Vung Tau

Beach Coastal Beaches

Population: 357k

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: September

Famous For: Beaches (Back Beach, Front Beach), Jesus Christ statue atop Nho Mountain, French colonial architecture, Seafood dining, Water sports, Proximity to Ho Chi Minh City as weekend escape, Buddhist temples, Coastal hiking trails

Train Access: No

Bus Access: Yes (Vung Tau Bus Company operates local and regional bus services connecting the city and surrounding areas)

Vung Tau sits 125 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, where a peninsula juts into the South China Sea and transforms a former French colonial outpost into Vietnam's most accessible beach escape. The town splits into two distinct personalities: the northern shore around Back Beach (Bai Sau) draws families and swimmers to calmer waters, while Front Beach (Bai Truoc) on the southern side crashes with stronger swells and attracts a younger crowd. Christ the King statue dominates the skyline from Nho Mountain, reachable by cable car or a steep hike that rewards with 360-degree views of fishing boats and container ships anchored offshore. The old French quarter near Tran Hung Dao Street still shows colonial architecture in faded yellow villas, though most have been converted into seafood restaurants and karaoke bars. Local life centers on the morning fish markets along Quang Trung Street, where vendors haggle over squid and grouper before dawn, and the evening promenade along the waterfront draws retirees and couples watching the sun drop into the sea.

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Planning Your Trip to Vung Tau

Weather: Vung Tau has a tropical monsoon climate with hot, humid weather year-round and a rainy season from May to September; the best time to visit is October through April when conditions are drier and slightly cooler.

Festivals: The Vung Tau Kite Festival is a vibrant event where locals and tourists alike marvel at the sky filled with kites of all shapes and sizes.

Best Things for Kids to Do: Vung Tau Water Park on Thuy Van Street offers slides and pools for younger children, though facilities are basic by international standards. Nho Mountain cable car provides a 15-minute ascent to Christ the King statue with views that fascinate kids, and the descent on foot takes 30 minutes through shaded paths. Back Beach itself has calm waters suitable for swimming and paddling, with vendors selling inflatable toys and snacks along the sand.

Hidden Gem: Tao Phu Lighthouse stands on the southern tip of the peninsula, accessible by a quiet coastal road that most tourists miss entirely—the walk to the structure itself takes 20 minutes through scrubland, and the views back toward the town and out to fishing grounds reveal why this spot mattered during the French era and still draws local photographers at sunset.

Accessibility: Vung Tau is relatively easy for older people to navigate with its flat coastal areas and promenades, though some attractions may require climbing steps or steep paths.

For the Runner: The Back Beach promenade stretches roughly 3 kilometers along Tran Phu Street with a dedicated path, though uneven pavement and vendor stalls require attention. The coastal road heading north from Back Beach toward Mulberry Vung Tau offers a quieter 5-kilometer route with sea views and minimal traffic during early morning hours.

Restaurants in Vung Tau

Vung Tau's dining leans heavily toward seafood, with waterfront establishments serving fresh catches at reasonable prices—expect grilled fish and shrimp rather than refined technique. Vietnamese street food and casual eateries dominate; upscale or international options exist but feel sparse compared to Ho Chi Minh City. Quality varies noticeably between beachfront tourist spots and local neighborhood restaurants.

Where to Stay

Vung Tau's accommodation ranges from Soviet-era beachfront towers to newer mid-range resorts clustered around Back Beach and Front Beach. Budget guesthouses line the backstreets near Pham Van Dong Street, while upscale properties occupy the quieter northern peninsula near Mulberry Vung Tau and similar compounds. Most hotels cater to weekend escapes from Ho Chi Minh City rather than international tourism, so pricing remains reasonable even during peak season.

Best Hotels: Mulberry Vung Tau sits on the northern peninsula with direct beach access and a spa overlooking the water—the property feels removed from the town bus

Vung Tau

Planning Your Trip to Vung Tau

Restaurants in Vung Tau

Where to Stay

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