Vung Tau Travel Guide

Vung Tau is the main city of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province , located at the south of Viet nam and 125km far from Ho Chi Minh city.The city is a very popular destination for the weekend holiday with the people who are living at Ho Chi Minh city because of the beautiful beaches and fresh air. The city lies on a peninsula separated from the mainland, collects the wind from the sea every day, this keeps the atmosphere always be clean.

Vung Tau is the tourism and commercial center of Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Vung Tau is a centre of services for the exploitation of gas and oil with oil rigs just 70 kilometers off shore. Beside Vung Tau, Vietnam also has a significant fishing industry. In the history of the city, Vung Tau was a swamp which European trading ships visited regularly around the 14 and 15 century, since then Vung Tau became very important commercial port of Vietnam. Ba Ria -Vung Tau has nealy 100km of the seashore, create a lot beautiful beaches, there are 3 main beaches at the city : Back, Front, and Dau beaches. Seaside status makes Vung Tau a nearby paradise for Saigonners. However, for well-travelled foreigners, expect a bit less.

The city is small in side so it’s easy to visit around , there are 2 moutains at the city call Lon Moutain and Nho Moutain ,the popular sites at the city are Vung Tau lighthouse , Martyr's Memorial, Thang Tam temple, Statue of Jesus Christ with outstretched arms, beautiful pagodas of Niet Ban Tinh, Bach Dinh villa blanche,... nearly most of them were built on top of Nho Moutain. In addition , tourist have chance to see some traditional festivals as Dinh Co Festival, Nghinh Ong Festival or Welcoming the Lord Whale Festival, play golf or watch dog racing in Lam Son stadium in Vung Tau City every Saturday.

Vung Tau Travel Information

Things to do

Cao Dai Temple

Cao Dai Temple is one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen, inside and out.

Cao means "high" and Đài means "dais" (as in a platform or altar raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it). Figuratively, it means that highest spiritual place where God reigns.

Don't miss it when you are visiting south of Vietnam. There are a lot of temples, but this one is a real charm.

Statue Park

Near the main dock and bordering the town, a pleasant park runs along the water, a great place to spend the afternoon. A series of statues is scattered throughout the lawns, a collection of art both modern and traditional. The looming stone structures add a touch of surrealism to the scene and the nearby benches are perfect for watching new passengers come and go.

Binh Chau Hot Springs
Covering an area of over thousands of square feet and featuring an array activities, from crocodile angling to mud baths, Binh Chau is much more than just a spa getaway. It is also equipped with tennis courts, a water park and a natural, very warm 260°C (78° F) spring. The ideal schedule is to explore in the early morning, mid-day swim, and make your choice of the range of bars and restaurants in the around the springs in the evening. Start exploring early in the day, swim mid-day and make your choice of the numerous bars and restaurants lining the premises in the evening. You'll definitely need to spend an entire day here.

Niet Ban Tinh Xa Pagoda
3km from town, Niet Ban Tinh Xa Pagoda rests at the bottom of Mountain Nho. Topped by a 21m flag tower, the intricate patterns and architecture throughout make for one of the most beautiful pagodas in the area. The garden in front is built to represent the Buddha’s famed entrance into a state of nirvana.

St. Maria Statue
Opposite the beach and at the base of a mountain, the looming statue of St. Mary and child rises out of a Catholic complex. Entrance is free to the area and there are many other artistic and religious relics scattered along the hillside above the main church.

Tran Hung Dao Statue
An island of grace in a sea of traffic, this monument to the military genius captures the strength he used to repel Mongol forces. With a stern, determined countenance and a finger pointed to the horizon, Tran Hung Dao represents Vietnam’s historical defiance as well as a look to the future.

Jesus Christ Statue
Take the 847-step plight up and meet the 32 meter-tall (105 feet) statue of Jesus. Considered one of the tallest statues of Christ in Asia, its outstretched arms span a little over 18.4 meters. Originally started in 1972, construction was only completed in 1993. The more adventurous are welcome to climb to the top of Jesus' arms and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of Vung Tau city.Be aware that the stairs are made for small-sized feet.

Cloud Lake Ecotourism
Nature is on offer at The Cloud Lake ecotourism park. Meandering paths through the park takes visitors to many different nature-themed attractions. Colourful peacocks, a pine forest, an ostrich petting zoo, and a horse riding school are several of the attractions available.

Crocodile Feeding
Located at Binh Chau Hot Springs, here you can angle for crocs with chunks of meat and seafood at the end of sturdy ‘fishing rods’. Marvel at the patience of these large prehistoric reptiles as they wait with teeth-lined jaws agape until the right moment to strike. For the crocs, it’s about conserving energy, but when these jaws snap shut, you can feel their power.

Old Lighthouse
The 18m-high Old Lighthouse, has been the trusted guide of those working one of Vung Tau’s oldest trades, the town’s valued fishermen. It was first erected in 1907 along with four French cannons and later rebuilt in 1911 after it caught fire. The light projects an impressive 64km beam and boasts one of the best 360-panoramas of the city you can find. The road is rather rocky on the way up, so be careful, especially if you're a new driver.

Lang Ong Nam Hai Whale Temple
According to legend, the remains of a whale washed up on the Vung Tau beach over 100 years ago. The carcass was so gargantuan that fishermen had to wait for the flesh to decompose before being able to pull it to shore and display the bones which came to symbolize the protector of the coast. Now, every time a whale washes ashore, the bones are ceremonially hauled to the mausoleum. Visitors are welcome to visit the quaint temple with its impressive display of all things whale from paintings and bones to statues.

Things to eat

Bánh Khọt

Banh Khot is Vung Tau's signature meal, it is an all breakfast meal which includes greens and noodles.

Leon Bakery
My second favourite place for baked goods in Vung Tau. At least insofar as baguettes and sandwich buns go. Also closer to where I live and, therefore, much more convenient in a pinch.

Wall’s Ice Cream
Found at—often on—the beach these electrified bikes ride back and forth with a repetitive and obnoxious amplified tune to announce their arrival. Very North American.

Vung Tau Transportation

From Mien Dong bus station in HCMC, air-con minibuses (25, 000d, two hours, 128km) leave for Vung Tau throughout the day until around 4.30pm. From Vung Tau’s bus station (192A Ð Nam Ky Khoi Nghia) to Mulberry Beach or Back Beach, a xe om should cost around 10, 000d.

Should convenience outweigh cost, catch a Petro Express hydrofoil (HCMC 08-821 0650, Vung Tau 816 308) to Vung Tau (120, 000d, 90 minutes) at Bach Dang jetty in HCMC. Boats leave roughly two hours starting at 6.30am, but check in HCMC for the latest schedule. In Vung Tau the boat leaves from Cau Da pier, opposite the Hai Au Hotel.
Vung Tau is easily traversed on two wheels. Guesthouses can arrange bicycle hire (per day US$2); motorbikes cost US$5 to US$10 per day. Or just make eye contact with that cyclo or xe om driver on the corner.