The Public Transport Management Center (under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction) announced that from December 19, 2025, the non-subsidized bus route 173 will officially begin operation, connecting Con Dao market – Con Dao airport – Dam Trau beach – Co Ong.

This is the first bus route covering the Co Ong road axis, which is a vital road connecting directly from the Con Dao airport area (the former Co Ong airport) to the center of Con Dao town.

Bus route 173 has a distance of 17.1 km, with a one-way travel time of approximately 30 minutes, operating continuously from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily. The vehicles used for operation are 30-seat, air-conditioned Kim Long buses, identified by the blue and yellow colors.

The route is designed to pass through a series of tourist attractions, residential areas, and administrative agencies. 

Specifically, the bus travels from Con Dao market through the main roads of Pham Van Dong – Vo Thi Sau – Nguyen Hue – Ton Duc Thang – Nguyen Van Cu – Nguyen Chi Thanh, connecting to Co Ong toad, approaching the Dam Trau beach area before reaching Con Dao airport and vice versa, ensuring seamless connectivity.

Locations for the bus stops were agreed upon by the Department of Construction in document 17107/SXD-QLVT, including more than 30 familiar identification points such as Con Dao market, Con Dao post office, Con Dao vourt, passenger port, Saigon Con Dao resort, The Secret, Phu Tuong camp, Hang Keo cemetery, So Lo Voi, Phan Chu Trinh intersection, Dat Doc, Six Senses, Mui Chan Chim, Mui Tau Be, Yen Spa, Mieu Ba Phi Yen, Mieu Cau, Dam Trau beach, Cultural Residential Area No. 1, and the final stop at Con Dao airport.