About the route from Can Tho to Con Dao
Con Dao sits well off the southern coast of Vietnam, so there is no road or bridge to the island. From Can Tho you have two ways to get there: a direct flight, or a ferry from the Tran De port. The flight is the fastest at under an hour, but it runs only a few times a week, so it is not always an option on the day you want. The ferry is more involved, since you first travel overland to Tran De before crossing to the island.
There is one point worth clearing up, because it confuses many travelers. Since the 2025 administrative changes, the Tran De area is now part of Can Tho City, so the ferry is often sold as the “Can Tho to Con Dao” ferry. The boat does not leave from Can Tho city itself, but from Tran De port on the coast, around two hours away by road. The older ferry that once ran from central Can Tho no longer operates, so do not plan around a departure from the city.
Season also matters on this route. The ferry runs most reliably in the calmer dry season, while rough seas outside that can lead to cancellations, sometimes at short notice. Flights are far less affected by weather, though they can still be disrupted during storms, which is worth keeping in mind if you are connecting to onward travel.
Con Dao itself rewards the effort to get there. It is a quiet island of clear water, empty beaches, forested hills, and a heavy, moving history from its time as a prison island, with far fewer crowds than Vietnam’s better-known beach spots. It suits travelers who want to slow down, swim, dive, and explore at an unhurried pace.
Discover what to see and do in our Con Dao travel guide.
Option 1: By plane from Can Tho to Con Dao
The direct flight and its catch
The fastest way to travel from Can Tho to Con Dao is the direct flight, which takes under an hour. The catch is how limited it is. Vietnam Airlines is the only operator, with roughly five flights a week rather than daily, so it only works if your travel dates happen to match the schedule. Fares are generally around $55 to $90 one way. It is well worth checking, since a short flight beats a long ferry day, but do not assume a direct flight will be available exactly when you want it.
Flying via Ho Chi Minh City
If the direct flight does not fit your dates, the reliable alternative is to fly via Ho Chi Minh City. The Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao route has multiple flights a day, year-round, making it far easier to plan around than the occasional Can Tho service. From Can Tho you would travel back to Ho Chi Minh City first, around 3.5 to 4 hours by road, so it is a longer way around, but it is the most dependable way to reach the island by air when the direct flight is not running.
Cost and who flying is for
Direct fares from Can Tho sit at roughly $55 to $90 one way, while Ho Chi Minh City fares vary more depending on how far ahead you book. Flying suits travelers who are short on time, visiting outside the calm ferry season, or who simply prefer not to spend hours at sea. For most people, the direct flight is the best choice when the schedule lines up, and routing through Ho Chi Minh City is the backup when it does not.
Read more about domestic flights in Vietnam.
Option 2: By ferry from Can Tho to Con Dao
There is no ferry from Can Tho city
The first thing to know is that no ferry leaves from Can Tho city itself. The old Mai Linh Express service from the Ninh Kieu waterfront no longer runs, so despite the route often being sold as the “Can Tho to Con Dao” ferry, the boat actually departs from Tran De port on the coast. As covered above, Tran De is now part of Can Tho City after the 2025 changes, which is where the name comes from, but it sits around two hours away by road.
Getting to Tran De port
To take the ferry, you first travel overland from Can Tho to Tran De, by bus or private car. The important thing is timing, as ferries to Con Dao leave in the morning or early afternoon, with no late sailings. Whatever transport you use has to get you to the port in time, so it pays to plan around a confirmed departure rather than risk missing the last boat. A private car gives you the most control over timing and drops you right at the port, while a bus is cheaper but needs more careful checking against the ferry schedule.
The ferry crossing
The crossing from Tran De to Con Dao takes around 2 to 2.5 hours on a modern, air-conditioned fast ferry, run by operators such as Superdong and Phu Quoc Express. Boats arrive at Ben Dam port on Con Dao, a short ride from the main town, so arrange your onward transfer or ask your accommodation to help. Book ahead in busy periods, and keep in mind that sailings depend on the weather, with cancellations more likely in the rougher months outside the dry season.
For more on all the ways to reach the island, see our full guide on how to get to Con Dao.
Who the ferry is for
The ferry suits travelers who do not mind the overland trip to Tran De and want the experience of arriving by sea, or whose dates do not line up with the limited direct flight. It works well for budget travelers and those already exploring the Mekong Delta. It is less suited to anyone short on time or visiting in the rough season, when the flight is the safer bet.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Can Tho to Con Dao
The best way to travel from Can Tho to Con Dao depends on your dates, your budget, and how much time you have. Here is a simple way to choose:
Direct flight – the fastest option at under an hour, and the best choice when its limited, few-times-a-week schedule happens to fit your plans.
Ferry via Tran De – a good option if you do not mind the overland trip to the port and like the idea of arriving by sea, with crossings of around 2 to 2.5 hours.
Flying via Ho Chi Minh City – the most reliable choice when the direct flight does not run on your dates, with multiple daily flights from Saigon.
For most travelers, it comes down to this: take the direct flight if the schedule lines up, as it turns a long journey into a short hop. If it does not, choose the Tran De ferry for a sea crossing close to Can Tho, or route through Ho Chi Minh City for the most dependable flights to the island.
