About the route from Con Dao to the Mekong Delta
Con Dao sits well off the southern coast, so leaving the island means either a ferry or a flight back to the mainland. The Mekong Delta is a large region rather than a single place, so the route really drops you at one entry point and you continue from there. The ferry arrives at Tran De port, well placed for Soc Trang, Can Tho, and the wider delta, while the flight lands at Can Tho. From either, you are in the delta and ready to travel on.
There are a couple of practical points worth knowing before you plan. Ferries from Con Dao back to the mainland tend to leave in the early to mid afternoon, so you usually have the morning on the island before departing, but it also means arriving at Tran De later in the day with onward travel still ahead. Crossings also depend on the weather, running most reliably in the calmer season from around March to September, with rough seas more likely to cause cancellations between October and February. One naming point: since the 2025 changes, Tran De is part of Can Tho City, though it is still widely known as Tran De and sits a couple of hours by road from Can Tho city itself.
The Mekong Delta is one of the most distinctive regions in Vietnam, a flat, green landscape of rivers, rice paddies, fruit orchards, and floating markets. It is best known for slow boat trips through the canals, homestays in the countryside, and a relaxed pace far removed from the cities. It makes a natural next stop after the quiet of Con Dao.
Plan your time in the region with our Mekong Delta travel guide.
Option 1: By ferry from Con Dao to the Mekong Delta
The crossing to Tran De
The ferry is the most practical way to travel from Con Dao to the Mekong Delta, landing you right in the region at Tran De port. Two operators run the route, Superdong and Con Dao Express, on modern, air-conditioned fast ferries. The crossing takes around 2 to 2.5 hours, leaving from Ben Dam port on Con Dao and arriving at Tran De. Departures are generally in the early to mid afternoon, so you can enjoy a final morning on the island before heading back.
Continuing into the delta
Tran De is the gateway, but not usually the final stop, so you continue overland from the port. Soc Trang town is the nearest base, around 30 to 40 minutes away, while Can Tho, the delta’s main hub, is roughly two hours by road. You can travel on by local bus or private car. Keep the timing in mind: since the ferry arrives in the afternoon, you may reach Can Tho or beyond in the early evening, so it is worth arranging onward transport and accommodation in advance rather than scrambling on arrival.
Cost, season, and booking
Fares run from roughly 310,000 to 590,000 VND depending on the operator and seat class. You can book through the operators directly or platforms like 12Go, and it is worth booking ahead in the busy season from March to September, when seats sell out. This is also the most reliable time to sail, while rough seas between October and February can lead to cancellations, so keep your plans flexible if traveling then.
For the full ferry detail and all the ways to and from the island, see our guide on how to get to Con Dao.
Who the ferry is for
The ferry suits almost everyone leaving Con Dao for the delta, especially travelers continuing to Soc Trang, Can Tho, or deeper into the region. It works well for budget travelers and anyone who would rather arrive on the mainland by sea than backtrack by air. The main thing to manage is the afternoon arrival, so plan your onward leg into the delta around it.
Option 2: By plane from Con Dao to the Mekong Delta
The Con Dao to Can Tho flight
There is a direct flight from Con Dao Airport to Can Tho Airport, the main city of the Mekong Delta, taking 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 date matches the schedule and Can Tho is where you want to be in the delta. When it does line up, it is the fastest way off the island and straight into the region, skipping the ferry and the overland leg entirely.
Via Ho Chi Minh City if the dates do not fit
If the direct flight does not suit your plans, the alternative by air is to fly via Ho Chi Minh City, which has frequent daily flights from Con Dao. From there you would continue into the Mekong Delta by road, around 3.5 to 4 hours to Can Tho. This is a longer way round and only really makes sense if you are passing through Ho Chi Minh City anyway, since for most delta-bound travelers the ferry to Tran De is more direct.
Cost and who flying is for
Direct fares from Con Dao to Can Tho vary with demand and how far ahead you book, and can be considerably more than the ferry. Flying suits travelers who are short on time, whose dates fit the limited schedule, and who are heading to Can Tho specifically. For most people leaving Con Dao for the delta, though, the ferry remains the simpler and more flexible choice.
Read more about domestic flights in Vietnam.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Con Dao to the Mekong Delta
The best way to travel from Con Dao to the Mekong Delta depends on your dates, your budget, and where in the region you are heading. Here is a simple way to choose:
Ferry to Tran De – the most practical choice for most travelers, landing you right in the delta and well placed for Soc Trang, Can Tho, and beyond, with afternoon crossings of around 2 to 2.5 hours.
Direct flight to Can Tho – the fastest option when its limited, few-times-a-week schedule fits your dates and Can Tho is where you want to be.
Via Ho Chi Minh City – a roundabout air option that only really makes sense if you are passing through the city anyway.
For most travelers, it comes down to this: take the ferry to Tran De for a direct and flexible arrival into the delta, planning your onward transport around the afternoon landing. Only choose the flight if its schedule lines up and Can Tho is your destination, and route through Ho Chi Minh City if you would rather fly but the direct flight does not run on your dates.
