Vung Tau is a coastal city located in the south of Vietnam, about 100 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City . The city is situated on a peninsula that juts out into the South China Sea, offering beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding mountains. Overall, Vung Tau is a charming and laid-back city that offers a mix of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and delicious cuisine. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday or a cultural adventure, Vung Tau has something to offer for everyone.

Vung Tau

Detailed itinerary for 1 day in Vung Tau

Morning:

– Explore Vung Tau’s beaches for some relaxation and swimming. Back Beach (Bai Sau) and Front Beach (Bai Truoc) are popular options with plenty of beachside restaurants and cafes. Address: Back Beach and Front Beach are both located along Ha Long and Thuy Van Streets in Vung Tau.

Front Beach

– Heading to a nearby local eatery for breakfast. One popular option is Banh Khot Goc Vu Sua, which serves delicious banh khot (miniature savory pancakes made with rice flour and shrimp). Address: 45 Tran Phu, Ward 5, Vung Tau. Price: 40,000 – 60,000 VND per dish

– Visit to the Christ the King statue, located on Nui Nho Mountain. The statue is a popular landmark in Vung Tau and offers stunning views of the city and the sea. Address: 2 Tran Phu, Ward 5, Vung Tau

Christ the King statue

-Have lunch with Stingray Hotpot at Lau ca duoi Hoang Minh, 44 Truong Cong Dinh street, Ward 3, Vung Tau

Afternoon:

– Visit the White Palace, a historic French colonial villa that was used as a summer residence for the French governor during the colonial period. The palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens and offers a glimpse into Vung Tau’s colonial past. Address: 1 Truong Cong Dinh, Ward 2, Vung Tau Price: 15,000 VND per person

White Palace

– Visit to the Vung Tau lighthouse, located on Small Mountain. The lighthouse offers panoramic views of the city and the sea, especially at sunset. Address: 2 Tran Phu, Ward 1, Vung Tau. 

Vung Tau lighthouse

– Enjoy dinner with seafood. Being a coastal city, the seafood here is very cheap and diverse. You can have dinner at Oc Tu Nhien at 34 Tran Phu Street, Ward 1, Vung Tau.

– Visit Vung Tau’s night market for some shopping and street food. The market offers a variety of local specialties, souvenirs,… Address: The night market is located on Tran Phu Street, near the intersection with Doan Tran Nghiep Street.

1 day in Vung Tau

Detailed itinerary for 2 day in Vung Tau

Day 1:

Morning:

– Have breakfast. One popular option is Banh Khot Goc Vu Sua, which serves delicious banh khot (miniature savory pancakes made with rice flour and shrimp). Address: 14 Nguyen Truong To, Ward 2, Vung Tau. Price: 40,000 – 60,000 VND per dish.

Banh Khot Goc Vu Sua

– Start the day with a visit to the Christ the King statue, located on Nui Nho Mountain. The statue is a popular landmark in Vung Tau and offers stunning views of the city and the sea.  

– Next, visit the White Palace, a historic French colonial villa that was used as a summer residence for the French governor during the colonial period. The palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens and offers a glimpse into Vung Tau’s colonial past. Address: 1 Truong Cong Dinh, Ward 2, Vung Tau. Price: 15,000 VND per person.

– Have lunch at Gia Vien Quan – a restaurant that serves a variety of Vietnamese dishes, such as pho, spring rolls, and grilled meat. Address: 24 Tran Phú, Ward 2, Vung Tau

Afternoon:

Thang Tam Temple

– In the afternoon, visit the Thang Tam Temple, located on Small Mountain. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Thang Tam and offers a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere. Address: 77 Hoang Hoa Tham, Thang Tam Ward, Vung Tau.

– After visiting the temple, head to one of Vung Tau’s beaches for some relaxation and swimming. Back Beach (Bai Sau) and Front Beach (Bai Truoc) are popular options with plenty of beachside restaurants and cafes.. Address: Back Beach and Front Beach are both located along Ha Long and Thuy Van Streets in Vung Tau.

Back Beach

Evening:

– In the evening, visit Vung Tau’s night market for some shopping and street food. The market offers a variety of local specialties, such as banh khot, banh canh, and seafood dishes. Address: The night market is located on Tran Phu Street, near the intersection with Doan Tran Nghiep Street.

Vung Tau's night market

– End the day with a visit to the Vung Tau lighthouse, located on Small Mountain. The lighthouse offers panoramic views of the city and the sea, especially at sunset. Address: 2 Tran Phu, Ward 1, Vung Tau

Day 2:

Morning:

 Have breakfast. One popular option is Banh Canh Do Bien, which serves thick noodle soup with seafood. Address: 68 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ward 7, Vung Tau. Price: 40,000 – 60,000 VND per dish.

– Start the day with a visit to the Statue of Thich Ca Phat Dai, also known as the Nirvana Buddha statue. The statue is one of the largest Buddha statues in Vietnam and offers beautiful views of the sea. Address: 608 Tran Phu, Ward 5, Vung Tau

Statue of Thich Ca Phat Dai

– Have lunch at Ganh Hao Seafood Restaurant – a popular restaurant that serves a variety of fresh seafood dishes, such as grilled clams and steamed fish.
Address: 3 Trần Phú, Ward 5, Vung Tau. Price: 100,000 – 300,000 VND per dish.

Afternoon:

– Visit the Long Son Large House, a historic house that offers a glimpse into the life of a wealthy Vietnamese family during the colonial period. Address: 57 Tran Phu, Ward 5, Vung Tau. Price: 30,000 VND per person

Long Son Large House

Evening:

– In the evening, visit one of Vung Tau’s seafood restaurants for dinner. One popular option is Ganh Hao Seafood Restaurant, which offers a variety of fresh seafood dishes. Address: 3 Tran Phu, Ward 5, Vung Tau. Price: 200,000 – 500,000 VND per dish

– End the day with a visit to the Bai Dau beach, located in the south of Vung Tau. The beach offers a peaceful and secluded atmosphere, perfect for watching the stars and enjoying the sea breeze.

2 days in Vung Tau

Itinerary for 3 days in Vung Tau

Day 1:

Morning:

– Visit the Vung Tau Front Beach, a popular beach that is perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Address: Ha Long Street, Ward 1, Vung Tau.

– Have lunch at Quan Anh Dung – a local eatery that serves a variety of Vietnamese dishes, including noodle dishes and rice dishes. Address: 8 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 1, Vung Tau. Price: 50,000 – 100,000 VND per dish.

Ho May Amusement Park

– Visit Ho May Amusement Park, a popular attraction located in Vung Tau, Vietnam. The park features a variety of rides and games that are suitable for all ages, including a roller coaster, a ferris wheel, bumper cars, and a carousel. Open daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Price: 400,000 dong for adults and 200,000 for children (about 8-18 USD). Address: Ward 1, Vung Tau.

– Have dinner at Thanh Phat Seafood – a seafood restaurant that offers a variety of fresh seafood dishes, including grilled squid and shrimp. Address: 21 Thuy Van Street, Ward 2, Vung Tau. Price: 200,000 – 500,000 VND per dish.

Day 2:

Morning:

– Visit the Ho May Cultural and Ecotourism Park, a park that features a variety of attractions, including a cable car ride, a zoo, and a water park. Address: 1A Tran Phu Street, Ward 1, Vung Tau. Price: 400,000 VND for adult and 200,000 VND for chidren.

Ho May Cultural and Ecotourism Park

– Have lunch at Goc Da Lat – a local eatery that serves a variety of Vietnamese dishes, including noodle dishes and rice dishes. Address: 17 Le Loi, Ward 1, Vung Tau. Price: 50,000 – 100,000 VND per dish.

– Visit the Vung Tau War Heroes Shrine, a memorial that honors the soldiers who died in the wars. Address: 1 Hai Trieu, Ward 1, Vung Tau

Vung Tau War Heroes Shrine

– Have dinner at Cay Bang restaurant – a Vietnamese restaurant that offers a variety of dishes, including seafood, meat, and vegetarian options. Address: 3 Le Ngoc Han, Ward 1, Vung Tau. Price: 100,000 – 300,000 VND per dish

Day 3:

Morning:

 Enjoy Breakfast at Banh Mi Hong Hoa – a local eatery that serves delicious banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) with a variety of fillings, including pork and eggs

– Visit the Long Son Big Buddha, a large Buddha statue that offers beautiful views of the surrounding areas. Address: 1A Truong Cong Dinh, Ward 2, Vung Tau

Long Son Big Buddha

– Have lunch at Binh Chau Restaurant – a restaurant that serves a variety of Vietnamese dishes, including seafood dishes and noodle dishes. Address: Binh Chau Hot Springs, Bung Rieng Commune, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province. Price: 50,000 – 200,000 VND per dish

– Visit the Binh Chau Hot Springs, a natural hot spring that is known for its healing properties. Address: Bung Rieng Commune, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province. Price: 150,000 – 200,000 VND per person

Binh Chau Hot Springs

– Have dinner at Quan Oc Gia Truyen – a local eatery that specializes in snail dishes, such as grilled snails and snail hotpot. Address: 9B Hoang Hoa Tham, Ward 2, Vung Tau. Price: 50,000 – 100,000 VND per dish.

3 days in Vung Tau

Tips for first-time visitors to Vung Tau:

Dress appropriately: Vung Tau is a coastal city, so it can get quite hot and humid. It’s recommended to wear light and breathable clothing, as well as comfortable shoes for walking around. If you plan to visit temples or pagodas, it’s important to dress modestly and cover your shoulders and knees.

– Stay hydrated: It’s important to stay hydrated, especially during the hot and humid months. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at water dispensers around the city.

– Use sunscreen: Protect your skin from the sun by using sunscreen with a high SPF. You can also bring a hat and sunglasses for further protection.

Here are some ways to get to Vung Tau from other cities in Vietnam:

– By bus: Vung Tau is well-connected to major cities in Vietnam by bus. There are several bus companies that operate daily routes to Vung Tau from Ho Chi Minh City, Bien Hoa, and other cities. You can book tickets online or purchase them at bus stations.

– By private car: You can also hire a private car or taxi to travel to Vung Tau from Ho Chi Minh City or other nearby cities. This option is more expensive than taking a bus, but it offers more flexibility and comfort.

– By train: Vung Tau has a train station that connects to Ho Chi Minh City and other cities in Vietnam. However, train travel can be slower and less convenient than taking a bus or private car.

– By motorbike: If you’re an experienced motorbike rider, you can also travel to Vung Tau by motorbike. The journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau by motorbike takes about 2-3 hours, depending on traffic.

– By ferry: There is also a ferry service that operates between Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau. The ferry takes about 1.5 hours and offers beautiful views of the Saigon River and the coastline.

– If you come from other cities like Ha Noi, Hai Phong, …You must fly to Sai Gon. From there, you can take a bus, taxi, or private car to Vung Tau, which is about a 2-3 hour drive depending on traffic. Because Vung Tau does not have its own airport, but the nearest airport is Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City.