On November 29, Phu Quoc City People's Committee sent a document to Kien Giang Provincial People's Committee, proposing to open a fixed passenger transport route from Phu Quoc to Tho Chau and vice versa.
According to the People's Committee of Phu Quoc City, Tho Chau is an island border commune located in the southwest of the country. Tho Chau has a total natural area of about 1,398.04 hectares, including 8 large and small islands; about 110km from Phu Quoc Island, about 220km from Rach Gia City.
Currently, the travel conditions between Tho Chau commune and Phu Quoc island are extremely difficult because the only means of transport operating the Tho Chau - Phu Quoc route is the Tho Chau 09 ship. The ship schedule is 5 days/trip, the travel time is about 5 hours with a capacity of 120 seats.
During peak times, when the number of passengers exceeds the number of seats, the train must leave passengers behind or suddenly when the people and soldiers on the island want to travel, there are no trains running. This causes a lot of difficulties for the people, cadres and soldiers in the commune in working, studying, receiving medical care, trading goods, etc.
Through meetings with voters, the people of Tho Chau island commune have repeatedly expressed their opinions and recommendations for the early establishment of a high-speed boat to serve the military and civilians on the island.
Based on the above difficulties, in order to create favorable conditions for people, officers and soldiers in Tho Chau commune to travel conveniently, the People's Committee of Phu Quoc City submitted to the People's Committee of Kien Giang province to consider allowing a high-speed ferry business to open a fixed passenger route from Phu Quoc to Tho Chau and vice versa.
Mr. Do Van Dung - Chairman of Tho Chau Commune People's Committee - said: Tho Chau is the most remote island commune of Kien Giang province, with more than 500 households and more than 1,800 people. The island has now developed in many aspects. The local government really hopes that Tho Chau will have a high-speed train line or a replacement train to shorten the travel time compared to the current one. This will not only help make travel more convenient and handle work better, but also promote trade and develop the socio-economy of the island commune.
