How To Book Ho Chi Minh City To Vung Tau Ferry Online
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This is a step-by-step guide for taking the Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau ferry route for travelers. Vung Tau is the closest peninsula to HCMC.
Already explored most of HCMC’s attractions, even the secondary ones like Saigon Zoo and Suoi Tien Theme Park?
Vung Tau could be your choice. It is one of the hot spots for locals to enjoy the beaches and the Ho May Theme Park. In addition, it also has several decent museums for tourists.
It is also an ideal tourist spot for those who have long stayed in HCMC or are visiting for the second time. Most travelers will do a 2-day gon1-night or 3-day 2-night trip there. Together with other attractions of HCMC, it added another reason for visiting HCMC. During my last visit to HCMC, I spent a great 3 days 2 nights at Vung Tau with a lot of fun.
Again you should only consider going to Vung Tau, if you have already visited all main HCMC attractions and also the Cu Chi Tunnel.
The best way to get to Vung Tau is by Ferry, which is a pleasant 2-hour journey (110 minutes to be exact) with great facilities on board. There are multiple ferries to the island and from the island. This is the detailed guide for first-time visitors to have a seamless journey based on my personal experience.
Check The Latest Offer
Availability of the ferry ticket via online travel agency is volatile depending on their deal with the operator, GreenDPlines. I booked via Klook during my visit, but at the time of writing, only Trip.com and GetYourGuide have online booking available.
HCMC to Vung Tau (And Vice Versa) Ferry Schedule
The route is run by a local ferry company called Greenlines DP. On average, there are 4 ferry services running daily from HCMC to Vung Tau and vice versa. Each ride takes around 320k VND per person (~ 13 USD).
The schedules are usually.
From HCMC to Vung Tau: 8 am , 10 am, 12pm, 2pm.
From Vung Tau to HCMC : 10 am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm.
However, the schedule may be subject to change. For example, in May 2025, due to ferry maintenance, the ferry service was suspended for a week, and now it has only resumed limited service with 2 rides per day separately.
From HCMC to Vung Tau: 9 am, 12 pm
From Vung Tau to HCMC : 12pm , 3pm
You should check the official website for the latest schedule before your visit.
How To Book The Boat Ticket In Advance
Greenlines DP offers booking via their official website. Unfortunately, the website does not accept foreign credit cards during my last booking. Although, the website provides direct settlement at the ticket counter within 2 hours after booking, it is of not much use for those who wants to secure the seat in advance.
Alternatively, you can also book your ticket via an online travel platform like Trip.com, GetYourGuide Klook or 12GO. During my last visit, I used Klook for the ticket booking, which offers a ~ 5% discount compared to the official price.
Remember, on the departure day, you will need to redeem your ticket at the booth before boarding.
The Official Website Does Not Take Foreign Credit Card
I tried to book via GreenDPLines official website during my last visit. Unfortunately, they don’t accept foriegn credit card. In that, I recommend you to book via travel agency like Trip.com, GetYourGuide, Klook and 12GO
Boarding time
The boarding time is around 20 minutes before the departure time. The ferry usually departs on time, so you should arrive at least 30 minutes earlier to allow sufficient time for ticket redemption.
Ferry Facilities
The ferry is clean and decent, with clean toilets. For all the passengers, they offer a free charging port for each seat. Other than that, Greenlines DP also offers a free bottle of water, a free pack of snacks (local rice cake), and a disposable wet towel for all the passengers. Other than that, extra food and beverages are also available for sale on board. I had a smooth and enjoyable ride during my last visit with all these facilities.
The whole ferry is also air-conditioned, offering you a comfortable journey during the hot HCMC (which the city has an average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius)
The HCMC Ferry Terminal & Ticket Booth Location
The ferry terminal is located at the Saigon River near the financial center and Hotel Majestic Saigon (Click here for the full address). The ticket sales booth is located right next to the departure location. The ferry deck also has a notable banner saying “Ferry to Vung Tau and Con Dao,” so it is hard to miss.
The location is very convenient where you can find a Katinat nearby within 5 5-minute distance for a cup of coffee/tea or a quick bite of snacks. Alternatively, there is also a local coffee shop just on the ferry deck.
The Vung Tau Terminal & Ticket Booth Location
The Vung Tau ferry terminal on another hand is a lot larger than that of Saigon terminal. Both arrival and departure spot is the same, so you do not worry about getting loss on your way back. However, the ticket sales location is located around 5 minutes walk from the departure spot outside the area. It is located at the main road (Tran Phu) what outs ide of a restaurant called “In The Sea”. For the exact location, you can click here.
I was very impressed by the bars and restaurants at the Vung Tau ferry terminal. While it was relatively empty at the time of my visit (because of weekdays), I can imagine the bars crowded with locals and tourists during weekends. Also, the terminal is also just near the Ho May Park cable car entrance and . The Vung Tau museum is only 6 minutes walk from the terminal.
Can We Take Grab Instead?
Yes, you can take Grab, bus, or even taxi instead of the ferry. HCMC and Vung Tau are connected by land. However, the fee could be over 1m VND (~ 40 USD) per ride, and the journey will take you at least 2 hours and 40 minutes. Based on my experience, taking ferry is a more comfortable and cheaper option.
Also, you will have a chance to enjoy the Saigon River and view on your way to Vung Tau.
By Sea Is Better Than By Land
Going to Vung Tau from HCMC by ferry is a lot cheaper than Grab. Not only it saves time, it is even more comfortable. In that, I recommend you to book via travel agency like Trip.com, GetYourGuide, Klook and 12GO
The Best Option For HCMC Long Stay
If you are staying in HCMC for over 4 days or visiting the city second time, Vung Tau is a good option to fit into your itinerary. HCMC, the most worthy city, as the first economic hub in Vietnam, delivers more than you thought.
The convenient ferry service makes going from HCMC to the peninsula a great option after you finish all the main attractions, including Cu Chi Tunnel, in your first HCMC visit.
