Statue of Jesus Christ on the mountain in Vung Tau, Vietnam

Things to do in  Vung Tau

Where Saigon summers

When Ho Chi Minh City locals need to escape to the beach, Vung Tau is on speed dial. Built on a cape, this former French colonial town—about two hours from the city—has both a “front beach” and a “back beach,” which together offer every seaside activity you could wish for. It’s a beach escape, most definitely, but with mountains as your backdrop and plenty of culture to boot (think lighthouses, museums, public art, and traditional markets), it’s got the goods to keep you coming back for more.

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Top 2 attractions in Vung Tau

#1

Ta Cu Mountain

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Home to the largest Buddha statue in all of Vietnam at 160 feet long, Ta Cu Mountain is not only a popular attraction for visiting travelers but also a point of pilgrimage for local Buddhists. While it is possible to climb the 2,100-foot mountain on foot, most visitors opt instead for the cable car, which delivers passengers to the Linh Son Trong Pagoda and offers overhead views of rice fields and dragonfruit plantations during the six-minute ride. From the cable car drop off, it’s a still a short, but somewhat steep, stair climb to the Buddha itself. You can also visit the Long Doan pagoda. Both have a variety of statues and towers where you can enjoy panoramic views down the mountain.More
Tours & Tickets
#2
Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta

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Often referred to as the “rice bowl of Asia” for its emerald-green rice paddy fields, the Mekong Delta is surrounded by fertile land. On Vietnam’s mighty Mekong, sleepy floating communities live alongside an abundance of tropical fruits, buffalo wallowing in paddy fields, and mangroves rich with birdlife.More

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Top activities in Vung Tau

Private Transfer from Vung Tau to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport

Private Transfer from Vung Tau to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport

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2
From
$86.27
per group
Skip the Line: Ho May Park Package Ticket in Vung Tau

Skip the Line: Ho May Park Package Ticket in Vung Tau

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12
From
$22.57
The Best Of Vung Tau Seatown Private Tour- Shore Excursions

The Best Of Vung Tau Seatown Private Tour- Shore Excursions

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5
From
$128.21
Saigon Shore Excursions Tour

Saigon Shore Excursions Tour

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42
From
$105.60
Explore the Fascinating Mekong - Private Ho Chi Minh Shore Excursions

Explore the Fascinating Mekong - Private Ho Chi Minh Shore Excursions

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1
From
$102.57
Private Saigon city from Phu My Port

Private Saigon city from Phu My Port

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1
From
$57.00
Vung Tau City Tour Pickup from Phu My Port

Vung Tau City Tour Pickup from Phu My Port

From
$81.00
Private Full Day Tour of Dat Battlefield (Aussie Base) & Long Tan

Private Full Day Tour of Dat Battlefield (Aussie Base) & Long Tan

From
$175.00
Mekong Delta Tour from Phu My Port

Mekong Delta Tour from Phu My Port

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1
From
$584.62
per group
Vung Tau City Shore Excursion from Phu My Port

Vung Tau City Shore Excursion from Phu My Port

From
$180.00
The Real Ho Chi Minh City - Phu My Shore Excursions

The Real Ho Chi Minh City - Phu My Shore Excursions

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18
From
$102.57
Shore Excursion: Long Tan Cross, Long Phuoc Tunnels and Vung Tau City Tour

Shore Excursion: Long Tan Cross, Long Phuoc Tunnels and Vung Tau City Tour

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3
From
$119.00
Vung Tau excursion from Phu My port

Vung Tau excursion from Phu My port

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1
From
$85.00
Shore Excursion: Saigon Highlights from any Cruise Port

Shore Excursion: Saigon Highlights from any Cruise Port

From
$82.06
Long Tan and Nui Dat Battlefield Private Tour from Phu My Port

Long Tan and Nui Dat Battlefield Private Tour from Phu My Port

From
$175.39
Private Transfer from Bien Hoa to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport

Private Transfer from Bien Hoa to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport

From
$51.32
per group
Vung Tau Battle Field Shore Excursion from Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam

Vung Tau Battle Field Shore Excursion from Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam

From
$512.83
per group
BEST Vietnam Tours from Cruise Ships - Phu My Port

BEST Vietnam Tours from Cruise Ships - Phu My Port

From
$142.57
Vung Tau Private Shore Excursion from Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam

Vung Tau Private Shore Excursion from Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam

From
$512.83
per group
Cu Chi Tunnels Private Shore Excursion from Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam

Cu Chi Tunnels Private Shore Excursion from Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam

From
$584.62
per group
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All about Vung Tau

When to visit

Just north of the equator, Vung Tau is always warm—in fact, too warm for most people come summer. The resort town’s high season is December to March, and that’s when you’ll run into most visitors. If you’d like to avoid the crowds, come between March and May. May through October is the rainy season, so not the best time to enjoy fun in the sun.

Getting around

You can get around Vung Tau like you would in most Vietnamese cities—via taxi, motorbike, bicycle, xe om (motorbike taxi), private driver, or on foot. And like any good resort town, odds are your hotel is close to the beach. If you’re here for the sand, set up your post along Back Beach (Bai Sau) and your transport needs will be minimal. Your hotel can likely arrange taxis, too.

Traveler tips

The beach sure is nice, but Vung Tau’s other nature is also show stopping. If you have wheels, wedge time in your schedule to experience Green Stone Lake, north of the city; it’s framed by gentle mountains and provides gorgeous views. And Alley 444, on Tran Phu Street, may not sound like a natural getaway, but your pictures will beg to differ.

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Tours
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People Also Ask

Is it worth visiting Vung Tau?

Yes, it is worth visiting Vung Tau. The city was a resort town during the French colonial era, and now it combines beach views with cultural attractions such as the Worldwide Museum of Arms, a circa-1862 lighthouse, and a 105-foot (32-meter) Jesus statue similar to Rio's Christ the Redeemer. There are also great seafood restaurants and fish markets for when you’ve had enough of sunbathing on Back Beach.

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How long should you spend in Vung Tau?

Plan on spending two days in Vung Tau. With that amount of time, you’ll be able to spend one day touring the sights—the 19th-century lighthouse, the fresh seafood restaurants, the Tran Phu fish market, and more—plus one day lounging on Front Beach, Back Beach, or both.

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Why is Vung Tau famous?

Vung Tau is famous for being the resort town of choice for many city-dwellers in nearby Ho Chi Minh City, about two hours away by car. Built on a cape jutting into the South China Sea, it has beaches on both sides—which made it a favorite hangout of the French during the colonial era (and a favorite of visitors today).

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Where can I watch the sunset in Vung Tau?

Vung Tau is a great spot to catch the sunset, as so much of the city faces west. You can post up anywhere on Front Beach, which has a lovely promenade with restaurants, cafes, and more. You could also head to Vung Tau lighthouse, where panoramic views are guaranteed to deliver.

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Is there Grab in Vung Tau?

Yes, you can use the rideshare app Grab in Vung Tau. You’ll just need a fully operating smartphone—once you download the app, you can use it just like Uber. This way, you can skip worrying about questionable taxi companies—your driver comes vetted, plus the fare is flat-rate to your destination, paid after your trip.

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Is Vung Tau beach clean?

By and large, Vung Tau’s beaches are clean—the city has put in an effort in the past few years to make sure of it. If you’re looking to get in the water, Front Beach is more popular for swimming; Back Beach is more popular for sunset strolls. Both, though, have beautiful stretches of golden sand.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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