On March 7, the Thang Long ship completed its two-day journey from Hai Phong City, arriving in Vung Tau City.
This aluminum alloy boat is now largest passenger ship in Vietnam.
Launched in 2020, the Thang Long can host up to 1,017 guests. In comparison, other high-speed ships servicing the Vung Tau - Con Dau route, under the same investor, typically measure 47 meters in length and can accommodate nearly 600 passengers.
The Thang Long high-speed ship docks at Cau Da Port in Vung Tau City.
The ship's three main decks house a VIP compartment on the first, while the second and third cater to general passenger needs. The fourth deck is reserved for the coffee serving area.
Equipped with three of the world's most modern engines manufactured by Rolls-Royce MTU of Germany, with a total capacity of nearly 12,000 horsepower, the ship can achieve speeds of up to 32 knots/h (more than 57.6 km/h).
Once operational, travel time to Con Dao Island is estimated to be about 4.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City and 3.5 hours from Vung Tau City.
All decks provide outdoor spaces for passengers to enjoy the scenery.
Vu Van Khuong, Director of Phu Quoc High-Speed Boat Joint Stock Company, the boat investor, said the ship's design was inspired by the yachts of billionaires worldwide. It features an elongated inverted bow to ensure smooth operation even in windy seas like those between Vung Tau and Con Dao. He indicated that the boat is capable of operating in 62–74 km/h winds.
Positioned at the back of the boat are the crane and lifeboat.
Khuong noted that the Thang Long boat is tailored for the route from Vung Tau City and Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao Island. Due to its considerable length and size, the boat can only dock at large, deep-water ports.
The boat's design diagram is displayed on the passenger decks.
In a presentation by the designer, a scenario was depicted where two ship compartments were punctured consecutively, yet the ship remained safe and afloat. In such an event, the boat's operator simply needs to shut the watertight doors, activate the suction pump, and engage the anti-submergence devices. This protocol allows for more time to evacuate passengers safely.
The VIP cabin seats are all leather covered. According to the investor, the boat is equipped with an audio and visual system that complies with national technical standards for building and classifying high-speed boats, meeting the requirements set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The cockpit has three seats and is equipped with an advanced control system, anti-collision technology for sea navigation, and a screen connecting cameras to monitor all compartments, assisting the driver in managing any situations that may arise.
A woman takes photos when the Thang Long boat docked in Vung Tau at noon on March 7.
Starting from March, the Thang Long high-speed boat will depart from Vung Tau to Con Dao three times a week - on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - and return trips will be available on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
General ticket prices range from VND790,000 to VND950,000 ($32 to $38) per trip, while VIP tickets cost VND1.2 million ($48) per trip.
Special rates for children, disabled individuals, and seniors range from VND550,000 to VND760,000 ($22 to $30) per trip. It's important to note that these ticket prices do not cover the usage fees at Con Dao passenger port for passengers.
Khuong mentioned that once the Ho Chi Minh City - Con Dao high-speed route is licensed, the Thang Long boat will operate concurrently in both locations.
In the mornings, the boat will transport passengers from Vung Tau to Con Dao, while in the afternoons, it will facilitate journeys from Con Dao to Ho Chi Minh City and vice versa.
