A 5-Day Vung Tau Itinerary for Family Travelers

Taking a family to the coast does not have to mean fighting for towel space on a packed weekend beach. This five-day Vung Tau itinerary focuses on a slower, multi-generational pace, combining easy coastal walks, local seafood spots, and quiet corners that keep both kids and grandparents happy.

Located just 120 km from Saigon, Vung Tau (붕따우 / 头顿 / ブンタウ) is highly accessible, but the key to a successful family trip here is avoiding the weekend rush and choosing neighborhoods that offer shade and space.

Day 1 — Arrival, Front Beach, and Shaded Heights

Start your trip by arriving in the late morning. Taking a private limousine bus from Saigon (사이공 / 西贡 / サイゴン) is the most comfortable option for families, dropping you directly at your hotel. Check into a hotel near Bai Truoc (Front Beach), which is generally quieter and more shaded by massive terminalia trees than the busier Back Beach.

In the afternoon, take the cable car up to the Ho May Park area on Nui Lon (Big Mountain). The ride itself costs about 400,000 VND per adult (which includes park entry) and offers wide views of the harbor and incoming cargo ships.

• Off-script suggestion: Skip the noisy, carnival-style amusement rides at the top of the park. Instead, take the paved walking paths through the pine forest toward the giant white Buddha statue. It is quiet, cool, and gives the kids plenty of room to run around without the crowds.
• Family dinner: Head to Banh Khot Co Ba Vung Tau on Hoang Hoa Tham street. They serve "banh khot" (savory, crispy mini-pancakes topped with shrimp or squid) in a spacious, air-conditioned villa setting that is much easier to navigate with children than the cramped sidewalk stalls.

Day 2 — Maritime History and Kite Flying

Dedicate the morning to exploring Vung Tau's maritime identity. Start with an easy drive up the winding road of Nui Nho (Small Mountain) to the Vung Tau Lighthouse. Built by the French, it is one of the oldest lighthouses in Vietnam. The walk around the base is flat and offers a cool breeze.

Afterward, head down to the flat sands of Bai Sau (Back Beach) in the late afternoon when the sun loses its bite. This is the prime spot for flying kites, which you can buy from local vendors along the promenade for about 50,000 VND.

• Off-script suggestion: Stop by Lang Ong Nam Hai (the Whale Temple) on Hoang Hoa Tham street. It is a small, quiet temple where local fishermen worship whales as protective deities. Inside, kids can see massive whale skeletons preserved in glass cases, offering a quick, fascinating lesson in local coastal folklore.
• Family dinner: Try "banh canh" ghe (thick tapioca noodle soup with crab) at Banh Canh Ghe Anh Vy. The broth is mildly sweet and savory, and the noodles are easy for younger children to eat.

Photo by Bid on Pexels

Day 3 — Day Trip to Long Hai and the Salt Pans

Hire a private taxi for a day trip to Long Hai, located about 25 km east of Vung Tau. The beaches here are significantly cleaner and less crowded than the city beaches, backed by quiet resort gardens and low hills.

Spend the morning at a quiet beach club or public beach area near Dinh Co temple. The water here is shallow and calm, making it much safer for younger swimmers.

• Off-script suggestion: On the drive back, ask your driver to stop near the Long Dien salt pans. If you are traveling during the dry season (December to April), you can show the kids the vast white fields where seawater is evaporated to harvest sea salt. It is a stark, beautiful landscape and a great educational stop.
• Family dinner: Stop at a local seafood shack along the Long Hai coastal road for simple grilled fish, steamed clams with lemongrass, and boiled shrimp. Prices are generally lower here than in central Vung Tau.

Day 4 — Colonial Villas and Quirky Angles

Spend the morning at Bach Dinh (Villa Blanche), a grand colonial-era mansion built on the slopes of Big Mountain. The villa houses a collection of ancient pottery salvaged from shipwrecks off the coast. The real draw for families, however, is the sprawling garden filled with ancient frangipani trees and wide, paved terraces where grandparents can sit in the shade while kids explore.

In the afternoon, head to the Upside Down House (Nha Up Nguoc) on Co Giang street. It is a fully furnished three-story house where all the rooms are inverted, making for fun, gravity-defying family photos.

• Off-script suggestion: Avoid the busy main road of Tran Phu for your afternoon drink. Instead, head to the quiet residential alleys behind Front Beach to find a local cafe serving fresh coconut water and "ca phe sua da" (Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk) under the shade of bougainvillea trellises.
• Family dinner: Gather around a table for "lau ca duoi" (stingray hotpot) at Lau Ca Duoi Hoang Minh. The sour bamboo shoot broth and tender stingray meat are served family-style, cooked right at the table.

Photo by Bid on Pexels

Day 5 — Pig Hill and Departure

Before heading back to Saigon, take a short trip up to Doi Con Heo (Pig Hill). Despite the odd name, this former gravel quarry offers a rugged, grassy landscape with a panoramic view of the entire curve of Back Beach. It is best visited early in the morning before the sun gets too hot.

• Off-script suggestion: Skip the hotel breakfast. Stop by a local bakery to pick up fresh "banh mi" stuffed with grilled pork or pate, and find a bench in the manicured park along Front Beach for a simple, breezy outdoor breakfast before your limousine ride home.

Practical notes

To make the most of this itinerary, schedule your trip from Monday to Friday to avoid the massive weekend crowds from Saigon that saturate the beaches and double hotel rates. Renting a private car or relying on Grab cars is the safest and most convenient way to move a family between the sights, as the coastal roads lack consistent pedestrian crossings.