Embarking on a sudden journey made small with the guide 'Vũng Tàu Travel Experience'

Vũng Tàu city is a tourist destination with both beautiful beaches and vast mountains. It's a place everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime to enjoy the beauty of the sky, sea, and mountains, experiencing the tranquil yet romantic and dreamy atmosphere.

Travel experience in Vũng Tàu (photo by ST)

1. Traveling to Vũng Tàu - What to Know?

• Traveling from Hanoi to Vũng Tàu

Hanoi is approximately 1780 km away from Vũng Tàu, a considerable distance. To travel to Vũng Tàu, tourists can choose one of two methods.

Traveling experience in Vũng Tàu (photo by ST)

Option 1: By plane

Travelers can purchase flight tickets from Nội Bài Airport in Hanoi to Tân Sơn Nhất Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, then take a coach to Vũng Tàu since Vũng Tàu currently does not have an airport. Remember to contact in advance for immediate airport pick-up from Tân Sơn Nhất to Vũng Tàu to save time and transportation costs to Miền Đông Bus Station

Option 2: By intercity bus

At Giáp Bát, Mỹ Đình, and Lương Yên bus stations in Hanoi, there are always buses to Vũng Tàu with ticket prices ranging from 700,000 to 800,000 VND per ticket. However, traveling by intercity bus may take a considerable amount of time (approximately 40 hours), which might make you feel tired

• Traveling from Saigon to Vũng Tàu

Saigon is approximately 110km away from Vũng Tàu, making it very convenient for short or long recreational trips. When traveling from Saigon to Vũng Tàu, there are various options depending on your preferences

Coastal road in Vũng Tàu (Photo by ST)

Option 1: Motorbike, Private Car

This is the most convenient way of transportation, allowing you to explore any place you like in Vũng Tàu. There are two routes from Saigon to Vũng Tàu

Route 1: Take National Highway 1, cross Đồng Nai Bridge, at an intersection, turn right onto National Highway 51. Travel approximately 100km to reach Vũng Tàu

Route 2: From Cái Lái ferry (District 2, Ho Chi Minh City), head to the entrance of Nhơn Trạch Industrial Zone (Đồng Nai), then follow National Highway 51. Travel about 80km to reach Vũng Tàu.  

Road to Vũng Tàu (Photo by ST)

Option 2: Take a Sleeper Bus

Sleeper buses are the preferred choice for many travelers due to reasonable fares ranging from 60,000 to 80,000 VND. It offers a safe and comfortable journey. Passengers can catch a bus at Miền Đông Bus Station – Ho Chi Minh City and choose from various operators such as Phương Trang, Hoa Mai, Thiên Phúc...

Option 3: Take the Hydrofoil

Hydrofoil is the fastest means of transportation, taking only about 1.5 hours. However, ticket prices are higher compared to buses or private vehicles, around 200,000 – 250,000 VND/adult and 100,000 VND/child. Travelers can book tickets in advance or purchase them at Bạch Đằng Station – Ho Chi Minh City and Cầu Đá Station – Vũng Tàu.

Vũng Tàu Hydrofoil Terminal (Photo by ST)

Option 4: Take Ho Chi Minh City Bus

This is the most economical but time-consuming mode of transportation as you will have to change three routes, and the bus will make multiple stops.

Route 150: From Chợ Lớn Bus Station to Tân Vạn. Ticket price is 6,000 VND/person/ride.

Route 11: From Vũng Tàu Intersection Bus Station to Tân Thành Station. Ticket price is 17,000 VND/person/ride.

Route 6: From Tân Thành Station to Vũng Tàu Bus Station. Ticket price is 20,000 VND/person/ride.

2. Tips for Choosing Transportation in Vũng Tàu

If you don't have a motorcycle or private car, you can get around Vũng Tàu by

Taking a taxi: Since it's a tourist city, taxi fares are quite high. Therefore, it's not the most suitable means of transportation for exploring Vũng Tàu on foot.

Rent a motorbike: You can rent a motorbike in the city to explore or visit suburban areas, with prices around 100,000 – 200,000 VND/day or 10,000 – 20,000 VND/hour. Motorbikes are a convenient means of transportation when visiting Vũng Tàu.

Tandem bicycle rental: Tandem bikes are commonly seen throughout the streets of Vũng Tàu. As it's a coastal tourist destination, many tourists rent tandem bikes to leisurely ride along the beach. You can rent a tandem bike for 20,000 – 30,000 VND/hour.

3. Where to Stay in Vũng Tàu?

Vũng Tàu is an attractive resort area for many tourists, offering a wide range of accommodations from budget to luxury. You can find lodging options

Budget accommodations range from 300,000 – 400,000 VND per day/night in the city center, along streets like Lê Hồng Phong, Nguyễn An Ninh...

Budget guesthouses in Vũng Tàu (photo by ST)

For a more upscale experience with prices around 700,000 – 800,000 VND per day/night, tourists can rent hotels near the beach on Thuỳ Vân, Hạ Long, Trần Phú streets. Here, visitors can enjoy a romantic seaside view at night in Vũng Tàu.

Experience renting guesthouses in Vũng Tàu (photo by ST)

With a generous budget, you can opt for 4-5 star hotels near the beach or resorts like Imperial Vũng Tàu, The Grand Hotel Vũng Tàu, Lan Rừng Resort & Spa. Staying in these places ensures better service and a more comfortable experience.

Experience in hotel rental in Vũng Tàu (Photo by ST)

4. What to do, what to visit in Vũng Tàu?

• Bãi Trước – Bãi Sau

Bãi Trước – Bãi Sau are the two most famous beaches in Vũng Tàu. At Bãi Sau, you'll find expansive sandy shores, clear water, and gentle waves that attract tourists for a relaxing beach experience.

Image of Bãi Sau Vũng Tàu (Photo by ST)

As for Bãi Trước, being a fishing boat anchorage, it faces pollution. Nevertheless, it remains popular among tourists for its beautiful sunset views and the concentration of dining and entertainment options in the evening.

Bãi Trước Vũng Tàu (Photo by ST)

• Hồ Cốc – Hồ Tràm

Hồ Cốc – Tràm Lake – Beach is a pair of recently discovered beaches.

Cầu nổi hồ Cốc (Photo by ST)

These are two beaches that attract many backpackers due to their pristine beauty, refreshing green surroundings, and expansive stretches of white sandy shores. All of these elements create a dreamy space, allowing travelers to capture beautiful pictures and find peace in their souls.

Hồ Tràm Vũng Tàu (Photo by St)

• Suối Ồ

Suối Ồ is one of the rare places in Vietnam where you can find both fresh and saltwater.

Image of Suối Ồ Vũng Tàu (Photo by ST)

What captivates tourists here is the vast azure sea, fine white sandy beaches, and a strip of sand that separates Suối Ồ into two distinct areas of saltwater and freshwater.

White sand strip dividing Vũng Tàu into two areas of saltwater and freshwater (Photo by ST)

• Côn Đảo

Côn Đảo is a must-visit when traveling to Vũng Tàu. Renowned for its pristine beaches, lush coconut trees, and white sandy shores, it also holds historical significance with landmarks such as the Côn Đảo prison and tiger cages.

Captivating Views of Côn Đảo (Photo by ST)

Explore Côn Đảo, where visitors not only relax and entertain but also delve into a glorious history of the Vietnamese nation. Untouched by the impact of tourism, this is truly a fantastic paradise for travelers.

Côn Đảo Tiger Enclosure (Photo by ST)

• Great and Small Mountains

These two mountains stand like siblings, enveloping the coastal city of Vũng Tàu, providing a unique charm to this seaside town. When visiting these two peaks, travelers will experience the refreshing and cool air, enjoying panoramic views of the city.

Vũng Tàu Big Mountain (Photo by ST)

In the heights, one can feel the tranquility, calmness, free from noise and haste. A place to immerse oneself in nature, surrounded by trees and grass, providing a comfortable and relaxing sensation.

Vũng Tàu Small Mountain (Photo by ST)

Visiting Tiny Mountain, tourists are treated to a tour of the lighthouse, where boats are beckoned back. From the height of the lighthouse, looking down, you will witness the vast, majestic beauty of the entire Vung Tau.

The lighthouse (photo by ST)

• The upside-down house

The upside-down house is a place that attracts young people to capture interesting and adorable photos due to its completely inverted layout. Stepping inside the room, you will be surprised because all the furniture inside is upside down, giving us the feeling of living in a space station. With only 40,000 VND/ticket, you can comfortably explore and pose for photos.

• Ancient Weaponry Museum

The Ancient Weaponry Museum is a captivating attraction founded by Mr. Robert Taylor, a visionary Briton. Exploring the museum feels like a journey back through the prosperous periods of ancient, medieval, and modern history.

Images of the Ancient Weaponry Museum in Vũng Tàu (photo by ST)

Visitors have the opportunity to marvel at ancient military uniforms, iron armor sets, various weapons like swords, spears, and firearms spanning from antiquity to the present day. With entrance fees of 50,000 VND for Vietnamese visitors, 100,000 VND for foreigners, and 25,000 VND for children, explorers can delve into vivid historical epochs.

Inside the Ancient Weaponry Museum (photo by ST)

5. Festivals in Vũng Tàu

• Nghinh Ông Festival

This is a unique festival of coastal fishermen, taking place annually at Thắng Tam temple, Hoàng Hoa Thám street, Vũng Tàu city. The festival is lively over three days from the 16th to the 18th of the 8th lunar month each year. Drawing tens of thousands of locals and tourists, the event involves burning incense, making offerings for blessings, expressing gratitude to ancestors, and honoring Mr. Whale – the guardian deity of coastal fishermen.

Snapshot of the Nghinh Ông Festival in Vũng Tàu (photo by ST)

• Miếu Bà Ngũ Hành Festival

The Miếu Bà Ngũ Hành Festival takes place annually on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of the 10th lunar month at Miếu Bà Ngũ Hành in Vũng Tàu city. The festival is marked by elaborate rituals and solemn ceremonies, along with traditional folk games, attracting a large crowd of locals and visitors who come to offer incense and pay homage.

• Dinh Cô Festival

Dinh Cô is an architecturally magnificent temple, showcasing traditional design, situated along the Long Hai coast in Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu province. The Dinh Cô Festival (10th – 12th of the 2nd lunar month annually) is imbued with folk colors, drawing tens of thousands of tourists each time it opens for a festive spectacle and breathtaking scenery.

Snapshot of the Dinh Cô Festival in Vũng Tàu (photo by ST)

• Trùng Cửu Festival

Trùng Cửu is considered a prayer festival for the health, peace, and happiness of the people. The festival takes place from the night of the 8th to the end of the 9th day of the 9th lunar month each year at the Long Son communal house. Visitors here can admire ancient architecture and some rare wooden artifacts.

• Commemoration Ceremony for Saint General Trần Hưng Đạo

Every 20th of the 8th lunar month, the Commemoration Ceremony for Saint General Trần Hưng Đạo takes place at the Hội đền thờ Đức Thánh Trần: 68 Hạ Long, Ward 2, Vũng Tàu city. Over time, this commemoration has evolved from a local event to a festival attracting people from across the country. It is an occasion to express gratitude and remember a brilliant military leader of the nation.

6. Dining Experience in Vũng Tàu

• Bánh Khọt

Indulge in the unforgettable delight of Vung Tau with the must-try dish - Banh Khot. These delectable cakes, crafted from rice flour, are fried to perfection in Banh Khot molds, filled with succulent shrimp and sautéed shallots. This unique and renowned delicacy in Vung Tau captivates every visitor from the very first bite. Savor it at iconic spots like the Milk Tree Shack, Mrs. Hai's eatery, Banh Khot 41, Aunt Ba's Banh Khot shop, and more.

Experience the essence of Vung Tau with the savory Banh Khot (Photo: ST)

• Stingray hotpot

With Vung Tau's year-round cool ambiance, the evening sets the perfect stage to relish hotpot delicacies. One favorite among tourists is the Stingray hotpot. Delight in this dish at the Stingray Hotpot eatery on Truong Cong Dinh Street, the 7 Gathered Seafood restaurant, Ut Muoi's place, and more.

Savor the Stingray Hotpot in Vung Tau (Photo: ST)

• Mango Garden Fish Salad:

Renowned for its delectable Mango Garden Fish Salad, this place offers fish that is perfectly mouthwatering and sweet. Enjoy it with rice paper, fresh greens, and a delightful peanut sesame dipping sauce. The ambiance is clean, refreshing, located at 34/5 Hoang Hoa Tham, Vung Tau.

• Vung Tau Seafood Noodle Soup:

Delight in a delicious bowl of Hủ Tiếu with generous portions of meat. Address: 376 Truong Cong Dinh, Ward 7, Vung Tau City

• Seafood Delights

As a coastal city, Vung Tau offers fresh and affordable seafood. Indulge in seafood delights at renowned restaurants like Ganh Hao, Thanh Phat 1 Seafood, Lam Duong Seafood, Oc Tu Nhien 2, Oc Thien Nhien, and Co Nen Grilled Seafood.

Additionally, visitors can purchase fresh seafood to take home as gifts at the lively Seafood Market in the Fishing Net neighborhood.

Vung Tau Seafood Market (Photo: ST)