Vung Tau is a well-known tourist destination in our country. Beyond its beautiful beaches, the city is renowned for its delicious local specialties. Visiting Vung Tau allows travelers to play with the sea waves, savor delightful cuisines, and explore various entertainment areas. The city offers a sense of tranquility with its spacious and refreshing streets. The blue sea, majestic mountains, serene temples all contribute to the enchanting allure of Vung Tau.
The city is a beautiful Vung Tau tourist destination (photo by ST)
1. What to do in Vung Tau?
Beaches
Vung Tau has long been renowned for its expansive, consistently warm beaches. While all the beaches in Vung Tau are beautiful, visitors often flock to two main ones: Front Beach and Back Beach.
Image of Vung Tau Beach (photo by ST)
Back Beach is one of the most stunning beaches in Vietnam, stretching nearly 10km, with stable year-round temperatures, moderate waves, and crystal-clear waters, making it an ideal destination for beach lovers.
A corner of Back Beach Vung Tau (photo by ST)
Front Beach is one of the bustling beaches in Vung Tau city, known for its concentration of restaurants, hotels, resorts, and entertainment areas. Despite potential pollution due to being a ship anchorage, it remains a popular destination for tourists seeking enjoyment, especially at night.
Viewing Front Beach Vung Tau from above (photo by ST)
However, during peak times like holidays or summer days, these two beaches are always crowded. If you want to enjoy a beautiful beach without the noise and crowds, you can explore other beaches such as:
Dua Beach – though not expansive, accommodates about 30 people without the hustle and bustle. The beach features rocky formations, with gentle waves lapping against the rocks, creating a secluded and picturesque setting.
Image of Dua Beach Vung Tau (photo by ST)
Dau Beach – a windy beach adorned with fascinating rocky formations and large rock outcrops extending into the sea. Behind the beach, a basin-shaped terrain is embraced by lush vegetation, nestled against a backdrop of towering mountains.
Image of Dau Beach Vung Tau (photo by ST)
Chi Linh Beach – a local gem tucked away from the tourist crowds, situated within the Chi Linh tourist area. This beach captivates with its lush green mountains, verdant valleys, azure sea, white sandy beaches, and golden sunlight, creating a harmonious blend of natural beauty.
Image of Chi Linh Beach Vung Tau (photo by ST)
Mountain Ranges
Visiting Vung Tau is not just about enjoying the beaches; you must experience the thrill of conquering the expansive mountain ranges, standing atop to marvel at the breathtaking natural scenery of Vung Tau city. While not towering like other mountains, Vung Tau has numerous peaks that add an intriguing element for tourists.
Image of Mountains in Vung Tau (photo by ST)
Great Mountain is recognized as one of the two prominent peaks in Vung Tau. Surrounded by a picturesque coastline, it serves as an ideal sightseeing spot for tourists.
View of Great Mountain from a distance Vung Tau (photo by ST)
Small Mountain is a beautiful peak nestled among the two famous mountains of Vung Tau, located in the city center and adjacent to the coastline. At the foot of Small Mountain, there is a seaside road lined with restaurants, hotels, cafes, and various entertainment services, making it a bustling hub for tourists both day and night.
Small Mountain Vung Tau (photo by ST)
Nua Mountain has three contiguous peaks: Ba Trao, Dragon Mountain, and Vong Hole, creating a unique and ethereal beauty, touching the azure sky. At the foot of the mountain, there is a clear freshwater lake called Mang Ca, cool and refreshing.
Nua Mountain Vung Tau (photo by ST)
Minh Dam Mountain, formerly a resistance base during the war, is a pristine and mysterious mountain with breathtaking natural scenery. The fresh air makes it an ideal place to connect with nature. Here, you not only conquer the beautiful mountain peaks but also explore caves, visit the historical resistance base, and immerse yourself in the experience of life during the war years.
Minh Dam Mountain Vung Tau (photo by ST)
Places to Visit
When in Vung Tau, the first must-visit location is White Palace. This building follows Roman architecture, nestled against Big Mountain, showcasing 19 cannons and numerous valuable antiques, making it a magnet for many tourists.
White Palace Vung Tau (photo by ST)
The Lighthouse is designed as a 18m high cylindrical tower. After traversing the sturdy tunnel inside the two-story building, you ascend to the top of the tower. From here, you can overlook the city of Vung Tau. The Lighthouse is also a tourist attraction, especially at night when ascending to admire the beauty of Vung Tau at its finest.
Vung Tau Lighthouse (photo by ST)
The Museum of Ancient Weapons is one of the most captivating museums in Vietnam. With over 500 life-sized mannequins dressed in military uniforms, more than 2000 guns and swords, and various artifacts, visitors feel transported to the ancient and medieval world, creating an intriguing experience.
Inside the Museum of Ancient Weapons Vung Tau (photo by ST)
Spiritual and Cultural Areas
The Statue of Jesus is a prominent religious architectural marvel in Vung Tau. The sculpture depicts Jesus with outstretched arms, embracing humanity, creating a unique architectural masterpiece amidst the majestic natural scenery.
Jesus Statue Vung Tau (photo by ST)
Thich Ca Buddha Tower is a temple situated on the slope of Big Mountain. The seamless blend of religious architecture and natural scenery creates the beauty of this temple. The most enchanting features include the Octagonal Tower and the statue of Thich Ca meditating atop a lotus blossom.
Statue of Thich Ca Vung Tau (photo by ST)
Niet Ban Tinh Xa is situated along the Small Mountain, featuring a fusion of Eastern and Western architectural styles. The main hall stands out with the reclining statue of Buddha Niet Ban, adorned on the right by the Boat of Eight Auspicious Things embellished with various flowers and plants. This is the most beautiful temple in Vung Tau, known for its modern architecture and stunning sea views, attracting many tourists.
Niet Ban Tinh Xa Vung Tau (photo by ST)
2. What to eat in Vung Tau?
Beach Night Party
In the coastal city, you can experience an exciting night on the beach with a seafood BBQ feast, lively music, and bonfires with friends throughout the night.
Zenna Pool Campsite Vung Tau (photo by ST)
Night Food District
Unforgettable favorites include the vibrant night food district of Do Chieu and Le Lai, offering a variety of dishes such as bun, pho, and banh canh at Hai Hoang; chicken salad and duck at Loan; pigeon porridge at Cuu Long; Banh Hoi at An Nhat; and broken rice at Huong Duong.
Vung Tau Night Market
This bustling market area clusters together seafood stalls. Here, you can personally select fresh seafood such as clams, mussels, snails, scallops, shrimp, crab, squid, and have them prepared on the spot according to your preferences. The seafood here is not only fresh but also reasonably priced.
Vung Tau Night Seafood Market (photo by ST)
Other Dining Spots
For seafood enthusiasts, you can explore Gan Hao, Lam Duong Seafood, natural snail stalls along Truong Cong Dinh Street, and the 5-story snail eatery.
Banh Khot is another famous specialty of Vung Tau, a delicious and affordable dish. To savor Banh Khot, head to Co Ba, Ba Hai, Ut Loan, and indulge in the culinary delights.
When in Vung Tau, make sure to try the stingray hotpot at Truong Cong Dinh, Ut Muoi, and the seafood eatery 7 Luom.
