The Ha Tien to Phu Quoc ferry runs several times a day, takes about 70-90 minutes on the fast boat, and costs $8-12 one way depending on the operator. It’s the only sea route to the island if you’ve already come overland through the Mekong Delta, and buying a ticket at the port on the day is normally fine outside peak season.
I took this crossing on a land route down from Ho Chi Minh City, and most of what trips people up isn’t the ferry itself - it’s timing the last departure and figuring out which of the two ticket counters is yours.
What does the Ha Tien to Phu Quoc ferry cost?
A standard seat runs 185,000-297,000 VND (about $8-12) one way, with the price depending on the operator and seat class. Two companies run this route: Superdong and Phu Quoc Express, each with its own ticket window and its own pier in the Ha Tien passenger port - mixing them up is the easiest way to miss your boat.
Round-trip tickets aren’t usually cheaper than buying two one-ways, so I just buy each leg separately once I know my actual departure time.
How long does the crossing actually take?
The fast ferry covers the roughly 45 km crossing in 70-90 minutes. This isn’t a car ferry with an open deck - it’s an enclosed high-speed boat with airline-style seating, so there’s no walking around once you’re seated. In rough weather it rocks noticeably; if you get seasick, take medication before boarding, not once the boat is already moving.
The cabin runs cold from air conditioning even in Vietnam’s heat, so bring a light jacket. Checked bags go through a scan at the port before boarding; carry-ons stay with you.
Step-by-step: buying your ferry ticket at Ha Tien port
- Get to the Ha Tien passenger port 2-3 hours before your intended departure - morning boats sell out fast to island commuters.
- Find the right counter: Superdong and Phu Quoc Express sell separately, with signage in English at both.
- Show your passport and tell the staff your destination and headcount - counter staff speak enough English for this transaction.
- Pay in cash (Vietnamese dong); confirm your seat number and boarding pier before walking away from the counter.
- Board at least 20 minutes before departure - the boats leave on schedule, not on island time.
If you’d rather lock in a seat before arriving, aggregator sites like 12Go.asia list both operators’ timetables and let you book online ahead of the morning rush.
When does the last ferry from Ha Tien leave?
The last boat from the mainland typically departs by early-to-mid afternoon, with almost nothing running in the evening - this is the detail that catches people out. If your bus from Ho Chi Minh City arrives late, plan on an overnight in Ha Tien rather than racing for a departure that may already be gone.
Ha Tien itself is a small port town worth the stopover: it sits about 30 km of coastline, noticeably cheaper prices than Phu Quoc, and a handful of sights within walking distance of the port - the Mac family tombs, a cave pagoda near Thach Dong mountain 5 km from the border, and a 19th-century French-built prison.
Ha Tien is also a border town - plan your visa before you travel
Ha Tien sits about 10 km from the Xa Xia-Prek Chak border crossing into Cambodia - one of several land crossings covered in our comparison of Lao Bao, Moc Bai and Ha Tien - which makes it a genuine option for travelers combining the island with a Cambodia side trip. What catches people off guard: crossing out through that border resets your Vietnam entry, and coming back needs a fresh e‑visa, not a continuation of whatever stamp got you in the first time.
This is exactly where the paperwork gets messy for Russian citizens - the evisa.gov.vn portal rejects most Russian and many other foreign bank cards, so the payment step alone can stall a trip that’s otherwise ready to go. I handle this part remotely: pay the government fee with a card the portal actually accepts and get the confirmation sorted before you’re anywhere near a border. All I need from you is your passport scan and travel dates. Message me on WhatsApp and I’ll tell you exactly what to prepare before you head to Ha Tien.
Ferry or flight: which makes sense for your route?
If you’re already traveling overland through the south of Vietnam or crossing back from Cambodia, the ferry beats flying on both cost and logistics - $8-12 and 90 minutes on the water is simpler than routing through Ho Chi Minh City for a connecting flight. If Phu Quoc is a standalone trip from Da Nang or Hanoi, a direct flight will almost always save you more time than the ferry-plus-bus combination. Timings and what’s actually included are laid out on our Da Nang visa run page.
Either way, if a Cambodia border crossing is part of your plan, sort the visa paperwork before you leave rather than at the port. Send me your dates on WhatsApp and I’ll walk you through what’s needed.
