About the route from Con Dao to Can Tho
Con Dao sits out in the sea to the south, while Can Tho lies inland at the center of the Mekong Delta, so the two are not far apart but separated by water and a stretch of the delta. There are two ways to make the trip from Con Dao to Can Tho: a high-speed ferry, or a short flight. The ferry is the more reliable and far cheaper option, though it lands at a port a couple of hours’ drive from Can Tho city rather than in the center. The flight is faster but limited, running only a few days a week. This route works especially well as part of a wider Mekong Delta trip, which is where it makes the most sense. Con Dao, where the journey begins, is a quiet island of empty beaches and forest with a heavy wartime history, covered in our Con Dao travel guide if you are still enjoying your last days there.
Can Tho is the biggest city in the Mekong Delta, and for most travelers the place to base themselves for it. Sitting on a branch of the Mekong, its appeal is all about the water: the Cai Rang floating market that gets going at dawn, slow boat trips along the palm-lined canals, and cycling through orchards and rice fields just outside town. Can Tho itself is an easygoing river city, pleasant for a wander along the waterfront, but it is the delta all around it that people really come for. Our Can Tho travel guide covers what to see and how to plan it.
Tip: Combine the delta, Con Dao, and Saigon on one trip with Local Vietnam
If you are linking the Mekong Delta with Con Dao and Ho Chi Minh City, our Mekong Delta and Con Dao tour ties them into one smooth route, with countryside cycling, a riverside homestay, the floating markets by boat, and the ferry to the island, and every transfer, guide, and stay arranged. It saves you piecing the logistics together yourself, and it runs in either direction.
Option 1: By ferry from Con Dao to Can Tho
Why choose the ferry
The ferry is the main connection between Con Dao and the Mekong Delta, and for this route it is usually the better choice. It runs most days, costs a fraction of the flight, and lands you right in the delta. On calm seas it is a comfortable crossing on a modern fast ferry. The one thing to know is that it arrives at Tran De port, a couple of hours by road from Can Tho city, so there is a transfer at the end.
How it works
High-speed ferries run from Con Dao’s Ben Dam port to Tran De, the nearest delta port to the island. The crossing takes around two to two and a half hours, run by Superdong, Phu Quoc Express, and Con Dao Express, usually with one or two morning departures a day. Fares run from around 390,000 to 590,000 VND (roughly $15 to $24) in economy, a little more at weekends and for VIP seats. Tran De is now officially part of Can Tho City, since Soc Trang province merged into Can Tho in 2025, which is why this is sold as the Can Tho to Con Dao ferry, but the port still sits about two hours’ drive from Can Tho city center. From Tran De, a connecting shuttle bus, taxi, or private car covers the last leg. Our guide on the Con Dao ferry from Soc Trang has the full pier, schedule, and booking detail.
What to know before you book
The schedule shifts with the season, and the boats do not sail in rough seas, so crossings can be cancelled, mostly in the rough season from November to February. Always check current sailings, book a couple of weeks ahead in the busy months, and arrive at the port at least an hour before departure. If you are prone to seasickness, take medication and sit low and central.
Option 2: By flight from Con Dao to Can Tho
Why choose the flight
The flight is the fast option, cutting the trip to under an hour and dropping you close to Can Tho city. It suits travelers who want to save the hours the ferry and transfer take, and who are traveling on a day it runs. The drawbacks are that it costs well over double the ferry and does not operate every day, so it only makes sense when the timing works and speed is worth the price.
How it works
Vietnam Airlines flies direct from Con Dao to Can Tho Airport on a small turboprop, a hop of around 45 to 50 minutes. The service is limited: there is usually just one flight a day, and it does not run every day, generally skipping Fridays and Sundays, so check the schedule carefully for your dates. Can Tho airport is a short drive from the city center, closer than the ferry port. Fares tend to run from around 1,500,000 to 1,900,000 VND (roughly $60 to $76) one way, and with only one small flight a day, seats sell out, so book well ahead.
Who it is for
The flight is for travelers short on time who happen to be flying on a day it operates and do not mind paying more to skip the crossing. For everyone else, especially anyone exploring the delta anyway, the ferry is cheaper, runs more often, and is part of the experience.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Con Dao to Can Tho
The best way from Con Dao to Can Tho comes down to your dates and budget.
Take the ferry for the everyday choice: a two-hour crossing to Tran De and a drive on to Can Tho, cheap, running most days, and a natural fit if you are exploring the Mekong Delta.
Take the flight if speed matters and you are traveling on a day it runs, since it is under an hour in the air, though it costs well over double and only operates about five days a week.
For most travelers the ferry wins on price and frequency, and it fits neatly into a delta trip. The flight is worth it only when the timing lines up and you would rather not spend the hours crossing by sea.
