Last updated September 2025 | Words and photos by Vietnam Coracle | Read time 20 minutes | 62 comments

Tom Divers is the founder and creator of Vietnam Coracle. In 2005 he moved from his native London to Vietnam, where he has been living, working and travelling ever since. He pays rent in Ho Chi Minh City but is more often on the road, riding his motorbike a quarter of a million kilometres across Vietnam to research guides to the farthest-flung corners of the nation. When he’s not in the saddle, you’ll find him on a beach with a margarita, in a tent on a mountainside or at a streetside noodle house: in other words, at the ‘office’. Read more about Tom: Q&A, About Page, Vietnam Tourism website.

Take the Boat from the Mekong Delta to Phú Quốc Island & Bring your Motorbike on Board

There are two ferry routes between the mainland Mekong Delta and Phú Quốc Island, and they are both booming. As many as six different ferry companies now operate fast boats and car ferries from the Mekong Delta towns of Hà Tiên and Rạch Gía to Bãi Vòng port on Phú Quốc Island. There are dozens of sailings in both directions and on both routes every day throughout the year. All the boats are fairly modern, clean and comfortable. Journey time is between 90 minutes to 3 hours depending on the vessel and the route. Prices for passengers and vehicles are quite reasonable, and booking tickets online or in-person is relatively hassle-free and efficient. If you enjoy a good journey, like I do, then taking the boat to Phú Quốc Island is a lot more fun than flying. It’s also a great way to combine a Mekong Delta itinerary with a trip to Phú Quốc without having to backtrack. Best of all, most boats can accommodate motorbikes, allowing riders to travel from the mainland to Phú Quốc with their own two wheels.

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PHU QUOC BY BOAT:

A Complete Guide for Passengers & Motorbikes

This guide includes everything you need to know about taking the ferry from the Mekong Delta to Phú Quốc Island. I’ve included a map of the ferry routes, all relevant information for travellers taking these boats, and you can even book ferry tickets directly from this page (see Contents below). For more of my guides to Phú Quốc Island and the Mekong Delta, see Related Posts.

If you like this guide, please support Vietnam Coracle with a donation or become a member of my Patreon community or purchase an Offline Guide & Map. This website relies on reader support to maintain its independence & quality. Thank you, Tom

Contents:

Route Map

Booking Tickets

Motorbikes & Cars

Ticket Prices & Ferry Schedules

Departure & Arrival Ports

The Boats

The Voyage

Related Guides

MAP:

Ferry Routes from Mekong Delta to Phú Quốc Island

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Booking Tickets:

Booking passenger tickets for fast boats and car ferries is pretty easy and straightforward. The simplest way to book is to use the Baolau search box below by entering your departure and destination ports and clicking ‘Search’. Alternatively, book directly through the ferry operators’ websites (see chart below), or book tickets in-person at the ferry offices at the ports (in Hà Tiên, Rạch Gía or Phú Quốc), or over the phone and messaging apps (see ferry websites for contacts). Note: passengers must have their passport when booking tickets and when boarding boats. It’s advisable to book tickets for fast boat services at least a day in advance, because they tend to fill up quickly during high season (November–April) and on pubic holidays. It’s not usually necessary to book car ferry tickets in advance.

Search & Book Tickets: enter your departure and arrival ports – Hà Tiên or Rạch Gía or Bãi Vòng (for Phú Quốc) – select your date of travel and click ‘Search’:

Below I have listed the contact websites and phone numbers for the four most regular and reliable ferry operators. In general, the ferry company websites are good and you can either toggle for English language or just use your browser’s translate function. Phone hotlines are also OK, but language can be an issue for non-Vietnamese speakers. A better option might be to contact the ferries via messaging apps, such as Zalo, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger (these can be found on the ferry websites). Remember that passenger tickets can also be purchased at the ferry offices at all boat piers in Hà Tiên, Rạch Gía and Phú Quốc, and even through most accommodations in those towns.

Fast Boats:

Car Ferries:

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Motorbikes & Cars:

Unlike many other ferry routes in Vietnam, almost all the boats operating on the Phú Quốc Island route, whether from Hà Tiên or from Rạch Gía, can accommodate both motorbikes and bicycles. Car ferries, of course, can carry bigger vehicles as well, but even the fast boats carry motorbikes and bicycles. This is really convenient for travellers on two wheels and I personally use this service regularly.

The booking and loading process is much easier on car ferries because there’s plenty of space for vehicles. The fast boats, on the other hand, have limited space for motorbikes and the booking process is slightly more difficult. Note: you must have your passport and license plate number when booking tickets for all boats. In rare cases, you may also be asked to show your green/blue ownership card for the motorbike. However, I have made this crossing over 50 times and only twice been asked to show my green card. I have never been asked to show my driving license. See below for details:

Fast Boats (Superdong & Phu Quoc Express): All fast boats operated by Superdong and Phu Quoc Express on both the Hà Tiên and Rạch Gía routes can accommodate a couple of dozen motorbikes or bicycles. Although it is possible to show up on the day of departure with your motorbike, it’s best to book at least a day in advance, because space is limited and demand can be high, especially on public holidays and weekends. Prices vary depending on the type of motorbike, but in general 200,000-350,000vnđ per bike is what you should expect to pay. You can’t book a motorbike ticket online when you book your passenger ticket. However, you can do it via messaging apps, such as Zalo, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger (these can be found on the ferry websites: Superdong | Phu Quoc Express) but this requires at least some basic Vietnamese language ability. Therefore, for most foreign travellers it’s necessary to book your motorbike ticket in-person: either at one of the ticket offices or at the port itself (see Departure & Arrival Ports). This is usually a straightforward process and well worth the minor inconvenience of going to the ticket office. Note that there is often a small additional handling charge once you get to the ferry: usually just 10,000vnđ. The bikes are loaded on the back or front of the fast boats.

Car Ferries (Thạnh Thới & Bình An): When taking your motorbike or bicycle (or even a car, bus or truck) on one of the car ferries operated by Thạnh Thới or Bình An, the process is very easy and there’s no need to book in advance (unless travelling on a public holiday). Just show up with your motorbike or bicycle at the correct port (see Departure & Arrival Ports) about 30 minutes before departure. The price lists for the car ferries are very clear and it’s generally cheaper than the fast boats: 140,000-350,000vnđ per bike. You can even book your vehicle ticket in advance via the online booking service on the car ferry websites: Thạnh Thới (thanhthoi.vn) and Bình An (binhanhatien.vn).

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Ticket Prices & Ferry Schedules:

Below, I’ve listed the sailing schedules, ticket prices and journey times for all four major fast boats and car ferries operating on both the Hà Tiên↔Phú Quốc and Rạch Gía↔Phú Quốc routes. Although the exact schedules are subject to change, you can pretty much guarantee multiple sailings every day on both routes year-round. The sailing schedules below should be treated only as a general guide. For up-to-date current schedules search Baolau.com using the search box below or go directly to the ferry operators’ websites (see Booking Tickets for details). Note that the ticket prices listed here are for passengers only. For vehicle prices, see Motorbikes & Cars. The only hindrance to your voyage might be weather: in the rainy season (May to October) rough seas can occasionally force ferries to cancel their services.

Route: Hà Tiên↔Bãi Vòng (Phú Quốc):

Route: Rạch Gía↔Bãi Vòng (Phú Quốc):

Search & Book Tickets: enter your departure and arrival ports – Hà Tiên or Rạch Gía or Bãi Vòng (for Phú Quốc) – select your date of travel and click ‘Search’:

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Departure & Arrival Ports:

Of the two mainland ports, Hà Tiên is the calmer and better organized, but there are several different piers depending on which ferry you’re taking. Rạch Gía can be quite hectic and crowded, but all ferries essentially leave from the same pier. Both Hà Tiên and Rạch Gía ports can be reached by taxi booked through your accommodation, assuming you’re staying in town. On Phú Quốc, all boats arrive and depart from Bãi Vòng port on the southeast coast, a 15-30 minute drive from the main town of Dương Đông and some of the island’s most popular beaches on the west coast. Taxis meet the boats and VinBus has a free island-wide electric bus service, including Bãi Vòng port (get the VinBus app to check times and schedules). If you’ve booked accommodation in advance, your hotel should be able to arrange pick up/drop off at the port. Click below for more details:

• Hà Tiên Port
• Rạch Gía Port
• Bãi Vòng Port (Phú Quốc)

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HÀ TIÊN PORT [MAP]

Fast Boat Ferry Terminal: There are three different terminals in Hà Tiên, but they are all located on the south side of the Tô Châu Bridge – the other side of the river from the town. The fast boat terminal was refurbished not long ago and now resembles the terminal of a small domestic airport. This is where all Superdong and Phu Quoc Express ferries arrive and depart. The terminal is sparse, clean, and easy to navigate. There are ticket offices inside, a waiting lounge and several shops, cafes and local guesthouses nearby. Arrival and departure is fairly smooth and efficient, although there’s a bit of a scramble on arrival as the boats are being unloaded.

Thạnh Thới Car Ferry Terminal: Thạnh Thới has its own separate terminal, just a minute downriver of the fast boat pier. The port is large, spacious and well-run, with ticket offices, waiting areas, a cafe and a shop. Note that there is an additional Thạnh Thới pier just under the Tô Châu Bridge.

Bình An Car Ferry Terminal: This gigantic terminal on a large swathe of reclaimed land sprawling west of the Tô Châu Bridge is dedicated solely to Bình An car ferries. The large, airplane-style hanger houses ticket offices, shops, cafes, fast food joints, waiting areas, toilets and showers. It’s big and easy to navigate but feels rather empty and unused.

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RẠCH GIÁ PORT [MAP]

Fast Boat Ferry Terminal:  In Rạch Gía, all fast boats (Superdong and Phu Quoc Express among others) arrive and depart from the rather worn looking terminal building near the mouth of the canal. The port is in desperate need of an upgrade: it can be overcrowded and chaotic – even the boats themselves struggle for room. There are ticket offices and a waiting area inside, and a couple of stalls outside. Make sure you know your boat number and the pier number it’s leaving from, because there are usually several different boats (going to different islands!) leaving at the same time.

Thạnh Thới Car Ferry Terminal: Just a couple of minutes walk west of the fast boat terminal is the pier for the Thạnh Thới car ferry. Although well-organized, it’s pretty bare-bones and will surely be upgraded soon.

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BÃI VÒNG PORT (PHÚ QUỐC) [MAP]

Fast Boat Ferry Terminal: A gaping bay on the southeastern coast of Phú Quốc, Bãi Vòng is the main port for all ships (fast boats and car ferries) to and from the island. The port spreads along the bay from north to south, and there’s still a lot of construction going on. Fast boats (Superdong, Phu Quoc Express and others) dock at the northern end of the bay, where a long pier stretches out to sea to meet the boats. The long pier requires a long walk (carrying bags in the heat or rain) unless you opt for an electric buggy shuttle (10,000vnđ). At the end of the pier is a car park for taxis and the VinBus. The terminal building looks like it’s on its last legs: there are ticket offices and some snack stalls. This terminal needs an upgrade.

Bình An Car Ferry Terminal: Just south of the fast boat pier is the landing ramp for Bình An car ferries. It’s not much more than a landing ramp – there’s a ticket office, one or two stalls and the lane out to the main road is bumpy and dusty. Furthermore, taxis tend not to come here; instead they wait at the fast boat pier and the Thạnh Thới terminal.

Thạnh Thới Car Ferry Terminal: Right at the southern end of the bay is the Thạnh Thới car ferry terminal: a large waiting area and ticket office with a cafe leading onto several boat piers.

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The Boats:

There are essentially two kinds of ships sailing between the Mekong Delta and Phú Quốc Island: fast boats and car ferries. These operate on both routes: from Hà Tiên and from Rạch Gía (although Hà Tiên has far more car ferries than Rạch Gía does). Remember that car ferries can accommodate passengers, trucks, buses, cars, motorbikes and bicycles; whereas fast boats can carry passengers, motorbikes and bicycles only. In general, all boats are comfortable and clean, with toilets and plenty of life jackets and life rafts.

Fast Boats: (Operated by Phu Quoc Express & Superdong [among others] on both the Hà Tiên & Rạch Gía routes)

These are relatively small vessels but very quick. Each fast boat has the capacity for between 200-300 passengers and around 20 motorbikes. The fast boats operated by Superdong and Phu Quoc Express are different: the latter is a catamaran, the former is a monohull vessel. Inside, they are similarly configured with two decks of coach-style, soft seating in rows separated by aisles. Cabins are air-conditioned and staff are young and reasonably polite. Large TVs show soap operas, movies, reality shows and music videos, but the volume is low enough that it’s not intrusive. WiFi is available, but in reality it doesn’t work for most of the voyage. Light refreshments, such as instant noodles, crisps, beer, coffee and soft drinks, are available on board, but it’s perhaps better to bring your own snacks. There are several toilets, all of which are kept clean. Personally, I prefer Phu Quoc Express boats because the cabins are wider and more spacious, as is the outside deck space. Note: although there are railings around the outside decks, they are quite low and the deck can get slippery from the wash. A sudden swell on the ocean or blast of strong wind or small trip could send you overboard. Be careful.

Car Ferries: (Operated by Thạnh Thới on both Hà Tiên & Rạch Gía routes; by Bình An on Hà Tiên crossing only)

Car ferries are large, heavy vessels that generally take twice the time as the fast boats to make the crossings. However, tickets are cheaper, there’s lots of outside deck space, and plenty of room for many dozens of vehicles. Currently, car ferries are operated by Thạnh Thới (Rạch Gía and Hà Tiên) and Bình An (Hà Tiên only). Most car ferries have capacity for a few hundred passengers, 200 motorbikes, 30 cars, and several coaches and trucks. Seating is on soft, coach-style reclinable chairs across several decks. In general, Bình An vessels are in better condition and more comfortable than Thạnh Thới ships, some of which are starting to show signs of wear and tear. Toilets are plenty and fine. There’s a decent bar/cafe on deck offering snacks and drinks. Personally, I find the car ferries more exciting than the fast boats – it feels more like a real voyage, and the spacious outside decks mean you can really enjoy the sensation of being at sea. 

Search & Book Tickets: enter your departure and arrival ports – Hà Tiên or Rạch Gía or Bãi Vòng (for Phú Quốc) – select your date of travel and click ‘Search’:

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The Voyage:

Sailing from the Mekong Delta to Phú Quốc Island involves crossing an attractive corner of the Gulf of Thailand, dotted with islets and archipelagoes. During the dry season months (November–May), the seas are usually calm and the skies clear. But during the rainy season (June–October), heavy rains fall and storms can churn up the waves. On either of the routes (from Hà Tiên or Rạch Gía) it’s an interesting and fairly scenic voyage.

Hà Tiên→Phú Quốc: Departing Hà Tiên can be lovely, especially in the mornings or late afternoons, when the low light hits to town and surrounding hills. From the bustling harbourfront, the boat drifts out into the mouth of the Giang Thạnh River, with the town of Hà Tiên on the north bank and the green, temple-studded Tô Châu hill on the south bank. Sliding under the harbour bridge, the boat enters the open sea. As the mainland slowly recedes, the sea gets bluer as the fluvial waters are diluted by the ocean. Passing through the green and rugged little archipelago of Đảo Hải Tặc (Pirate Islands), the ship ploughs on towards the purple mass of land on the horizon: Phú Quốc. Sadly, in recent years the sea between the mainland and Phú Quốc is increasingly polluted with plastic – fishing-related, household and industrial garbage. Even so, as the silhouette of Phú Quốc draws closer, the sun appears to get brighter, the light sharper and the colours more intense. With Bãi Vòng port in sight, the ocean becomes calm and placid. The anticipation of arrival builds as the boat cuts its engines and glides to the pier.

Rạch Gía→Phú Quốc: A thriving city in the Mekong Delta, Rạch Gía is a busy, slightly chaotic port to depart from. The boats jostle for space at the point where a canal meets the sea. As the ship maneuvers out of port – avoiding the hulls of other vessels by mere millimetres – the engines immediately roar to life. Before long, the low-rise sprawl of Rạch Gía is a speck on the horizon. Numerous Mekong tributaries and canals muddy the sea for miles, and water hyacinth grows in large clumps like green rafts. A scattering of lush, hilly islands – Hòn Tre and Hòn Nghệ – provide an exotic backdrop as the boat steams further into open sea. Rạch Gía is twice the distance from Phú Quốc than Hà Tiên, thus the island isn’t visible to the west until halfway through the voyage. When it does appear, Phú Quốc seems small and insignificant. But, as the ship ploughs on, the hills of Phú Quốc’s northern tip start to tower above the flat waters of the Gulf of Thailand, like the ramparts of a fort from the set of Game of Thrones. From the deck, you can see the weather moving across the island: billowing clouds building up and then dispersing as they unload on the island’s steamy forests. After nearly 3 hours at sea, the ship curves into Bãi Vòng port, on the gentle southeastern coast of the island.

Search & Book Tickets: enter your departure and arrival ports – Hà Tiên or Rạch Gía or Bãi Vòng (for Phú Quốc) – select your date of travel and click ‘Search’:

*Disclosure: I never receive payment for anything I write: my content is always free and independent. I’ve written this guide because I want to: I like these ferry routes and I want my readers to know about them. For more details, see my Disclosure & Disclaimer statements and my About Page

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