Vung Tau (붕따우 / 头顿 / ブンタウ) occupies the southern tip of a peninsula jutting into the South China Sea, about 125 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. The name itself—meaning "anchorage"—reflects its geography: a natural harbor that drew maritime traders, pirates, and eventually European colonial powers.
Ancient and Early Medieval Roots
Archaeological digs at Giong Lon, a sandbank on Long Son island, show humans lived here as far back as the 2nd millennium BC. Clay pots, jewelry, weapons, and burial sites suggest trade links with the Oc Eo culture and connections across the region. Between the 1st and 7th centuries, the area fell under the rule of Funan, later replaced by the Chenla Kingdom. Records from those periods are sparse.
In 1295, a Yuan Chinese diplomat named Zhou Daguan mentioned passing through a place called Zhenpu—possibly in this region—during a voyage to Angkor. By the 14th and 15th centuries, the cape had become a swamp that European trading ships visited regularly. Portuguese maps labeled it Oporto Cinco Chagas (or simply Cinco Chagas). Later, French cartographers called it Cap Saint-Jacques, a name the French Indochinese government officially adopted. The rocky headland is now known locally as Mui Nghinh Phong—"Cape of Greeting Wind."
Vietnamese Settlement and Fortifications
The 16th and 17th-century Trinh–Nguyen War displaced Vietnamese communities southward. Many settled near Vung Tau (붕따우 / 头顿 / ブンタウ) in three villages—Thang Nhat, Thang Nhi, and Thang Tam—collectively known as Tam Thang ("Three Boats"). The names commemorate the three founding settlements.
Under Emperor Gia Long (1761–1820), Malay pirates used Vung Tau as a base. The emperor sent troops to drive them out, then granted the soldiers land to protect the area permanently. Later emperors—Gia Long, Minh Mang, and Thieu Tri—invested heavily in coastal defense. A military fortress, Phuoc Thang bao, was built in 1839 on a hillside overlooking what's now called Buffalo Cape. It was equipped with six bronze cannons and served as both barracks and defensive stronghold.
Image by Tuong Lam Photos via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
French Colonial Period and Urban Development
On February 10, 1859, Vietnamese troops at Phuoc Thang fired cannons at French battleships—an early act of resistance during France's invasion of southern Vietnam. Over the following decades, the French transformed Vung Tau into a colonial resort town.
In 1876, the French merged Vung Tau into Ba Ria county under Saigon's administration. By 1895, Cap Saint Jacques was declared an autonomous town. It became a district in 1905, a province in 1929, and a city in 1934.
Between 1885 and 1934, French architects and engineers reshaped the waterfront. They laid out the Front Beach promenade (then called Baie de Cocotiers), built administrative buildings—the Post Office, Grand Hotel, Lighthouse—and created villas for colonial officials. In 1898, French Indochina's governor Paul Doumer (who later became President of France) built the Villa Blanche, which stands today as a landmark. Colonial Route 15 was paved in 1896 to connect the port with Saigon. A jetty built on Front Beach enabled regular ferry service to Saigon.
Image by Tuong Lam Photos via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Modern Era and Recent Changes
After the Geneva Agreement (1954), South Vietnam resettled approximately one million people from the North, including over 800,000 Catholics. Three temporary camps in Vung Tau housed new arrivals.
For decades, Vung Tau remained known as a beach resort for Saigon weekenders and a center for crude oil extraction. The city's history as a defensive stronghold, resort destination, and oil hub gave it distinct character within the region.
As of July 2025, Vung Tau's administrative status changed. The independent city was legally dissolved and incorporated into Ho Chi Minh City. The name "Vung Tau" now refers to a ward-level subdivision covering the southern cape—the historical heart of the old city. Locals and visitors continue to use "Vung Tau" colloquially for the entire peninsula area, a common pattern when major Vietnamese provincial cities merge into larger metropolitan zones.
What Visitors See Today
The colonial-era lighthouse, the Villa Blanche, and Front Beach remain the primary landmarks. The landscape still reflects its past: harbor views, rocky outcrops (including Mui Nghinh Phong), and tree-lined promenades built by French engineers. Whether you arrive as a day-tripper from Ho Chi Minh City or stay longer to swim and explore the cape, the physical imprint of 4,000 years of settlement—from Bronze Age fishermen to 19th-century European traders to modern weekend visitors—shapes what you encounter.
Getting to Vung Tau
The 125 km trip from Ho Chi Minh City is straightforward, but the route you pick changes the experience completely.
Hydrofoil ferry is the most popular option for tourists. Greenlines DP operates catamarans from Bach Dang Wharf in District 1 to Vung Tau's ferry terminal on Ha Long street. The ride takes about 90 minutes. Tickets run 250,000–350,000 VND one way depending on seat class, and you can book online or at the terminal. Ferries depart roughly every two hours from early morning, with the first boat usually leaving around 6:30 AM and the last return around 4:30 PM on weekdays. Weekend schedules add extra departures—check the day before because they fill up fast.
Bus from Mien Dong station is the budget choice. Coaches leave every 30–60 minutes and cost around 80,000–120,000 VND. The ride takes two to three hours depending on traffic, longer on Friday evenings and holiday weekends when half of Saigon seems to be heading the same direction. Some services pick up passengers along Pham Ngu Lao in District 1.
Motorbike or car via National Highway 51 (formerly Route 15, the French colonial road) takes about two hours without traffic. The road is a proper highway now—four lanes most of the way through Bien Hoa and Ba Ria. If you rent a motorbike in Saigon, expect to pay 120,000–180,000 VND per day. Fill up before you leave; the highway stretch has gas stations but they're spaced out.
One practical note: if you're visiting Vung Tau as part of a longer southern trip, Da Lat is about 350 km north through the highlands, and Phu Quoc requires backtracking through Saigon or flying from Can Tho.
Eating in Vung Tau
Vung Tau's food identity leans heavily on seafood—no surprise for a fishing port—but the Saigon weekend crowd has dragged in the full southern Vietnamese street food roster.
Seafood along Hanh Phuc street and the Back Beach strip is where most visitors end up. Restaurants here buy directly from fishing boats that dock at Ben Da harbor. A plate of grilled squid (muc nuong) runs 80,000–150,000 VND, steamed clams around 60,000–90,000 VND. If you want the full spread—grilled fish, garlic butter shrimp, raw oysters, a few "bia hoi" or local Saigon Export beers—expect 300,000–500,000 VND per person at a casual spot. Point-and-choose from ice trays out front is standard. The phrase "Tinh tien" (bill, please) will serve you well.
"Banh khot" is the local specialty and the dish Vung Tau is genuinely famous for. These are crispy, bite-sized rice flour pancakes cooked in cast-iron molds, topped with shrimp, and served with fresh herbs and nuoc mam dipping sauce. Banh Khot Goc Vu Sua on Nguyen Truong To street is one of the oldest spots—a plate of 10–14 pieces costs around 50,000–70,000 VND. Eat them hot; they lose their crunch fast. If you enjoy "banh xeo" (the larger southern crepe), you'll recognize the flavor family.
For breakfast, "pho" shops open by 6 AM in the streets behind Front Beach. A bowl costs 40,000–60,000 VND. You'll also find "banh mi" carts near the market on Truong Cong Dinh street—15,000–30,000 VND for a sandwich stuffed with pate, cold cuts, pickled daikon, and chili. "Ca phe sua da" (iced milk coffee) at local cafes runs 20,000–35,000 VND, and the views from clifftop cafes along Tran Phu road are worth the slight markup.
If you want a proper sit-down Vietnamese meal, "com tam" (broken rice with grilled pork) and "hu tieu" (southern-style pork and prawn noodle soup) are everywhere. Both are filling and rarely cost more than 45,000–60,000 VND.
Beaches and Landmarks Worth Your Time
Vung Tau has two main beaches, and they are not interchangeable.
Front Beach (Bai Truoc) runs along Quang Trung street in the center of town. It's a narrow strip backed by a promenade, park benches, and colonial-era buildings. The water is not ideal for swimming—it's close to the port and can be murky—but the walk at dusk, with the lighthouse lit up on Nui Nho (Small Mountain), is one of the better evening strolls in southern Vietnam. This is also where you'll find the Villa Blanche, which now houses a museum. Entry is around 20,000 VND.
Back Beach (Bai Sau) stretches for roughly 8 km along the eastern side of the peninsula, accessed from Thuy Van street. This is where you swim, rent a beach chair (30,000–50,000 VND), and eat seafood at the string of restaurants behind the sand. The water is cleaner and the beach is wider, though it gets packed on weekends and holidays. Lifeguards patrol the main sections, but watch for strong currents during monsoon months (roughly June through September).
The Lighthouse (Hai Dang Vung Tau) sits on top of Nui Nho at about 170 meters elevation. Built by the French in 1862, it's one of the oldest lighthouses in Southeast Asia. The walk up takes about 20 minutes from the base, and the 360-degree view of the peninsula, the shipping lanes, and the coast toward Ho Chi Minh City rewards the climb. Open daily, usually 7:00 AM–5:00 PM. Entry is around 10,000 VND.
Christ of Vung Tau (Tuong Dai Chua Kito Vua) stands on Nui Nho as well—a 32-meter statue with arms outstretched toward the sea, completed in 1993. You can climb the internal staircase (133 steps) to the shoulder level for a panoramic view. Modest dress is required. Free entry, though the path up from the street involves a solid 15–20 minute uphill walk.
Niet Ban Tinh Xa, a Buddhist temple on Nui Nho's slope, houses a large reclining Buddha and offers quiet grounds away from the beach crowds. No entry fee. Remove your shoes before entering.
For history-focused visitors, the network of former military tunnels at the base of Nui Lon (Big Mountain) draws comparisons to the Cu Chi Tunnels near Saigon, though these are smaller and less developed for tourism.
Common Mistakes and What Surprises Foreigners
Visiting on a weekend without booking accommodation first. Vung Tau is Saigon's default beach escape. Friday afternoon traffic clogs Highway 51, and budget hotels along Back Beach sell out. If you're coming Saturday morning, you might find yourself paying double or sleeping in a guesthouse far from the water. Weekday visits are calmer, cheaper, and the beaches are noticeably emptier.
Expecting Bali-style beach infrastructure. Vung Tau is a Vietnamese domestic tourism town, not an international resort. Signage is mostly in Vietnamese. English menus exist at tourist-facing restaurants but not at the better local spots. Learn a few ordering phrases: "Cho toi cai nay" (give me this one), "Bao nhieu tien?" (how much?), "Khong can ot" (no chili).
Skipping Back Beach for Front Beach. First-timers sometimes plant themselves at Front Beach because it's closer to the ferry terminal and looks inviting from the promenade. Swim at Back Beach. Front Beach is for walking, coffee, and sunset.
Underestimating the sun. The peninsula catches wind, which masks the heat. Sunburn is the most common tourist complaint, especially on motorbike rides along the coastal roads. SPF 50, a long-sleeve shirt, and a hat are not optional from March through October.
Not bringing cash. Card acceptance has improved at hotels and larger restaurants, but seafood stalls, banh khot shops, beach chair rentals, and market vendors are cash-only. ATMs (Vietcombank, BIDV) are concentrated along Truong Cong Dinh and Le Loi streets.
Quick Reference
- Distance from Saigon: 125 km (2–3 hours by road, 90 minutes by hydrofoil)
- Hydrofoil cost: 250,000–350,000 VND one way
- Bus cost: 80,000–120,000 VND one way
- Budget meal: 40,000–70,000 VND (pho, banh mi, com tam)
- Seafood dinner for two: 500,000–900,000 VND with beer
- Beach chair rental: 30,000–50,000 VND
- Lighthouse entry: ~10,000 VND
- Villa Blanche museum: ~20,000 VND
- Best swimming: Back Beach (Bai Sau), Thuy Van street
- Best walking/sunset: Front Beach (Bai Truoc), Quang Trung street
- ATMs: Truong Cong Dinh street, Le Loi street
- Peak crowd times: Saturday–Sunday, public holidays (especially April 30 and September 2 long weekends)
- Rainy season: June–September (afternoon storms, strong currents)
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Vung Tau from Ho Chi Minh City?
Vung Tau sits about 125 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, at the southern tip of a peninsula on the South China Sea. Colonial Route 15, paved in 1896, was the original road connection between the two cities. A jetty on Front Beach also enabled regular ferry service to Saigon during the French colonial period, a route that reflected Vung Tau's role as a resort destination for city residents.
What is the origin of the name Vung Tau?
Vung Tau means "anchorage" in Vietnamese, a reference to the natural harbor formed by the peninsula's geography. The same location has carried several names across different eras: Portuguese maps labeled it Oporto Cinco Chagas, French cartographers called it Cap Saint-Jacques, and the rocky headland is now known locally as Mui Nghinh Phong, meaning "Cape of Greeting Wind." The city was officially declared an autonomous town in 1895 under French administration.
When did Vung Tau first develop into an organized settlement?
Vietnamese settlement concentrated around Vung Tau during the 16th and 17th centuries, when the Trinh-Nguyen War pushed communities southward. Three founding villages — Thang Nhat, Thang Nhi, and Thang Tam — formed a collective known as Tam Thang, meaning "Three Boats." Coastal defenses followed: Emperor Gia Long expelled Malay pirates and granted land to soldiers, and by 1839 a military fortress called Phuoc Thang bao was built, equipped with six bronze cannons.
Final Note
Vung Tau is not trying to be Hoi An or Da Nang. It's a working port town that doubles as Saigon's backyard beach, and that's exactly what makes it interesting. The layers here—Bronze Age settlement, Nguyen dynasty fortress, French colonial resort, modern Vietnamese weekend escape—sit right on top of each other, visible in the architecture, the street names, and the food. Come on a Tuesday, eat banh khot, walk the lighthouse hill, and you'll have the peninsula mostly to yourself.
Last updated · May 29, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
