Hydrofoil service Hi Chi Mien Inter. Airport to Vung Tau

[scorecard]

Not a Thailand topic so not sure it's allowed, but here goes.

Anybody ever used this service? I've established it's got a fairly good reputation for reliability and safety, about 75 minutes one way, about US$10- return. Opposed to 3 to 4 hours by bus.

My questions are:

- Where does it depart from in Ho Chi Mien city and where is the departure point (location / distance / travel time) in proximity to Ho Chi Mien airport?

- Are there any specific bus / car / taxi etc., services from Ho chi Mien airport to the hydrofoil departure point?

Any information / advice appreciated. Thanks.

[IMA_FARANG]

I've taken the Vung Tau hydrofoil 3 or 4 times in both directions.

It takes about 1.5 hours each direction. The ferries leave about every two hours.

I can't tell you the exact street address, just ask the taxi driver for the FERRY terminal, don't confuse him with the term Hydrofoil terminal.

If the taxi driver doesn't understand (many taxi drivers in Ho Chi Minh speak limited English) have the hotel receptionist tell him the Ferry terminal in Vietnamese.

Actually all the taxi drivers know where it is, they just may not know it's name in English.

The Vietnamese use it all the time.

It is best to go there a day before and purchase a ticket at the sales office in the terminal. although you can get a ticket just before you travel. Just be aware that sometimes the departure time you want may be full, especially for the 8 or 9 a.m. departures from Ho Chi Minh because many Vietnamese use those departures and all seats are full for those times.

I would not try to go directly from the airport to the ferry terminal, but it could be. Just be aware that you may have to wait for a ferry if you pick one of those early morning (8 or 9 a.m.) departures.

The ferry terminal is right on the Saigon river, not far from the park area close to the river in Ho Chi Minh. I'm sorry but I just don't remember the street address.

If you do a Yahoo or Google search on "Ferry terminal in Ho Chi Minh city", I'm sure you'll get the street address.

The ticket you get will have a departure time and your seat number on it, The seat number actually means something as the Vietnamese really occupy their seats according to that number.

There is a food area and even a restaurant at the terminal, especially on the return to Ho Chi Minh from Vung Tau, where you can get some seriously good Vietnamese coffee...don't miss that coffee... Vietnamese coffee is some of the best in the world.

The cost is (I believe) about 200,000 Vietnamese Dong (at approximately a exchange rate of around 20,000 Dong to one U.S. dollar) each way. S0 roughly $10 each way. I believe you can buy a return ticket at somewhere around 250, 000 Dong if purchased a day or two in advance in Ho Chi Minh.

The original Russian made hydrofoils are more than 30 years old now, but there is a factory on the river where the Vietnamese are building their own hydrofoils now. Many of them were showing up last year when I took the ferry to Vung Tau.

But all the hydrofoils, even the old Russian made ones are well maintained by the Vietnamese.

If you are aged and a little unsteady on your legs be a little careful. especially at the Vung Tau end. because you get off the ferry on a walkway from the ferry to the dock with no railings to hold on to.

The ferry staff will help you (I'm 67 years old, and they helped me).

They will also carry your luggage, and unlike Thailand they refuse to accept any tip for helping you with your bags. They think helping foreigners is just part of their job (unlike Thailand).

I tried to tip one of the ferry staff and he refused to take my money.

[challenger99]

This is more or less correct what say IMA_FARANG.

The port for Hydrofoil is located where also the ship for roundtrip and evening dinner start in the Tôn Duc Thang street parallel to the Saigon river opposite of the "Hotel Majestic" (each taxi driver know).

They go more frequent than IMA_FARANG say because it have 4 different companies but I propose PETRO EXPRESS which has the best maintained Hydrofoil boat.

Last month they start HCMC-VT 08:00 - 10:00 - 11:30 - 13:30 - 14:00 and last 16:00

VT - to HCMC 08:00 - 10:00 - 11:30 - 14:00 - 15:30 and last 16:00

More info here http://petroexpress.vn/en/petroexpress

Beside Petro Express has Greenline etc. but personally I not like such much.

A little warning: when you come back there are many porter which come on board and pick your luggage and bring to any taxi. There is many year a special old porter looks as a "tooth pick" very aggressive. Avoid him, he bring you to a taxi which will charge you the double at the end Have a nice trip.

[scorecard]

This is more or less correct what say IMA_FARANG.

The port for Hydrofoil is located where also the ship for roundtrip and evening dinner start in the Tôn Duc Thang street parallel to the Saigon river opposite of the "Hotel Majestic" (each taxi driver know).

They go more frequent than IMA_FARANG say because it have 4 different companies but I propose PETRO EXPRESS which has the best maintained Hydrofoil boat.

Last month they start HCMC-VT 08:00 - 10:00 - 11:30 - 13:30 - 14:00 and last 16:00

VT - to HCMC 08:00 - 10:00 - 11:30 - 14:00 - 15:30 and last 16:00

More info here http://petroexpress.vn/en/petroexpress

Beside Petro Express has Greenline etc. but personally I not like such much.

A little warning: when you come back there are many porter which come on board and pick your luggage and bring to any taxi. There is many year a special old porter looks as a "tooth pick" very aggressive. Avoid him, he bring you to a taxi which will charge you the double at the end width=20 alt=wai2.gif> Have a nice trip.

Thanks for all the great information.

One thing I'd like to be more clear on; how to travel from Ho Chi Mien airport to Petro Pier.

I guess Petro Taxi service could be a possibility, do you know if Petro Taxi service operates from the airport?

Also can you please share the approximate distance and travelling time from the airport to Petro pier? Very approximate cost would also be valuable, if known, obviously depends on traffic density.

Thanks.

[jmccarty]

This is more or less correct what say IMA_FARANG.

The port for Hydrofoil is located where also the ship for roundtrip and evening dinner start in the Tôn Duc Thang street parallel to the Saigon river opposite of the "Hotel Majestic" (each taxi driver know).

They go more frequent than IMA_FARANG say because it have 4 different companies but I propose PETRO EXPRESS which has the best maintained Hydrofoil boat.

Last month they start HCMC-VT 08:00 - 10:00 - 11:30 - 13:30 - 14:00 and last 16:00

VT - to HCMC 08:00 - 10:00 - 11:30 - 14:00 - 15:30 and last 16:00

More info here http://petroexpress.vn/en/petroexpress

Beside Petro Express has Greenline etc. but personally I not like such much.

A little warning: when you come back there are many porter which come on board and pick your luggage and bring to any taxi. There is many year a special old porter looks as a "tooth pick" very aggressive. Avoid him, he bring you to a taxi which will charge you the double at the end width=20 alt=wai2.gif> Have a nice trip.

Thanks for all the great information.

One thing I'd like to be more clear on; how to travel from Ho Chi Mien airport to Petro Pier.

I guess Petro Taxi service could be a possibility, do you know if Petro Taxi service operates from the airport?

Also can you please share the approximate distance and travelling time from the airport to Petro pier? Very approximate cost would also be valuable, if known, obviously depends on traffic density.

Thanks.

Yes, and 30 mins to 1 hour depending on traffic.

If it is raining or a tropical storm about, they are known to cancel, sometimes all of the daily ferries.

Last week Monday there were no ferries and had to take a car from HCMC to Vung Tau, the road is in very bad condition and speed limit is enforced at 50kmh. Took about 3 hours.

[canman]

They may have got it under control now but the taxis from the airport can be a rip off. Even with my Vietnamese wife they will try it on.

I would google Vung Tau ferry pics and print a copy out to take with you. I used to run into taxi drivers all the time who claimed not to know what i was talking about even when showing the address in Vietnamese. Show the the pic and ask how much before getting in the cab, its been a few years for me but it used to be around 300,000 dong. Best to get a metered cab if you can.

The hydrofoils may look a bit dodgy but have taken them maybe 40-50 times and never an issue.

The hydrofoil is a much less stressful ride to Vung Tau than it is by road. Don't use green lina, Vina is OK and the other is OK as well. Greenline will cancel trips at the drop of a hat without notice and their schedule is just a guess.

[challenger99]

This is more or less correct what say IMA_FARANG.

The port for Hydrofoil is located where also the ship for roundtrip and evening dinner start in the Tôn Duc Thang street parallel to the Saigon river opposite of the "Hotel Majestic" (each taxi driver know).

They go more frequent than IMA_FARANG say because it have 4 different companies but I propose PETRO EXPRESS which has the best maintained Hydrofoil boat.

Last month they start HCMC-VT 08:00 - 10:00 - 11:30 - 13:30 - 14:00 and last 16:00

VT - to HCMC 08:00 - 10:00 - 11:30 - 14:00 - 15:30 and last 16:00

More info here http://petroexpress.vn/en/petroexpress

Beside Petro Express has Greenline etc. but personally I not like such much.

A little warning: when you come back there are many porter which come on board and pick your luggage and bring to any taxi. There is many year a special old porter looks as a "tooth pick" very aggressive. Avoid him, he bring you to a taxi which will charge you the double at the end width=20 alt=wai2.gif> Have a nice trip.

Thanks for all the great information.

One thing I'd like to be more clear on; how to travel from Ho Chi Mien airport to Petro Pier.

I guess Petro Taxi service could be a possibility, do you know if Petro Taxi service operates from the airport?

Also can you please share the approximate distance and travelling time from the airport to Petro pier? Very approximate cost would also be valuable, if known, obviously depends on traffic density.

Thanks.

I never have seen consciously a Petro Taxi at the airport but a lot which like take profit of you !!!

The cheapest and good Taxi you get with Saigon Tourist (silver grey car with red letters "Saigon tourist" at the car door) if you buy the trip in advance. I pay fm airport to District 1 (center 180'000 VND) other ask up to 400'000 VND.

The taxi ticket you buy when you leave the airport arrival ignore ell who offer you a taxi trip and go to the left side about 100 meter and there is a "left luggage" ... you pass a door and immediately at the right side. They sale the Saigon Tourist taxi ticket and you get a voucher. I think to the Port is not more than 200'000 VND.

[scorecard]

This is more or less correct what say IMA_FARANG.

The port for Hydrofoil is located where also the ship for roundtrip and evening dinner start in the Tôn Duc Thang street parallel to the Saigon river opposite of the "Hotel Majestic" (each taxi driver know).

They go more frequent than IMA_FARANG say because it have 4 different companies but I propose PETRO EXPRESS which has the best maintained Hydrofoil boat.

Last month they start HCMC-VT 08:00 - 10:00 - 11:30 - 13:30 - 14:00 and last 16:00

VT - to HCMC 08:00 - 10:00 - 11:30 - 14:00 - 15:30 and last 16:00

More info here http://petroexpress.vn/en/petroexpress

Beside Petro Express has Greenline etc. but personally I not like such much.

A little warning: when you come back there are many porter which come on board and pick your luggage and bring to any taxi. There is many year a special old porter looks as a "tooth pick" very aggressive. Avoid him, he bring you to a taxi which will charge you the double at the end width=20 alt=wai2.gif> Have a nice trip.

Thanks for all the great information.

One thing I'd like to be more clear on; how to travel from Ho Chi Mien airport to Petro Pier.

I guess Petro Taxi service could be a possibility, do you know if Petro Taxi service operates from the airport?

Also can you please share the approximate distance and travelling time from the airport to Petro pier? Very approximate cost would also be valuable, if known, obviously depends on traffic density.

Thanks.

I never have seen consciously a Petro Taxi at the airport but a lot which like take profit of you !!!

The cheapest and good Taxi you get with Saigon Tourist (silver grey car with red letters "Saigon tourist" at the car door) if you buy the trip in advance. I pay fm airport to District 1 (center 180'000 VND) other ask up to 400'000 VND.

The taxi ticket you buy when you leave the airport arrival ignore ell who offer you a taxi trip and go to the left side about 100 meter and there is a "left luggage" ... you pass a door and immediately at the right side. They sale the Saigon Tourist taxi ticket and you get a voucher. I think to the Port is not more than 200'000 VND.

Thanks, this is the information I was looking for.

By coincidence, just 2 minutes ago I had an e-mail from the university where I'll be doing an intensive lecturing program in Vung Tau. They gave the exact same information you already mentioned (Petro hydrofoil, buy return ticket, Saigon tourist taxi and buy a voucher to the ferry terminal before you leave the airport).

Thanks again, much appreciated.

[challenger99]

Have a good trip and even little bit stormy mostly they go because Mekong River is quiet and can happen they take choice to land in the fisher port instead main port. Don't scare, you will smell it and it has a shuttle bus to the main port!

[scorecard]

Have a good trip and even little bit stormy mostly they go because Mekong River is quiet and can happen they take choice to land in the fisher port instead main port. Don't scare, you will smell it and it has a shuttle bus to the main port!

Thank you.

[Minpin]

Seriously good advice here.

What ever you do, dont go by road from HCM to Vung Tau. it is a deadly trip not for the faint hearted. If you think driving in Thailand is bad this road will open your eyes or keep them firmly closed.

[challenger99]

Seriously good advice here.

What ever you do, dont go by road from HCM to Vung Tau. it is a deadly trip not for the faint hearted. If you think driving in Thailand is bad this road will open your eyes or keep them firmly closed.

I think what you say is exaggerated. I did few times in 4 years and still alive and my partners too!!! the new road if you turn at right close Bien Hoa has in each direction 4 belts, if you drive defensive it is not more dangerous as if when you drive eg. Hua Hin Bangkok!!!