Located on the coastline of Vietnam, Vung Tau is a brimming city with attractions for everyone. This vibrant city offers a thrilling experience of seafood, nightlife and bustling markets. The city also abodes mesmerising beaches with clear waters providing a break from the mundane life. The cultural heritage sites would leave you captivated by their exquisite architecture. Whether you are a history buff, shopping enthusiast, nature lover or party lover, Vung tau will not disappoint you. The exotic seafood’s aroma amidst these breathtaking landscapes will reach you and warmly welcome you into the city.
Vung Tau Weather
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Vung Tau weather is mainly tropical, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Located in the southern area of Vietnam near the coast, beautiful sunny weather prevails most of the year. There are two prominent seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The dry season is from December to April and has moderate temperatures of 25 to 28 degrees Celsius. Clear skies and breezy beaches will take your watersports and day out to the next level of enjoyment. From May to November, the city gets lush green foliage in the rainy season, making it look even more attractive. With occasional rains, you will get a chance to experience the beauty of Vietnam’s nature more closely.
The best time to visit Vung Tau is in the dry season itself. With the perfect weather, you can soak up in the sun, swim, participate in watersports and much more. If you visit Vung Tau in the December-January period, you will also get to celebrate the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and wine cherry blossoms around the place. The city prepares for two main traditional festivals in February and March: Nghinh Co and Nghinh Ong. The town is decorated and flooded with conventional cuisines, music and dance. Visiting at this time would expose you to Vietnam’s culture and traditions. See it in the rainy season if you want to escape the crowd and explore this place unconventionally. Walk along the pristine beaches, explore the forest, and indulge in the markets. Don’t forget to bring your rain gear in case of sudden showers.
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Things To Do At Vung Tau Tour
Vung tau tours offer a perfect mix of city life, beaches and cultural sites. Here is a guide to some of the things which you must do on your trip:
1. Stroll Along The Bai Sau and Bai Truoc
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Spread over an 8 km stretch, these beaches offer pristine waters, golden sand and the perfect weather to make your day a beach day. These beaches are the best place to go if you want to relax. With umbrellas and beach cars on rent, you can sit back and enjoy the view while sipping juices and enjoying local delicacies the vendors sell. If you are short on time, you may visit Bai Sau only as it offers cleaner water and is more popular among tourists and locals.
2. Visit The White Palace
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Constructed in 1898 as a resort for the governor of Indo-China, the white palace exudes elegance and sophistication. As the name is, the palace is painted in white and was recognised as a national historical and cultural relic in 1992. The White Palace is now a museum displaying artefacts from the Qing dynasty. Outside the palace, you will see 19 preserved canons that add to this French architecture’s royalty.
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3. Relish The Seafood
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Make sure to savour all your favourite seafood items in Vung Tau and get a taste of Vietnamese cuisine. Go to Xom Luoi market to purchase freshly caught seafood and get it cooked in the nearby shops. This unique experience of buying your favourite fresh seafood from the vendor, getting it cooked in front of you, and savouring it makes it unforgettable. You can even customise the flavours and spice levels as per your choice.
4. Go For Squid Fishing At Night
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You can book a squid fishing tour that begins as the sun sets. The tour begins with a boat ride, during which special lights attract the fish. It is an immersive experience as you learn how to catch squid fish and then cook it to savour it.
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Vung Tau Attractions: Coastal Delights In Southern Vietnam
Vung tau has something to cater to everyone’s interests. Filled with a myriad of attractions you would be thrilled with its beauty. Whether you want a thrilling experience or a relaxing lazy one, the options here are endless. Here are some of the must-visit attractions:
1. Statue Of Jesus Christ
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The 32-metre-tall statue of Jesus Christ in Vung Tau is the second tallest statue in the world. The Vietnamese Catholic Church constructed it. Located at the top of the Nho mountain, it is a demanding journey of 1000 steps to reach here. With beautiful flowers and trees adorning the stairs, you can click aesthetic photos on your way. As you reach the top, you will get mesmerising views of the city of Vung Tau and the South China Sea.
2. Ho May Park
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Located at the Big Mountain, Ho May Park offers many activities for people of all ages. With extensive cable rides, zip lines and adventurous rides you can enjoy the top views of this place. The park has cultural statues, animal parks, and water parks. With its lush green landscapes, you can experience a bit of everything within the park. A grand spectacular water and music show happens at 7:30 PM every day. The show includes elements of nature like water, lightning, fire, and 3D effects, leaving the audience mesmerised.
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3. Vung Tau Lighthouse
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The iconic Vung Tau lighthouse is located at the top of Tao Phung Mountain. You can visit it from 7:30 AM to 10 PM and enjoy the stunning views of Vung Tau from the top of the lighthouse. Set amidst lush green surroundings, this white lighthouse treats its visitors with sweeping city views and the sea stretching to the horizon. The scenic road leading up to the lighthouse is lined with plants and trees, enhancing the journey.
4. Vung Tau Market
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Vung Tau has multiple markets for everything from household essentials to antique items. It is filled with the voices of vendors calling out their products and rives, the aroma of freshly prepared food, and the bustling of the shoppers. The place has a night market that remains open from 3 PM to 1 AM, allowing you to indulge in exotic seafood at very cheap prices. While all the restaurants offer mouthwatering dishes, here are some of our best picks: Kinh Anh restaurant, Hang Uyen restaurant, and Truong Thanh restaurant.
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5. Xom Luoi Market
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Located right in the centre of Vung Tau, this market is a favourite among tourists and locals. The market is vibrant because of the wide range of fruits, vegetables and everything available. With the bustling crowd, you would find items unique to Vietnam at a friendly cost. It is better to shop from the flea markets of Vung Tau than the shopping complexes as you will see a more diverse range of products with high affordability as well.
How To Reach
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By Ferry: You can board a ferry from Ho Chi Minh as it is closest to Vung Tau. It takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to reach, and the route is filled with scenic views, which you might miss on a bus trip. Make sure to book in advance as it is mostly sold out in the peak season. The ferry offers a comfortable ride with ACs, soft seats, good leg room and subtle Vietnamese music to entertain you. The ferry trip costs around 200,000 to 250,000 VND.
By Road: Vung Tau is 100 km away from Ho Chi Minh, which can cost a heavy 2,500,000 VND. The trip takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on the traffic. Vung Tau is smoothly connected to all major cities nearby with highways.
By Bus: If you are looking for a budget-friendly trip to Vung Tau, you can hop on a bus from Ho Chi Ming bus station and cover the distance in 3 hours. Multiple bus operators are available starting from 90,000 to 95,000 VND with sleeper and seater types.
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Vung Tau is a blend of cultural, natural, and culinary beauty. The diverse experiences offered by the city’s different attractions will never let you have a dull moment on your tour of Vung Tau. The warm hospitality of Vung Tau is unmatchable, and it will be in your memory for years. If this guide about Vung Tau lures you, then book your trip to Vietnam now. Spend your next holidays in the markets and beaches of Vietnam.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Vung Tau
Why to visit Vung Tau?
Vung Tau is the perfect mixed destination of nature, beaches, mountains and historic sites.
How much time is required to explore Vung Tau?
You can enjoy most of the Vung tau in 1 to 2 days. Take a trip to all the places in one day and enjoy the next day on the beach.
What should I buy from the Vung Tau market?
You can purchase e-leather products made using crocodile, snake, and ostrich skin at throwaway prices. Most of the products are available at a cheap rate, but make sure to bargain.
How many beaches are there in Vung Tau?
Vung Tau has five beaches: Bai Sau, Bai Truoc, Bai Dua, Bia Da Dia, and Bai Dua beach.
Are there any islands near Vung Tau?
Hon Ba Island and Con Dao Islands located near Vung Tau are worth exploring.
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