Speed Boat Ho Chi Minh – Vung Tau

Speed Boat Ho Chi Minh – Vung Tau, the best value travel option from mr.hotsia

If you are planning a quick and time-saving trip from Ho Chi Minh City to the coastal city of Vung Tau or vice versa, I, mr.hotsia, sincerely recommend that the “speed boat” is the best answer for this route. Especially if you want to avoid the long car ride that can take much longer and get stuck in city traffic, plus the time needed for stops or sightseeing along the way.

From my own travel experience, the speed boat from Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tau takes only about 1 hour and 30 minutes, which is very short compared to traveling by car that can take 2-3 hours or more, depending on the traffic conditions that day.

Affordable boat fares and services

Regarding costs, the speed boat is not expensive at all. On weekdays, the price is about 200,000 Vietnamese dong, or around 300 Thai baht. On holidays, it is slightly higher at about 250,000 dong, or around 400 baht. I find it very worthwhile considering the time saved and the comfort received.

This Hydrofoil speed boat has assigned seating as indicated on the ticket, so no need to compete for seats. Each passenger also receives one bottle of drinking water, which shows good care. The luggage area is separate and requires a small additional fee, but be careful not to place your bags beside you or in prohibited areas, as they strictly enforce this rule.

Boarding points and schedules you need to know

The boarding point in Vung Tau is located at the end of Small Mountain, which is the main port to Ho Chi Minh. Besides the pier, this area also has restaurants and ticket offices. I recommend buying tickets in advance through city agencies or directly at the pier if you are not in a hurry.

The boat schedule from Vung Tau is quite frequent, with many departures from early morning such as 6:00 AM, 6:30 AM, 8:00 AM, up to the afternoon around 4:30 PM. The main service companies include Greenlines, Mekong, Petro Express, and Vina Express, which you can choose according to your convenience.

The boarding point in Ho Chi Minh City is at 10B Ton Duc Thang, District 1, which is in the city center near Pham Ngu Lao Street. This area is where I often stayed and walked around because it is a hub for backpacker tourists and has many restaurants, massage shops, and tour companies. For more details about accommodation in this area, you can check the articleBackpacking Ho Chi Minh 2016

Precautions when using the speed boat service

From my direct experience, mr.hotsia has important advice for those choosing to travel by speed boat on this route to make your trip smoother and safer.

• Beware of taxi meter scams at the Ho Chi Minh pier. There are often taxis that charge excessively. I recommend walking out from the pier and calling a taxi from the main road or using a ride-hailing app instead.
• When the boat docks, some people posing as “officials” may offer to help carry your luggage. Do not let them carry it without prior agreement because they will charge you afterward, which is unfair and causes trouble for tourists.
• If you like taking photos of the scenery along the way, especially when the boat passes the Dong Nai River with clear water and beautiful views on both sides, I recommend preparing earphones or small earplugs to reduce the loud engine noise so you won’t feel too uncomfortable.

Travel experience and atmosphere on the speed boat

I, mr.hotsia, have taken this speed boat route many times and really like it because besides saving a lot of time, you also get to experience both river and sea atmospheres on the same route. The boat passes through the Dong Nai River flowing through Ho Chi Minh City before entering the open sea. You will see natural views on both sides and cargo ships docked at various ports, which is a scene you cannot get from traveling by car.

Additionally, the seats on the boat are reasonably comfortable with assigned seating, so no need to compete. You can enjoy the view and the gentle roar of the boat engine, which I must say you have to endure a bit if you want beautiful photos.

Connecting with travel and tourism in Ho Chi Minh

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh, you can easily continue to various tourist spots in the city, especially the Pham Ngu Lao area, which is a popular accommodation and dining area for backpacker tourists. I often choose to stay around here because it is convenient and lively. For more information about traveling in Ho Chi Minh, I recommend reading the articleBuying Tours in Ho Chi Minhthat I have written to help you plan your trip in the city more easily.

For those planning to visit Hanoi, the old capital of northern Vietnam and the starting point for northern Vietnam travel, I also have a detailed and fun self-guided Hanoi travel article based on my experience. Check it out atSelf-Guided Hanoi Travel 2013to prepare before your trip.

Summary

For me, mr.hotsia, the Speed Boat Ho Chi Minh – Vung Tau is an interesting and very worthwhile travel option in terms of both time and price. Although there are precautions regarding taxis and luggage helpers to be aware of, if you stay careful, this trip will let you experience southern Vietnam from a different and more enjoyable perspective than you might expect.

If you want more information about traveling by bus between Ho Chi Minh and Vung Tau, which is another option I have written about, you can read more here:Bus Travel from Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tauto compare and plan carefully.