Boat Travel

Despite improved infrastructure, traveling around the Mekong Delta may still require river crossings and boats can provide one of the most interesting and relaxed means of exploring. There are many tour operators, offering everything from short half-day to multiday cruises. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for, so it's worth a little extra cost to guarantee reliability and safety. In the case of ferries, if you're on a bus or in a private car, there's no need to do anything but enjoy the view. If you're traveling by motorbike, just follow the herd to the drive-up ticket window and wait for the next departure. Two ferry companies operate between Phu Quoc and the mainland. Superdong is the faster service, with three services a day between Phu Quoc and Ha Tien (about 1½ hours, 350,000d) and another three between Phu Quoc and Rach Gia (about 2 hours, 20 minutes; 195,000d). Thanh Thoi is the slower service, mainly for cars and heavy equipment. Thanh Thoi operates three services a day between Phu Quoc and Ha Tien, each taking 2 hours and 15 minutes; one adult ticket costs 185,000d and a ticket for a motorbike costs 80,000d.

Ferry Contacts

Superdong. Three passenger services a day between Phu Quoc and Ha Tien, three more between Phu Quoc and Rach Gia and two services a day between Soc Trang and Con Dao. 10 30 Thang 4, Phu Quoc, Duong Dong, Kien Giang. 0297/398–0111; www.superdong.com.vn.

Thanh Thoi. This car ferry has three services a day between Ha Tien and Phu Quoc. 0297/395–7239; thanhthoi.vn.