Vietnam's largest high-speed passenger vessel to resume Ho Chi Minh City-Con Dao operation

Phu Quoc Express Boat Company, its operator, said ticket prices remain unchanged at VND615,000 - 1.1 million (US$24-43) depending on seating class and departure times.

The vessel began operating in May last year.

It has a top speed of 35 nautical miles (more than 60 km) per hour and takes four hours to travel between HCMC and Con Dao, an island off the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

It is the largest high-speed passenger ship in Vietnam with a length of more than 77 meters.

But weeks after starting, it was operating at less than 50% capacity, prompting the operator to suspend the service in late July.

Many passengers said the services and amenities on the vessel were excellent but the road from downtown HCMC to Hiep Phuoc Port where the vessel departs was far away, making it inconvenient.

Currently people travel to Con Dao by air or by boat from Vung Tau town, around two hours from HCMC.

Con Dao archipelago comprises 16 islands, with Con Son being the largest and only inhabited one, and is located 185 km from Vung Tau.

It has a population of around 10,000 and is a popular tourist destination.