New bridge puts end to century-old ferry terminal

Nguyen Nhat, Deputy Minister of Transport, told the Saigon Times that the ferry terminal that has been transporting  passengers and vehicles of all kinds between the provinces of An Giang and Dong Thap will end operations following the opening on May 19 of the cable-stayed Vam Cong Bridge across Hau River.

However, the official date for shutting down ferry services remains unknown.

Earlier, in addressing a meeting on May 14 to check preparations for the bridge’s inauguration ceremony, Vo Thanh Thong, chairman of Can Tho City, said he would ask the Ministry of Transport to maintain the ferry’s services to serve the demand for travel among the local people.

The chairman’s proposal is based on his previous experience of Can Tho ferry terminal being replaced with Can Tho Bridge. After the bridge was put into service, there were many people and vehicles still in need of ferry services for convenience, especially pedestrians, non-motor vehicles and local people living along both sides of the ferry terminal, he remarked.

Can Tho ferry services resumed normal operations due to the high demand, according to Thong.

The Vam Cong ferry terminal is located on National Highway 80, linking Long Xuyen City in An Giang with Lap Vo District in Dong Thap. There are 10 ferries operating daily, serving some 12,000 motorbikes and 5,500 automobiles traveling between An Giang and Dong Thap.