Flight (via Ho Chi Minh City)
Fastest and most reliable way with frequent connections
Speed ferry
Direct sea route from Vung Tau, scenic but weather-dependent
Helicopter flight
Helicopter flight is the fastest and most unique option
Limited availability
Flights and ferries can sell out quickly, advance booking recommended
Quick answer: Travelling from Vung Tau to Con Dao island offers both scenic and fast routes: the high‑speed ferry takes about 3 to 4 hours under good conditions, and there are also helicopter flights for those who prefer speed and comfort. It is also possible to travel by bus and plane via Ho Chi Minh City.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approx. ~180 km offshore from Vung Tau city.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Ferry ~3 to ~4 hours under favourable weather. Helicopter flight ~1 hour (limited schedule).
- 💰 Price range: Ferry tickets cost ~US$38‑45 / Helicopter approx. 2,300,000 VND one way.
- 🚢 Best for cost & views: High‑speed ferry Vung Tau → Con Dao.
- ✈️ Alternative: Bus to Ho Chi Minh City + flight to Con Dao for flexibility or schedule convenience.
- 🚁 Best for speed & comfort: Helicopter flight Vung Tau → Con Dao by Southern Helicopter Company.
- ⚠️ Note: The ferry schedule may be subject to weather conditions and may pause during rough seas.
Last updated in March 2026
From Vung Tau to Con Dao you can get by ferry / boat or bus+plane.
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- Travel distance from Vung Tau to Con Dao (Con Son) is about 190 km. There is only one direct way how to get from Vung Tau to Con Dao Island – you can travel by ferry/boat. Travel by ferry from Vung Tau to Con Dao takes about 4.5 hours and ferry tickets cost about $38-45/pp. These ferries arrive to Ben Dam Port Côn Sơn, Côn Đảo. Another option how to get to Con Dao is to travel by bus to Ho Chi Minh City and travel by plane (direct flight from Saigon – Tan Son Nhat Airport to Con Dao). There are also some private flights by helicopter from Vung Tau, but the schedule is very limited. There helicopter flights are operated by Southern Helicopter Company. Book your ferry/boat tickets from Vung Tau to Con Dao easily online, you can also book bus tickets to Saigon and direct flights to Con Dao from Saigon. From Vung Tau you can also travel to Saigon by ferry, bus or private taxi/car.
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- The Con Dao Islands (Côn Đảo Archipelago) – an archipelago of Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu Province in southern Vietnam. These isolated islands are not so visited by foreign tourist, but in the near future it could change. Con Dao Islands consists from 16 small islands and the total land area reaches 75.15 km². Many of these islands are a part of the protected area of Con Dao National Park. The largest islands is Côn Sơn and in this island it is possible to accommodate and there is also the Con Dao Airport. Visitors can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, including swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and exploring historic sites like the infamous Con Dao Prison. Before you visit Con Dao Island, you should also read this article: Weather in Con Dao. There are direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Con Dao. You can also travel to Con Dao from Soc Trang by boat. Soc Trang is accessible by bus from Saigon.
| Transport Options from Vung Tau to Con Dao: | |
|---|---|
| Ferry / Boat | 4.5 hours — $38-45/pp |
| Bus + Plane (via Ho Chi Minh City) | 6–8 hours — $90-390/pp |
| Helicopter flight | 1 hour — aprox. 2,300,000 VND one way/pp |
How to go from Vung Tau to Con Dao Islands?
1. FERRY / BOAT from Vung Tau to Con Dao
👉 Ferry/boat is the only direct and most popular way from Vung Tau to Con Dao.
- ✔️ Good for: all travelers looking for a direct island transfer
- ✔️ Duration: ~4.5 hours
- ✔️ Price: $38–45 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (modern ferry with ECO, Deluxe or VIP seats)
- ⚠️ Note: Limited schedule (1–2 ferries daily) and possible weather disruptions
- ✅ Best option: Phu Quoc Express ferry with comfortable seating classes
- 💡 Tip: Book tickets in advance and reconfirm departure during typhoon season (June–November).
The most used way and practically the only direct possible way of transport from Vung Tau to Con Dao in southern Vietnam is by ferry / boat. At the same time, it is also an interesting opportunity to see part of southern Vietnam from a boat. The ferry transfer to Con Dao – Con Son is very comfortable, attractive and operated by Phu Quoc Express, which offers you a modern ferry with seats on this route.
On this ferry, you can choose from 3 seat classes: Seat ECO, Seat Deluxe, Seat VIP, each with slightly different levels of comfort. Phu Quoc Express is a well-known company in southern Vietnam that also offers transfers to other islands such as Phu Quoc or Nam Du.
This ferry departs from Vung Tau Port – Express Ship Harbor (126 Hạ Long, Phường 2, Vũng Tàu, Tịnh Bà Rịa) and arrives at Ben Dam Port Côn Sơn on Con Dao, which is in the southern part of the island. The total travel time from Vung Tau to Con Dao – Con Son is approximately 4.5 hours, although there may be very slight differences in this time.
BOOK FERRY TICKETS to Con Dao ➜
However, this time is usually respected, as is the departure time. How much will this transfer cost you? A transfer ferry from Vung Tau to Con Dao costs approximately $38-45/pp for a one-way trip. The price depends on the type of seat you choose on the ferry. However, most travelers will be fine with the cheapest option.
It is allowed to take a large backpack with a maximum weight of 15 kg on the ferry and children under 6 years of age are not eligible for baggage. However, these conditions may change, so it is important to always follow the current instructions that you will receive or see when ordering tickets.
The boat schedule from Vung Tau to Con Dao is very limited and there are only 1, max. 2 boats per day. It is recommended to confirm the schedule with the operator on the same day as departure, especially during the typhoon season from June – November since ferry services may be interrupted due to weather conditions. You can find and buy tickets for the Phu Quoc Express ferry to Con Dao online even in advance.
2. BUS + FLIGHT from Vung Tau to Con Dao
👉 Bus + flight via Ho Chi Minh City is the fastest way to reach Con Dao from Vung Tau.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who prefer speed and air travel
- ✔️ Duration: ~4–6 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $70–165 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (minivan/bus + short direct flight)
- ⚠️ Note: No direct flights from Vung Tau—transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport required
- ✅ Best option: Bus or limousine to airport + flight with Vietnam Airlines or Bamboo Airways
- 💡 Tip: Choose direct bus to the airport and allow enough time between arrival and flight departure.
If you would like to use the air transfer to Con Dao, you will have to go to Ho Chi Minh City and from there you can use direct flights. There is no direct flight from Vung Tau, there is no commercial airport. So this option has 2 steps, the first step is a bus or taxi transfer from Vung Tau to Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and then a direct flight to Con Dao. Some buses and private taxis go to Tan Son Nhat Airport directly from Vung Tau. This method of transfer to Con Dao takes longer than the ferry trip from Vung Tau.
The first step is to travel by bus / minivan or private taxi from Vung Tau to Ho Chi Minh City – Tan Son Nhat Airport. Some companies go directly to the airport, in general there are quite a few between Saigon and Vung Tau. You can use, for example, the following companies: Hoa Mai, Toan Thang, Hai Van, VietNam Travel Bus, Anh Quoc Limousine, Futabus, Phu Hai, Vie Limousine, Hai Hoang and many others.
Transfer by bus / minivan from Vung Tau to Ho Chi Minh City takes approximately 2.5-3 hours, depending on where you are coming from and where exactly you are going. It is the cheapest transportation option between these cities and bus and minivan fares range from $6-15/pp.
When looking for tickets, look carefully at where the buses go, the menu also includes connections to Tan Son Nhat Airport, which is the best option. Private taxis are also an alternative, but they are significantly more expensive than minivans or classic buses. Bus tickets and private cars to Saigon can be easily searched and booked online in advance.
The second step is a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City – Tan Son Nhat Airport to Con Dao (Côn Đảo Airport). Côn Đảo Airport is situated on the largest island in the Archipelago: Côn Sơn Island, see Vietnam Airport Map. This is the fastest and most convenient transport option between these destinations. Direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao are operated by Vietnam Airlines or Bamboo Airways.
Vietnam Airlines is the most famous and largest Vietnamese airline that operates the most flights to Con Dao. Flight prices from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao range from $60-150/pp, depending on the class you choose. These prices can also change during different seasons of the year, they are never fixed.
The flight time from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao is only 1 hour, so in such a short time you will find yourself in a beautiful beach area. Search and book flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao well in advance. Also, always read all the instructions and conditions for the air transfer.
BOOK DIRECT FLIGHT to Con Dao ➜
3. HELICOPTER Flight from Vung Tau to Con Dao
👉 Helicopter flight is the fastest and most unique way from Vung Tau to Con Dao.
- ✔️ Good for: luxury travelers and unique scenic experience
- ✔️ Duration: ~1 hour
- ✔️ Price: $90–120 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (modern helicopter with panoramic views)
- ⚠️ Note: Limited schedule (few flights per week) and small capacity
- ✅ Best option: Southern Helicopter Company direct flight
- 💡 Tip: Book well in advance due to limited seats and check weather conditions before departure.
If you would like to use the fastest and most unique air transfer to Con Dao, you can take a direct helicopter flight from Vung Tau. Unlike regular commercial flights, this service operates from Vung Tau Airport (near the city center) and lands at Co Ong Airport on Con Son Island.
The route is operated mainly by Southern Helicopter Company and offers a direct connection without the need to travel via Ho Chi Minh City. This option is ideal for travelers looking for speed, comfort, and scenic aerial views of the southern coast of Vietnam.
Helicopter flights from Vung Tau to Con Dao typically take about 60 minutes. Flights are usually scheduled a few times per week (often on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays), but the timetable may vary depending on demand and weather conditions.
Ticket prices are significantly higher than ferry or plane options, averaging around 2,200,000–3,000,000 VND per person (approximately $90–120 USD). Due to limited capacity (around 12–18 passengers per flight), it is strongly recommended to book tickets in advance online. This is the fastest transport option between these destinations and also a memorable travel experience thanks to panoramic views over the sea.
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Transfer from Vung Tau to Con Dao Islands:
1. How to book+buy tickets from Vung Tau to Con Dao Islands?
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- You can book ferry tickets from Vung Tau to Con Dao online on Baolau ➜.
- You can also book bus/ferry tickets from Vung Tau to Saigon and direct flights from Saigon to Con Dao Islands.
2. What is the travel time from Vung Tau to Con Dao?
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- Travel by ferry/boat from Vung Tau to Con Dao Islands takes about 4.5 hours.
- Travel by bus/taxi + plane from Vung Tau to Con Dao Islands (via Ho Chi Minh City) takes about 6-8 hours.
- Helicopter flight from Vung Tau to Con Dao Islands takes about 1 hour.
3. Travel distance from Vung Tau to Con Dao, how far is Con Dao?
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- Travel distance from Vung Tau to Con Dao Islands is about 190 km if you travel by ferry/boat.
4. What is the price of tickets from Vung Tau to Con Dao?
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- Travel by ferry/boat from Vung Tau to Con Dao Islands costs about $38-45/pp.
- Travel by bus + plane from Vung Tau to Con Dao Islands via Ho Chi Minh City costs about $90-390/pp.
- Helicopter flight from Vung Tau to Con Dao Islands costs about $90-120/pp one way.
5. Is it possible to travel by plane from Vung Tau to Con Dao?
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- No, it is not possible to travel by plane from Vung Tau to Con Dao. There are only direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao Islands. So if you want to use to travel by plane to Con Dao, you have to travel back to Ho Chi Minh City. There is also an option to travel by helicopter from Vung Tau to Con Dao (operated by Southern Helicopter Company).
6. Is there also another way how to get to Con Dao?
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- Yes, there are also some ferries and boats from Soc Trang in southern Vietnam. It is the most fastest way if you travel by ferry to Con Dao.
7. How to go back from Con Dao to Ho Chi Minh City?
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- You can travel by the same way how you came to Con Dao. There are ferries and boats from Con Dao to Vung Tau or Soc Trang, or you can travel by plane to Ho Chi Minh City.
8. From which islands Con Dao consists?
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- Con Dao Archipelago consists from 16 small islands: Côn Sơn, Little Côn Lôn Island, Bảy Cạnh Island, Cau Island, Bông Lan Island, Vung Island, Ngọc Island, Trứng Island, Tài Lớn Island, Tài Nhỏ Island Trác Lớn Island, Trác Nhỏ Island, Tre Lớn Island, Tre Nhỏ Island, Anh Island, Em Island.
9. Is there a railway and trains on Con Dao?
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- No, there is no railway on Con Dao, travel by train in these islands is not possible.
10. Where to stay in Con Dao Islands?
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- There are various small hotels, resorts or guesthouses, these hotels are situated on Con Son Island. You can book your accommodation in Con Dao online.
11. Which beaches can you visit in southern Vietnam?
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- Southern Vietnam is known for various nice coastline and beautiful beaches. The best places for visit these beaches are in Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Vung Tau or Mui Ne. Read this article: The Best Beaches in Southern Vietnam.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Vung Tau to Con Dao
The journey from Vung Tau to Con Dao Island lies about 180–190 km out to sea and offers a few different ways to reach this scenic island destination. Options include high‑speed ferries for a direct sea crossing, helicopter flights for speed and comfort, and land + air combinations via a nearby city. Knowing the pros and cons of each helps you choose what suits your trip best.
1. High‑Speed Ferry for an Easy Sea Trip
A popular choice is the high‑speed ferry, which typically takes around 3½–4 hours from Vung Tau’s port to Con Dao’s main harbour. This is scenic and often more affordable than flying, but weather conditions can affect schedules, so check ahead and arrive early at the pier.
2. Helicopter Flights for Quick Access
For the fastest point‑to‑point option from Vung Tau, consider a helicopter flight if available — these take about an hour and offer a unique aerial view. They are limited in frequency and tend to be pricier than sea travel but significantly cut down on total travel time.
3. Bus or Taxi + Flight via Ho Chi Minh City
There’s no major airport at Vung Tau with regular commercial flights to Con Dao, so another option is to take a bus or taxi to Ho Chi Minh City and then fly directly from there to Con Dao. This adds more steps but gives you flexibility and often more flight choices.
4. Think About Weather & Timing
Ferry services are subject to sea and weather conditions, and rough seas can lead to delays or cancellations, especially during monsoon periods. Planning with some buffer time is wise if you have onward connections or tight schedules.
5. Pack for Comfort
Whether you’re on a ferry, helicopter, or land‑to‑air combo, bring water, snacks, chargers, and light layers. Sea journeys can be bumpy and airports usually involve waiting times, so comfort items help make the trip more pleasant.
6. Confirm Departure & Arrival Points
Ferries leave from the main port in Vung Tau and arrive at the central Con Dao harbour, while helicopters and flights use their respective terminals. Knowing exact locations saves confusion and makes transfers smoother on arrival.
Tip: Ferry, bus, and flight tickets can be searched and booked online in advance to secure your seat and preferred departure time — especially helpful during holiday seasons and peak travel periods.