VUNG TAU
10 MUST – SEE VUNG TAU ATTRACTIONS -PLACES TO VITI FOR TOURISTS
Located in the South of Viet Nam, 125 km away from Ho Chi Minh, Vung Tau is now considered the most popular destination for weekends from Ho Chi Minh. Vung Tau lies on a peninsula separated from the mainland by a gulf river called Co May river. It is a common saying that Vung Tau is naturally endowed of beautiful beaches, mountains around the city and cool climate throughout the year. Tourists cannot miss the extremely beautiful shore, the old famous light house, the statue of Jesus Christ with outstretched arms, and unending of delicious food,…Vung Tau has very extensive beaches. Tourists often swim in Back Beach ( Bai Sau )and enjoy sight seeing in Front Beach ( Bai Truoc ). Moreover, the backpacker tourists nowadays recommend to visit Pineapple Beach ( Bai Dua )or Mulberry Beach ( Bai Dau) , Nghinh Phong Beach, …. Pineapple Beach is not large, enough for 20-30 people, with cool space and shady row of trees. On the other hand, there are plenty of hotels and villas atop the hill with sensible rental fees
1. Jesus Christ Statue
The Jesus Christ Statue (The statue of Kito) or the statue of Jesus spreading his arms is a statue standing on top of Small mountain in Vung Tau city. The statue was built in 1984 with the size of height of 32 meters and arms’ length of 18.3 meters, standing on a-170 meters-high platform and facing the sea. Inside the statue, there are 133 steps leading to the arms. This statue can be considered similar to one in Rio de Janeiro city of Brazil.
2. White Palace
In 1898, the French Governor General of Indochina, Paul Domer built Bach Dich (in French: Villa Blanche) on the base of Phuoc Thang fortress which had fired the French warships nearly 50 years before. Bach Dinh is a Roman architectural structure having 3 floors with the height of 19 meters and the back leaning against Big mountain. Here, there are still 19 cannons preserved nowadays.
3. Thang Tam monument
In this monument, apart from Ngoi Tien Hien and Lang Ong Nam Hai (Ong Nam Hai Royal Tomb), Mieu Ba Ngu Hanh (Ba Ngu Hanh temple), there are Mieu Ba (Ba temple) located on a tiny island protruding towards the sea. Nghinh Ong Thang Nam festival of Vung Tau is considered to be one of the features of spiritual tourism in Ba Ria Vung Tau, which attracts many tourists, especially toursits from foreign countries.
4. The pagoda of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
This is a small pagoda with the 19-meter-high white Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue facing the sea with a hand holding Cam Lo bottle and gentle, virtuous face. It is a beautiful statue and also an attraction of the tourists when coming to Vung Tau.
5. Vung Tau Lighthouse
Coming here, after follow the tunnel built in a 2-floor house where the lighthouse watchmen live, you will reach the top of the lighthouse. From that position, you can see the whole view of Vung Tau city, the crescent shaped beaches, green Minh Dam mountain. Or just look down, a “forest” of flowers is blooming, making the the entire lighthouse more unique.
6. Museum of Antique Weapons
The Museum of antique weapons (Worldwide Arms Museum) is opened by Mr. Robert Taylor (English) and his wife – Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bong. According to the visitors, this is one of the most worth seeing museums in Vietnam. Imaugurated from the beginning of 2012, the museum exhibits 500 effigies with size of a real person wearing gorgeous uniforms, representing the images of warriors all over the world in different periods; more than 1,200 guns, 1,000 ancient swords with the history and stories in them… In addition, there are very rare collections (such as Dutch antique gun – there are only 2 in the world). This museum is also appreciated thanks to its logical arrangement in the exhibition space.
7. Thich Ca Phat Dai Buddhist Temple
This is a religious pagoda located on the Big Mountain of Vung Tau City. The beauty of this pagoda is the harmonious combination of religious architect and spectacular natural landscape. The highlight of Thich Ca Phat Dai is the 19-meter-octagonal tower and the statue of Buddha on a lotus. They are so giant that tourists can see them from such a long distance. In order to pay a visit to Thich Ca Phat Dai, you can go straight on Le Loi Street, then turn to Tran Phu Street, or you can start from Tran Phu Street, Front Beach and cross Dau Beach to Ben Da.
8. Ho May Park
Ho May is a theme park that have many fun activities such as cable car, zip-line, roller coaster, 4D cinema, horse ride, paddling, and sightseeing. Bigs statues of Buddha and Arhats are also displayed as well. it may be a fun place for kids and young people.
9. Woman’s Island
On this Island, a woman built in 1781 to workhip to the Sea Goddess and pray for blessing for the fishermen at sea. To get to the Island, visistor have to check tides in advance because the only way to get to Hon Ba is to walk on the rocky footp arcoss the sea, which is only visible during the low tide. If you want to stay away from the touristy places in Vung Tau, this is an unusual place to visit.
10. Back Beach
Vung Tau’s back beach, or known as Bãi Sau, is famous for its beautiful coastline and little waves. With fresh air and beautiful scenery, Back Beach creates a comfortable feeling for visitors after hard working days.
The beach is also my family’s favorite spot, and we usually go swimming and relaxing on the sand.
THINGS MUST KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO VUNG TAU
How to get to Vung Tau ?+ By bus
The bus is the common transportation to Vung Tau by local people. Therefore, there are many bus daily to this city. They are Phuong Trang, Kumho Samco, Hoa Mai, Toan Thang, ect bus companies for choice to travel. It takes around 1.5 – 2 hours to reach Vung Tau. Each 30 minutes has 1 bus leave the bus station depend on each bus company
+ By motorbike
Motorbike is one of common transportation to Vung Tau for young people. It takes around 3 hours to reach Vung Tau beach city.
+ By speedboat
Speedboat is available daily between Ho Chi Minh city and Vung Tau city. It takes around 1.5 hour to reach the city. Some speedboat companies are Vina Express, Petro Pacific Express and Green lines. Address is in Nha Rong Wharf in Ho Chi Minh city.
Travel to Vietnam quite easy but to select the best place to visit while visiting Vietnam it’s not easy for everyone. After more than 10 years working in travel line.
Transportation around Vung Tau
+ Motorbike
+ Bicycles
+ Taxi
This is a suitable vehicle for elderly families and children who are traveling. When you come to Vung Tau, you can get a phone number and rent a fixed one.
Accommodation in Vung Tau
Eternally popular with Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) locals, Vung Tau is one of Vietnam’s most picturesque beach resorts. A stunning location on a peninsula sees it surrounded by ocean on three sides, which makes it a mecca for those wanting to escape the sultry climate and polluted air of the city. During the week Vung Tau is relatively quiet, though on weekends it comes to life with locals, expats and holidaymakers craving sun, sand and seascapes.
WEATHER & THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT VUNG TAU
Vung Tau is located in the tropical climate zone o you can visit this coastal city any time of the year
Dry Season in Da Lat
The dry season takes place between December to April
Rainy Season in Da Lat
The Rainy season take places from May to November
Best Time to Go
- On average, the temperatures are always high.
- A lot of rain (rainy season) falls in the month of: May, June, July, August, September and October.
- Vung Tau has dry periods in January, February and March.
- The warmest month is April with an average maximum temperature of 35°C (95°F).
- The coldest month is December with an average maximum temperature of 30°C (86°F).
- September is the most wet month. This month should be avoided if you are not a big fan of rain.
- February is the driest month.
FOOD & DRINK
Vung Tau is famous not only for it’s beautiful sandy coastline, but also for the yummy food found throughout. Whenever I travel, I always seek for local streetside food instead of going to fancy restaurants. As Vung Tau is a beach city, this is a paradise for the seafood lovers. But even if you are not a huge fan of sea snails, or crab, you can still find some other different delicious dishes to try.
1.Gỏi Cá Mai ( Mai fish salad)
2. Lẩu cá đuối (Sawfish hot pot)
3. Banh Khot (Khot cake)
4. Banh Xeo Vung Tau (Vung Tau pancakes)
5. Tiet Canh Tom Hum (Lobster blood)
6. Chao Hau (Oyster Porridge)
7. Water Lily Hot Pot
8. Banh Canh
9. Mut Hat Bang ( Terminalia Catappa Jam)
10. Salt egg pound cakes
