Vung Tau Travel Guide: Vietnam’s Weekend Escape by the Sea

If you’re searching for the perfect beach getaway from Ho Chi Minh City, then Vung Tau is your answer. With breezy beaches, seafood feasts, scenic mountain views, and colonial charm, Vung Tau has been a favorite escape for locals and expats alike.
 

Just two hours away from the bustling city, Vung Tau offers an ideal mix of nature, history, and relaxation. In this in-depth travel guide, I’ll show you exactly what makes this coastal city so special—and how to make the most of your trip.

📍 Where is Vung Tau?

Location: Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province, Southern Vietnam

Distance from Ho Chi Minh City: ~100 km (2–3 hours)

Transportation Options: Bus, ferry, motorbike, or private car

Vung Tau sits on a small peninsula that stretches into the South China Sea, giving it a unique setting with beaches on three sides.

🌟 Why Visit Vung Tau?

✅ Beautiful beaches just hours from Saigon
✅ Fresh, affordable seafood
✅ Scenic mountains with hiking trails and viewpoints
✅ Historical and spiritual landmarks
✅ Lively local culture with cafes, night markets, and festivals

🗺️ How to Get to Vung Tau

From Ho Chi Minh City:

By Bus: ~2–3 hours. Reliable companies include Phuong Trang, Hoa Mai, and Toan Thang

By Speedboat (Greenlines Ferry): ~2 hours from Bach Dang Pier (District 1)

By Motorbike/Car: ~100 km along Highway 51 or the scenic coastal route

🏖️ Top Attractions in Vung Tau

1. Back Beach (Bãi Sau)

The most popular beach for swimming and sunbathing

Long, wide shore with soft sand and many resorts nearby

Lifeguards on duty and good infrastructure

Great for families and groups

2. Front Beach (Bãi Trước)

Smaller but more scenic, especially at sunset

Lined with cafes, statues, and colonial architecture

Ideal for walking and photography, less for swimming

Close to central Vung Tau

3. Christ the King Statue (Tượng Chúa Kitô Vua)

One of the tallest Jesus statues in Asia (32 meters high)

Located on Small Mountain (Núi Nhỏ)

Climb ~800 steps for panoramic views of the coast

You can enter the statue and look out from its arms

4. Lighthouse on Small Mountain

Built by the French in 1862

Offers sweeping views of the city, coastline, and fishing boats

Best visited at sunrise or dusk

Accessible by motorbike or short hike

5. Big Mountain (Núi Lớn)

Home to several temples, pagodas, and military relics

Ride the cable car to Ho May Park, an amusement area with games and a zoo

More peaceful than Small Mountain

6. Hon Ba Island and Temple

Tiny island with a temple that becomes accessible at low tide

Walk across the rocks to reach it – check tide schedules!

Romantic and mystical at sunset

7. White Palace (Bạch Dinh)

A French colonial mansion built in 1898

Once used by Vietnamese royalty and French governors

Exhibits royal artifacts, cannons, and Vietnamese history

Surrounded by flowering trees and ocean views

8. Thang Tam Temple and Whale Shrine

Dedicated to the guardians of the sea and whales

A spiritual stop for fishermen before heading out to sea

Colorful statues and traditional Vietnamese temple design

🍽️ What to Eat in Vung Tau

Vung Tau is famous for seafood, and dining here is both affordable and delicious.

Local Specialties

Bánh Khọt: Mini crispy pancakes with shrimp, herbs, and fish sauce

Seafood BBQ: Grilled squid, clams, scallops, prawns with chili-lime sauce

Lẩu Cá Đuối (Stingray Hotpot): A tangy, flavorful hotpot served with vegetables and noodles

Ốc (Snails and Shellfish): Try stir-fried with tamarind, coconut, or garlic

Popular Restaurants

Gành Hào Seafood: Seaside dining with fresh daily catch

Bánh Khọt Gốc Vú Sữa: Legendary spot for bánh khọt

Lẩu Cá Đuối Trương Công Định: Best stingray hotpot in town

Quán Ốc Tự Nhiên: A haven for snail lovers

🛏️ Where to Stay in Vung Tau

Beachfront Resorts:

The Imperial Hotel Vung Tau – 5-star colonial-style luxury

Pullman Vung Tau – Upscale hotel with pool and spa

Lan Rung Resort – Beachfront with private villas and gardens

Budget & Boutique:

Cao Hotel – Modern amenities, close to Back Beach

Corvin Hotel – Affordable, clean, and near the beach

Lotus Apartment Hotel – Ideal for longer stays or families

🗓️ Best Time to Visit Vung Tau

Avoid weekends or holidays if you want to escape the crowds, as it's a top local getaway from Saigon.

🗓️ Suggested 2-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Beaches & Views

Arrive in Vung Tau by ferry or bus

Visit Back Beach and relax at a beachfront café

Climb to the Christ the King Statue

Watch sunset at the Lighthouse

Enjoy a seafood dinner at Gành Hào

Day 2: Culture & Nature

Morning walk to Hon Ba Island (check tide!)

Visit White Palace and Thang Tam Temple

Try bánh khọt for lunch

Take the cable car to Big Mountain and explore Ho May Park

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening

📸 Instagram-Worthy Spots in Vung Tau

Standing in the arms of the Jesus statue

Sunset behind the lighthouse

Walking across rocks to Hon Ba Island

Plating up bánh khọt at a local eatery

Colorful boats at Front Beach or fishing ports

🧭 Travel Tips for Vung Tau

Avoid weekends if you want quieter beaches

Bring sunscreen and a hat – it gets very sunny

Wear sturdy shoes for hiking up Small or Big Mountain

Check tides if planning to walk to Hon Ba

Use Grab or rent a scooter to explore the city

🏁 Final Thoughts

Vung Tau is more than just a beach town—it’s a perfect blend of coastal scenery, French-Vietnamese history, spiritual depth, and culinary delight. Whether you’re escaping the city for a weekend or planning a stop on your Southern Vietnam itinerary, Vung Tau promises relaxation, adventure, and local flavor in equal measure.