Private Vung Tau Beach Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City
Vung Tau City Highlights: Beaches, Statues & Colonial History
You’ll explore Vung Tau’s best beaches, climb up to Asia’s tallest Christ statue for epic views, visit temples full of local history, and see colonial mansions—all in one relaxed day with good food and friendly guides.
Step-by-step itinerary
Vung Tau City Tour
- Depart from Saigon to Vung Tau city
- Free time at Thuy Van beach
- Authentic Vietnamese lunch
- Visit Jesus Christ Statue and climb to top
- Visit Thang Tam Temple (Whale Temple)
- Explore Bach Dinh colonial mansion
- Visit Cape Nghinh Phong cliff
- Break at Long Thanh Cow Milk Rest-stop
- Return to Ho Chi Minh City
The Experience
The drive out of Saigon starts early—by 8am, we’re already weaving through morning traffic, the city’s motorbikes buzzing past as we head for Vung Tau. It’s a couple of hours by car, but honestly, the road slips by quicker than you’d think. Our guide, Minh, kept us entertained with stories about the area and pointed out roadside stalls selling fresh coconuts. If you’re lucky with the weather (we had a bit of haze but plenty of sun), you’ll spot fishing boats bobbing along the river as you get closer to the coast.
By 10:30am, we hit Thuy Van beach—locals call it Back Beach. The sand here is soft and stretches for what feels like forever; I kicked off my shoes and just let my toes sink in. There’s this salty breeze that sticks to your skin and the sound of waves mixing with vendors calling out about grilled corn or iced tea. You get some free time to swim or just wander—honestly, I spent most of it people-watching under a striped umbrella.
Lunch came next at a small spot our guide picked—not fancy, but the fish was fresh and there was this tangy dipping sauce I still think about. After eating, we tackled the Jesus Christ Statue. It’s 847 steps up (I counted… sort of), and yeah, it’s a climb. But reaching the top? Worth it. The statue itself is massive—32 meters tall—and if you squeeze inside and make it up into one of the arms, you’ll catch this wild view over all of Vung Tau and out to sea.
We cooled off at Thang Tam Temple—the Whale Temple—which is tucked away behind some trees near town. Minh explained how fishermen bring whale bones here when they wash ashore; there’s something oddly peaceful about seeing those old bones laid out as a kind of guardian for everyone who heads out on the water.
Bach Dinh was next—a colonial mansion built for a French governor ages ago. The place has these faded yellow walls and tiled floors that creak when you walk on them. You can almost picture old parties happening here back in the day.
Before heading back to Saigon, we made one last stop at Cape Nghinh Phong—the wind really picks up here and there’s nothing blocking your view across Vung Tau or out toward the East Sea. On the drive home, we took a quick break at Long Thanh Cow Milk Rest-stop (the yogurt drinks are surprisingly good). We rolled back into Ho Chi Minh City around 7:30pm—tired but happy.
What’s included
Your tour covers lunch at a local spot, private air-conditioned car with pickup/drop-off in central Saigon, all entrance fees, bottled water, plus an English-speaking guide who knows Vung Tau inside out.
Operated by Vietnam Travel Tour
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How difficult is it to climb up to the Jesus Christ Statue?
The walk involves 847 steps—it’s doable for most people if you take your time. There are spots to rest along the way and our guide paced us well.
Is lunch included? What kind of food do you serve?
Yes! Lunch is included at a local restaurant—expect authentic Vietnamese dishes with fresh seafood options depending on what’s available that day.
Can I swim at Thuy Van beach during free time?
Absolutely—you’ll have free time to swim or relax on Back Beach before lunch. Just bring your swimsuit and towel!
Are there options for travelers with kids or mobility issues?
The tour is suitable for families; strollers and infant seats are available. Some sites involve stairs (like the statue), but other stops are accessible.
Private Vung Tau Beach Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City
8h · EN · ZH · at your hotel
from US$ 121 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.001 review







