Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau by Hydrofoil: 2026 fares, schedules, and booking tips

Greenlines DP is the main operator of the hydrofoil service between Bach Dang Wharf in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 and Vung Tau. The crossing takes 75 to 120 minutes, depending on sea conditions and the vessel assigned to that departure. In 2026, the company schedules 3 to 4 departures in each direction per day, and it cuts that number during the rainy season, which runs from May to October. For weekend travel, the boat avoids the expressway congestion that slows buses between the two cities. For most travellers, this is the main speedboat service to plan around.

The departure point, Bach Dang Wharf, is a riverside terminal in District 1, in the central part of the city. You board here rather than at an outlying station, so it is easy to reach from most Saigon hotels. Plan to arrive at the wharf 30 to 45 minutes before departure because that is the check-in window. Tickets are sold at the terminal and through the Greenlines DP website, which has an English-language booking page. That website also shows the current timetable, which is useful during the rainy season when departures are less frequent.

When the boat reaches Vung Tau, it docks at a port close to Back Beach. That is the side of town where many beachfront hotels sit, so the transfer from the boat to your accommodation is short. The exact docking point can vary with the vessel and harbour conditions, and Greenlines DP may run a shuttle to the main hotels. These details are not always shown on third-party booking sites.

Before you book, check the official Greenlines DP website for the current docking point and any shuttle service. The same page lists the latest departure times and any rainy-season reductions. If your hotel is on the Back Beach side of Vung Tau, the hydrofoil puts you almost at the doorstep; if it is elsewhere, budget a short taxi or ride-hail trip from the port.

One-way adult fares on the Greenlines DP hydrofoil between Bach Dang Wharf in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 and Vung Tau start at VND 250,000. Children and seniors may qualify for discounted tickets, but those rates aren't published in English, so ask at the ticket office when you buy. The fare includes one passenger and up to about 20 kg of luggage; excess weight is charged separately. The crossing takes 75 to 120 minutes depending on sea conditions and which vessel is running, which makes the boat a faster choice than the road on busy weekends.

For most of 2026, Greenlines DP schedules 3 to 4 daily departures per direction. That count is for the dry season. From roughly May to October, the rainy season, the operator cuts frequency and can cancel sailings when seas are rough. If you have a fixed date in that window, book the morning sailing and check the forecast before heading to the dock.

Departure times are weather-dependent, so published schedules are provisional. Check greenlinesdp.com before booking and again a day ahead. The official site sells tickets in English, and it doesn't add the service fee that third-party sites like 12Go Asia and Vexere charge when they list the same departures. Booking through those resellers still works, but you'll pay extra for convenience.

If you'd rather buy at the wharf, arrive 30 to 45 minutes before departure and carry your passport; staff require it to issue the ticket. The departure point at Bach Dang Wharf is in District 1, and the hydrofoil lands near Back Beach in Vung Tau. Should the boat not run, buses from Mien Dong Station cost VND 120,000 to 150,000 and take 2 to 2.5 hours, while limousine shuttles run VND 180,000 to 250,000. These road options also serve routes closer to hotels, which makes them a practical fallback.

Book the Greenlines DP hydrofoil from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau in English on the operator's website, greenlinesdp.com, or at the ticket office at Bach Dang Wharf in District 1. One-way adult fares for the 75-120 minute crossing start at VND 250,000. In 2026, expect 3-4 departures per direction daily. The schedule shrinks during the rainy season from May to October, so confirm the current timetable on the site before you plan your day. Booking online is the surest way to secure a seat on weekends, when the hydrofoil fills quickly.

Third-party booking platforms 12Go Asia and Vexere list the same hydrofoil, and both add a service fee to the ticket price. That fee appears in the price breakdown at the final step, so the total can exceed the direct fare. Direct booking on the operator's site shows the official schedule and avoids the extra charge. If you still want to use an aggregator, compare the final total with the price on greenlinesdp.com before paying.

Arrive at the wharf 30-45 minutes before departure, especially if you are buying your ticket at the office. You need time to queue and present your passport, which is required for ticket purchase. Keep your passport in a day bag rather than in checked luggage. The standard luggage allowance is about 20 kg per person, and excess weight is charged. If you are close to the limit, weigh your bag before leaving the hotel.

On busy weekends, the hydrofoil beats the bus because it avoids expressway congestion, so book ahead. The crossing takes 75-120 minutes depending on sea conditions, with the upper limit more likely in the rainy season. Storms may cause cancellations; if you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before boarding. If a sailing is cancelled, buses from Mien Dong Station cost VND 120,000-150,000 and take 2-2.5 hours, while limousine shuttles cost VND 180,000-250,000. Check greenlinesdp.com the day before you travel for the latest schedule.

Your luggage allowance on the Greenlines DP hydrofoil from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau is about 20 kg per person. Bags beyond that incur extra charges, so weigh your suitcase before heading to Bach Dang Wharf. The boat has limited storage, and space fills up fast on weekend departures. Pack light if you can.

The crossing takes 75 to 120 minutes depending on the vessel and sea conditions. The water between the Saigon River and Vung Tau gets choppy from May to October, the rainy season. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication about 30 minutes before boarding; the crew does not sell seasickness tablets onboard. During storms, Greenlines DP cancels sailings, so have a backup plan. A bus or limousine from Mien Dong Station covers the same route and runs in weather that stops the hydrofoil, though it takes longer.

Before buying a ticket at the wharf, confirm whether Greenlines DP accepts international credit cards or only cash. The ticket office does not always handle foreign cards, and ATMs near Bach Dang Wharf can run out of cash on holiday weekends. Carry your passport for the ticket purchase. You can avoid the question by booking online at greenlinesdp.com, which takes card payments. Third-party sites such as 12Go Asia and Vexere list the same seats but add a service fee.

Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before departure. Check the operator's official website on the morning of your trip for current times and weather cancellations. If the sea is rough and the sailing has not been cancelled, ask the wharf staff about conditions before boarding.

Public buses from Mien Dong Station in Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau cost VND 120,000 to 150,000 and take 2 to 2.5 hours. They are the cheapest way to get between the two cities, saving at least VND 100,000 one way compared with the hydrofoil, whose adult fare starts at VND 250,000. You can book a seat at the station or through Vexere, which adds a service fee at checkout. Mien Dong Station is outside District 1, so include the ride to the station in your total travel time and budget.

Limousine shuttles are the middle option. They charge VND 180,000 to 250,000 per person and are faster than a bus but slower than the hydrofoil. Vexere lists limousines next to bus departures, so you can see both options and choose the one that fits your departure time.

The main reason to pick a road option is where you end up. Buses and limousines stop closer to Vung Tau hotels than the hydrofoil, which arrives at a single port near Back Beach. If your hotel is around Back Beach, the hydrofoil is fine. For other areas, a bus or limousine can leave you nearer to your accommodation, and you can skip or shorten a taxi ride.

The hydrofoil wins on time. It crosses in 75 to 120 minutes, while the bus takes 120 to 150 minutes, so the bus can be zero to 75 minutes slower. On weekends, traffic stretches the road times further, because the hydrofoil avoids expressway congestion on the HCMC to Vung Tau route. Take the hydrofoil on Saturday or Sunday; save the bus or limousine for a weekday, when the expressway is more predictable.

The hydrofoil between Bach Dang Wharf in District 1 and Vung Tau takes 75 to 120 minutes, depending on the vessel and sea conditions. Greenlines DP operates 3 to 4 daily departures per direction in 2026, but that number drops from May to October. Before you book, check greenlinesdp.com for the day's actual schedule. Older blog posts and third-party ticket sites often list sailings that no longer exist.

Fares start from VND 250,000 one-way for adults. In the rainy season, reduced frequencies mean seats sell out; book in advance on the official website instead of leaving it to the wharf ticket office. Bookings can be made in English on greenlinesdp.com or at the wharf ticket office; third-party platforms like 12Go Asia carry the same sailings but add a service fee. Around Tet, ask the operator about last-minute departures, because holiday demand can add sailings or change the posted timetable. Carry your passport to buy a ticket, and bring cash as a fallback: the wharf office may not accept international cards.

Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before departure for check-in. The standard luggage allowance is about 20 kg per person, and excess baggage is charged. If the sea is rough, motion sickness medication helps; storms can cancel sailings, so have a backup plan. The Vung Tau dock sits close to Back Beach, but free shuttle buses to hotels are not guaranteed. Confirm on greenlinesdp.com whether a shuttle meets your boat.

If you miss the hydrofoil or it is cancelled, public buses from Mien Dong Station cost VND 120,000-150,000 and take 2 to 2.5 hours. Limousine shuttles run VND 180,000-250,000 and often drop you closer to your accommodation, though they face the same expressway traffic the boat avoids. On holiday weekends, when the expressway backs up, the hydrofoil is the more reliable option.