LÝ SƠN ISLANDS — Lý Sơn Island’s transport co-operative has launched a 148-seat high-speed boat for travel between the mainland Sa Kỳ Port and the island during summer and Tết (lunar New Year) holidays.

Chairman of the Lý Sơn Island co-operative, Nguyễn Văn Định said the An Vĩnh Express boat, the fifth of its kind, was prepared with total investment of VNĐ24 billion (US$1 million) will operate from next month.

He said the co-operative is operating five boats from 148-seat to 266-seat daily on the 30-nautical mile route between mainland Quảng Ngãi Province to the island.

The new boat will help cut travel time from one hour to 30 minutes between Sa Kỳ Port and Lý Sơn Island, while a ticket costing from VNĐ160,000 ($7) to VNĐ170,000 ($7.5) per trip.

A corner of Lý Sơn Island, 30 miles off the coast of Quảng Ngãi Province. — VNS Photo Công Thành

Vice chairwoman of the island district’s people’s committee, Phạm Thị Hương said the new boat would help during high season of tourism and weekends between April and September.

She said three more new boats are scheduled for operation later this year.

Hương said the island’s 11-boat fleet could serve a maximum of 7,000 commuters travelling between Quảng Ngãi and Lý Sơn Island each day.

Lý Sơn Island, 30kms off Quảng Ngãi, is home to about 21,000 residents. Most make their living fishing and farming garlic and spring onions.

The island is also a top destination during holidays, with 230,000 tourists visiting so far this year. — VNS