Introduction:

Vung Tau is a small beach town near Ho Chi Minh City. If you would like to experience the beach on a quick weekend trip away from Saigon this is the ideal location. I personally love the vibe of the place, especially in June 2023 as it was the school holidays and the place was packed and busy with happy families enjoying a break.

Vung Tau, situated on Vietnam's southern coast, has a fascinating history shaped by various influences. Once a sleepy fishing village, it rose to prominence during the French colonial era when it became a strategic port city. Later, Vung Tau gained significance as a rest and recreation destination for American soldiers during the Vietnam War.

The seafood was fresh, cheap and tasted beautiful. The local people were inviting and friendly and as a solo traveller, many people welcomed me in and had a chat about life and things to do. It’s less frequented by foreigners so if you would like to meet local people it’s a nice place. It had some cool cafes with beautiful views for me to explore, and of course a yoga studio and now even martial arts. I highly recommend you visit this peaceful little city.

Where To Stay 

• Ibis Styles Vung Tau - USD 47
  117 Thùy Vân, Street, Ward, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu
  Located near Linh Son Co Tu and Lang Co Ong, ibis Styles Vung Tau is a hotel that offers a poolside bar, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a bar. It features a white sand beach and beachfront dining, perfect for enjoying the sun. The on-site restaurant, StrEATs, serves international cuisine with ocean views. Guests can stay connected with free in-room WiFi and access amenities like a 24-hour fitness centre and a conference centre.
• Networking With Locals - USD 10
  If you’re on a budget I noticed as I walked around and spoke to people, I was offered many hotels for a fraction of the price of what you find on the travel websites. Walk around and see a building you like the look of and just ask about renting a room, the price can be as low as USD 8/10 per night for a clean, 2-star hotel with friendly hosts.

Coffee

I was only able to spend a short time in Vung Tau so I am sure I missed a lot of places. But these 3 cafes provided me with amazing views and a relaxing place to read, write and reflect. Two of these cafes were up a winding road wide enough for 1 car only so a motorbike or grab motorbike is recommended. 

• Cariban Coffee
  126D Đ. Hoàng Hoa Thám, Phường 2, Thành phố Vũng Tầu, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu
  Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/xYMpJJs3dExKpXEw8
  In the heart of the city is Cariban Coffee. This is the place to go for real coffee connoisseurs. A friendly host and offers a wide variety of quality beans cold brew, Italian style and Vietnamese. It's also a peaceful and cool environment to work and study. I tried the cold brew and a latte and they were both perfect. 
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• Lightroom Coffee
  Address: 2 Hẻm 2 Hải Đăng, Phường 2, Thành phố Vũng Tầu, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu
  Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/Z3EAo6TvA3A6MrWJA
  As I mentioned Lightroom Coffee and its counterpart are up the hill with a perfect view of the sea. You can enjoy watching the fishing boats and large shipping tankers navigate the sea in front of you. It's a busy waterway and very interesting. The coffee was great and there are some air-conditioned areas plus multiple viewing decks to watch from. They have both Italian and Vietnamese coffee and a small cake selection.
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• The Hill Coffee Vung Tau
  Address: 2 Hải Đăng, Phường 2, Thành phố Vũng Tầu, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu
  Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/Z2mHUDNZUrZfnTwR9
  I walked a short distance up the hill to the next selection. It was very hot that day but it was worth it. Just a few metres away lies this equally impressive cafe. It also offers impressive views of the sea and its passing ship traffic. There are many outdoor garden areas to relax in. They have both Italian and Vietnamese coffee and a small cake selection. I can't decide which I like the most, both of these cafes had unique great qualities.

What To Do:

• Jesus Christ Statue
  Address: 01, Bà Rịa, Vũng Tàu, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu
  Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/BhipuzzNYb72bxwr9
  Dominating the skyline of Vung Tau, the Jesus Christ statue stands tall as the largest Christian structure in Asia, commanding attention with its towering height of 32 meters (105 ft) and expansive width of 18.3 meters (60 ft). Resembling the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, this monumental masterpiece was constructed by the Vietnam Catholic Association, beginning in 1974 and completing its awe-inspiring presence atop Mount Nho in 1994. As you ascend towards the statue, which sits on the hill formerly serving as a French outpost during the colonial era, you'll encounter remnants of history, such as cannons and military equipment, dotting the path.
• Ho May Park
  Address: 1a Trần Phú, Phường 1, Thành phố Vũng Tầu, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu
  Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/9qf2tHrooD5a2hQHA
  Ho May Park is a remarkable destination offering a multitude of attractions and activities. From its breathtaking panoramic cable car ride, providing stunning views of mountains and sea, to delightful onsite restaurants serving local cuisine, Ho May Park ensures an extraordinary experience for visitors of all ages. Adventure enthusiasts can enjoy high-tech games like the Ultimate Slide, Quick Jump, and Zipline, while families can indulge in the indoor entertainment center, featuring over 70 games and captivating shows. Cultural experiences await at Ho May Park, with notable landmarks including the Ho May Main Temple and Phat Tich Cave, along with traditional folk games and beautifully adorned cultural spaces that add a touch of enchantment. Getting to Ho May Park is convenient, located 120 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, accessible by speedboat or by road.
• Nighttime Seafood and Beach Walk - Phó Đức Chính Street
  Phó Đức Chính, Thắng Tam, Vũng Tàu, Ba Ria - Vung Tau
  Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/cWcGMVL1JzWdqXc17
  My personal favourite was to go to the seafood area before going for a walk along the beach at night. Because it was holiday seas it was super packed at this time in June. Right next door to the Ibis Styles are the streets with an abundance of great seafood shops to eat at night. Take a walk along and pick one you like. The seafood is fresh and cooked to order. Afterwards, right across the road, you can join the locals on a nice walk along the beach. At night people fly kites, there is music and dancing on the night I visited.

Sports & Leisure

If you are into some of the same sports as myself this little list might help you out. I always like to keep up with my flexibility and fitness while travelling. 

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Crossfit - Elab Sport Club
  Address: 61/9 Trần Đồng, Phường 3, Thành phố Vũng Tầu, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu, Vietnam
  Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/AToaqWLF4MMqW4N26
  Unfortunately, I did not get to visit but it looked really good and I plan to visit when I return to Vung Tau. It's the first Jiu-Jitsu training centre in Vung Tau and I am excited to return and check it out soon.
• Trung Tâm Yoga Pro New
  Address: 171 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường 3, Thành phố Vũng Tầu, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu
  Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/616EYpDDQxHqXQpM9
  For Yoga I went to this location. It's a short ride away from the Ibis Styles, but also walkable. I was welcomed into class and fortunately for me it was a medium-difficulty class by Vietnamese standards. In Vietnam yoga can be a bit more in the higher range compared to Australia/US, especially if you add the heat and are not used to it. I left feeling relaxed. Several other yoga studios look good, messaging on Facebook is the customary contact method in Vietnam, perhaps do this before arriving.

Summary:

Overall this is a cool beach getaway location, easily accessible from Ho Chi Minh City. It has a low price for hotels and accommodation and the best seafood you will taste. It's a cool and relaxed area popular with Vietnamese people, great sea views, with clean air and not a lot of traffic to deal with.

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