Vung Tau - provincial city of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Vietnam

Vung Tau (Vũng Tàu) is a city in Southern Vietnam, about 125 km from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Its nearness to Saigon and its beauty and fresh air makes it a very popular destination for weekends.

Understand

Vung Tau is the economic centre of Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu, a province in southeastern Vietnam. The city centre, located on the southern tip of the peninsula, has been long known as a tourist haven for businesspeople from Ho Chi Minh City.

Geography and climate

Vung Tau sits on a peninsula separated from the mainland by a river. Much of the city is flat and easy to commute by bicycles/motorcycles or on foot.

The city features long coastlines and a savanna climate pattern with two seasons:

• Dry season (Nov-Apr): consistently hot and dry, though cooler during the year-end months and the Tết Holiday (Jan-Mar). Ideal for hiking
• Rainy season (May-Oct): lots of rain, usually in the afternoon. Gets very hot and humid during daytime. Ideal for seaside frolics. Vung Tau has two main beaches for tourists. The first, Front Beach, is a compact beach with calm waters located in a small bay in the southern tip of the peninsula. The second, Back Beach, has long stretches of sand and relatively violent – but safe for swimming – waters, located on the city's eastern side. The city is scattered with several smaller beaches, though they are dangerous for swimming and drowning is frequent.

Vung Tau features two mountains in the backdrop: Mount Tương Kỳ and Mount Tao Phùng, both popular for hiking. The two mountains are colloquially known as núi Lớn ("Big Mountain") and núi Nhỏ ("Small Mountain"), because of their visible sizes_._ On the hiking trail to the top of the Big Mountain are numerous Buddhist pagodas and a Vietnamese Zen (thiền) Monastery. On top of the Small Mountain is a 32-metre (105 ft) statue of Christ the King, built from 1974 to 1994.

History

During the 14th and 15th centuries, European trading ships regularly visited the waters of this area for shelter because of its calm waters, which inspired the name "Vũng Tàu" (literally "anchorage"). During the Nguyễn Dynasty, Vũng Tàu was officially Tam Thắng (literally "Three Boats"). The Portuguese named the then-small fishing town after the Catholic Saint Jacques.

With the onset of French colonisation, Vung Tau was a battleground where the Nguyễn Dynasty fired at French battleships with cannons from mountaintop fortresses; the cannons still exist on the hiking trails today. After the French invaded Vietnam in the 19th century, Vung Tau was known as Cape Saint-Jacques, shortened to Cape. The Vietnamese then colloquially called the city "Ô Cấp", based on the French pronunciation of "au Cape" (literally "to the Cape", used by French people in Saigon referring to their weekend getaways in Vung Tau).

Under French rule, Vung Tau became a popular seaside getaway for officials and the elites. The last Emperor of the Nguyễn Dynasty, Bảo Đại, often retreated to the hillside French colonial mansion Bạch Dinh (Villa Blanche, literally "White Palace", now a popular tourist destination) while on holiday. The French built many public buildings, a Catholic church, and tree-lined avenues; all are well preserved and still intact to this day.

During the American War (called the Vietnam War outside the country), Vung Tau was home to the Australian Army and American support units. Its popularity as a seaside resort continued. After the war, Vung Tau was a common launching place for boat people fleeing the communists. In the 1980s, the joint Vietnamese-Soviet enterprise for oil and gas exploration Vietsovpetro established, leading to an influx of Soviet (mainly Russian) migrants. In 1991, Vung Tau officially became a city.

Waves of immigration have turned the northern part into an industrial zone with many ports and oil industry services, and the southern tip remains an attractive weekend getaway. Because of Russian immigration, an ethnic Russian cluster was established, with Soviet-era architecture apartments and many Russian shops and eateries.

Economy and society

Historically a port city, Vung Tau is a major centre of Vietnam's modern offshore oil industry. State-controlled oil and gas enterprises attract many high-skilled engineers and technicians. After privatisation in 1986, Vung Tau has welcomed many private corporations in ship building, oil services, and logistics. As a result, Vung Tau's middle-class population is generally well-educated and well-mannered, though the lower-class population consisting of immigrants from rural areas does exist. Contrary to North American cities, the suburban area is home to the lower-middle class immigrants and working population. The middle- and upper-middle class population mostly settle in the city centre located at the southern edge of the peninsula, close to the beaches and tourist spots.

As of 2021, Vung Tau is home to 420,000 people. As a result of Russian immigration, there is a sizeable Russian minority living in a designated area colloquially called Khu Năm Tầng ("Five-Storied Area"), because of the area's array of five-storied apartment buildings in Soviet architecture. There is also a significant Australian community, mainly elderly, drawn to the area after serving in the Battle of Long Tan 35 km to the north of Vung Tau. In vibrant downtown, foreign cultural influences are visible through Japanese, Korean, and Russian shops and eateries. An expat community has contributed to the city's hippie-ish neighbourhoods with Italian, Mexican, American, and Indian influences.

Although the population is generally irreligious, Vung Tau is religiously tolerant and there are many religious buildings catering mostly to Buddhist and Catholics along with other religious minorities such as Protestants and Cao Đài. Two of the city's iconic spots are the Statue of Christ the King and Thích Ca Phật Đài, highlighting the religious diversity of the population.

Get in

By bus

Vũng Tàu is connected to the mainland by Hwy 51 (Quốc lộ 51), which runs from Biên Hòa City. The shortest route from Ho Chi Minh city is through HCMC - Long Thành - Dầu Giây Highway, exit at Long Thành and join Highway 51.

You can take a bus to Vung Tau from Tan Son Nhat (Tân Sơn Nhất) International Airport (IATA: SGN). All buses are parked near the domestic terminal. Look for "JetStar" or "Vietnam Airlines" painted on the bus body.

The fastest way on bus to Vung Tau is by taking a high speed coach from Mien Dong Coach Station (Bến Xe Miền Đông) in HCMC. Comfortable 16-seat buses with air conditioning make trips every 15 minutes. Duration: 2 hours, with a break at the halfway point. To get to Mien Dong Coach Station, take Bus 19 from Ben Thanh Market Bus Station, which will drop you opposite the Mien Dong Coach Station entrance.

It usually takes almost 2 hours from District 1, HCMC, to Vũng Tàu centre by coach/bus.

• Hoa Mai Tourist Buses, Phó Đức Chính St, District 1, HCMC, +84 90 920 0200. 04:00-17:00. Operated every hour. Seats are reserved by telephone only. If you are in Vung Tau, free pick-up. 85,000 dong
• Mai Linh Express, 292 Đinh Bộ Lĩnh, Bình Thạnh District, HCMC (Miền Đông Coach Station). Reliable inter-provincial bus service in Vietnam, especially southern Vietnam. Operates every 30 min. The journey from the bus depot in Ho Chi Minh City to the bus depot in Vung Tao takes approximately 2¼ hr during the day. A bottle of water is provided to every passenger. Using the toilet at the bus depot at HCMC costs 1,000 dong. 85,000 dong (Jan 2012)
• Rạng Đông Bus Company, 292 Đinh Bộ Lĩ, Bình Thạnh District, HCMC (Miền Đông Coach Station), +84 85 111 111. 04:30-19:45. To/from HCMC. Departs when bus is full, which is approximately every 20 min. Rạng Đông also serves Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku, and Kontum. 80,000 dong (Jan 2012)
• Thiên Phú, 292 Đinh Bộ Lĩnh, Bình Thạnh District, HCMC (Miền Đông Coach Station). The same as Rạng Đông, but with larger buses. Departure every 15 min.

By car

From HCMC, the best route is similar to coach/bus mentioned above. Use HCMC - Long Thành - Dầu Giây Highway, turn right at Long Thành exit and go straight on Highway 51 to reach Vũng Tàu. It takes roughly 2 hours from District 1, HCMC, to Vũng Tàu, depends on drivers and/or traffic. On public holidays or weekends, the roads usually become busier.

Drivers need to remember to follow speed limit as traffic police may present anytime, check speed and give fine. 120 km/h is limit on HCMC - Long Thành - Dầu Giây Highway. On Highway 51, drivers can reach 90 km/h on most of the way outside crowded area. In some crowded towns, it is limited to 60 km/h and prompted by big blue information signs on roadside. There are several other certain limits described by other signs infrequently.

There are 3 toll booths on the way from HCMC to Vũng Tàu. One is on HCMC - Long Thành - Dầu Giây Highway and another two are on Highway 51. At the first booth, fare for up-to-9-seat car is 40,000 dong. At the second and third booths, you pay 20,000 dong for the one you reach first and give receipt to the rest, no more charge.

By motorbike/bicycle

As motorbikes/bicycles are forbidden from HCMC - Long Thành - Dầu Giây Highway, the best way for drivers/riders is using Cát Lái ferry. The ferry fares are:

• Motorbike (1 driver included): 3000 dong.

• Bicycles (1 rider included): 1000 dong.

• Pedestrian or extra people on motorbike: 1000 dong.

After cross the river, follow the main road to get through Nhơn Trạch district, then join Highway 51, turn right and go straight.

The road quality is acceptable for driving/riding. Just make sure you are on proper lane and watch out for pedestrians especially at busy intersections, where people cross the road irregularly at times. Except HCMC - Long Thành - Dầu Giây Highway, there are many coffee shops, restaurants, gas stations for drivers/riders to take a break. Make sure you know the price before settle down.

By car-sharing

ShareCar (dead link: January 2023), a ride-sharing service, offers free pick-up at your place in Ho Chi Minh City and in Vung Tau. A seat costs 220,000 dong one-way, booking must be made 2 days in advance via their website (dead link: January 2023) or at +841692715716 . For shorter notice, you can pay for a chauffeur car at 700,000 dong one-way, or 1,300,000 dong two-way

By hydrofoil

"Tàu cánh ngầm" aka "Hydrofoil fast ferry" in Vietnam is a quick way to get to and from Vũng Tàu. Taking the Hydrofoil is a good way to see the commercial maritime areas as the boat runs through the Saigon River to the sea. After 1 hour and 15 minutes, Vũng Tàu peninsula appears with its two mountains (conveniently called "Big Mountain" and "Little Mountain") at the waterfront. This is a little more comfortable way to get to Vung Tau rather than taking the bus. It's a little more expensive at 200,000 dong/person. Booking at least one day in advance in recommended, especially at the weekend.

Scam alert: at the ticket counter in Saigon, they may refuse to sell you a return ticket, recommending that you buy it as soon as in Vung Tau. Once there, the lady at the counter will pretend that all the tickets are gone, and you will be immediately approached by local men willing to sell the tickets with a 100% surcharge, with the complicity of the ticket counter employees. Make sure you buy the return ticket in Saigon, or accept to be considered as an ATM.

• Petro Express, Hàm Nghi Road, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. 250,000 dong
• Greenlines, Hàm Nghi Road, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. 250,000 dong
• Vina Express, Hàm Nghi Road, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. 200,000 dong

Adult USD10, child USD5 (age 6-11, under 1.4 m), duration: 75 minutes. Departs at Bach Dang Pier in Saigon, District 1. Not far from the Majestic Hotel (100 m). Lands in Cầu Đá Port, Ben Cau Da, Ha Long St, Vung Tau

Get around

By taxi

Taxis fare is similar to Hồ Chí Minh city, which is 5000 dong for commencement up to the first 500 m, then 12000 dong for each 1 km (4-seat car). 7-seat car fare is up to 16000 dong/km. There are taxis everywhere and drivers have no problem using the meter which starts ticking automatically when the vehicle has been moving for a few metres.

These are some common taxis in Vũng Tàu and their phone numbers:

• Taxi Mai Linh 064.3.56.56.56

• Taxi Vinasun 064.38.27.27.27

• Taxi Gili 064.3.85.85.85

• Taxi Petro 064.3.851.851 – 064.3.81.81.81

• Taxi Bình An 064.3.79.79.79

• Taxi Navi 064.3.83.83.83

By taxi motorbike

As an ordinary Vietnam urban area, Vũng Tàu has plenty of xe ôm (taxi motorbike) drivers who are professional. Tourists coming to Vũng Tàu may find out that traffic is slower here, especially during weekdays. All riders in Vietnam are required to wear helmets an this is strictly enforced. As such, the driver should supply you with a helmet. If he doesn't - find another one, as you'll be the one stuck with the fine. Remember: always agree on a price before you set off.

By motorbike

Motorbike rental service can be found in most of hotels or hostels, especially at back beach. Price is 100,000 - 150,000 dong for automatic and 80,000 - 130,000 dong for manual bike. Make sure you have valid driving license and helmets.

By bicycle

Vũng Tàu should be one of the best places in Việt Nam where you can enjoy riding a bike, thanks to low traffic density and picturesque coastal roads. Bicycle rental service is not too abundant but can be found in some hostel at Back Beach. Other options are bringing your own bike from Saigon or borrow from your friends. The best cycling route is along the coast, through Thùy Vân st, Hạ Long st, Quang Trung st and Trần Phú st. With this way, slow pace to breath sea breeze or speedy race are up to you, as road quality is quite nice. If you prefer off-road, some paths up to Small/Big Mountains are good way of practicing.

Wearing helmet is not mandatory yet recommended. And do not forget to watch out at any intersection as other drivers tend to not give way to biker.

By double-bike

Xe đạp đôi or double-bike (tandem bicycle) has been popular among youth and teenagers of Vung Tau. You can see groups of at least four riding along the windy and green streets and along the coast. A standard double-bike can carry 3 people in which 2 take the ride. You can rent a double bike at the Bãi Trước (Front Beach) Area beside Nhà thiếu nhi (Children Cultural House) or on pavements along the Bãi Sau (Back Beach) near hotels area.

Walking

Vũng Tàu is rather small, so you can walk most places. Recommended ways are: Ba Cu street (the city's centre), Đồ Chiểu street (food centre), Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị Square, Công viên Bãi trước (Front Beach park) and pavements along the coastline. Pedestrians should watch out before crossing roads as drivers usually do not give way, like in most of Vietnamese cities.

See

• Bạch Dinh (Villa Blanche). Built by the French (1898-1916) as a summer holiday house for French Governor-General Paul Doumer. Also formerly known as Dinh Toàn Quyền (Villa du Gouverneur). Under French rule, the mansion was a holiday getaway for French governors and Bảo Đại, the last Emperor of Vietnam. During the American War, the mansion was used for R&R. Since the end of the American War, the mansion has been for public use. A mix of French colonial and Vietnamese architecture, Bạch Dinh boasts lavish decorations and a collection of antiques, including fine porcelain and African elephants' tusks 2021-11-04
• Đài Liệt Sĩ (Soldiers' Memorial), Lê Hồng Phong St. A stone obelisk on a hilltop, on the way to the sea, the Soldiers' Memorial Hill is said to incorporate the biggest traffic circle in Indochina. A cool hangout for lovers. 2021-11-04
• Đình Thần Thắng Tam (Thắng Tam Local Gods Communal House), Thắng Tam Ward (From the Front Beach, follow Truong Cong Dinh St to Tran Hung Dao Park. Here take Hoang Hoa Tham St to Thang Tam).

• Statue of Christ the King (Tượng chúa Ki-tô Vua). The enormous 28-m figure of Jesus gazing to sea with outstretched arms is at the south end of Small Mountain. Built in 1971, this giant Jesus rests on a 10-m-high platform. The interior of the statue is hollow and contains a spiral staircase of 129 steps, ascending from the foot of the statue to its neck. The two shoulders of the figure are balconies, each able to accommodate up to six people, which offer a splendid view of the surrounding landscape. This is the largest sculpture in southern Vietnam. A pathway makes the 30-min hike up the mountain pleasant, and the panoramic view from various vista points along the way is magnificent. A must-do! 2021-11-04
• Pagodas. Niết Bàn Tịnh Xá and Thích Ca Phật Đài are most popular among the pagodas and temples in Vũng Tàu.
• Vũng Tàu Lighthouse, 8.653611°, 106.599444°. First built in 1907 on the lower peak of Small Mount, it burned kerosene in its lamp. In 1911, it was rebuilt to 3 m in diameter and 18 m in height, and moved to the higher peak where it stands today. The Vũng Tàu Lighthouse projects light as far as 65 km (35 mi) and is equipped with telescopes to follow and direct ships at sea. Next to the platform, 4 old French cannons (weighing several tons) were once used to defend the area from naval attacks. The lighthouse affords a panoramic view of the whole of Vung Tau. 4,000 dong
• Ho May Park, 1A Trần Phú, Phường 1, Vũng Tàu, Bà Rịa (by cable car from the station just next to the hydrofoil terminal), +84 93 301 06 54. 07:30 to 23:00. Fun day out if you have kids (quite fun even if you don't!). The Cable Car ride is a little steep at 600,000 dong per head, but if you consider that this includes all the rides in the amusement park at the top it is very reasonable. Dodgems, Go-Karts, various fairground rides, a large water park, a games centre, the 'Alpine Luge' and other attractions are all included in the cost! USD26 2018-07-31
• Robert Taylor Museum of Worldwide Arms, 98 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 1 (right in the centre of town, catch a cab or walk from Front Beach). 08:00-18:00. A fascinating collection of arms and uniforms from around the world. Most major wars and battles are covered. The emphasis is in British and Australian regimental uniforms but there are also Samurai, Mongols, Saracens, Turks and Bulgarians as well as most European and North American armies. There is a wide range of guns, swords and other weapons of war. Quite why Bob Taylor chose to open his museum in the relative obscurity of Vung Tau is not clear from the collection but if you have even a passing interest in military history it is well worth a couple of hours of your time if you find yourself in the city. 100,000 dong for foreigners 2019-04-10

Do

Beaches

The seaside makes Vung Tau a nearby paradise for Saigon visitors. Well-travelled foreigners may be underwhelmed. The beach is not too attractive with litter lining the coast, although as of July 2018 the local authority have had a clean up and the beaches are much cleaner and most of the sandy eastern beach has signage about dangerous swimming. There are four beaches near the city center:

• Bãi Dâu (Mulberry Beach). Small beach on the west side of Big Mount.
• Bãi Dứa (Pineapple Beach). Small beach along Hạ Long St, by Small Mount.
• Bãi Sau (Back Beach). Also known as Thùy Vân Beach. The only standard beach for tourism in Vung Tau. It is 3 km long and stretches from the Small Mount to Paradise Park. All beaches here are free. You must pass through some "water parks" to get to the beach in some places, in most places there is a pleasant promenade that leads directly to the beach. There are places to stash your belongings, usually 15,000 dong for each person. A beach umbrella is 30,000 dong, a chaise longue, 25,000 dong. As of July 2018 a deck chair and umbrella cost 50,000 dong. Fresh water showers cost 8,000 dong. Sea parachuting and canoeing available all day. The beach is clean, the water is shallow quite a way out, there are very few jet-skis and hardly any beach hawkers.
• Bãi Trước (Front Beach). Restaurants, kiosks, and hotels are close to the beach. Front Beach is connected through a small park called Front Beach Park. As this lies near the tourist centre of the city, most people come here to visit the park and view the sunset when it becomes hugely popular with local tourists.
• Lam Son Greyhound Racing Stadium, 15 Lê Lợi, Phường 1, Thành phố Vũng Tầu, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu, Vietnam (Take a taxi from Front Beach), +84 254 3807 309. Every Saturday from 19:00-22:30 (gates open 18:00). A fun evening if you don't have hang ups about dogs racing. You are given a 'form card' and can use that to bet on races. Either 'slum it' with the locals next to the track or go VIP for an air-conditioned experience. Beers are a little more than in local bars but not much more so. A good place to engage with locals and expats alike! 60,000 dong, (slightly more for VIP tickets - worthwhile) 2020-02-09

Hiking

• Hike to the Lighthouse on Little Mount. The entrance is at in Phan Chu Trinh St, about 1 km from the beach.
• Hike to the Jesus Statue on Little Mount. This is a very nice short hike.
• Hike to Big Mount. The trail starts on Tran Hung Dao St. The top is very flat, and there are a couple of restaurants on top.

Buy

Where to buy

• Chợ Vũng Tàu (Vũng Tàu Market), new central market built in 1985. Vietnamese day meals start with market. Goods in markets are cheaper and fresher than in shops and that's why a market is very familiar with every Vietnamese, esp. housewives.
• Lottle Mall Vung Tau, At the corner of road Thi Sách & road 3/2, Ward No.8, +84 254 3565 773. 08:00-22:00. A mall from the corporation Lotte from South Korea, it is to the right of the Bãi sau. It has a shopping mall (includes household stuff), restaurants, clothes shops. 2019-04-24

What to buy

• Handicrafts are ample at Trung Vuong Square and are ideal as souvenirs.

ATMs

ATMs are plentiful in Vung Tau. Most of them are located on commercial streets such as Lê Hồng Phong, Ba Cu and Trưng Vương Square. Visa and MasterCard are accepted with a minimum fee of 50,000-70,000 dong for each withdrawal.

Eat

Banh Khot is Vung Tau's signature meal. It is a breakfast meal which includes greens and noodles.

• Bà Hai's Restaurant, 42 Trần Đồng St, +84 64 353 1255. 06:30-11:30. A small bánh khọt restaurant run by a family. Not all tourists know it due to its location on a busy street. 18,000-20,000 dong
• Bayview Takeaway/Cafe Grill, 144 Ha Long St, +84 64 352 1984. Hamburgers, sandwiches, fish 'n chips. Eat in, takeaway or delivery. Cold beers and soft drinks, big Aussie breakfasts.
• Bia Tuoi, 4 Le Loi St (Off of front beach near the Pacific Hotel). Dawn to last customer. A cheap beer garden frequented mostly by locals with snacks and seafood. Breakfasts too. Food starts at 12,000 dong; beer 4,000 dong
• Bistro Nine, 9 Truong Vinh Ky, 10.34879°, 107.07302°, +84 64 3511571, sud@avietnam.com. 06:00-22:00. Bistro style, open early for breakfast until late for dinner. Large wine cellar, bakery, house-made excellent bread and charcuterie. Nice place to chill out for coffee or dinner. Sandwiches, wood oven pizzas, meats, fish, great ribs. Sandwiches from 50,000 dong. From 20,000 dong
• David Pizzeria, 130 Ha Long St, +84 64 385 6612. 10:00-14:00 and 17:00-23:00. Italian restaurant with a wide selection of pasta, wood-fired pizza, seafood, wine, and Italian desserts. They also have fresh bread, coffees. Delivery available. Pizza from 150,000 dong
• Ganh Hao Restaurant, 03 Trần Phú, P.5, +84 64 355 0909. Lovely restaurant by the sea. High quality fresh seafood. From 45,000 dong
• Gốc Vú Sữa, 14 Nguyễn Trường Tộ, +84 35 23465. 06:00-12:00. An ideal place to enjoy your breakfast "bánh khọt". The restaurant is always crowded on weekends. 35,000 dong
• Hotpot Restaurants, Trương Công Định St, +84 85 6394. Till 23:00. An area of four adjoining restaurants. Come here to enjoy the Vietnamese hotpot in different styles. Hotpot is a must at every Vietnamese party. Beer is encouraged.
• Kozak, 06-07 Nguyen Tri Phuong St, +84 64 356 3776. Till 23:00. Ukrainian restaurant, decorated with Ukrainian stuff. Restaurant offers traditional beverages: Ukrainian liquors, borsht, vareniki, kvass.
• Rodstarz Fast Food, 30 Quang Trung 1 and 244 Thống Nhất (Across from the beach), +84 94 711 0192. 06:00-22:00. Western dishes with a slight Asian twist. The restaurant carries an expanded menu ranging from 100% Australian beef burgers, cheese burgers, shrimp burgers, burritos, pork kababs, fried squid rings, waffle dogs, ice cream and beer.
• Quán 95, 36 Trần Hưng Đạo, +84 85 6394. 08:00-23:00. Well-known mid-range restaurant for Vietnamese meals and variety of seafood. Tiger Beer and Pilsner Urquell available.
• Vườn Bàng, 37/4 Nguyễn Thái Học, +84 57 0607. 08:00-23:00. Large indoor restaurant, ideal place for parties. Special foods include shashlyk (Russian fried pork) and Russian salad.
• Quán Cơm Chay Thuận Duyên, 188 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường 3, Thành phố Vũng Tầu, Bà Rịa (less than 100 m south of the Central Bus Station). Uber cheap and tasty Vegetarian street food restaurant that appeals to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Self service although the lady owner is happy to help newcomers. she doesn't speak English so have that translate app ready! Add the fiery sambal type condiment if you need to zest things up a little. 25,000 dong for all you can eat 2019-04-10

Drink

Bars

• Matilda's Pub, 6 Nguyen Du (Behind the Grand Hotel), +84 64 385 6581. 09:00-late. Laidback Aussie pub. The cheapest beers/drinks in town. Very affordable meals, including breakfast. Happy hour every day from 09:00-18:00. Very friendly staff. An excellent place to enjoy a relaxing beer or meal. Standard beers 25,000 dong; 5 for 100,000 dong
• Mr Splash Coffee Tea Bar, 81 Thuy Van, +84915677708. Makes amazing coffee, tea and cocktails at very affordable prices. Very professional, and Phú is a proper bartender.
• Nine Cafe, 9 Truong Vinh Ky, +84 64 351 1571. 06:00-22:00. Espresso, cappuccino, fresh juice and home made 100% natural French ice cream. Happy hour from 15:00-19:00. Indoor-outdoor.
• Belly's Restaurant and Watering Hole, 53a Phan Chu Trinh, Phường 2, Thành phố Vũng Tầu, Bà Rịa (Located on Phan Chu Trinh st about halfway between Front Beach and Back Beach.). Belly's is a super friendly Aussie pub that also serves excellent food. Relax with a game of pool, watch the footy or chat with the regulars. Great, friendly and efficient staff. Very reasonable 2018-07-31

Coffee

• Bạch Dinh, Trần Phú, near Bãi Trước. Till 23:00.
• Ô Cấp. Till 23:00.
• Rin Cafe, 241 Nguyen An Ninh (Near Paradise Golf Course), +84 93 4763138. All day. Serves a decent cup of strong, dark, and rich aromatic coffee. Said to serve only coffees that are grown directly from Vietnam highland provinces. The beans here are kept fresh and are ground only on order. Popular for to go orders among locals and tourists alike. 10,000 dong
• Saigon Ice Cream, Lý Thường Kiệt St. Till 23:00. Little ice cream spot with soft music. Well-known for 20 years.

Sleep

Budget

Vung Tau may have the cheapest guesthouses and hotels in Vietnam. Rooms range from fan-only with shared bath to air conditioned with hot water. All on Thùy Vân St, in front of Bãi Sau (Back Beach) at the foot of Small Mount. Lowest prices from 120,000 dong/room (on weekdays) to 200,000 dong (weekends).

Mid-range

• Tháng Mười Hotel, 151 Thùy Vân (in front of Bãi Sau), +84 64 852 665. 92 comfortable bedrooms with cable TV, air conditioning and minibars. A short walk to the beach. 300,000-500,000 dong
• Valley Mountain Hotel (Sleep), 102/6 Trần Phú, Ward 5, +84 64 355 3660. Not large, but designed to high standards. Attentive service. From USD45

Splurge

• Cap Saint Jacques. With private beach. 200 m to the Paradise golf course and 5 minutes access to the central city. Offers 133 guest rooms and suites with air conditioner, satellite TV, IDD telephone, high speed Internet, minibar, dressing table, bathtub. USD35-101
• The Imperial Hotel, 159 Thuy Van St, +84 64 362 8888, sales@imperialhotel.vn. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: undefined. 5-star hotel. Victorian English-style architecture. Includes a private beach, 300 rooms, four on-site restaurants, meeting rooms, ballrooms, and manicured gardens. USD130-830 2019-08-30
• Mỹ Lệ Hotel, 57-59 Thùy Vân, +84 64 852 177, mylehotel@hcm.vnn.vn. USD39-115
• Palace Hotel, 01 Nguyễn Trãi, +84 64 856 411, palacevt@hcm.vnn.vn. 94 guest rooms. Casino. USD65-165
• Pullman Vung Tau, 15 Thi Sach Street, Thang Tam Ward, Vung Tau, Vietnam, +84 254 355 1777. A hotel and convention building, Pullman offers big hotel rooms with modern designs like no other. It has a swimming pool at the side of the building which is very windy. It is near the Lotte Mall, which is east of one of Vung Tau famous beaches ; Bãi Sau beach. From USD100 2019-04-24

Stay safe

While pickpockets are not common, theft (usually snatching bags or purses) is an increasing problem. Visitors should not carry valuables in bags and try to avoid carrying them as much as possible at night, especially in the city centre or along the front and back beaches. Bags or purses have been known to be snatched off bicycles and even motorbikes as well as pedestrians. This is sometimes followed by violent pushing or hitting to distract the victim and anyone who may be with them, to help the perpetrators get away. This is not as common as it is in Ho Chi Minh City, however, thefts increase in the lead up to the Tet holiday. Normal commonsense precautions are all that are needed to avoid theft.

Emergency numbers

• Police: 113
• Fire: 114
• Ambulance: 115

Hospitals

• Lê Lợi Hospital, 22 Lê Lợi St. Tell the taxi driver "benh vien" and he'll understand.

Connect

• High-speed Internet is available in all streets in Vung Tau. They are called in many names e.g. "Internet cafe", "Game Online" or "Chat". Pay 3,000-4,000 dong/hour. Most stores provide Internet dialing cards, so it's advised that you use it to make international calls.
• Use 171 and 178 with your calls: Make you domestic and international calls with 171 or 178 as following, you'll save up to 40% of bills 171 (178) + 00 + National code + Area code + Phone number. Note : This method is not available with cellphones.
• Vung Tau Post Office : 45 Lê Hồng Phong.
• General info service : (064) 1080.

Go next

• Ho Chi Minh City
• Bình Châu Hot Stream : in Xuyên Mộc District.
• Côn Đảo Islands - archipelago in the southern sea. Best known for Côn Đảo Prisons, Côn Đảo National Garden. Hydrofoil fast ferry costs 350,000 dong, sets off at Côn Đảo Port (April 30 Rd).
• Long Hải Town - a seaside town in nearby Long Điền District about 20 km north of Vung Tau. The beach here is smaller, but the town owns a local goddess temple called "Dinh Cô" which holds an annual cultural festival called "Dinh Cô Festival". It is one of the three well-known traditional festivals in southern Vietnam. The town also features Minh Đạm Tunnel, a former hideout of the Viet Minh during the wars.
• Long Sơn: for the wooden Nhà Lớn Long Sơn complex dating from the 19th century.