Vung Tau Day Trip

Vung Tau Day Trip

Saigon's closest beach escape — hydrofoil across the bay, climb Asia's second-largest Jesus statue, and feast on fresh seafood by the sea

Beach EscapeHydrofoil from Saigon125 km from Saigon

Vung Tau is the closest beach city to Saigon — a coastal resort town 125 km southeast on a peninsula jutting into the South China Sea. While it is not Vietnam's most pristine beach destination, Vung Tau offers something unique: a fast, scenic hydrofoil ride from central Saigon, kilometers of swimmable beaches, a 32-meter Christ statue rivaling Rio's famous landmark, excellent seafood, and a genuine Vietnamese coastal town atmosphere far from the resort bubble. For Saigonese, Vung Tau is the weekend escape — where families come to swim, eat crab, and breathe salt air. If you have three or more days in Saigon and crave a break from the urban intensity, Vung Tau delivers a satisfying beach day without the need for a domestic flight.

125 km

From Saigon

1.5 hrs

By Hydrofoil

250,000₫

Ferry One Way

32 m

Christ Statue

Getting There

Hydrofoil (Greenlines DP Fast Ferry)

1.5 hours250,000₫ one way

The most scenic and enjoyable way to reach Vung Tau. High-speed hydrofoils depart from Bach Dang Wharf in District 1 (right on the Saigon River waterfront) and cruise down the river and along the coast to Vung Tau. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours and is a comfortable, air-conditioned experience with views of the river traffic, industrial zones, and eventually the open sea. Greenlines DP operates the most popular service with multiple daily departures (typically 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, and more). From the Vung Tau ferry terminal, the beaches and town center are a short taxi or Grab ride away.

Tip: Book tickets online at least a day in advance, especially for weekend departures — the ferries sell out quickly on Saturdays and Sundays. Choose the earliest departure (8:00 AM) to maximize beach time. Sit on the upper deck for better views. The return journey offers spectacular sunset views if you catch the late afternoon ferry. Bring a light jacket — the air conditioning on the ferry is aggressive.

Bus from Saigon

2-2.5 hours80,000-120,000₫ one way

Regular buses run from Saigon's Mien Dong Bus Station (Eastern Bus Station) to Vung Tau. The journey takes 2-2.5 hours depending on traffic. Multiple operators run this route, with departures every 30-60 minutes throughout the day. The buses are comfortable with air conditioning and reclining seats. The route passes through industrial areas and then along the coastal highway with views of the sea. The Vung Tau bus station is in the town center, from which the beaches are a short taxi ride.

Tip: The bus is significantly cheaper than the hydrofoil and a good option if the ferry is sold out. Departure times are flexible — just show up at Mien Dong station and take the next available bus. Avoid Friday evening departures when traffic leaving Saigon is at its worst. The bus drops you closer to the town center than the ferry terminal.

Private Car or Motorbike

2-3 hours1,000,000-1,500,000₫ (private car round trip)

Driving to Vung Tau via the Saigon-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway and then Route 51 takes approximately 2 hours without traffic. A private car with driver costs 1,000,000-1,500,000₫ for a round trip, which is good value for groups. The drive is straightforward and the expressway is modern. Motorbike riders can make the trip in about 2 hours — the route is scenic once you clear the Saigon suburbs, passing through rubber plantations and eventually reaching the coast. The advantage of a private vehicle is the flexibility to stop at viewpoints, explore at your own pace, and leave when you are ready.

Tip: The expressway toll is about 100,000₫ each way. Friday evening traffic can turn a 2-hour drive into 4+ hours — avoid this departure time at all costs. Sunday evening return traffic is also bad. A private car allows you to stop at the Vung Tau viewpoints along the coast road. Motorbike riders should bring rain gear in the wet season.

Vung Tau Beaches

Three distinct beaches for different moods and activities.

Back Beach (Bai Sau)

Main Beach

Vung Tau's main beach and the one most visitors come for. Back Beach stretches for approximately 8 km along the eastern coast and has the best waves, the widest sand, and the most swimming-friendly conditions. The beach is backed by a long promenade lined with hotels, restaurants, and seafood shacks. During the week, Back Beach is pleasantly uncrowded — wide stretches of sand with only a handful of swimmers and sunbathers. Weekends are a different story, as thousands of Saigonese families descend for the day. The southern end of Back Beach (near the Vung Tau Sailing Club) is the most appealing section with cleaner sand and fewer vendors. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rental (50,000-100,000₫).

All day; mornings are calmest for swimming
Free; chair rental 50,000-100,000₫

Front Beach (Bai Truoc)

City Beach

A smaller, crescent-shaped beach on the western side of the Vung Tau peninsula with views back toward Saigon. Front Beach is more urban and less suitable for swimming — the water is calmer but less clean, and the beach is narrow. However, the promenade along Front Beach is beautiful, especially at sunset when the sky turns pink and orange over the water. The area has excellent seafood restaurants, and the evening atmosphere is lively with families strolling, vendors selling snacks, and fishermen pulling in their nets. Front Beach is best for sunset walks and seafood dinners rather than beach days.

Afternoon for walks; sunset is spectacular
Free

Paradise Beach (Bai Dau)

Quieter Alternative

A small, tucked-away beach at the northern tip of the peninsula, near the Vung Tau Lighthouse. Paradise Beach is much quieter than Back Beach, with fewer facilities but more natural charm. The water is generally calmer and cleaner, and the surrounding rocks create small coves that feel almost private on weekdays. There are a few small restaurants and cafes overlooking the beach. The beach is smaller and disappears at high tide, so check tide times. The walk up to the lighthouse from Paradise Beach offers panoramic views of the coast.

Best at low tide; mornings for tranquility
Free

Beyond the Beach

Vung Tau has more to offer than just sand and sea.

Christ of Vung Tau (Tuong Dai Chua Kito)

Landmark

A massive 32-meter-tall statue of Jesus Christ standing on Nui Nho (Small Mountain) with arms outstretched toward the sea. Built in 1974 and completed in 1993, it is the second-largest Jesus statue in Asia (after the one in Dili, East Timor) and taller than Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. The climb to the base takes about 20-30 minutes up 811 steps through shaded forest — it is steep but manageable. You can enter the statue and climb an interior spiral staircase to the arms, which have small windows offering vertiginous views of the coast. The panoramic views from the base platform are spectacular — the entire Vung Tau peninsula, the sea, and on clear days the distant outline of Saigon.

Allow 1.5-2 hours (including climb)
Free

Seafood Dining

Food

Vung Tau is famous for its seafood, and a beach trip is incomplete without a seafood feast. The freshest seafood is served at the restaurant clusters along Back Beach and the fishing village near Bai Dau. Specialties include grilled squid, steamed crab, salt-and-pepper shrimp, grilled fish in banana leaf, and clams with chili and lemongrass. The seafood restaurants on Tran Phu Street (the Back Beach promenade) serve excellent food at reasonable prices — a seafood spread for two costs 300,000-600,000₫. For the freshest catch, visit the seafood markets near the fishing port where you can select live seafood and have it cooked to your specification at an adjacent restaurant.

Lunch or dinner; fishing port market busiest in morning
300,000-600,000₫ for seafood meal for two

Vung Tau Lighthouse

Viewpoint

Perched on Nui Nho (Small Mountain) near the Christ statue, the Vung Tau Lighthouse has been guiding ships since 1862, making it one of the oldest lighthouses in Vietnam. The white tower stands 18 meters tall and offers 360-degree views of the peninsula, beaches, and open sea. The walk up to the lighthouse is pleasant, passing through tropical gardens and old French colonial structures. On clear days, you can see container ships heading to the Saigon River ports. The lighthouse area is particularly beautiful at golden hour.

Allow 30-45 minutes
10,000₫

White Palace (Bach Dinh)

Historic Site

A beautiful French colonial villa built in 1898 as a retreat for the Governor-General of French Indochina. Set on a hillside surrounded by frangipani trees with commanding sea views, the White Palace later served as a holiday home for South Vietnamese presidents. The interior houses a collection of antique ceramics, shipwreck artifacts, and colonial-era furniture. The grounds are manicured and peaceful, offering a cool, shaded escape from the beach heat. The architecture is a fine example of French colonial tropical design, with wide verandas, louvered shutters, and elegant proportions.

Allow 45-60 minutes
15,000₫

Suggested Day Trip Itinerary

6:30 AMArrive at Bach Dang Wharf, District 1
7:00 AMBoard Greenlines hydrofoil (or 8:00 AM departure)
8:30 AMArrive Vung Tau, Grab to Back Beach
9:00 AMBeach time — swimming, sunbathing, relaxing
11:30 AMSeafood lunch at a Back Beach restaurant
1:00 PMClimb to Christ of Vung Tau statue (1.5-2 hrs)
3:00 PMVisit White Palace or Lighthouse
4:00 PMReturn to beach or explore Front Beach promenade
5:30 PMGrab to ferry terminal
6:00 PMEvening hydrofoil back to Saigon (sunset views)
7:30 PMArrive Bach Dang Wharf, Saigon

More Day Trips from Saigon

Explore more excursions from Saigon — from war history to river delta adventures.

Cu Chi TunnelsMekong Delta Trip

Frequently Asked Questions

Vung Tau is worth visiting if you have 3+ days in Saigon and want a change of scenery. It is the closest beach to Saigon and offers a genuine Vietnamese beach town experience — not a polished resort but a lively coastal city with great seafood, interesting sights, and actual beaches. If your time in Vietnam is limited, prioritize the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta. But if you have the time and crave salt air and sand, Vung Tau delivers.
Book online through Greenlines DP (greenlines.com.vn) or through booking platforms like 12go.asia. Tickets can also be purchased at the Bach Dang Wharf ticket office, but weekend sailings often sell out in advance. The hydrofoil departs from Bach Dang Wharf at the end of Ham Nghi Street in District 1 — it is a well-known location that any Grab driver will find. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. One-way tickets cost approximately 250,000₫ for adults.
Beach cleanliness in Vung Tau is inconsistent. Back Beach is generally clean, especially the southern sections near the Sailing Club. Weekdays are cleaner than weekends when the crowds leave more litter. Front Beach is less clean due to its urban location and calmer waters that trap debris. The city has been investing in beach maintenance, but it is not at the level of Thai or Balinese beach resorts. If pristine beaches are your priority, Vung Tau may disappoint — but as a convenient beach escape from Saigon, it serves its purpose well.
Essentials: swimsuit, towel (or rent at the beach), sunscreen (SPF 50+), sunglasses, hat, a change of clothes for the return trip, sandals or flip-flops, and a light long-sleeved shirt for sun protection. Bring cash (300,000-500,000₫ in small denominations) for beach chairs, food, and transport. A small backpack works well. If climbing to the Christ statue, wear comfortable closed shoes and bring water. Leave valuables at your hotel in Saigon.
Yes, and an overnight stay is worthwhile if you want a more relaxed experience. Budget hotels on Back Beach start from 400,000₫/night; mid-range options run 800,000-1,500,000₫; and the few upscale options cost 2,000,000₫+. An overnight stay lets you enjoy the sunset over Front Beach, eat a seafood dinner without rushing to catch the last ferry, and climb the Christ statue in the cool morning light. Weeknight stays are quieter and cheaper than weekends.

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