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Vung Tau

A popular weekend escape from HCMC, Vung Tau rocks at weekends when beach-starved locals and expats descend in numbers, but it is relatively quiet during the week. The city enjoys a spectacular location on a peninsula, with ocean on three sides; the light and sea air make it a refreshing break from sultry Saigon.

Oil is big business here, so the horizon is regularly dotted with tankers, and petro dollars dominate the economy, inflating prices considerably. But all that money also helps with the upkeep of the city's broad boulevards and colonial-era buildings.

Few travelers bother to visit the city, but it makes a good place to start (or end) an intriguing coastal road trip to Mui Ne and beyond.

Explore Vung Tau

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Vung Tau.

  • Museum

    Robert Taylor Museum of Worldwide Arms

    Come here for a stupendous private collection of military arms, uniforms and paraphernalia from across the globe. One section is dedicated to the conflict…

  • Monument

    Giant Jesus

    Atop Small Mountain with his arms outstretched to embrace the South China Sea (East Sea), this 32m giant Jesus is one of the biggest in the world – taller…

  • Landmark

    French Field Guns

    These six massive cannons, all with support trenches, demonstrate how strategically important Cap St Jacques was to the colonial authorities (it guarded…

  • Lighthouse

    Lighthouse

    Built by the French, this 1910 lighthouse boasts a spectacular 360° view of Vung Tau. From Cau Da Pier on Ð Ha Long, take a sharp right on the alley north…

  • Museum

    White Villa

    The weekend retreat of French governor Paul Doumer (later a French president), this gorgeous, grand colonial-era residence has extensive gardens bursting…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Vung Tau.

  • Activities