A high-speed boat service linking Ho Chi Minh City and Con Dao island off the coast of the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau was launched on May 13. The over-77-m-long and 9.49-m-wide vessel is capable of carrying 1,017 passengers. With the service, it takes about four hours and 30 minutes to travel between Saigon-Hiep Phuoc port in HCM City and Con Dao, said Bui Hoa An, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Transport. Currently, it takes about 50 minutes to travel by air between the southern metropolis and Con Dao. Source: Vietnam News Agency