The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport in coordination with relevant units launched a new express boat service linking the city’s Nha Be District and Con Dao Island off the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau on Monday morning to meet growing travel demand.

The launch of the service is expected to enhance the connectivity between the city and the southeastern provinces, Bui Hoang An, deputy director of the department, said at the launching ceremony.

It also offers passengers another mode of transportation to travel between the southern metropolis and Con Dao, a popular tourist destination home to pristine beaches and stunning natural landscapes.

Passengers can opt to visit Con Dao from Saigon - Hiep Phuoc Port in Ho Chi Minh City’s Nha Be via the express boat service in around four hours, according to Vu Van Khuong, deputy general director of Phu Quoc Express JSC, the operator of the service.

The operator runs the service using the Thang Long boat, which is over 77 meters long and nearly 9.5 meters wide.

It is able to transport up to 1,017 passengers and can travel at 35 nautical miles per hour, featuring modern equipment and ensuring ultimate safety for the passengers.

One-way tickets on the route fetch between VND615,000 (US$24) and VND1.1 million ($43).

The operator offers a transit bus service from the September 23 Park in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 to the Saigon - Hiep Phuoc Port in the outlying district of Nha Be from 5:00 am to those who want to use the express boat service.

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