — FUTA vs Sinh Tourist
• Best beaches in Vietnam

Overview

Vietnam's inter-island ferries are the practical backbone of reaching Phú Quốc, Cát Bà, Côn Đảo, and the smaller island clusters without flying. Most routes are reliable in fair weather and take 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on distance. Use them if you want budget-friendly transport, time flexibility, or are already on the coast; avoid them during peak monsoon/storm season (June–November for the South China Sea routes) or if you have tight onward connections.

Operators and costs

Prices are 2026 estimates and vary by operator, season, and booking method. Booking online (Superdong, aggregators) or at the port both work; phone booking is more reliable for Côn Đảo. Peak-season premiums apply during Vietnamese public holidays.

Booking and logistics

For Phú Quốc, book online 1–3 days ahead through Superdong, 12Go, Baolau, or Vexere and print your ticket (Wi-Fi at ports is unreliable). For Côn Đảo, phone booking with Mai Linh Express at their Vũng Tàu office is more reliable than third-party sites. For Cát Bà, Lý Sơn, and Nam Du, arrive at the port 30–45 minutes before departure and buy at the ticket counter — morning boats often sell out without online warning, especially on Vietnamese holidays. Most services stop by 15:00; missing the last boat means an overnight in the port town.

Tips and gotchas

• Last-ferry timing: Most routes have no evening departures. Plan arrival in port towns by mid-afternoon or accept an unplanned overnight.
• Luggage stowage on speedboats: Overhead bins are tight; large backpacks go in cargo holds that may get wet. Keep documents, electronics, and valuables in a waterproof carry-on.
• Seasickness on open-sea routes: The Côn Đảo crossing (97 nm) is rough in moderate swell; Phú Quốc and Cát Bà are usually calm. Bring motion sickness medication if prone — pharmacies on islands are limited.
• Holiday blackouts: Tết, April 30–May 1, and September 2 create domestic-travel surges; ferries sell out days ahead and prices rise. Flying is often the practical alternative.
• Terminal confusion at multi-port cities: Hải Phòng and Rạch Giá have multiple terminals. Confirm your exact departure point before booking transport from the city centre.