Vung Tau Beach Resort: What to Do and Best Things to See

What to Do and Best Tourist Attractions to Visit in Vung Tau: There is an endless array of exciting and unique Things to Do and Places to See in Vung Tau Resort City, from relaxing on pristine beaches to exploring historical landmarks and indulging in mouthwatering local seafood delicacies. For those who are the first time travelers to this beautiful seaside city, the following list of the best things to do in Vung Tau is invaluable for ensuring a delightful first-time travel experience. If you are planning your travel journey to Vung Tau, read on.

1. Early-morning walk on Back Beach: Dip your toes in cool water and watch the day wake up on Vung Tau’s beautiful Back Beach. This three kilometer-long strip of sand will entice you to spend a day in the shade of an umbrella, cocktail in hand. A handful of high-end hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs line Back Beach, and local vendors rent umbrellas on the sand. When you’re hungry, break for a delicious seafood lunch overlooking the water.

2. Take a Tour to Visit Villa Blanche (The White House): It’s only a 30-minute trek to the summit of Big Mountain, where you’ll have a panoramic view of Vung Tau city and the coastline. Along the way, stop by Villa Blanche for a quick tour. This colonial mansion was built in the late 1800s as a home for the district’s French governor. Today, Villa Blanche is a quiet museum displaying local and cultural  artefacts.

3. Sample the Best Local Delicacies: You do not need to worry about what food to eat in Vung Tau, as the city is known for its wide range of mouthwatering dishes made with fresh, local ingredients. Try a fragrant, steaming hot pot of stingray and baby bamboo shoots; or crispy bánh khọt, a mini-pancake made of flour and curry powder, topped with fresh squid or shrimp, green onion and shrimp powder. Each piece is wrapped in lettuce and fresh herbs, then dipped into a mix of fish sauce, papaya and chili.

TRAVEL TIP: Try Vung Tau’s signature bánh khọt at Banh Khot Goc Vu Sua at 14 Nguyen Truong To. The eatery opens from 7am to 2pm on weekdays, and 7am to 8pm on Sundays.

4. Snap a selfie with Jesus Statue: Vung Tau’s famous Jesus Christ statue was built in 1974, and stands at 32 metres tall. You’ll need to cover about 800 steps up the headland to reach the feet of the statue, plus another 100 steps to its shoulders. Prepare for a steep climb, as well as amazing views from the top.

TRAVEL TIP: Entrance Ticket to statue is free, but you’ll need to follow the standard dress code for religious sites.

5. Visiting Ben Dinh Fishing Village: A short ride from the city, Ben Dinh is populated almost entirely with fishermen and their families. Bright, multi-coloured boats are moored by the beach and the catch is hauled in every morning before sunrise and sorted on the sand. In summer, the locals lay their fish out on nets to dry in the sun. Visitors can walk among the fishing boats, watch the morning’s catch being brought in, and buy fresh seafood to cook later.

6. Hopping across to Hon Ba Island: Hon Ba Island in Vung Tau is a miniature island off the end of Back Beach that can only be accessed at low tide. Make your way across the rocks and pebbles to the other side, where you can explore the beach for shells, or wander up to see the shrines at Mieu Ba temple, dedicated to the patroness of sailors and fishermen.

7. Check out Beautiful Monkey Temple: About 30km from Back Beach you’ll find Chua Khi (Monkey Temple), a Buddhist pagoda complex that’s home to nearly 200 long-tailed macaques. Nestled among rolling hills a few hundred meters from the ocean, Chua Khi is a popular site for Vietnamese buddhists. The 40-minute ride can be done in a taxi — stop at Long Hai beach for a quick dip in the sea.

8. Hike to the Vung Tau Lighthouse Viewpoint: A long and windy road leads up the Nui Nho (“small mountain”) to the whitewashed Vung Tau Lighthouse. Built by the French in 1862, this particular lighthouse is well known as it is the oldest of almost 80 lighthouses in Vietnam.

Once you reach the Vung Tau Lighthouse, you’ll be rewarded with 360° views of Vung Tau and it’s a great place to catch the sunset. Note that there isn’t really anything else here aside from a few overpriced coffee shops but if you’re visiting in the heat of the day you’ll appreciate taking a rest with an ice-cold beverage.

9. Ride the Doppel Mayer Cable Car: This fun activity in Vung Tau isn’t just a ride in a cable car, but it also includes a trip to an amusement park that kids will love! The Ho May Culture and Ecotourism Park sits at the top of a hill and you can reach it by a scenic ride in the cable car.

The entrance fee for the Dobbel Mayer Cable Car covers unlimited rides in Ho May park so kids (and adults) can go wild! The rides offered include bumper cars, rollercoasters, go-karts, and more. Adults will love the views over Vung Tau on the cable car ride to the top, and kids will love spending the afternoon playing games in the amusement park. It’s fun for the entire family!

10. Check out the Nightlife of Vung Tau: Vung Tau’s Nightlife has become much more diverse with lots of options for tourists to enjoy food and drinks, both alcohol and alcohol-free. The most popular nightlife areas in Vung Tau City are located around the Front Beach area. This area is home to a plethora of drinking bars, restaurants, clubs, and cafes, which offer a fantastic atmosphere, live music, and DJ events.

You can find everything from classical music to rock, jazz, and pop music performances. Besides the Front Beach area, Vung Tau’s Nightlife also extends to other parts of the city, such as the Back Beach, Nghinh Phong Cape, and Thuy Van Beach. These areas offer a more laid-back and relaxed atmosphere, with plenty of beach bars, seafood restaurants, and cafes. The sea breeze and the sound of waves make the experience more enjoyable.

Adventure Journey

See Related Articles:

• Vung Tau Vietnam - History, Weather and Best Time to Visit
• Vung Tau: Location Map, How to Get There & Where to Stay
• Vung Tau: What Food to Eat & Best Local Restaurants to Try