#42: By Minivan, Boot, Bus, Taxi to Can Tho

26.02.2020

The day starts quite early because today we are moving to Can Tho. We have already booked the ticket for the transport to the ferry, the ferry itself, and the subsequent bus ride the day before.

After packing everything and having our last breakfast at the hostel, we will be picked up by the minivan at 8 o'clock. Once the van is full, we head to the Phu Quoc harbor and onto the ferry: Superdong X. The boat is the same one we arrived with in Phu Quoc.

At the port of Ha Tien, we and the others who have booked a 'combination trip' somewhere are expected by a man with our name on a sign. He takes us a few hundred meters to the bus company from where we continue. Unfortunately, it turns out that our bus doesn't leave until 2 pm, in about 3 hours. Although the departure should have happened 'immediately,' we now have to wait.

When the bus finally arrives shortly before 2 pm, the five-hour bus journey can begin. The arrival is now planned for 7 pm instead of 4 pm. The bus is significantly smaller, older, and less comfortable than our previous bus rides. The seats are quite narrow, and the interior is decorated with many doilies and ruffles.

After only 10 minutes, we make the first stop at a larger bus station for about 30 minutes since we apparently have to wait for other passengers. Surprisingly, the bus driver takes the opportunity to attach incense sticks to the bus's bumper and say some prayers. Eventually, we continue with some additional passengers. During the journey, we make several more, but shorter stops, the reason for which we cannot recognize.

The ride is overall very fast, and we quickly realize why the bus driver said prayers before the journey. He honks and overtakes everything and everyone in front of him on the road, no matter how small the gap. He overtakes both other buses and regular cars, even if the oncoming traffic has to move onto the shoulder.

However, at around 8:30 pm, we arrive safely in Can Tho. We are eagerly awaited by Xe Oms, Vietnamese scooter taxis. They try to explain to us that there are no taxis and tuk-tuks here, but they would be happy to take us. They don't mind that each of us is carrying a backpack on our back and one on our front. However, we have already strained our luck enough in traffic today and decide, together with two other travelers, to go and look for taxis anyway.

After a few meters, we find one and drive to the hostel. We split the bill with the other two who have to go a bit further. The last 300 meters we have to walk because the road is too narrow for a car.

Our hostel is located in a side street of a side street and makes an excellent impression. The man at the reception is very friendly, the check-in is very quick, and he even carries (Martin's) luggage upstairs. The room, as well as the rest of the accommodation, is very clean and looks very upscale. We feel comfortable right away. We just go out quickly for dinner and then go to bed promptly.