Ho Chi Minh City launches million-dollar high-speed train

With an investment of over one million USD each, the first two-hulled speedboat produced by domestic engineers will be put into operation on the Saigon - Vung Tau route on April 30, replacing hydrofoils.

Director of Greenlines DP Company Tran Song Hai said that from April 30, the waterway passenger transport route by high-speed catamaran will officially open on the Saigon - Vung Tau route and vice versa. In Ho Chi Minh City, passengers will be picked up at Nha Rong passenger wharf (shared with the hydrofoil), and in Vung Tau, at Cau Da wharf.

Million-dollar high-speed train will be put into operation from tomorrow, April 30. Photo: Huu Cong

"With a speed of 55-60 km/h, the train runs the Saigon - Vung Tau route in about one hour and 15 minutes. The train has the advantage of running smoothly, because it has two hulls, it saves fuel and especially does not create waves that affect other trains," said Mr. Hai, adding that the train was tested and completed after more than two years.

The price of a double-hull speedboat ticket is 250,000 VND per trip, 180,000 VND for passengers over 62 years old and 120,000 VND for children under 11 years old. Children under 6 years old are free. The boat has high-speed wifi and high-capacity air conditioning.

On the occasion of the opening, from April 30 to May 3, the operator will sell all promotional tickets at 0 VND for 2 trips per day. One trip departs at 9:00 in Ho Chi Minh City and the trip from Vung Tau departs at 13:00.

The ship was designed and manufactured by domestic engineers, with machinery imported from abroad. The ship has two engines, so it is believed that it will not break down or drift on the river or sea. The propeller system can also be replaced within 5 minutes if there is a problem.

Previously, on January 20, 2014, a Vina Express hydrofoil running the Ho Chi Minh City - Vung Tau route caught fire on the Saigon River while carrying 92 people, including many foreign tourists. Immediately after the accident, all hydrofoils running on the route were suspended, and it took nearly a year for the authorities to allow them to operate again.

According to VNE