Vung Tau (Vung Tàu) is about a 125km to the southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, a Vietnamese resort and the centre of the country’s offshore oil industry. Formerly known as Cap Saint Jacques, it was frequently by the French during the Indochina era.

Vung Tau is a popular weekend getaways destination especially for domestic tourists for it’s beauty, beaches and fresh air.

Getting there
By car or hydrofoil (approximately one hour, with regular services to and from Ho Chi Minh City).

There are four beaches in the city center located in different positions.

Bãi Truoc (Front Beach)
Strategically located in the center of Vung Tau and stands between Big and Small Mount, Bai Truoc is popular with tourist for sightseeing, visiting the parks and view the sunset. Numerous restaurants and hotels are close to the beach. Front Beach is connected through a small park called Front Beach Park.

Bãi Sau (Back Beach)
Bãi Sau aka “Thùy Vân Beach” is the only standard beach for tourism in Vung Tau. It is 3 kilometer long and streches from the Small Mount to Paradise Park. All beaches here are free although you may cross some “water park” to get to the beach. There are services for keeping your belongings, usually 15,000 VND each person. Fresh water bathe costs 8,000 VND. Sea parachute with canoeing available all day.

Bãi Dua (Pineapple Beach)
Small beach located along Ha Long street, by Small Mount.

Bãi Dâu (Mulberry Beach)
Small beach located on the western side of Big Mount.

Bãi Dua and Bãi Dâu are actually beaches along Mountains, thus you must go downstairs to get to the waterfront. There’s less sand and no safeguard.

Vung Tau is also the place to board a boat, plane or helicopter to visit the remote Con Dao Archipelago, 180km away.

Lang Ca Ong temple
It is dedicated to the whale. It is one of a number of fishing areas where the little-understood ‘whale cult’ of Vietnam is established. Inside are whale skeletons revered as votive objects, and photographs of the rituals and ceremonies involved in worshiping.

Other Highlights
Fresh seafood, Ocean Park, The Lighthouse, Giant Jesus Statue and Bach Dinh House.