Are you seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Saigon without traveling too far? Thanh An Island, the only island district of Ho Chi Minh City, is the perfect destination for you. Located just about 80km southeast of the city center, Thanh An embodies the untouched, rustic beauty of a tranquil island commune, a stark contrast to the vibrant city life. Join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel Around the World) to explore this unique island and experience a truly different weekend!
What Makes Thanh An Island Appealing to Visitors?
Unlike famous tourist islands, Thanh An doesn’t boast long stretches of white sandy beaches or luxurious resorts. Its charm lies in its tranquility, simplicity, and authentic coastal atmosphere. Visiting Thanh An allows you to immerse yourself in a serene, fresh environment, far away from the dust and noise of the city. This island offers a slow-paced travel experience, close to nature and the local way of life.
Peaceful road leading to Thanh An island commune
Getting to Thanh An Island from Ho Chi Minh City
To reach Thanh An Island from Ho Chi Minh City, you can choose to travel by bus or motorbike, depending on your preference and convenience.
Getting to Thanh An Island by Bus
This is an economical and quite convenient mode of transportation.
- Step 1: From the city center, take bus number 20 at Ben Thanh bus station to Binh Khanh ferry terminal (the final stop). Bus 20 is a subsidized bus, operating continuously from morning to evening.
- Step 2: After arriving at Binh Khanh ferry terminal, buy a ferry ticket to cross the river (fare is about VND 5,500 per person and motorbike). The ferry operates from 5 AM.
- Step 3: On the other side of the ferry, continue by taking bus number 90 to Can Thanh. Remember to tell the driver to stop at Can Thanh pier. Bus 90 is also a subsidized bus with many trips throughout the day.
- Step 4: At Can Thanh pier, buy a boat ticket to Thanh An Island. The boat ride takes approximately 45 minutes. Boats usually have fixed schedules throughout the day, so you should check the schedule to plan your travel time accordingly.
Alternatively, you can choose bus number 75 from Ben Thanh directly to Can Thanh. However, this is a non-subsidized bus and has fewer trips per day.
Getting to Thanh An Island by Motorbike
Traveling by motorbike offers more initiative and flexibility for your journey.
- Step 1: Travel along Huynh Tan Phat Street, District 7, to Binh Khanh ferry terminal. The ferry ticket price is similar to taking the bus.
- Step 2: After crossing Binh Khanh ferry, you will have reached Can Gio district. Continue on Rung Sac road for about 50km to reach Can Thanh. Rung Sac road has been upgraded and repaired, making it quite beautiful and easy to travel.
- Step 3: Upon arriving in Can Thanh, you can ask locals for directions to the pier to Thanh An Island (near Coopmart Can Gio).
- Step 4: Park your motorbike at parking lots near the pier (daily parking fee around VND 5,000, overnight around VND 10,000). As Thanh An Island is quite small, you can explore the entire island on foot.
- Step 5: Buy a boat ticket and travel to Thanh An Island from Can Thanh pier.
Thanh An Island Boat Schedule
To proactively plan your itinerary, you should know the boat schedule to and from Thanh An Island:
- Boat departure times: 6:30 AM – 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
You should arrive at the pier about 20 minutes before departure time to have enough time to buy tickets and find a seat. Especially during holidays and weekends, when there are many visitors to the island, you should arrive earlier to avoid long waits.
Bustling Can Thanh ferry terminal scene
Discovering Exciting Experiences on Thanh An Island
Thanh An Island offers unique travel experiences, different from familiar destinations.
Walking on the Rocky Path in the Sea
One of the most special features of Thanh An is the rocky path in the sea. When the tide recedes, the rocky path emerges, leading out to the vast ocean. This is an ideal place for you to stroll, admire the sea view, and take unique photos.
Exploring the Simple Life of a Fishing Village
Visiting Thanh An, you will have the opportunity to learn about the simple, genuine life of the local fishing villagers. You can visit Thanh An market early in the morning to see the bustling seafood trading scene, chat with locals, and feel the slow pace of life here.
Enjoying Fresh Seafood
Thanh An is a paradise for fresh seafood at affordable prices. You can buy seafood directly from fishermen when boats just dock or enjoy seafood dishes at local eateries. Clam porridge, grilled shrimp, steamed squid, lemongrass steamed clams… are delicious dishes you shouldn’t miss when visiting Thanh An Island.
Watching Sunrise and Sunset over the Sea
Thanh An Island is a great place to watch sunrise and sunset over the sea. In the early morning, you can wake up early to welcome the first rays of the new day on the sea. In the late afternoon, the sunset over Thanh An sea brings a romantic, lyrical beauty.
Checking-in at Simple “Virtual Living” Spots
Although there aren’t many man-made landscapes, Thanh An still has its own unique “virtual living” spots. Mossy walls, small alleys, vibrant bougainvillea rows, or simply the blue sea and white clouds are enough for you to have beautiful photos imbued with Thanh An’s mark.
Suggested Thanh An Island Travel Itineraries
You can choose to explore Thanh An Island in a day or stay overnight to fully experience the beauty of this island.
1-Day Thanh An Island Itinerary
- Morning:
- Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Thanh.
- Take a boat to Thanh An Island.
- Explore the island: walk on the rocky path in the sea, visit Thanh An market.
- Noon:
- Have lunch and enjoy fresh seafood at eateries on the island.
- Afternoon:
- Continue exploring the island, enjoy the sea view, take photos.
- Take a boat back to Can Thanh.
- Travel back to Ho Chi Minh City.
2-Day 1-Night Thanh An Island Itinerary
- Day 1:
- Morning and Noon: Travel to Thanh An Island, check into accommodation (if staying overnight).
- Afternoon: Explore the island, walk on the rocky path, watch the sunset over the sea.
- Evening: Have seafood dinner, stroll along the beach at night, experience the peaceful atmosphere of the island.
- Day 2:
- Morning: Wake up early to watch the sunrise, have breakfast, visit the morning market.
- Noon: Have lunch, buy seafood as souvenirs (if desired).
- Afternoon: Take a boat back to Can Thanh and travel back to Ho Chi Minh City.
What to Eat on Thanh An Island?
When you come to Thanh An Island, you must try the fresh seafood. Here are some suggestions for dishes and dining places:
- Fresh Seafood: You can buy seafood directly at the market or from fishermen who have just docked at very cheap prices. Popular types of seafood include shrimp, crab, squid, snails, clams, etc.
- Clam Porridge: A specialty of Thanh An Island, the clam porridge here is cooked smooth, fragrant, delicious, and very rich in sea flavor.
- Sau Bo and Kieu Huong Restaurants: Two famous seafood restaurants on the island, highly rated by many tourists for their quality and price.
- Thanh An Night Market: In the evening, Thanh An night market sells many attractive snacks such as skewers, grilled rice paper, grilled eggs, ice cream, sweet soup, etc.
- Morning Snacks: In the morning, Thanh An market has many rustic breakfast dishes such as vermicelli soup, pho, bread, etc.
Delicious clam porridge, Thanh An island specialty
Accommodation on Thanh An Island
There are a few small guesthouses and homestays on Thanh An Island if you want to stay overnight. However, the accommodations here are quite basic, without many high-end amenities. If you are not too demanding about accommodation, you can choose to stay to experience the nightlife on the island.
Travel Costs for Thanh An Island
The travel cost for Thanh An Island is quite low, suitable for many types of travelers. Below is an estimated cost for a 2-day 1-night trip (for reference):
- Transportation: VND 120,000 (motorbike, gasoline, parking, ferry, boat)
- Accommodation: VND 150,000/night (budget guesthouse)
- Food: VND 580,000 (seafood, snacks, drinks)
- Incidental expenses: VND 50,000
- Total: Approximately VND 900,000/2 people, equivalent to VND 450,000/person.
Costs may vary depending on your choice of dining, accommodation, and activities.
Important Notes When Traveling to Thanh An Island
- Weather: Avoid visiting Thanh An Island during the rainy and storm season (May – October). The best time to visit Thanh An is during the dry season (November – April of the following year), especially in March and April.
- Seasickness: If you are prone to seasickness, prepare seasickness medication before taking the boat.
- Cash: Bring enough cash as there are not many ATMs on the island.
- Environmental awareness: Please join hands to maintain environmental hygiene on the island, do not litter indiscriminately.
- Respect local culture: Please respect the customs and traditions of the local people.
Conclusion
Thanh An Island in Can Gio is a unique and attractive tourist destination, especially for those who love peace, simplicity, and want to explore the pristine beauty of the sea. With the experiences and suggestions above, “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel Around the World) hopes you will have a truly memorable and fulfilling trip to this beautiful island. Pack your bags and explore Thanh An right away!