Vung Tau is the tourist and commercial center of Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu (an industrial province in Southeastern Vietnam). Located at a short distance from Ho Chi Minh City (125kms /77 miles) makes it a popular weekend beach escape destination for nearly 10 milion people in Ho Chi Minh city and other nearby provinces.
Situated at the tip of a small peninsula. It has traditionally been a significant port, particularly during Vietnam’s period of French rule. Today, the beach city plays a significant role in Vietnam’s offshore oil industry as Vung Tau is the only petroleum base of Vietnam.
From the center of Ho Chi Minh City, the most convenient way to travel to Vung Tau is the bus. Due to the newly opened Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway, it only takes you 1.5 hours instead of 2.5 hours in the past. Another fast way to get there is by hydrofoil fast ferry. After one hour and 15 minutes, Vung Tau peninsula appears in front of your eyes with its two famous mountains.
Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Vung Tau
- Martyr’s Memorial: A stone obelisk on a hill-top, located on the way to the sea, the Martyr’s Memorial hill is said to be the biggest traffic circle in Southeast Asia. It’s a wonderful place tohang out, drink beer and watch the city night traffic.
- Statue of Jesus Christ: Located on top of Small Mountain. The 32 meter-tall (105 feet) statue of Jesus is considered one of the tallest statues of Christ in Asia, its outstretched arms span a little over 18.4 meters. From the arms, you can have an awesomeview of the whole city and stunning beach below. To get there, you have to take the 847-step plight up, it can make you feel tired, but definitely a must do.
- Beautiful pagodas. Small Mount top. Niet Ban Tinh Xa and Thich Ca Phat Dai are most popular among the pagodas and temples in Vung Tau.
- White Palace (Villa Blanche). Built by the French (1898-1916) as a summer holiday house of French Governor General Paul Doumer, Indochina-French Governors, two presidents of Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam).
Vung Tau is one of the most popular seaside resorts in Vietnam. With its golden sandy beaches and transparent, warm blue water all year round, Vung Tau is one of the most pristine beach destinations in the region. So, if you’re a beach and snorkel lover, you’re going to want to get in and book a hotel in Vung Tau immediately. But, is Vung Tau really for everyone?
Yes, even if you’re a golfer and you don’t want to step your foot on sand. Two of the best golf courses in the South of Vietnam are waiting for you.
The 27-hole Vung Tau Paradise Golf Club is built on a gentle-slope terrain with hollow and deep places that create different steps and levels for sight. Golf course is designed based on the ball direction of the world’s champions and it is reproduced under shape of the golf courses that used to welcome presence of famous persons.
The Bluffs Ho Tram Golf CLub located in an undeveloped beachfront sits at just 1 hour drive from Vung Tau or 2 hour- drive from HCMC. It is the home of the Ho Tram Open – PGA Golf Tournament – Vietnam’s richest golf showpiece from December 3-6, 2015
Set on the coastline, routed over and around towering sand dunes, which have been shaped over thousands of years, the Greg Norman-designed Bluffs Ho Tram Strip was built to capture the true essence of links-style golf
“This is one of only two pieces of land of this quality and character I have ever been given to work with — the other being Doonbeg [Ireland],” Norman said.
Don’t miss these two great golf courses on your next trips to Vung Tau with your family and friends.
