If you love beaches, then Vung Tau is one of those places that doesn’t need much convincing. Just a few hours from Saigon, it’s close enough for a spontaneous getaway but different enough to feel like a proper break. I came expecting a simple beach town and left realising Vung Tau is more layered than it gets credit for – part seaside escape, part entertainment hub, and part historical stop that quietly rewards curiosity.
Getting to Vung Tau From Saigon
One of the reasons Vung Tau is so well known is its accessibility. Many people ride here from Saigon by scooter, turning the journey itself into part of the experience. Depending on traffic and your starting point, it usually takes around 2–3 hours, making it ideal for a weekend getaway without the hassle of flights or overnight buses.
On your trip, you’ll see all types of travellers arriving this way – groups of friends, couples, solo riders, and long-term expats who’ve done the trip more times than they can count.
Bach Dinh (White Palace)
Bạch Dinh, known in French as Villa Blanche and in English as the White Palace, is a prominent historical mansion and museum located slightly elevated above Vung Tau. Built by the French colonial government between 1898 and 1902 on the site of the former Phuoc Thang Fortress, it was originally intended as a summer retreat for French Governors-General of Indochina, specifically Paul Doumer, who named it after his daughter, Blanche.
It later served as a residence for Emperor Bao Dai and several South Vietnamese presidents, and from 1907 to 1916, it was notably used as a place of house arrest for the patriotic King Thanh Thai.
The gardens outside the palace are peaceful and well-kept, with a lovely sea breeze filtering through the trees, making it a nice respite spot from the noise of the city streets.
Inside, the palace itself is modest but still interesting. Here you’ll find its preserved rooms, old photographs, and artefacts that offer a glimpse into the colonial period. There is also royal furniture from the reign of King Khai Dinh and African ivory tusks that measure over 1.5 meters long.
There is a vast collection of 17th-century Chinese ceramics (Kangxi period) recovered from shipwrecks off the coast of Con Dao, and ancient cannons from the Nguyen Dynasty era are displayed in the garden.
Ba Ria – Vung Tau Museum
Ba Ria is the administrative capital of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau province in southern Vietnam. While Vung Tau is famous for its beaches and tourism, Ba Ria serves as the political and logistical heart of the region.
also known as the Provincial Museum, a modern and well-regarded institution that chronicles the region’s entire history. It is located at 4 Tran Phu Street, right next to the previously mentioned Bach Dinh (White Palace), making them easy to visit together.
The Ba Ria – Vung Tau Museum, also known as the Provincial Museum, is a modern and well-regarded institution that chronicles the region’s entire history.
It is located at 4 Tran Phu Street, right next to the previously mentioned White Palace, making them easy to visit together. This museum adds useful context to the city, with exhibits that focus on local history, culture, and development, helping explain how Vung Tau became what it is today. It’s short and sweet, and pairs well with Bach Dinh if you’re interested in understanding more than just the beach.
Vung Tau Beach
The Back Beach is the main tourist hub and the most popular choice for swimming and activities.
It’s lively, bustling, and lined with high-rise hotels, restaurants, and bars, so it’s everything I hate, but my misses loves. If you like a vibrant and lively atmosphere, the weekend is the best time to visit when visitors from Ho Chi Minh City flock to the area.
The beach itself boasts an 8-kilometre-long stretch of soft, golden sand and calm, clear waters suitable for swimming. You can rent umbrellas, engage in water sports like jet skiing and parasailing, or simply stroll along the promenade.
Hon Ba Island
Hon Ba Island is a small, rocky islet located just off the coast of Vung Tau’s Back Beach, famous for its unique accessibility at low tide via a walking path and the historic Mieu Ba Temple situated at its peak.
There is a natural, rocky and shell-covered path that emerges during low tide, allowing you to walk the approximately 200 meters from the mainland (near Nghinh Phong Cape at the base of Small Mountain) to the island.
Unfortunately, timing is key, as this path is typically most exposed on the 14th and 15th days of each lunar month, and not a daily or even weekly occurrence. The path can be very slippery and uneven, so sturdy footwear is highly recommended for the walk.
The island’s main attraction is a small, sacred temple built in 1881. It is dedicated to Thuy Long Than Nu, the goddess of water, and is a significant spiritual site where local fishermen pray for safe voyages and good luck.
The French historically called it “Ile Archinard” after an officer who attempted to destroy the temple with cannon fire but died shortly after. It was also used as a secret meeting place with a tunnel during the war years.
Walking Paths in Vung Tau
Vung Tau is ideal for walkers because the entire peninsula is lined with wide, scenic coastal roads and mountain trails. You have options between the breezy ocean strolls and the sweaty jungle hikes.
The Coastal Promenade is the “classic” Vung Tau walk. This is a continuous, paved sidewalk that follows the shoreline for kilometres. You can start at Front Beach (Bai Truoc) and walk toward Nghinh Phong Cape, where you’ll pass colourful fishing boats, the Vung Tau Ferry Terminal, and lush seaside parks. There’s no shade, so bring plenty of sunscreen or an umbrella, and bring plenty of water, as it can get exhausting fast.
If you want a workout with a reward, take a trip to the Giant Christ Statue on Nui Nho. This is the most famous walking path in the city, where you’ll climb nearly 800 stone steps to reach the top. If you arrive before 4:00 PM, you can climb inside the statue to stand on his shoulders for the city’s highest panoramic view.
For a more paved, slightly easier incline than the statue steps, head to Nui Lon. This route follows the winding road up to the Vung Tau Lighthouse or the Ho May Park area. The road is shaded by trees and offers sweeping views of the harbour and Bach Dinh (White Palace) from above. It’s a favourite for local joggers in the early morning.
Nghinh Phong Cape is a shorter, dramatic walk at the southernmost tip of the city. The Path is a narrow concrete path that leads you through the “Heaven’s Gate” (a yellow brick wall) out to the rocky cliffs. Here, you get a 270-degree view of the ocean, with Hon Ba Island right in front of you. It’s incredibly windy, hence the name!
Where to Stay in Vung Tau
Hotels are everywhere in Vung Tau, with beach-view rooms available, but they’re noticeably more expensive. If you absolutely need the view, then you’ll have to pay up, but you’ll be amazed at how quickly prices drop once you move slightly inland, although times are changing in Vietnam, with prices gradually rising as the country quickly develops.
Staying in the city centre or small alleys away from the coast can save a lot of money, and you’ll still be only a 5–10 minute walk to the beach. My hotel room was clean, comfortable, and did exactly what it needed to do – proof that you don’t need to overpay here.
Also, during our recent stay there, there was a lot of construction going on close to the beach, so booking a hotel with a beach view can come at the cost of having to deal with construction noise until these new hotels are finished.
Entertainment, Bars, and a Mixed Crowd
Vung Tau isn’t just about its beach; it’s also known as a city of entertainment, with fancy bars, cafés, and nightlife spread throughout the area. You’ll find a mix of tourists here – domestic travellers, expats, backpackers, and weekend escapees from Saigon.
You’ll see many rare and custom motorbike collections around the city, giving another layer to Vung Tau’s personality.
Renting a Scooter in Vung Tau
Renting a scooter is easy and affordable. Expect to pay around 180,000–200,000 VND per day at local rental shops.
If you don’t see a rental shop, just ask your hotel receptionist. They’ll know somebody who knows somebody, and you’ll have a bike sorted quickly, and it’s usually a little bit cheaper than getting one from the rental shops.
Keep in mind, though, that Vung Tau traffic can be a little chaotic. It’s nothing like big cities, but the constant influx of buses, minibuses, taxis, etc., particularly around the beach, can be overwhelming for those with little to no biking experience.
Final Thoughts
Vung Tau works because it doesn’t try too hard. It’s close, accessible, and flexible – whether you want history, entertainment, beach walks, or just a change of pace from Saigon.
With cleaner beaches and continued development, this city has the potential to become the perfect 2–3 day coastal getaway. Even as it is now, Vung Tau remains an easy, familiar, and quietly enjoyable escape – especially when you take the time to explore beyond the obvious.
<p>The post Vung Tau City: A Coastal City Escape Just Hours From Saigon first appeared on Travelbinger.</p>