Vung Tau



Vung Tau (Vũng Tàu) is a city in Southern Vietnam, about 125 km from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Its nearness to Saigon and its beauty and fresh air makes it a very popular destination for weekends.

Understand
Vung Tau is the economic centre of Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu, a province in southeastern Vietnam. The city centre, located on the southern tip of the peninsula, has been long known as a tourist haven for businesspeople from Ho Chi Minh City.

Geography and climate
Vung Tau sits on a peninsula separated from the mainland by a river. Much of the city is flat and easy to commute by bicycles/motorcycles or on foot.

The city features long coastlines and a savanna climate pattern with two seasons: Vung Tau has two main beaches for tourists. The first, Front Beach, is a compact beach with calm waters located in a small bay in the southern tip of the peninsula. The second, Back Beach, has long stretches of sand and relatively violent – but safe for swimming – waters, located on the city's eastern side. The city is scattered with several smaller beaches, though they are dangerous for swimming and drowning is frequent.
 * Dry season (Nov-Apr): consistently hot and dry, though cooler during the year-end months and the Tết Holiday (Jan-Mar). Ideal for hiking
 * Rainy season (May-Oct): lots of rain, usually in the afternoon. Gets very hot and humid during daytime. Ideal for seaside frolics.

Vung Tau features two mountains in the backdrop: Mount Tương Kỳ and Mount Tao Phùng, both popular for hiking. The two mountains are colloquially known as núi Lớn ("Big Mountain") and núi Nhỏ ("Small Mountain"), because of their visible sizes. On the hiking trail to the top of the Big Mountain are numerous Buddhist pagodas and a Vietnamese Zen (thiền) Monastery. On top of the Small Mountain is a 32-metre (105 ft) statue of Christ the King, built from 1974 to 1994.

History
During the 14th and 15th centuries, European trading ships regularly visited the waters of this area for shelter because of its calm waters, which inspired the name "Vũng Tàu" (literally "anchorage"). During the Nguyễn Dynasty, Vũng Tàu was officially Tam Thắng (literally "Three Boats"). The Portuguese named the then-small fishing town after the Catholic Saint Jacques.

With the onset of French colonisation, Vung Tau was a battleground where the Nguyễn Dynasty fired at French battleships with cannons from mountaintop fortresses; the cannons still exist on the hiking trails today. After the French invaded Vietnam in the 19th century, Vung Tau was known as Cape Saint-Jacques, shortened to Cape. The Vietnamese then colloquially called the city "Ô Cấp", based on the French pronunciation of "au Cape" (literally "to the Cape", used by French people in Saigon referring to their weekend getaways in Vung Tau).

Under French rule, Vung Tau became a popular seaside getaway for officials and the elites. The last Emperor of the Nguyễn Dynasty, Bảo Đại, often retreated to the hillside French colonial mansion Bạch Dinh (Villa Blanche, literally "White Palace", now a popular tourist destination) while on holiday. The French built many public buildings, a Catholic church, and tree-lined avenues; all are well preserved and still intact to this day.

During the American War (called the Vietnam War outside the country), Vung Tau was home to the Australian Army and American support units. Its popularity as a seaside resort continued. After the war, Vung Tau was a common launching place for boat people fleeing the communists. In the 1980s, the joint Vietnamese-Soviet enterprise for oil and gas exploration Vietsovpetro established, leading to an influx of Soviet (mainly Russian) migrants. In 1991, Vung Tau officially became a city.

Waves of immigration have turned the northern part into an industrial zone with many ports and oil industry services, and the southern tip remains an attractive weekend getaway. Because of Russian immigration, an ethnic Russian cluster was established, with Soviet-era architecture apartments and many Russian shops and eateries.

Economy and society
Historically a port city, Vung Tau is a major centre of Vietnam's modern offshore oil industry. State-controlled oil and gas enterprises attract many high-skilled engineers and technicians. After privatisation in 1986, Vung Tau has welcomed many private corporations in ship building, oil services, and logistics. As a result, Vung Tau's middle-class population is generally well-educated and well-mannered, though the lower-class population consisting of immigrants from rural areas does exist. Contrary to North American cities, the suburban area is home to the lower-middle class immigrants and working population. The middle- and upper-middle class population mostly settle in the city centre located at the southern edge of the peninsula, close to the beaches and tourist spots.

As of 2021, Vung Tau is home to 420,000 people. As a result of Russian immigration, there is a sizeable Russian minority living in a designated area colloquially called Khu Năm Tầng ("Five-Storied Area"), because of the area's array of five-storied apartment buildings in Soviet architecture. There is also a significant Australian community, mainly elderly, drawn to the area after serving in the Battle of Long Tan 35 km to the north of Vung Tau. In vibrant downtown, foreign cultural influences are visible through Japanese, Korean, and Russian shops and eateries. An expat community has contributed to the city's hippie-ish neighbourhoods with Italian, Mexican, American, and Indian influences.

Although the population is generally irreligious, Vung Tau is religiously tolerant and there are many religious buildings catering mostly to Buddhist and Catholics along with other religious minorities such as Protestants and Cao Đài. Two of the city's iconic spots are the Statue of Christ the King and Thích Ca Phật Đài, highlighting the religious diversity of the population.

By road
Vũng Tàu is connected to the mainland by Hwy 51 (Quốc lộ 51), which runs from Biên Hòa City. The shortest route from Ho Chi Minh city is through HCMC–Long Thành–Dầu Giây Highway, exit at Long Thành and join Highway 51.

By bus


At least hourly buses run between Vung Tau and HCMC throughout the day 04:00–19:30; 110–200,000 dong, ca. 2 hr.

Otherwise, Vung Tau is well connected to Southern Vietnam and the Mekong Delta by bus, with 60-80 bus connections daily in addition to HCMC. There exist 4 daily connection with Phan Thiet (for Mui Ne) in each direction.

The full list of bus schedules and prices can be found next to the bus station administration desk.

By car
From HCMC, the best route is similar to coach/bus mentioned above. Use HCMC–Long Thành–Dầu Giây Highway, turn right at Long Thành exit and go straight on Highway 51 to reach Vũng Tàu. It takes roughly 2 hours from District 1, HCMC, to Vũng Tàu, depends on drivers and/or traffic. On public holidays or weekends, the roads usually become busier.

Drivers need to remember to follow speed limit as traffic police may present anytime, check speed and give fine. 120 km/h is limit on HCMC–Long Thành–Dầu Giây Highway. On Highway 51, drivers can reach 90 km/h on most of the way outside crowded area. In some crowded towns, it is limited to 60 km/h and prompted by big blue information signs on roadside. There are several other certain limits described by other signs infrequently.

There are 3 toll booths on the way from HCMC to Vũng Tàu. One is on HCMC–Long Thành–Dầu Giây Highway and another two are on Highway 51. At the first booth, fare for up-to-9-seat car is 40,000 dong. At the second and third booths, you pay 20,000 dong for the one you reach first and give receipt to the rest, no more charge.

By motorbike or bicycle
As motorbikes and bicycles are forbidden from HCMC–Long Thành–Dầu Giây Highway, the best way for drivers/riders is using Cát Lái ferry.

After crossing the river, follow the main road to get through Nhơn Trạch district, then join Highway 51, turn right and go straight.

The road quality is acceptable for driving/riding. Just make sure you are on proper lane and watch out for pedestrians especially at busy intersections, where people cross the road irregularly at times. Except HCMC–Long Thành–Dầu Giây Highway, there are many coffee shops, restaurants, gas stations for drivers/riders to take a break. Make sure you know the price before settle down.

By boat
"Tàu cánh ngầm" aka "Hydrofoil fast ferry" in Vietnam is a quick way to get to and from Vũng Tàu. Taking the hydrofoil is a good way to see the commercial maritime areas as the boat runs through the Saigon River to the sea. After 1¼ hr Vũng Tàu peninsula appears with its two mountains (conveniently called "Big Mountain" and "Little Mountain") at the waterfront. This is a little more comfortable way to get to Vung Tau rather than taking the bus. Booking at least one day in advance in recommended, especially at the weekend.

The ferry departs at Bach Dang Pier in Saigon, District 1. Not far from the Majestic Hotel (100 m). Lands in Cầu Đá Port, Ben Cau Da, Ha Long St, Vung Tau.

At least the following company serves Vung Tau (but verify!):

By taxi
As an ordinary Vietnam urban area, Vũng Tàu has plenty of taxis and xe ôm (taxi motorbike) drivers who are professional. The taxis fare is similar to Hồ Chí Minh city. Remember to always agree on a price before setting off. Also your accommodation can help you organise a ride.

But for foreigners, the best option is to use Grab due to the language barrier and to avoid "misunderstandings" about price, etc.

By motorbike
Motorbike rental service can be found in most of hotels or hostels, especially at back beach. Expect arund 120,000 dong for manual and 200,000 dong for automatic. Make sure you have valid driving license and helmets.

By bicycle
Vũng Tàu should be one of the best places in Việt Nam where you can enjoy riding a bike, thanks to low traffic density and picturesque coastal roads. Bicycle rental service is not too abundant but can be found in some hostel at Back Beach.

The best cycling route is along the coast, through Thùy Vân st, Hạ Long st, Quang Trung st and Trần Phú st. With this way, slow pace to breath sea breeze or speedy race are up to you, as road quality is quite nice. If you prefer off-road, some paths up to Small/Big Mountains are good way of practising.

Wearing helmet is not mandatory yet recommended. And do not forget to watch out at any intersection as other drivers tend to not give way to biker.

On foot
Vũng Tàu is rather small, so you can walk most places. Recommended ways are: Ba Cu street (the city's centre), Đồ Chiểu street (food centre), Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị Square, Công viên Bãi trước (Front Beach park) and pavements along the coastline. Pedestrians should watch out before crossing roads as drivers usually do not give way, like in most of Vietnamese cities.

See




Beaches
The seaside makes Vung Tau a nearby paradise for Saigon visitors. Well-travelled foreigners may be underwhelmed. The beach is not too attractive with litter lining the coast, although as of July 2018 the local authority have had a clean up and the beaches are much cleaner and most of the sandy eastern beach has signage about dangerous swimming. There are four beaches near the city center:



Hiking

 * Lighthouse – On Little Mount. The entrance is at in Phan Chu Trinh St, about 1 km from the beach.
 * Jesus Statue – Also on Little Mount. This is a very nice short hike.
 * Big Mount – The trail starts on Tran Hung Dao St. The top is very flat, and there are a couple of restaurants on top.

Money
ATMs are plentiful in Vung Tau. Most of them are located on commercial streets such as Lê Hồng Phong, Ba Cu and Trưng Vương Square.

At least one and one  can be found near the center — see Vietnam.

Shopping

 * Handicrafts are ample at and are ideal as souvenirs.

Also, several Circle Ks and WinMarts can be found around the city.

What

 * Bánh Khọt – Vung Tau's signature meal. It is a breakfast meal with rice cakes filled with seafood (squid, shrimp) or egg and lots of greens into which you roll the rice cakes and then dip them into a sweet and salty sauce. Bánh Khọt starts at 45,000 dong, but often goes for 60,000 dong — a little steep when you compare it to the 5 pieces of Bánh Căn for 25–40,000 in Nha Trang, which is pretty much the same.
 * Hủ Tiếu Mực – Squid noodles, around 50,000 dong.
 * Bánh Cánh Ghe – Grab noodles, around 50,000 dong.
 * Lẩu – Meaning hot pot, is very popular in Vung Tau, but often only makes sense in a larger group due to the price and amount. Hot pot is a must at every Vietnamese party.

You will also be able to find Bò Kho, Bánh Xèo, or just Phở.

Meals in Vung Tau are generally more expensive than in the rest of the country — you won't find many meals below 40,000 dong (as of 2023). This is also due to the city being a petroleum center and due to focus on seafood dishes.

Where
Inexpensive, local and authentic eateries can be found along going north for not more than a kilometer, along  going west, and along  going north.

Many busy hot pot (Lẩu) restaurants can be found all along heading south and then turning left into  and heading southeast. Come here to enjoy the Vietnamese hot pot in different styles. Beer is encouraged.

Budget
Cheap guesthouses and hotels on Thùy Vân St, in front of Bãi Sau (Back Beach). Lowest room prices from 140,000 dong (weekdays) and 200,000 dong (weekends).

Cope

 * Police: 113
 * Fire: 114
 * Ambulance: 115


 * General info service : (064) 1080

Stay healthy
Sand flies on beach can be a problem and cause allergic reaction on your legs. If you experience this, just use anti-mosquito spray all over your legs before you enter the beach, it will minimise amount of bites you will have. Note that you might not immediately notice the sand flies at the beach, but you will definitely wonder where you got all those "mosquito" bites from the next day — so be prepared.

Go next

 * Ho Chi Minh City
 * Con Dao – The archipelago in the southern sea, best known for the Côn Đảo prisons, Côn Đảo National Garden. A hydrofoil fast ferry connects from Vung Tau.
 * Minera Hot Springs Bình Châu – Halfway towards Phan Thiet in Xuyên Mộc district
 * Phan Thiet – Next transport hub east and gateway into Mui Ne, the beach resort just 10 km east — 4 buses daily.
 * Da Lat – The old French hill-station with "eternal" spring climate