Vung Tau

Location

The one-time French hub and favorite holiday destinations, Cape Saint Jacques – Vung Tau has long been known as one of the most famous beaches in the South Vietnam. However, as compared to that of other sea destinations, the oceanic beauty of the city is pretty underrated; and the city itself is largely popularized by the virtue of its close proximity to Ho Chi Minh City. The city’s hidden charms are awaiting your exploration and this brief introduction will ensure that you are not missing out on any fun this vibrant city offers.

Vung Tau Beach

Things to know before you go

There are up to 4 beaches in Vung Tau, each being named in accordance with their geographic location in relation with the city center. As such, each beach is unique in their surroundings and thus will vary your experience with the city. One common plus is that all beaches are clean and safe for leisure activities.

Nghi Phong cape in Vung Tau city

Moreover, despite the city’s staggering urbanization and its disruption with the local biodiversity, people consciously prioritize the conversation of the environment and, therefore, manage to keep protect the pristine beauty of the landscapes. This infectious appreciation of Mother Nature as well as the locals’ hospitable welcome never fails to impress tourists all over the world and you should be equally impacted by this positivity.

How to get there

By plane

Travelers from other countries or far-away regions can land at Tan Son Nhat airport, Ho Chi Minh City and take car drives to Vung Tau. Thanks to the newly constructed highway connecting the two city, a trip to Vung Tau only takes up to an hour. This is why many taxi companies are now willing to provide services along this route. Other than taking cabs, you can buy book seats at the traveling management companies for economic considerations.

By train

Railway passengers can get to Vũng Tàu in a similar manner: stopping at Saigon gas station and take car drives to Vung Tau city.

By car/bus

Direct car drives or buses to Vung Tau are available at all tourist agencies and traveling management companies.

Best Time To Visit

In Vung Tau, the sunny season starts in May and ends in October, followed by the rainy season, which ends in the next April. Let it be the wet or dry season, the average temperature is normally at 27o C, suitable for all outdoor activities at any times in a day. However, during summer, the sun may be overwhelming and you should be well-prepared for sunburn problems. As for the rains, they are disrupting with outdoor plans, which is why you should carefully consider your timing.

The beaches at Vung Tau rarely encounter problems with the sea plants and jellyfish as their counterparts in other regions are. For this reason, there should be few reasons why you should avoid a trip to Vung Tau beside the concerns for the rains. Seafood is available all year round and the well developed tourist services will ensure you are always welcomed.

Because of its convenient proximity with Hồ Chí Minh City, this is a frequented destination during weekends or short holidays. During these days, costs spike up while public attractions, restaurants and malls are overcrowded. You should, thus, come to Vung Tau on weekdays for a more fulfilling experience. If you are interested in the traditional festivals held annually in Vung Tau, the best time to visit the city will probably fall in August and September (lunar calendar).

Kite festival in vung Tau

Useful Information