About the route from Phu Quoc to Can Tho
Phu Quoc sits off the southwest coast in the Gulf of Thailand, while Can Tho lies inland at the heart of the Mekong Delta, so the two are linked by a sea crossing and a stretch of the delta. There are two ways to make the trip from Phu Quoc to Can Tho: a ferry to the mainland followed by a road transfer, or a direct flight. The ferry route is far cheaper and runs several times a day, though the whole journey takes the best part of a day; the flight is quick but limited to a few days a week and costs much more. For travelers heading into the delta, the ferry is often the natural choice. Phu Quoc, where the trip begins, is the country’s largest island and a full beach-resort destination, covered in our Phu Quoc travel guide if you are still deciding how long to stay.
Can Tho is the hub of the Mekong Delta, a river city where the water does everything: it is the market, the highway, and the main attraction. The classic experience is an early boat trip to the Cai Rang floating market, where traders sell from their boats at dawn, followed by a drift through the smaller canals and a cycle past the orchards and rice fields. After the beaches of Phu Quoc, it is a completely different side of the south, greener, slower, and shaped by the river. Our Can Tho travel guide covers what to see and how to plan it.
Tip: Turn this into a Mekong Delta trip with Local Vietnam
If you want to see the delta properly on the way, our Mekong Delta tour from Phu Quoc runs from the island by ferry to Rach Gia, on to a riverside homestay near Can Tho, out to the Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets by boat, and through the countryside by bike, before finishing in Ho Chi Minh City, with every transfer, guide, and stay arranged. It saves you sorting the ferries and transfers yourself, and it can run in reverse on request.
Option 1: By ferry from Phu Quoc to Can Tho
Why choose the ferry
The ferry is the cheaper and more common way to reach Can Tho, and it fits naturally into a Mekong Delta trip. You cross from the island to the mainland by fast ferry, then continue to Can Tho by road. It takes the best part of a day all told, but it costs a fraction of the flight, runs several times a day, and gives you a first taste of the delta as you go.
How it works
Fast ferries leave Phu Quoc from Bai Vong port, in the east of the island, and cross to Rach Gia on the mainland in around two and a half hours, run by Superdong and Phu Quoc Express. From Rach Gia, Can Tho is about two and a half to three hours by road, by bus or private car. Many travelers book it as a combined ferry-and-bus ticket, which takes roughly seven to eight hours door to door including the connection, from around 710,000 to 760,000 VND (roughly $28 to $30). There is also a shorter ferry to Ha Tien, but Rach Gia is closer to Can Tho and the usual choice. Our ferry from Phu Quoc guide covers the crossings, and the departure point is covered in our Bai Vong port guide.
What to know before you book
The ferries run daily and are generally reliable, but they do not sail in rough seas, so crossings can be cancelled in bad weather, mainly from around November to February. Book ahead in the busy season, arrive at the port at least 45 minutes to an hour before departure, and if you are prone to seasickness, take medication. A combined ticket through a platform like 12Go or Baolau saves arranging the ferry and the onward transfer separately.
Who it is for
The ferry suits budget travelers, and anyone exploring the Mekong Delta, since it drops you into the region and costs far less than flying. If you are short on time and would rather not spend most of a day traveling, the flight is the alternative.
Option 2: By flight from Phu Quoc to Can Tho
Why choose the flight
The flight is the fast option, cutting a day’s travel to about an hour in the air. It suits travelers short on time who are willing to pay more and are traveling on a day it runs. The catches are the price, well above the ferry, and the limited schedule, so it only makes sense when the timing works.
How it works
Vietnam Airlines flies direct from Phu Quoc to Can Tho Airport in about an hour, on a small aircraft. The service is limited: there is usually one flight a day, and it does not run every day, generally skipping Fridays and Sundays, so check the schedule for your dates. Can Tho airport is a short drive from the city center. Fares tend to run from around 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 VND (roughly $80 to $100) one way, several times the ferry, and with just 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 the higher fare. For everyone else, especially anyone with the delta on their list, the ferry is cheaper, runs more often, and is part of the journey.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Phu Quoc to Can Tho
The best way from Phu Quoc to Can Tho comes down to your time and budget.
Take the ferry for the cheaper, more frequent option: a fast crossing to Rach Gia and a drive on to Can Tho, taking most of a day but costing little, and a natural fit if you are heading into the Mekong Delta.
Take the flight if speed matters and you are traveling on a day it runs, since it is about an hour in the air, though it costs several times the ferry and only operates about five days a week.
For most travelers, and anyone exploring the delta, the ferry is the sensible choice. The flight is worth it only when time is tight and the schedule lines up.
