The trip from District 1 to the island will take less than five hours and begin service this April.
High-speed boat company GreenlinesDP announced last week that it has been performing test runs for the new route, which connects Bach Dang Wharf in Saigon with Con Dao Island, as well as one that will connect Can Tho and Con Dao in 3.5 hours. A company representative told Tuoi Tre that after the pilot tests, it hopes to get the nod from authorities to start operating the routes by April 30.
Currently, the only way to reach the island is via a high-speed boat from Soc Trang, which is 240 kilometers south of Saigon, or by booking an airplane seat with local air carrier VASCO.
The four Phu Quy Express double-hull boats were manufactured in Hai Phong and cost VND60 billion (US$2.6 million). They can accommodate 300 passengers thanks to 230 flat-bed seats and 70 high-class seats. The boats, which will travel at an average speed of 30 knots (55 km/h), will be air-conditioned with CCTV.
Once enough trial runs have been performed and the company receives official approval from authorities, the routes will open to the public. Fares are expected to fluctuate around VND1 million for beds and VND850,000 for seats.
[Photo via Bao Du Lich]
