Flight
Most practical, direct, reliable
Speed ferry
Scenic sea journey, modern boats
Bus + ferry
Cheapest, via Vung Tau or Soc Trang
Complex transfers
Multiple changes, higher risk of delays
Quick answer: Travelling from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Con Dao offers several solid options: the fastest and most convenient is a ~1 hour direct flight, while budget-friendly alternatives include a ~5-6 hour high-speed ferry or a longer bus + ferry combo of ~10-16 hours. You can book tickets to Con Dao online.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approx. ~240 km by air or ~280-380 km by land/sea depending on route.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Flight ~1 hour. | Direct ferry (from Saigon port) ~5 hours. | Bus + ferry via Soc Trang ~10-16 hours.
- 💰 Price range: Flight ~US$45-90 per person. | Ferry ~US$35-45 per person. | Bus + ferry ~US$20-30 per person.
- ✈️ Best for speed & comfort: Direct flight Ho Chi Minh City → Con Dao.
- 🚢 Best for budget & sea-experience: High-speed ferry from Saigon to Con Dao.
- 🚍 Best for simplest budget with land segment: Bus + ferry route (via Soc Trang) from Saigon → Con Dao.
Last updated in March 2026
Con Dao Islands are a small island archipelago in southern Vietnam belonging to Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province. The main island is Con Son, where you will find the airport, ferry port, hotels and most tourist services. Con Dao is less touristy than Phu Quoc Island and is known for beaches, nature and Con Dao National Park.
Before visiting Con Dao, it is good to check local weather conditions: Weather in Con Dao. From Ho Chi Minh City you can travel to Con Dao by direct flight, direct ferry or by bus and ferry via Soc Trang or Vung Tau.
From Ho Chi Minh to Con Dao you can travel by plane or ferry.
Travel distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao is about 240 km by plane. The fastest and most convenient option is a direct flight from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Con Dao Airport. Flights take about 1 hour and usually cost around $45–90 per person.
A cheaper alternative is traveling by bus and ferry via Soc Trang or Vung Tau. This option can take around 10–16 hours depending on transfers. There is also a direct ferry from Hiep Phuoc Terminal near Saigon.
Ferries from Soc Trang or Vung Tau arrive at Ben Dam Port on Con Son Island. From Saigon you can also travel to Mui Ne or Chau Doc in southern Vietnam.
| Transfer modes from Saigon to Con Dao: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Flight | 1 hour | $45 – 90 per person |
| Direct Ferry from Hiep Phuoc Terminal | 5 hours | $35 – 45 per person |
| Bus + Ferry (via Soc Trang) | 10–16 hours | $22 – 30 per person |
| Bus + Ferry (via Vung Tau) | 7–10 hours | $30 – 60 per person |
| Ferry (via Vung Tau) | 6–7 hours | $40 – 70 per person |
How do I get from Saigon to Con Dao Island?
1. DIRECT FLIGHT from Saigon to Con Dao
👉 Direct flight is the fastest and most convenient way from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who want to save time and travel comfortably
- ✔️ Duration: ~1 hour
- ✔️ Price: $60–130 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (direct flight, no transfers)
- ✅ Best option: Direct flight with Vietnam Airlines from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Con Dao Airport
- 💡 Tip: Book flights online in advance, especially in peak season, and arrange airport transfer on Con Dao.
The fastest and most convenient way to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao Island is by direct flight. This option saves a lot of time compared to bus and ferry transfers via Vung Tau or Soc Trang and is ideal for travelers who prefer comfort and speed.
Direct flights are operated from Tan Son Nhat Airport in Saigon to Con Dao Airport, located on Con Son Island. Vietnam Airlines offers several daily direct flights on this route and is the main airline serving Con Dao.
Flight time from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao is only about 1 hour, while ticket prices usually range from $60-130/pp depending on the season and flight class. Most flights are Economy class and schedules are available throughout the day.
Although flights are more expensive than bus and ferry transfers, they are the best option for travelers who want to reach Con Dao quickly and comfortably. You can easily search and book flights online in advance and it is recommended to check all flight conditions before departure.
| Airline | Departure in Ho Chi Minh | Arrival in Con Dao | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Airlines | 05:25 | 06:25 | From $60.00 |
| Vietnam Airlines | 06:50 | 07:50 | From $60.00 |
| Vietnam Airlines | 07:45 | 08:45 | From $60.00 |
| Vietnam Airlines | 12:20 | 13:20 | From $60.00 |
| Vietnam Airlines | 04:55 | 06:15 | From $60.00 |
| Vietnam Airlines | 10:00 | 11:00 | From $60.00 |
| Vietnam Airlines | 11:15 | 12:15 | From $60.00 |
| Vietnam Airlines | 12:05 | 13:05 | From $60.00 |
| Vietnam Airlines | 15:10 | 16:10 | From $60.00 |
| Vietnam Airlines | 08:35 | 09:35 | From $70.00 |
| Vietnam Airlines | 08:55 | 10:05 | From $70.00 |
| Bamboo Airways | 05:40 | 06:35 | From $47.00 |
| Bamboo Airways | 06:30 | 07:25 | From $47.00 |
| Bamboo Airways | 10:25 | 11:20 | From $54.00 |
2. DIRECT FERRY from Saigon to Con Dao
👉 Direct ferry is a scenic and affordable way from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who want a balance of price and experience
- ✔️ Duration: ~5 hours (+ transfer to port)
- ✔️ Price: $35–45 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: moderate to high (modern ferry with ECO, VIP and DELUXE seats)
- ✅ Best option: Direct ferry with Phu Quoc Express from Hiep Phuoc Terminal to Ben Dam Port
- 💡 Tip: Book tickets online in advance and arrange transport to Hiep Phuoc Terminal (about 25 km from city center).
A very interesting alternative to flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao is a direct ferry connection. You can travel by modern ferry from Saigon Port – Hiep Phuoc Terminal directly to Con Dao Island without additional transfers.
This ferry route is operated by Phu Quoc Express, which offers modern ferries with Economy, VIP and Deluxe seat classes. Ferry tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao cost about $35-45/pp depending on the selected class and season.
BOOK FERRY – Saigon to Con Dao ➜
The direct ferry trip to Con Dao takes about 5 hours and ferries arrive at Ben Dam Port on Con Son Island. Keep in mind that Hiep Phuoc Terminal is about 25 km from central Saigon, so you will need a taxi or private transfer to the port.
Ferry tickets to Con Dao can be searched and booked online in advance. It is recommended to arrive at the terminal earlier and always read the latest ferry instructions and departure information before travel.
3. BUS + FERRY from Saigon to Con Dao
You can also travel to Con Dao Island from Saigon by bus and ferry via the cities of Vung Tau and Soc Trang in southern Vietnam. A faster route goes through the city of Vung Tau. Soc Trang, on the other hand, offers a glimpse into the Mekong Delta region, which is very popular among foreign tourists.
In theory, it is also possible to go to Con Dao only by ferry/boat, and that is a direct boat from Saigon to Vung Tau and then another boat to Con Dao. Below are the details of these 2 ground transportation options on Con Dao.
A) Ho Chi Minh City > Vung Tau > Con Dao:
👉 Bus + ferry via Vung Tau is the best budget alternative from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and those who want a scenic journey
- ✔️ Duration: ~6–8 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $35–70 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: moderate (bus/minivan + ferry transfer)
- ✅ Best option: Bus or minivan to Vung Tau + ferry with Phu Quoc Express to Con Dao
- 💡 Tip: Book both bus and ferry tickets online in advance and arrive early at the port (at least 1 hour before departure).
1. Bus (or ferry) from Saigon to Vung Tau
-
- A popular land transfer option to Con Dao is to travel first from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau. You can travel by tourist bus, minivan, ferry or private taxi.
- Bus or minivan transfer from Saigon to Vung Tau takes about 2.5-3 hours and tickets cost around $6-18/pp. Companies such as Phuong Trang, Kumho Samco, Hoa Mai, Vie Limousine or Techbus VN operate modern buses and minibuses on this route.
- You can also travel by ferry from Saigon to Vung Tau or book a private car with driver. Tickets and transfers to Vung Tau can be searched and booked online in advance.
BOOK TICKETS to Vung Tau here ➜
2. Ferry from Vung Tau to Con Dao (Con Son)
-
- The second step is a ferry transfer from Vung Tau to Con Dao. This scenic boat route is operated mainly by Phu Quoc Express with modern ferries and comfortable seats.
- The ferry trip from Vung Tau to Con Dao takes about 3-3.5 hours. Ferries depart from Vung Tau Port and arrive at Ben Dam Port on Con Son Island.
- Ferry tickets to Con Dao cost about $28-55/pp depending on the seat class. It is recommended to book tickets online in advance and arrive at the port at least 1 hour before departure.
BOOK TICKETS to Con Dao here ➜
B) Ho Chi Minh City > Soc Trang > Con Dao:
👉 Bus + ferry via Soc Trang is next cheapest way from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao.
- ✔️ Good for: low-cost travelers and Mekong Delta exploration
- ✔️ Duration: ~8–10 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $20–30 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: moderate (sleeper bus + ferry transfer)
- ✅ Best option: Sleeper bus (Futabus or Tri Nhan) to Soc Trang + ferry with Superdong or Phu Quoc Express from Tran De Port
- 💡 Tip: Arrange transfer to Tran De Port (30 km) and book tickets online in advance due to limited ferry schedules.
1. Bus from Saigon to Soc Trang
-
- Another popular land transfer option to Con Dao is to travel by bus from Saigon to Soc Trang and then continue by ferry to Con Dao Island.
- Bus travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Soc Trang takes about 5-6 hours and tickets cost around $6-8/pp. Companies such as Phuong Trang (Futabus), Tri Nhan and My Duyen operate comfortable sleeper buses on this route.
- Buses usually depart from Mien Tay Bus Station in Saigon and arrive at Soc Trang Bus Station. Bus schedules are frequent during the day and night and tickets can be booked online in advance.
BOOK TICKETS to Soc Trang here ➜
2. Ferry / Boat from Soc Trang to Con Dao (Con Son)
-
- From Soc Trang you can continue by ferry to Con Dao Island. Boats depart from Tran De Port, located about 30 km from Soc Trang city, so you will need a taxi or private transfer to the port.
- Modern ferries on this route are operated by Superdong Speed Ferry and Phu Quoc Express. Ferry travel time from Tran De Port to Con Dao is about 2-2.5 hours and tickets cost around $13-16/pp.
- Boats arrive at Con Son Port (Ben Dam Port). Ferry schedules are limited, usually only 1-2 departures per day, so it is recommended to book tickets online in advance and arrive at the port at least 1 hour before departure.
BOOK TICKETS to Con Dao here ➜
❓ FAQ – Travel route from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao:
How to book tickets + flights from Saigon to Con Dao?
What is the travel time from Saigon to Con Dao?
What is the travel distance from Saigon to Con Dao?
The flight distance is about 240 km. Bus + ferry routes are longer — around 280 km via Vung Tau and 380 km via Soc Trang.
How much does it cost to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao?
Flights cost about $60-130/pp, direct ferries around $35-45/pp and bus + ferry combinations about $25-60/pp.
What is the cheapest way to get to Con Dao?
The cheapest option is usually bus + ferry via Soc Trang. It takes longer but costs less than flights.
What is the best transport option from Saigon to Con Dao?
The fastest and most convenient option is a direct flight from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Con Dao Airport.
Where to stay in Con Dao?
Most hotels and resorts are located on Con Son Island near the town center and port. You can search accommodation online on Agoda.
How to travel back from Con Dao to Saigon?
Is there a train from Ho Chi Minh City to Soc Trang or Vung Tau?
No, there is no railway to Soc Trang or Vung Tau. You can travel only by bus, ferry or private car.
What other islands can you visit in southern Vietnam?
Popular islands in southern Vietnam include Phu Quoc and Nam Du Island.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Vietnam ➜
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Saigon to Con Dao
Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao is possible by direct flight, direct ferry or by a combination of bus and ferry via Vung Tau or Soc Trang in southern Vietnam.
- Best Option: Direct flights are the fastest and most comfortable transfer option.
- Direct Ferry: Ferries from Hiep Phuoc Terminal save time compared to bus + ferry routes.
- Budget Travel: Bus + ferry via Soc Trang is usually the cheapest option.
- Sea Conditions: Ferry schedules may change during bad weather or rainy season.
- Morning Departures: Morning ferries often offer calmer sea conditions.
- Limited Services: Con Dao has fewer tourist services than Phu Quoc Island.
- Book Early: Flights and ferries can sell out during holidays and weekends.
Tip: Flights, ferry and bus tickets to Con Dao can be searched and booked online in advance.