About the route from Can Tho to Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is an island off the southwest coast of Vietnam, so there is no road all the way there. You either fly or take a ferry, and from Can Tho the ferry is reached overland via one of two ports, Ha Tien or Rach Gia, both in what is now An Giang province after the 2025 changes. The flight looks like the obvious choice, but it is far more limited than most travelers expect, which is why the combination of road and ferry is usually the more practical way to go.
There is one timing detail worth knowing before you plan. Most ferries to Phu Quoc leave in the morning or early afternoon, with few or no late departures. That means whatever you use to reach the port, a bus or a private car, has to get you there in time for a sailing. If it does not, you may be stuck overnight in Ha Tien or Rach Gia, neither of which is a particularly nice place to stay, so it pays to check departure and arrival times carefully before booking. Ferry crossings also depend on the weather, and rough seas can cause cancellations, most often outside the calmer dry season.
Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island and one of its top beach destinations, known for long sandy beaches, resorts, a forested national park, and good diving and snorkeling offshore. It has grown fast in recent years, with everything from quiet stretches of coast to busy resort areas and theme parks. It works well for anything from a relaxed beach break to a more active island stay.
Plan your time on the island with our Phu Quoc travel guide.
Option 1: By ferry from Can Tho to Phu Quoc
How it works
Getting to Phu Quoc from Can Tho by ferry is a two-part journey: first you travel by road to a ferry port, then you cross to the island. The two ports are Ha Tien and Rach Gia, and you reach either one by bus or private car before boarding a fast ferry. This is the most practical option for most travelers, since the direct flight runs so rarely. The key thing is to line up your road transport with a ferry departure, as most sailings are in the morning or early afternoon.
Ha Tien or Rach Gia
The two ports offer a clear trade-off between time on the road and time at sea. Rach Gia is closer to Can Tho by road, at around 2.5 to 3 hours, but the crossing is longer at about 2.5 to 3 hours. Ha Tien is the further drive, around 3 to 4 hours, but the crossing is much shorter at roughly 1.25 to 1.5 hours. So one saves time on the road, the other on the water.
Beyond distance, Ha Tien tends to have more frequent sailings, with several departures spread across the day, while Rach Gia has fewer, mostly clustered in the morning to early afternoon. That makes Ha Tien a little easier to connect with if your arrival time is uncertain, while Rach Gia can be the simpler choice if you want the shortest road journey from Can Tho. Either way, check the day’s departure times before you set off, since both ports stop sending ferries by early afternoon.
Getting to the port
From Can Tho you can reach either port by bus or private car. Buses run to both Rach Gia, around 2.5 to 3 hours away, and Ha Tien, around 3 to 4 hours, with operators like Phuong Trang (FUTA) running frequent services. The important part is timing: you must arrive before your ferry leaves, and since departures dry up after early afternoon, a delayed or late bus can mean missing the last sailing. A private car gives you more control over timing and drops you directly at the port, which is worth considering if you are aiming for a specific ferry or a later departure.
The ferry crossing
The ferries are modern, air-conditioned fast boats run by operators such as Superdong, Phu Quoc Express, and Thanh Thoi. Fares run from around 190,000 to 230,000 VND from Ha Tien, and roughly 290,000 to 330,000 VND from Rach Gia. Most ferries arrive at Bai Vong pier on the east coast of Phu Quoc, around 15 kilometers from Duong Dong town, from where a taxi or arranged transfer takes you to your hotel. Book ahead in busy periods, and keep in mind that rough weather can lead to cancellations.
Read more in our guides to the ferry to Phu Quoc and the Ha Tien to Phu Quoc crossing.
Who this option is for
The ferry suits most travelers heading from Can Tho to Phu Quoc, especially those who want reliable departures rather than waiting for the occasional direct flight. It works well for budget travelers, anyone who prefers not to fly, and those who like the idea of a sea crossing to the island. The main thing to manage is timing, so plan your road transport around a confirmed ferry departure rather than the other way around.
Tip: do it all in one trip with a Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc tour
If you would rather not piece the journey together yourself, our Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc tour handles everything from Ho Chi Minh City. It takes in Can Tho’s floating markets, a countryside homestay, cycling past orchards, and boat trips through the canals, then the transfers on to Ha Tien and the ferry across to your hotel on Phu Quoc, all in one hassle-free trip.
Option 2: By plane from Can Tho to Phu Quoc
The direct flight and its catch
There is a direct flight from Can Tho to Phu Quoc, taking only about 1 hour and 10 minutes, which sounds like the easy answer. The catch is how limited it is. Vietnam Airlines is the only operator, with roughly five flights a week rather than daily, and they tend to leave around the same late-morning time. That makes it convenient only if your travel date and plans happen to match the schedule. Fares can also be high compared to the ferry, especially at short notice. It is worth checking, but do not assume a direct flight will be available on the day you want.
Flying via Ho Chi Minh City
If the direct flight does not fit, the reliable way to fly is via Ho Chi Minh City. The route from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc has around nine flights a day with several airlines, so departures are frequent and fares are often low. From Can Tho you would travel back to Ho Chi Minh City first, around 3.5 to 4 hours by road, which makes this a longer and less direct option, but it is far more dependable than waiting for the limited Can Tho service if flying is your preference.
Cost and who flying is for
Direct Can Tho to Phu Quoc fares vary widely with demand and how far ahead you book, and can be considerably more than the ferry. Flying suits travelers who are short on time and whose dates line up with the direct flight, or those who simply prefer not to take a ferry. For most people, though, the limited schedule means the ferry remains the more practical choice from Can Tho.
Read more about domestic flights in Vietnam.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Can Tho to Phu Quoc
The best way to travel from Can Tho to Phu Quoc depends on your budget, your schedule, and how much you want to fly. Here is a simple way to choose:
Ferry via Ha Tien or Rach Gia – the most practical option for most travelers, with reliable daily departures. Choose Ha Tien for the shortest crossing and more frequent sailings, or Rach Gia for the shorter drive from Can Tho.
Direct flight – the fastest option at around 1 hour 10 minutes, but only worth planning around if its limited, few-times-a-week schedule happens to fit your dates.
Flying via Ho Chi Minh City – the reliable choice if you want to fly but the direct flight does not line up, with frequent daily departures from Saigon.
For most travelers, the choice comes down to this: take the ferry for a dependable and good-value trip, planning your road transport around a confirmed morning or early afternoon sailing. Only count on the direct flight if the schedule matches your plans, and route through Ho Chi Minh City if you would rather fly than sail.
