Vung Tau
Vũng Tàu is the capital of the Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province in southern Vietnam. The city has a total size of 140 square kilometers (54 square miles), is divided into 13 urban wards, and has one commune, Long Son Islet. Vũng Tàu was the province’s capital until it was replaced on May 2, 2012, by the much smaller Bài Ria city. The city is also Vietnam’s crude oil extraction center.
Vung Tau, located on the coast 100 kilometers south of Ho Chi Minh City, is a popular weekend retreat for Saigon residents looking to escape the heat and strains of the city. Traffic, noise, and pollution are replaced by sea breeze, fresh seafood, surf, and sand after two to three hours by road or one hour and 30 minutes by hydrofoil (the boat conveniently leaves quite close to District 1).
Geography and climate
Vung Tau lies on a peninsula which links up to the mainland via a river. The city is mostly flat and can be easily reached by bicycle, motorbike or on foot.
The coast of this city is very long and it has a savanna climate with two seasons:
- Nov-Apr: Dry season – hot and dry throughout, but cooler at year-end months and Tet Holidays (Jan-Mar). Good for hiking
- May-Oct: Rainy Season – frequent heavy rainfall in the afternoon. It becomes very hot and humid during the day time. Good for playing along the seaside.
Two main beaches can be visited in Vung Tau by tourists; Front Beach, which is a small bay located at the southern end of the peninsula having a small beach as well as calm waves, while Back Beach situated in the eastern part of town provides extensive sandy stretches plus pretty rough – although safe for swimming – ocean waters. However, there are many smaller beaches but swimming is dangerous resulting in drowning cases.
Vung Tau has two mountain ranges around it- Mount Tương Kỳ and Mount Tao Phùng which are both famous trekking sites. These mountains are called ni Ln (“Big Mountain”) và núi Nhỏ (“Small Mountain”) respectively because they look bigger compared to others. While ascending Big Mountain during its climb, one will see many Buddhist pagodas as well as a Vietnamese Zen (thien) Monastery. Small Mountain has Christ The King statue that stands 105 feet high constructed between 1974 and 1994.
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Vung Tau Travel Guide
Best Time To Visit Vung Tau
Vung Tau has always been a favorite weekend getaway for locals and tourists due to its convenient distance to Ho Chi Minh City, the slow pace of life in Vietnam, and wonderful beaches. The coastal city is only two hours away from Ho Chi Minh City along the highway.
Considering its location in the tropical climate zone, Vung Tau enjoys pleasant and moderate temperature all year round thus allowing visitors to come any time.
May through October is the rainy season while November through April is known as dry season. Besides that, its average annual temperature varies between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius.
Regarding the proper timing to visit Vung Tau, usually it is in November to January since that is when most people go to these places for vacations in order to stay on temperate climate abiding clean beaches of this area.
How To Travel To Vung Tau
Highway 51 (commonly known as QL 51) that leads from Bien Hoa City connects Vung Tau to the mainland. The shortest way from Ho Chi Minh City is through HCMC – Long Thanh – Du Giai and exit at Long Thanh. Merge onto Highway 51.
From Tan Son Nhat (Tân Sơn Nhất) International Airport (SGN IATA), you can catch a bus to Vũng Tàu. All of the coaches are situated near the domestic terminal. Check for buses with “JetStar” or “Vietnam Airlines” inscribed on their sides.
The fastest method to go by bus to Vũng Tàu, would be taking a high-speed coach from HCMC’s Mien Dong Coach Station (Bến Xe Miền Đông). Buses operate every 15 minutes, having 16 seats and air conditioning system. Duration: 2 hours, with half way stopover. Take Bus number 19 from Ben Thanh Market Bus Station to Mien Dong Coach Station which will drop you by the side of door of Mien Dong Coach Station.
How To Travel Around Vung Tau
Taxicab charges are almost at par with those found in Ho Chi Minh City, they start at 5000 dong for the first 500 meters and keep on increasing until 12000 dong for any subsequent kilometer (4-seat car). The cost of a 7-seater car can reach up to 16000 dong/km. The taxis are everywhere you look and the drivers have no problem starting the meter which starts ticking over after short distance of movement.
There are also many skilled xe ôm (taxi motorbike) drivers in Vang Tàu, a typical Vietnamese metropolitan region. People who visit Vang Tàu may find out that traffic is slower in the city especially during weekdays. Wearing a helmet is one of Vietnam’s mandatory law.
Most guesthouses and hotels provide motorbikes for rent, especially those located at back beach. Motorized bike costs from 100,000 – 150,000 dong while manual bikes go for about 80,000 – 130,000 dong each. Ensure your driving license is valid and helmets present.
Beaches in Vung Tau
Due to its seaside location, Vung Tau is a nearby heaven for Saigon visitors. People who have done much travelling abroad might be disappointed. However, the beach is unappealing because of trash along the shore though by 2018 this had changed after the local authorities cleaned up and made beaches a lot cleaner and most of the sandy eastern beach has signs which are against dangerous swimming. Located close to downtown there are four beaches;
- Bãi Dâu (Mulberry Beach). A small sandy stretch on the western side of Núi Lớn.
- Bãi Dứa (Pineapple Beach). Another narrow strip adjoining Hạ Long St, near Núi Nhỏ.
- Bãi Sau (Back Beach). Vũng Tàu’s only popular public beach. It stretches 3 kilometers between Núi Nhỏ and Công Viên Đồ Sơn.
- Bãi Trước (Front Beach) (Centre of Vung Tau between Big and Small Mount). This area is full of cafes, shops and hotels around its banks.
Food & Restaurants in Vung Tau
Banh Khot is Vung Tau’s signature meal. It is a breakfast meal which includes greens and noodles.
- Bà Hai’s Restaurant, 42 Trần Đồng St, +84 64 353 1255. 06:30-11:30. A small bánh khọt restaurant run by a family. Not all tourists know it due to its location on a busy street. 18,000-20,000 dong.
- Bayview Takeaway/Cafe Grill, 144 Ha Long St, +84 64 352 1984. Hamburgers, sandwiches, fish ‘n chips. Eat in, takeaway or delivery. Cold beers and soft drinks, big Aussie breakfasts.
- Bia Tuoi, 4 Le Loi St (Off of front beach near the Pacific Hotel). Dawn to last customer. A cheap beer garden frequented mostly by locals with snacks and seafood. Breakfasts too. Food starts at 12,000 dong; beer 4,000 dong.
- 1 Bistro Nine, 9 Truong Vinh Ky, +84 64 3511571, sud@avietnam.com. 06:00-22:00. Bistro style, open early for breakfast until late for dinner.
Nightlife in Vung Tau
There are beautiful beaches along with a vibrant nightlife and seafood cuisine that make Vung Tau a well-known coastal city in Vietnam. Its nightlife is mixed and varied, enough to cater for everyone regardless of their preferences or age.
In Vung Tau, the most popular places to enjoy night life are found around Front Beach area. This place has lots of bars, restaurants, clubs and coffee shops where there is great atmosphere, live bands and DJs. From classical music to pop music shows one can find almost anything including rock and jazz.
Vung Tau’s nightlife extends beyond the Front Beach area into other parts of the town such as Back Beach, Nghinh Phong Cape and Thuy Van beach. In these areas you will find many beach bars, restaurants specializing on seafood as well as small cafes which give a more relaxed atmosphere. With the sea breeze it makes it even better while hearing waves crashing nearby.
Stay Safe & Healthy in Vung Tau
While pickpockets are uncommon, larceny (typically stealing bags or purses) is becoming more widespread. Visitors should not carry valuables in their baggage and should attempt to avoid carrying them at night as much as possible, particularly in the city center or along the front and back beaches.
Bags and purses have been stolen from bicycles and even motorcyclists, as well as pedestrians. This is sometimes followed by aggressive pushing or striking to distract the victim and anybody else present, allowing the attackers to flee. Although not as widespread as in Ho Chi Minh City, thefts grow in the run-up to the Tet festival. To avoid theft, simple steps are all that are required.
- Police: 113
- Fire: 114
- Ambulance: 115
