For residents of Saigon, no summer vacation is complete without a trip to Vũng Tàu coastal city, where they can relax and take their minds off things on sandy beaches, blue waters, and around a myriad of fresh seafood.
Located 125KM away and about a 2-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Vũng Tàu is a popular destination for weekend getaways. Starting from 2nd September this year, Vũng Tàu might draw even more visitors as a new ferry connecting Saigon and Vũng Tàu will go into operation.
Incredibly, a ferry ride between the two cities will be reduced to only 30 minutes.
According to ATGT.vn, the new ferry station will go into operation on 2nd September, Vietnam’s National Day. The ferry will depart from Tắc Suất station in Cần Giờ, which is about 17KM and a 30-minute drive away from Saigon’s city center, and reach Vũng Tàu ferry station in about 30 minutes.
Saigon residents can ride their motorbikes straight to the ferry station in Cần Giờ, hop on for a 30- minute ride, and arrive in Vũng Tàu.
Residents from the southern part of Saigon can first take the new ferry route from Bình Khánh ferry station to Tắc Suất station in Cần Giờ, or the new ferry route from Cần Giuộc ferry station to Tắc Suất station in Cần Giờ before they proceed onto the 30-minute route to Vũng Tàu station.
Image credit: Sài Gòn trong tôi
This connectivity means that ferry travellers will have more leisure destinations to choose from, such as Long An and Tiền Giang, which will also support more tourism service providers in those areas who have been suffering from pandemic-related losses in income. Beside the shortened commuting time, travellers will also enjoy the affordable ferry fare estimated to start at only VND50,000 (~USD2.15) per person.
This fare type is considerably cheaper than a Saigon – Vũng Tàu bus ticket, which usually starts from VND85,000 to VND160,000 (~USD3.65-USD6.87) on average.
The new ferry route from Cần Giờ to Vũng Tàu is scheduled for 24 rides per day with an interval of 60 minutes each. Each ferry can carry over 350 passengers, 100 motorbikes, and 15 trucks or even cars.
Saigon residents can ride their motorbikes straight to the ferry station in Cần Giờ, hop on for a 30-minute ride, and arrive in Vũng Tàu.
That’s why this new ferry route will offer travellers a new level of comfort for this popular journey. Not only can ferry travel save you from the hassle and worries of road accidents or engine failure, but it can also contribute to a significant decrease in traffic jams on the roads leading to Vũng Tàu.
Image credit: Sài Gòn trong tôi
The routes connecting Saigon and Vũng Tàu are always crowded during weekends, especially during summer. A trip to Vũng Tàu can take up to 6 hours during special occasions such as public holidays due to traffic congestion.
Vũng Tàu is a popular destination for summer vacations among Saigon city dwellers
Image credit: @khanhmiley
Furthermore, it’s not safe for motorcyclists because they have to cram onto the main roads with many trucks and cars.
That’s why this new ferry route will offer travellers a new level of comfort for this popular journey. Not only can ferry travel save you from the hassle and worries of road accidents or engine failure, but it can also contribute to a significant decrease in traffic jams on the roads leading to Vũng Tàu.
The new announcement about the commencement of the ferry station on the group Sài Gòn trong tôi has drawn over 3,000 likes and many comments at the time of writing.
Many expressed their excitement over the reduction in travelling time between the two cities.
Facebook user Phan Chí Bảo commented on a photo, tagging his friend, “Let’s go to Vũng Tàu by ferry because it’s safer.”
Image credit: Sài Gòn trong tôi
“I think I’ll go to the sea for a swim every week (because of the new ferry).” Facebook user Hieu Ho commented.
Image credit: Sài Gòn trong tôi
However, some netizens still prefer to stick to the old way of riding to Vũng Tàu by motorbike and feeling free.
“I still prefer to go there by motorbike,” Lâm Thủy Tiên, a more adventure-seeking netizen commented.
Image credit: Sài Gòn trong tôi
2nd September, the day the ferry goes into operation, is Vietnam’s National Day and also a public holiday. Travellers will be looking forward to this easier trip to Vũng Tàu and a cool, hassle-free ferry ride.
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Cover image adapted from: Sài Gòn trong tôi
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