As the age of inferno-inducing hydrofoils draws to a close in Saigon, one local transport company is putting three brand new catamarans into operation between Saigon and the coastal city of Vung Tau.
The twin-hulled, million-dollar-apiece boats went into service last Wednesday after a week of pilot testing and can make the trip in about one hour and 15 minutes, reports Tuoi Tre.
The service is provided through Saigon-based Greenlines DP Company and will run three trips per day during weekdays from the city;s Nha Rong Port, arriving at Cau Da Port on Ha Long Street in Vung Tau.
The boats are made of light, durable materials imported from the United States and powered by two fuel-efficient, high-powered German engines, according to a representative from the company that built the vessels.
Tickets on the air-conditioned, WiFi-enabled boats cost VND250,000 for adults. Those over 62 years old can travel for VND180,000 per person, while children from six to 10 years old are able to board for VND120,000; kids under six ride for free.
The launch of the new service may be tied to safety problems with the Soviet-era hydrofoils that had serviced the route for decades. These vessels were taken out of service in 2013 after a hydrofoil burst into flames and sank near Saigon.
Some of the hydrofoils returned to service a year later after being refurbished to meet current safety standards.
