Explore all the beauty of Vũng Tàu in 12 hours on September 2nd

When in Vũng Tàu, indulge in delicious fresh seafood, bask in the beach, and explore renowned landmarks.

Discover all the enchanting spots of Vũng Tàu on a day trip on September 2nd

The coastal city of Vũng Tàu is approximately a 3-hour drive from Sài Gòn. With over 20 km of coastline, you can witness both the sunset and sunrise here. When traveling to Vũng Tàu on September 2nd, consider a motorcycle journey from Sài Gòn, but be mentally prepared for potential congestion on the roads.

Getting Around

From Ho Chi Minh City, travelers can opt for motorcycles, buses, or high-speed trains.

If traveling by motorbike or car, you have three route options:

Option 1: National Highway 1 – National Highway 51 – Vũng Tàu

Option 2: From Cát Lái Ferry (District 2, Ho Chi Minh City) – Nhơn Trạch (Đồng Nai) – National Highway 51 – Vũng Tàu

For self-driving enthusiasts: Take the Long Thành – Đồng Nai Expressway

Opting for a bus journey, you can head to the Eastern Bus Station to buy tickets directly or pre-book online. Prices range from 80,000 to 160,000 VND per ticket.

If you choose the Pacific Express high-speed train, the journey takes only about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Ticket prices are 200,000 VND for adults, 100,000 VND for children aged 6 to 11, free for children under 6, and 140,000 VND for passengers over 62. The train departs from Nha Rong Port.

Itinerary Suggestions

This article proposes a one-day itinerary for visitors already in Vung Tau, excluding travel time.

6 AM: Visit Xom Luoi Fish Market

Xom Luoi in Vung Tau is a spontaneous market run by fishermen, primarily selling a variety of fresh seafood. The market is located near Bai Truoc Park, at the intersection of Phan Boi Chau and Nguyen Cong Tru streets.

The seafood here is renowned for its freshness and reasonable prices. Visitors have numerous options ranging from various types of fish, shrimp, squid, to abalone, tiger prawns, octopus, crabs, and more. During festivals, many vendors also offer discounts for bulk purchases.

In addition to fresh produce, the market also sells dried goods suitable as gifts and ready-to-eat snacks. The most common cooking methods include grilling, steaming, or boiling. Guests only need to wait about 10-15 minutes for a delicious and affordable meal compared to city restaurants and eateries.

Grilled snakehead fish is priced between 50,000 to 150,000 VND, depending on size. Squid, scallops, or grilled shrimp also have varying prices based on the type.

7 AM: Breakfast

In Vung Tau travel, you can choose the famous 'floating' noodles for breakfast. Over generations, the noodle shop on Ba Cu Street in Bai Truoc Vung Tau has become well-known to diners. Upon entering, you will witness the artful tossing of noodles. The noodles are evenly spread and thrown into a net to drain. While draining, the chef skillfully tosses them in the air a few times for water to drip off before putting them in a bowl. This unique process adds to the charm of this establishment.

The broth at the shop lacks visible fat, with a clear and sweet taste from simmering with bones and young ribs. Diners can order noodles with tender ribs, softly simmered bones, or large, chewy beef balls. If possible, you should try the wonton soup, a favorite among many patrons.

8:30 AM: Explore Boats and Oil Rigs

Apart from beach activities, a novel and popular experience in Vung Tau is renting a canoe to explore various boats and oil rigs.

The tour to explore oil rigs is priced at 120,000 VND per person. Visitors will witness the panoramic view of the largest modern petroleum industry in the country, including seaports, shipbuilding factories, and offshore drilling platforms.

10 AM: Visit Bạch Dinh, Lighthouse, or Christ the King Statue

Bạch Dinh (Villa Blanche), built in 1898 on the foundation of Phuoc Thang Fortress by the Indochina Governor Paul Doumer, features Romanesque architecture with three floors, 19 meters in height, leaning against Big Mountain. The site still preserves 19 cannons.

Location: 10 Tran Phu Street, Vung Tau City.

The Vung Tau Lighthouse is where tourists can capture the city's panorama hidden in the mist. To reach the top, you will follow a sturdy tunnel built within the two-story house that was originally the residence and activities center for the lighthouse keepers.

Location: At the summit of Small Mountain, Vung Tau City.

Christ the Redeemer Statue, also known as the Statue of Jesus with outstretched arms, sits atop Small Mountain and was constructed in 1974. Visitors can climb the arms from inside the statue to reach the observation area. The 32m tall statue with an 18.3m arm span stands at an altitude of 170m, overlooking the sea, and has a staircase of 133 steps leading to both arms of the statue.

Location: Summit of Small Mountain, Vung Tau City.

12 PM: Lunch with Anticipated Mini Pancakes

Goc Vu Sua Mini Pancake Shop is a renowned culinary spot on Nguyen Truong To Street, Ward 2, Vung Tau City. This establishment exclusively serves mini pancakes with shrimp filling. Despite the similar cooking methods to nearby shops, Goc Vu Sua distinguishes itself with its unique rice batter preparation. The pancakes are poured directly onto the cast-iron stove, ensuring crispiness and warmth. The shrimp filling adds a sweet taste.

These mini pancakes are accompanied by fresh vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, basil, and fish mint, along with pickled papaya and an essential sweet and sour fish sauce dip. Crushed chili is provided for guests to adjust the spice level according to their preference. A portion of mini pancakes at this venue costs 45,000 VND.

1:30 PM: Rent a Canoe to Go to Go Gang Island

In the early afternoon, you can continue to rent a canoe for tours around Vung Tau. Notable stops include Go Gang and Ngoc Island. This experience is suitable for groups of 5-8 people; if you're alone, you can request to join a group.

Enveloping Ngoc Island are expansive mangrove forests spanning 61 hectares. It's a habitat for various rare birds and seafood. The tour costs 100,000 VND per person. On the island, you can participate in activities such as kayaking, fishing, net casting, photography, or dining.

Go Gang Island is an untouched island belonging to Vung Tau City. Visitors to the island can enjoy the fresh sea air and savor unique seafood cultivated here. Grilled oysters are a favorite, priced at only 65,000 VND per kilogram. The menu also includes items like crab for 195,000 VND per kilogram, squid for 400,000 VND per kilogram, and grouper fish for 120,000 VND per kilogram.

4:30 PM: Beach Time and Sunset Watching

You can't miss the joy of immersing yourself in the vast sea if you've come for a Vung Tau vacation. Currently, visitors can head to Bai Truoc or Bai Sau, the two most popular beaches in the city. Here, you'll find all the amenities such as freshwater showers, float rentals, seating, and various eateries.

However, Vung Tau beaches are often crowded during holidays and Tet. Therefore, when visiting, be cautious about securing personal belongings, wear suitable attire, and avoid venturing too far from the shore. After enjoying the underwater fun, take the opportunity to both admire the sunset and relax.

6 PM: Dinner with Speciality Stingray Hotpot

Stingray hotpot is a must-try for many tourists visiting Vung Tau. While there are numerous restaurants offering this dish, the best is often associated with the establishments on Truong Cong Dinh Street.

The steaming hotpot exudes an enticing aroma, featuring tender and sweet stingray meat with a delightful chewiness, especially in the soft and crispy cartilage, providing a memorable culinary experience.

As recommended by Phong Vinh (VnExpress)

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide