Vung Tau Travel Guide

General Information

Vung Tau City is the widely known as the extraordinarily attractive destinations for beach vacations in Vietnam and the most popular destination for weekends from Ho Chi Minh. Vung Tau is one of two cities in Ba Ria – Vung Tau coastal province; the other is Ba Ria City. The province shares a 16km border with Ho Chi Minh City to the west, Binh Thuan to the east and the south, and Dong Nai to the north. The coast on the southwest of the province stretches over 300km. Covering the area of 1,989 square kilometers with mountains, and delta and having just over 1 million people, Vung Tau is not a crowded and busy province, which is one of the true benefits when it comes to nature tourism. In the past, this province created the glorious heroic pages with some famous historical sites such as Cau Da vestige, Phao Co battlefield, Nui Dinh revolutionary base, Long Phuoc tunnel, the prison system in Con Dao, etc. Besides, Vung Tau is naturally endowed with stunning beaches, poetic mountains around the city and cool climate throughout the year. Both domestic and international visitors are very impressive at the extremely beautiful shores, the old famous lighthouse, the statue of Jesus Christ with outstretched arms, and numerous delicious foods, etc. You can combine Vung Tau with Ho Chi Minh city tours and Mekong day tours during your time in Southern Vietnam.

Vung Tau Weather

There are two seasons in Vung Tau: a dry season (November to April) and a rainy season (October to May). The best time to travel to Vung Tau is from November to April when Vung Tau experiences a very nice weather with a pleasant average temperature. However, this is fine to visit this destination during the rainy season, since the actual level of precipitation is small. Just avoid September because it is the wettest month.

Getting to Vung Tau

From Ho Chi Minh City, it is easy and convenient to travel by bus, by car or hydrofoil to Vung Tau.

By Bus

There are some bus stations and companies which provides short-distance and long-distance buses to Vung Tau.

Mien Dong Bus Station

Getting the bus no.19 from the Central Metropolitan Bus station (opposite Ben Thanh Market). Depending upon traffic condition, it usually takes about 25-35 minutes.

In the city center

Hoa Mai Tourist:

• Address: 44 Nguyen Thai Binh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Ticket price: VND 95,000 dong

Phuong Trang Bus:

• Address: 272 De Tham Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh city
• Ticket price: VND 100,000 dong

By ferry

In addition, just taking 2 hours or one hour 30 minutes by high-speed hydrofoil, you can reach Vung Tau. Most visitors will find ferries to be more interesting because they can have a chance to see the commercial maritime areas as the boat runs through the Sai Gon river towards the sea.

By car

Instead of catching a taxi, visitors will find hiring a car and driver to be a better idea. Just with under $100, you will have right to use a car on your own to freely choose your favorite destinations.

Getting around Vung Tau

By taxi

Taxi prices are 30% higher than Sai Son company, especially along the beaches. Major companies are Vietnam Airport Transfer, Gili Taxi, Petro Taxi, Vinasun, and Mai Linh.

By motorbike

Like other cities in Vietnam, Vung Tau has plenty of motorbike taxi (xe om). They are all friendly, hospitable and professional. Choosing the reasonable-fee means of transportation like xe om is the wise choice for tourists coming there.

By double-bike

Double-bike (tandem bicycles) has been widely popular in the youth and teenagers in Vung Tau. Along the windy and green streets along the coast, groups of at least four riding are the normal picture in daily life in Vung Tau.

Walking

Do not ever hesitate to take a walk around Vung Tau city. Vung Tau is not a big city in size and the weather here even in summer is quite cool with lots of wind; you will not need to be scary that you can have your skin burnt as in the Northern summer.

Where to Stay in Vung Tau

• Pullman Vung Tau

Address: 15 Thi Sach Street, Thang Tam Ward

• Seaside Resort Vung Tau

Address: 18 Tran Phu Street, Ward 1

• Malibu Hotel

Address: 263 Le Hong Phong Street, Thang Tam Ward

• Lan Rung Resort & Spa

Address: 3-6 Ha Long Street, Ward 2

• Phoenix Hotel Vung Tau

Address: 249 Le Hong Phong Street, Ward 8

What to See in Vung Tau

Vung Tau is not a particularly large city, but a completely beautiful and charming one. Let’s take a trip around the city to find some appealing places.

1. Exciting Beaches

If you ever search on the internet for a weekend destination from Ho Chi Minh City to get out of the urban busy life, Vung Tau will obviously appear as a first search result. Fantastic beaches with an admirable blue sky and clear sea water are the strong magnet for locals and tourists.

There are in fact 4 different sections to the city’s beach among which two of them are particularly busy.  Going to the East Sea, you can have a chance to admire the beauty of the sun both at sunrise and sunset.

Front Beach (Bai Truoc)

This beach is right in the middle of Vung Tau, extends one kilometer long and stands gracefully between Big Mountain and Small Mount. The main activity here is fishermen gathering which started quite early at 5.30 am. Sometimes there can be twenty small fishing boats on the beach unloading catch, re-stacking nets, taking on supplies, etc. Preparing a camera, bring it with you to the front beach, having the delicious breakfast in many coffee shops, breakfast shops and restaurants there, then you will be free to take as many pictures as you can to satisfy your creativity.

Back Beach (Bai Sau)

Back Beach, the main beach for tourism in Vung Tau, is one of the biggest and most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. It is over 10km of fine sand seaside and is always aroused and crowded with a plenty of tourists at weekends or on holidays. Travelers are immediately attracted by white sand-dunes, calm sea surface, and immense casuarinas forest. Coming here, taking a deep breath, feeling the tiny vibration on your skin and listening to harmonious songs sung by the casuarinas foliages, all the stress, and burdens from the urban life will be dispelled. There provides a great deal of leisure and relaxing centers, namely Paradis – the upgraded swimming and relaxing area, and a system of modern hotels.

Pineapple Beach (Bai Dua)

This is a small beach off Ha Long street near Small Mountain. The name dates from a long time ago. Local residents said that there used to have a variety of pineapple trees on the beach, so they took the name Pineapple to put on it. Tourists are appealing to the cool space created by stunning rock mountains that run from the land to the sea building the poetic and beautiful small beaches and the shady row of trees. Also, there are many hotels and villas on the hill with reasonable rental fees.

Mulberry Beach (Bai Dau)

This is another little beach at the foot of Big Mountain. There is a little wind here with the small waves. The number of visitors coming here for sea-bathing is not a big number. Thus, it is an ideal place for those who love the calmness, cleanness, and quiet beauty.

2. Vung Tau Lighthouse

This was first built in 1907 on top of Small Mountain. The house is 3m in diameter and 18m in height and moved to the higher peak where it is now. The lighthouse projects light as far as 35 sea miles (64.75km) with available telescopes to follow and direct ships on the sea.

From the top of the lighthouse, you can have a panoramic view of Vung Tau city. There is no ticket, but you still have to pay VND 4,000 dong per visit.

3. Statue of Jesus Christ

Perching imposingly on the top of Small Mountain with outstretched arms, Jesus statue gazes across the East Sea. It was built in 1974, and 20 years later, it was completed. The statue is 32m in length and 170m over the sea level. The interior of the statue is hollow and contains a spiral staircase of 129 steps to the neck, shoulders, and wrists of the statue in which four or five people can stand and enjoy a splendid view of the surrounding landscape. Each hand is 2.2m in width and the middle finger is 1.1m in length, and each foot is 1.1m in width. This statue can be characterized similarly to the one in Rio de Janeiro city of Brazil.

4. The White Palace (Bach Dinh)

Built by the French (1898 – 1916) as a summer palace for French Governor General Paul Doumer, the Palace leans against Big Mountain, along Tran Phu street, at 50m above sea level. Bach Dinh has a Roman architectural structure with three floors, 19m in height. Here, there is still a long row of 19 cannons preserved until now.

What to Do in Vung Tau

• Hiking/Walking
• Swimming
• Climbing
• Riding double-bikes (VND 20,000 dong/hour)
• Seeing greyhound racing (VND 60,000 dong/hour)
• Golfing

What to Eat in Vung Tau

Not only its beautiful sandy coastline but also yummy foods here that make Vung Tau an absolutely perfect destination for you to stop by and experience a perfect tour to Southern Vietnam.

1. Banh Khot Vung Tau (Vietnamese mini pancake)

It’s not an exaggeration for those who suppose that they visit Vung Tau with the sole intention of eating Banh Khot. These round small Khot cakes with it white surface, a red layer made from mixed flour, curry powder and then filled with seafood such as shrimp and squid, and then topped with green onion and shrimp powder.

Where to try Banh khot

Goc Vu Sua Restaurant

• Address: 14 Nguyen Truong To, Ward 2, Vung Tau City
• Phone number: 090 307 33 04
• Opening hours: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm

2. Stingray hotpot

Stingray hot pot is an outstandingly delicious folk food in Vung Tau with the distinctive taste and ingredient. Sawfish is a boneless fish and only soft cartilage, which will be chopped into medium pieces and stew with low heat to have the sweet broth, and then added with some spices. Take a mouthful of all together to feel the tasty bite ever.

Where to eat Stingray hot pot

Lau ca duoi Hoang Minh

• Address: 44 Truong Cong Dinh Street, Ward 3, Vung Tau City
• Phone number: 0254 3531 147
• Opening hours 9:00 am – 10:30 pm

3. Fresh Seafood

Do not ever leave Vung Tau without trying any fresh seafood sold in this city. There is a lot of choices for you such as crab, snails, shrimp, blood clam, amberjack fish, etc which are brought directly from the sea every day.

Where to buy the best seafood

Xom Luoi Market

• Address: Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Ward 1
• Opening hours: 5:00 am – 6:00 pm