Thanh An Island Commune

Ho Chi Minh City's only island commune, reachable only by water

Thanh An is Ho Chi Minh City's only island commune, about 70 km from the centre, and there is only one way to get there: by ferry. The saying "to cross the sea, you depend on the ferry" shapes everything here – from the pace of life and daily schedule to how visitors feel when they step ashore. The island draws people with its peaceful fishing-village scenery and vast mangrove forest. The mangroves cover about 6,000 ha, half the commune's natural area, with rich flora and fauna. The commune is ringed by a stone breakwater – the best place to stroll and watch the sea as evening falls. The islanders' spiritual life is bound to the sea. The commune worships the Whale (ca Ong), and the traditional festival honouring fishermen and salt makers is held solemnly on the 15th of the 10th lunar month every year. It is when the whole island gathers, and when you see most clearly that Thanh An is a seafaring community rather than a resort. Thanh An has three hamlets – Thanh Binh, Thanh Hoa and Thieng Lieng – with about 1,161 households and more than 4,200 residents. After the administrative reorganisation of 1 July 2025, Thanh An was one of the few communes in the city kept as it was, not merged with anywhere else, because of its isolated location. When in Thanh An, don't miss Thieng Lieng hamlet, nearly 7 km from the commune centre – an island hamlet with gleaming white salt fields, Giong Chua Hill (the city's only rocky hill) and a community tourism model run by the locals themselves. Getting there: ferries leave from Tac Suat pier in central Can Thanh, a trip of about 14.6 km taking around 45 minutes. A local publication lists six departures – 6:30, 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 14:00 and 17:00 – and 2025 press reports also confirm six runs, from 6:30 to 17:00. No advance ticket is needed; register directly with the boat owner, but arrive about 20 minutes before departure. An honest warning: when the sea is rough, travel is very difficult, and in the evening at high tide with big waves and strong wind it is even more dangerous. Check the weather forecast before going, plan so you don't get stranded, and don't try to catch a late boat in bad weather.

English text: machine translation from the Localis platform — proper names kept in Vietnamese.