Vung Tau (Vietnam) is a large city located in the southern part of the country, on the coast of the South China Sea. Vung Tau, which is 125 km away from Ho Chi Minh City, has a population of about 300,000 people.
Vung Tau is a large-scale commercial and industrial center in Vietnam. In this city, there are workshops that produce branded items that come to our stores, and nearby in the sea there are oil-producing drilling platforms where oil production takes place.
Oil production has made Vung Tau one of the richest localities in Vietnam: there are quite expensive restaurants, many private mansions, good roads, and well-equipped parks.
There is also a Russian-Vietnamese company Vietsovpetro in Vung Tau, where many oil workers from the CIS countries work, which led to the creation of a whole microdistrict in the city with infrastructure organized specifically for these people. On the territory of the district there is a Russian school, shops with goods from Russia. But this part of Vung Tau looks rather unattractive: standard Soviet high-rise buildings with small and not quite clean courtyards.
Vung Tau is not only an industrial city, but also a well-known resort in Vietnam with a fairly good infrastructure for recreation. In its coastal zone, there are many villas that used to be inhabited by representatives of the elite, and which were later converted into restaurants and hotels.
City beaches
Vung Tau is quite a nice city. But before choosing its beaches for a holiday, pay attention to the inheriting features:
- the city is located in the delta of the Mekong River, which flows into the sea at the city’s beaches – where it carries a lot of mud;
- there are oil-producing drilling platforms nearby, and this does not improve the landscape at all;
- on the local beaches there are always strong waves and too noticeable tides.
However, tourists from Vietnam often come to Vung Tau Resort for a beach holiday. Europeans who live here or come on vacation swim in the pools at the beach clubs, and go surfing and kitesurfing on the sea. This resort has many kite and surf sites.
Front Beach
The most popular one in Vung Tau is the “Front Beach”, which is very close to the city center. The beach can not be called clean, fishermen always gather here on their boats. Also be prepared to meet the rats on this beach. There are no sun beds or umbrellas here.
But along the coast there is a small beautiful park, along the alleys of which you can walk, hiding in the shade of trees from the scorching sun.
Back Beach
“Back Beach” is located on the other side of the cape – it stretches for several kilometers from Malaya Gora to Paradise Park. It is very prone to low tides, and in winter the waves are very large. However, this is the only beach in this resort that meets European standards. Entrance to its territory is free, but for sun beds and umbrellas you need to pay 50-100 thousand VND per day.
The most comfortable part of the beach is near the Imperial Hotel. Nearby there are 3 cafes where you can eat delicious and inexpensive food, and you can also bring food directly to the beach.
There are other less popular beaches in Vung Tau:
- Pineapple, located in the west of the peninsula;
- Medium, running parallel to Hạ Long Street near Malaya Gora;
- A very small beach “In the valley” with rocky shores.
What to see in Vung Tau
In addition to the usual pagodas and temples present in all localities of Vietnam, there are attractions in Vung Tau that can not be overlooked. For example, a huge statue of Jesus and a majestic lighthouse. If you want to see something very unusual, you can go to the Robert Taylor Museum of World Weapons or visit the dog race at Lam Son Stadium.
Statue of Jesus Christ
It is the 32-meter statue of Jesus Christ that is the most significant city landmark in Vung Tau. The statue is located on the southern edge of the city on Mount Nuino (760 m above sea level). Year of construction-1974.
To get inside the attraction and visit one of the viewing platforms (there are 2 of them), equipped on its shoulders, you need to overcome a rather difficult path. First, there are 811 steps that lead up to the mountain, and then 129 steps on a spiral staircase inside the statue itself. Be sure to take a bottle of water with you, you will definitely need it during the ascent
From the observation decks of the attraction, you can see the whole of Vung Tau! But the venues are small and can accommodate 3-4 people at the same time, so on weekends, when there are especially many people coming, queues are possible.
- Where to find: 01, Thành phố VũNg TầU, Bà RịA-Vung Tau, Vietnam.
- You can come to the mountain on any day of the week from 6: 30 to 17: 00. Access to the observation balconies is possible from 7: 30 to 16: 30 (on Friday until 16: 00), a break from 11: 30 to 13: 30. In bad weather conditions (strong wind, rain), climbing the statue is prohibited.
- Visiting the attraction is free of charge.
- Short shorts are not allowed inside the statue. Clothing must cover the knees
Bags are not allowed inside the statue (even if they are small handbags or camera bags). In addition, clothing should be appropriate: covering the shoulders and knees. The headdress must be removed. When entering, you must take off your shoes and go barefoot, so it is advisable to have socks with you.
You can get to the statue of Jesus:
- On foot. This option is good for those who live on the south side of the Back Beach. So, from the Corvin Hotel or Romeliess Hotel, the way to Mount Nuino takes only 10-15 minutes.
- By taxi. In advance, you need to make an agreement with the driver about payment using the meter.
- On a bike. There is a parking lot in front of the mountain, which costs 2,000 VND.
Hai Dang Lighthouse
About 1 km from the Statue of Jesus, the Hai Dang Lighthouse stands on a Small Mountain (170 m above sea level).
The lighthouse can be reached on foot from Phan Chu Trinh Street, about 1 km from the beach. You can get there by bike – the path through the pass is almost 2 km, and the lighthouse has paid parking (2 000 VND).
The lighthouse was built in 1907, then, after a fire, it was rebuilt in 1911. This structure has the shape of a cylinder with a base of 3 m and a height of 18 m.
On the spiral staircase, located inside the attraction, you can go to its upper platform. Does it make sense to specify that there are stunning 360-degree views from there, and that you can take unrealistically beautiful photos of Vung Tau?
- Location: Ward 2, Vung Tau, Vietnam.
- The time to visit this attraction is from 7: 00 to 22: 00.
- Admission is free.
Robert Taylor World Weapons Museum
The Robert Taylor Museum Of Worldwide Arms is Vietnam’s first private museum of weapons and military equipment. The attraction is located at 98, Tran Hung Dao.
This exhibition was organized by the British Robert Taylor, who has been living in Vietnam for several decades. The museum’s exposition includes more than 2000 exhibits, including very rare firearms and bladed weapons, as well as about 500 sets of military uniforms, ammunition and insignia of many armies of the world, starting from the XV century.
- Address: 98 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 1, Vung Tau, Vietnam.
- The museum is open from 8: 00 to 19: 00.
- The entrance fee is VND 50,000.
Dog racing at Lam Son Stadium
Lam Son is the only stadium in Vietnam where dog racing takes place, and at the same time the only place where you can legally bet. The stadium is located in the center of Vung Tau, on ThanhThaiSt Street.
The races are held on Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 19: 00. A ticket costs VND 20,000 ($1).
The stadium is designed for 5,000 people, but it is rarely even a third full. Meanwhile, dog racing is quite an interesting exotic event. It’s like a racetrack, but the main participants are dogs, not horses.
Hound dogs were imported from Australia, the cost of each of them is about $ 2,500. Training sessions last for 5 months, after which the dog can take part in races for 4 years. Before the race, the dogs undergo a medical check-up and get a massage. During the race, dogs reach speeds of more than 60 km / h, and they do it in a few seconds!
Before the start of the race, the dogs are walked along the paths for 15 minutes, and only then the audience begins to place bets. The minimum bet is 10,000 VND ($0.5).
The highest bid made in the history of dog racing at Lam Son Stadium is 1 million VND.
Address: 15 Le Loi, Vung Tau, Vietnam.
Climatic conditions
Since Vung Tau is located on a peninsula, it is not surprising that it is always blown by winds. The temperature remains approximately unchanged throughout the year: +30…+35°C during the day and +22…+25 at night.
From November to April, Vung Tau has a dry season, which is slightly cooler than the rainy season. This is a significant advantage for European tourists who try to come to Vung Tau for a vacation in the winter.
May to October is the rainy season in this part of Vietnam. Heavy downpours occur almost every day, but, as a rule, they are short and beach holidays are possible even at this time of year.
It is worth taking into account that due to the high humidity, it seems that the temperature is even higher than it actually is.
How to get to Vung Tau
Although Vung Tau has an airport, only small planes land there. Ho Chi Minh City Airport is the closest to Vung Tau, so here’s how to get to Vung Tau directly from Ho Chi Minh City.
On the river rocket
A river rocket ride is also good because you can make a fascinating journey along the Mekong River and partly by sea.
Vina Express – Petro Express and Greenlines DP rockets run from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau. They depart from one pier, the address of which is district 4, 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh. In Vung Tau, they arrive at different piers located on the Front Beach, but from opposite ends of the bay. The journey time is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Ho Chi Minh City Rocket Departure to Vung Tau:
- Vina Express-Petro Express: starting at 8: 00 and ending at 16: 00 every 2 hours, and on Saturdays and public holidays also at 9: 00;
- Greenlines DP – only 3 flights: 9:30, 11:30, 15:30.
Tickets for adults cost VND200, 000 on weekdays, and VND250, 000 on holidays and weekends. Travel is free for children under 6 years of age.For children aged 6-11, VND100, 000 on weekdays and VND120, 000 on weekends.
Tickets are sold at the ticket offices at the pier, as well as at any travel agency or hotel (you will have to overpay for one ticket 50 000 – 70 000 VND). You can book tickets online (the reservation is valid for 72 hours), and then just buy them back.
There is one significant drawback in this route option: the departure schedule of river rockets does not always correspond to reality, since they are often simply canceled.
By bus
There are many buses in this direction, and different transport companies, and they depart with a frequency of 15-20 minutes. There are several places where they leave, such as Mien Dong Bus Station in Ho Chi Minh City itself. From the tourist part of the city, a sufficient number of mini-buses depart from Benthan market. But this is not all – more detailed information will be provided in each hotel!
Travel costs from VND90, 000 to VND140, 000. Travel time can vary significantly: from 1.5 to 3 hours.
Buses to Vung Tau arrive at the city’s Vung Tau bus station, and minibus drivers take all tourists to their hotels.
From Ho Chi Minh City Airport
Minibuses of various transport companies depart from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Vung Tau 2-3 times an hour. The fare is kept in the range of 100,000 to 140,000 Vietnamese VND. The journey takes up to 3 hours.
Where exactly in the airport is the departure point to Vung Tau Resort? At the domestic flight terminal, you need to go to the other side of the road – there, at McDonald’s and Starbucks, you will see a parking lot. On its territory there is a counter where they sell tickets for transport to Vung Tau.
By taxi
A taxi ride to Vung Tau (Vietnam) from Ho Chi Minh City itself or from the airport will cost $ 80-100. It is most convenient to order a taxi in advance – you can do this on the website Kiwitaxi. In this case, you will be immediately picked up at the airport and taken to the right hotel in Vung Tau.