The only practical way to reach Hon Son is by fast boat from Rach Gia, a port city on the mainland. Here is how it works, and the few things that catch first-time visitors out.
Which boats run the route?
The fast boat most people take is Superdong, which runs from Rach Gia port to Lai Son, the main village on Hon Son. Travellers in 2026 also mention Hoa Binh boats on this route. Operators and schedules change, so check what is running on your date before you plan anything around it.
There are also slower local boats, but almost every visitor takes the fast boat. A full morning on the island is worth more than the money saved.
Departure times (July 2026, for reference)
| Direction | Usual departures |
|---|---|
| Rach Gia to Hon Son | around 6:35 and 7:30 in the morning |
| Hon Son to Rach Gia | around 12:00 and 12:45 at midday |
The trip takes about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes on a calm day.
Please treat these times as a guide only. The boats change times with the tide and the season. On quiet days in the low season there may be only one boat a day, and at weekends and holidays extra boats are added. Check the timetable on Superdong’s booking site or a booking platform such as Baolau before you book.
Ticket prices (July 2026, for reference)
| Ticket | Price, one way |
|---|---|
| Adult | about 160,000 VND |
| Senior | about 137,000 VND |
| Child 6 to 11 | about 120,000 VND |
| Child under 6 | free |
Tickets are sold one way. A return trip means two tickets, about 320,000 VND for an adult. Prices can change, so confirm when you book.
How to buy a ticket
- Online, on Superdong’s site or a booking platform. This is the easiest way, and you can book both directions.
- At the port counter in Rach Gia.
In holiday periods and on weekends, book early. The morning boats fill up.
What to bring
- Your original passport and a valid visa. Foreign passengers need them to board. A photo on your phone is not enough.
- Be at the port at least 45 minutes before departure. Booking platforms ask foreign passengers to arrive 45 to 60 minutes early.
- Cash for small things on arrival. There is one ATM on the island, a Kienlongbank machine right at the Bai Nha pier where the boat docks (all cards including Visa, withdrawals only), but don’t arrive with an empty wallet.
Wind, waves and cancelled boats
This is the part most guides skip.
The fast boats run up to around wind level 5 to 6. From level 6 to 7 the company usually cancels, and the announcement often comes early that same morning. If you book online with a phone number, you get the message.
On windy days when the boat does run, the crossing is slower and bumpier. If you get seasick, take your tablet before you board, not after.
A tip from the island: in the south wind season (roughly May to September), people here avoid travelling on the 17th and 23rd day of the lunar month. Those two tides bring the roughest sea of the month. Plan around them and your crossing will usually be much calmer. See best time to visit for how the three wind seasons work.
Leave a spare day at the end of your trip if you have a flight to catch. Cancellations are less likely in the calm months, but they happen.
Arriving on Hon Son
The boat arrives at the Bai Nha pier in Lai Son, the main village, on the south coast of the island. The Kienlongbank ATM is right there on the pier. Guesthouses, food stalls and motorbike rentals are close by. Motorbikes usually cost around 200,000 VND a day including fuel and helmet (August 2026). Your guesthouse can arrange a bike, and LAMOSE on the island can also help.
Going on to Nam Du or coming from Phu Quoc
Hon Son sits between Rach Gia and the Nam Du islands, so it is easy to combine the two. See Hon Son from Phu Quoc and Nam Du for the connections. For everything else about the island, start with the Hon Son island guide or the FAQ.
Quick questions
How long is the ferry from Rach Gia to Hon Son?
About 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes by fast boat on a calm day.
What time does the boat leave Rach Gia?
Usually around 6:35 and 7:30 in the morning (July 2026), but times change with tide and season. Check before you book.
How much is the ticket?
About 160,000 VND one way for an adult in July 2026, 120,000 VND for children 6 to 11, free under 6. Confirm when you book.
What do foreigners need to board?
The original passport and a valid visa.
Sources
Checked on 12 October 2026. Island details come from my own life on Hon Son and from the articles on this site.
- Superdong booking and timetable
- Baolau: Rach Gia to Hon Son
- Nomadic Notes: Notes on Hon Son
- Đảo Hòn Sơn: Giá vé tàu cao tốc đi Hòn Sơn (our Vietnamese article)
- Vietnam Law: consolidated text of Decree 71/2015 as amended by Decree 299/2025 (in Vietnamese)
Giang (Giang Bien Dao) has lived and worked on Hon Son island for more than 30 years. Times and prices are reference figures from July 2026; confirm when you book.