VUNG TAU

Vung Tau, known under the French as Cap Saint Jacques, is a provincial coastal town with beautiful sandy beaches and small rocky mountains. It is 120 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City and can be easily reached by road or by hydrofoils following the stream of the Saigon River and through the Cangio estuary. Vung Tau has been a favourite weekend venue for the Saigonese to escape the steamy heat of the big city.

 

Visitors to this coastal city can cycle around or climb up the Vung Tau Peninsula’s two mountains  overlooking the South China Sea. Beside the beautiful beaches for swimming and sunbathing, there are also a number of interesting sight spots to see, including several mountain-sided pagodas such as Niet Ban Tinh Xa or Thich Ca Phat Dai (Sakyamuni Pagoda), old French-built villas, the Villa Blanch with old Chinese pottery from the Qing dynasty exhibited, the lighthouse, and a huge statue of Jesus Christ standing on the top of the mountain blessing the Pacific Ocean, etc. or visit to the small seaside fishing villages to see the daily life of the local fishermen.

 

The Villa Blanch

Built in 1898 as a summer palace for the French Governor Paul Doumer, the Villa Blanch (White villa) is set amidst frangipanis and bougainvilleas  on a lushly forested hillside overlooking the sea. It is an ideal place to sit, relax and contemplate. In 1909, the Vietnamese patriotic King Thanh Thai was exiled here before being sent to the French island of Reunion. Before 1975, the South government used it as a resort and a part-time playground for the presidents and high officers. The villa is now the museum of antiques and sea objects. Inside, there is an exhibit of old Chinese pottery, from the Qing dynasty, salvaged from an 18th century shipwreck near Con Dao Island.

Vung Tau seaside Resort

Vung Tau has 5 beaches scattered over the peninsula. Bai Truoc, or Front Beach is located on the northern side of Vung Tau and stands between the Big and Small Mountains. Restaurants, hotels and kiosks are accessible close by the beach.

O Quan Beach is a peaceful cove with good wind. Surfers particulary enjoy this area.

Dua Beach is located approximately 2 km from the center of the city. This quiet beach is enjoyed by those who do not like crowded beaches.This is a great place to watch the sun setting over the South China Sea.

Bai Sau, or Back Beach is the longest stretch of sand of the peninsula. It is exposed to the South China Sea, wind and surfing there are excellent. Dau Beach (Mulberry Beach) lies at the foot of Big Mountain, 3 km from Front Beach. It is a small and quiet  beach, attractive for its calmness, cleanness and beauty.