Back Beach (Bai Sau)
Best for first-timers: a long beach, seafood and cafes in walking distance. Busy weekend traffic.
South Vietnam
Vung Tau
- Best time
- Nov – Apr
- Ideal stay
- 2 days 1 night
- Avg. cost
- $45 – $80/day
- Airport
- 100km from Ho Chi Minh City
Vung Tau Overview
Vung Tau is Saigon’s weekend beach, on a small cape with three main beaches, a hilltop Christ statue and many seafood restaurants. It suits families, couples and busy travelers who want sea and sand close to the city.
Highlights of Vung Tau:
- Christ of Vung Tau: Climb the stairway on Small Mountain for coastal views. Go early: the climb is exposed and hot by mid-morning.
- Back Beach (Bai Sau): The longest beach, with swimming and beach cafes. Weekends are packed, so weekdays are calmer.
- Seafood meals: Eat at local restaurants on the main seafood streets. Check weight and price before you order.
- Ferry from Saigon: The fast ferry from Bach Dang Wharf passes through the Can Gio mangroves in about 2 hrs and costs about 260,000 – 350,000 VND.
Best Time to Visit: Nov – Apr is dry with calmer seas. Jun – Sep brings heavy afternoon rain. Weekends and holidays are crowded, so travel Monday to Thursday if you can.
Book your ferry or limousine seat ahead for Friday and Sunday, the busiest days.
Where to stay in Vung Tau
Where to base yourself, by travel style.
Front Beach (Bai Truoc)
Old-town feel, closer to the Christ statue and Cau Da Port. Smaller beach, more local, quieter.
Long Hai Coast
Quieter beaches away from the main city. You need transport and there are fewer restaurants.
When to visit Vung Tau
Temperature, rain and crowds by month.
January
26.2°C ~ 79°F
3 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
February
26.4°C ~ 80°F
1 day of rain
Crowds: Busy
March
27.4°C ~ 81°F
1 day of rain
Crowds: Moderate
April
28.7°C ~ 84°F
6 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
May
28.9°C ~ 84°F
21 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
June
28.1°C ~ 83°F
25 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
July
27.6°C ~ 82°F
29 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
August
27.6°C ~ 82°F
27 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
September
27.3°C ~ 81°F
28 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
October
27.2°C ~ 81°F
25 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
November
27.2°C ~ 81°F
14 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
December
26.6°C ~ 80°F
8 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
Getting to Vung Tau
Times, costs and booking links.
Step 1: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) Land here, then head into Ho Chi Minh City
Tan Son Nhat Airport is only 7 – 8km from Ben Thanh Market in District 1, but traffic sets the time. Off-peak the ride takes 20 – 25 min; in rush hour or rain allow 45 – 60 min.
- Best option: GrabCar or a metered taxi (Vinasun, Mai Linh) from the official stand. Metered fares to District 1 run about 170,000 – 280,000 VND ($7 – $11), and the app shows the price before you ride.
- Bus: Bus 152 costs 6,000 – 10,000 VND and takes 50 – 70 min; bus 109 costs about 15,000 – 20,000 VND to District 1. Both suit light luggage and daytime arrivals, and bus 152 stops running around 19:00.
- Terminals: T1 and T3 handle domestic flights and T2 handles international ones. Tell your driver which terminal you are at, or the pick-up point will be wrong.
- Late arrival tip: After 23:00 buses stop and app prices spike, so pre-book a transfer. Ignore touts in the arrivals hall.
