This is the first sea ferry service in Ho Chi Minh City, expected to reduce travel time between Can Gio, a low, palm-fringed island district on the outskirts of the city and Vung Tau to 30 minutes. Now, travel between the two localities by road takes around three and a half hours.

Each day, there will be about 24 trips, with each 60 minutes apart.

Operated by Quoc Chanh One Member Ltd., a waterway transport company, two vessels 45 meters long and 10 meters wide will transport up to a total 380 people, 20 cars, 100 motorbikes and goods per trip.

HCMC Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong said at the launch Monday that only wooden ships with low tonnage and unable to ferry cars used to operate between Can Gio and Vung Tau. "Therefore, the new ferry service not only meets local travel demand but also reduces pressure on roads, especially the HCMC - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway that connects Vietnam's southern metropolis and manufacturing hub Dong Nai Province."

One ferry could transport up to 190 people, 10 cars, 50 motorbikes
and goods per trip. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran.

Tickets cost VND70,000 ($3) per person. Different fares will apply, depending on whether customers use motorbikes or cars, ranging from VND50,000 to VND1 million ($43).

The vessels will depart Tac Suat Wharf in Can Thanh Town in Can Gio District for Vung Tau Wharf near the headquarters of Vung Tau Maritime Port in Ward 1 of Vung Tau.

Can Gio is well known for its fresh seafood and eco-tourist sites that attract many visitors on short trips. It is also home to Can Gio Mangrove Forest, a world-class biological reserve recognized by UNESCO in 2000.

Vung Tau in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau is a popular beach town.