Vung Tau Day Trip: Beach, Christ Statue & Palace Tour

Escape the city for coastal views, colonial history and a local lunch without arranging the drive yourself.

A full-day tour from Ho Chi Minh City to the coastal town of Vung Tau, with hotel pickup and drop-off, English-speaking guide, Vietnamese lunch and all entrance fees included. You climb the 32-meter Christ the King Statue for panoramic sea views, explore the Whale Temple and its preserved skeletons, walk Thuy Van Beach along the shoreline, tour the French colonial White Palace, and visit Nghinh Phong Cape. The itinerary is fixed and transport is arranged, so the day holds together without you building it, though note that swimming at the beach is not included, and the White Palace closes Mondays (the tour substitutes Song Vinh Church on those days).

Step-by-step itinerary

Vung Tau sightseeing and beach visit

• Pick up from hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
• Drive to Vung Tau through countryside
• Climb Christ the King Statue
• Visit Thang Tam Whale Temple
• Enjoy authentic Vietnamese lunch
• Explore the White Palace
• Walk along Thuy Van Beach
• Visit Nghinh Phong Cape
• Return to hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

The experience

You get picked up from your hotel in central Ho Chi Minh City and travel by air-conditioned vehicle through countryside and coastal landscapes to Vung Tau, about an hour away. An English-speaking guide travels with you and explains what you are about to see. The drive itself is the first part of the day: traffic can be heavy, so the operator builds in time for delays.

The Christ the King Statue is the centerpiece: you climb to the top of the 32-meter statue and stand between its outstretched arms, looking out over Vung Tau's coastline and the South China Sea. Your guide shares the history and cultural weight of the landmark as you climb. After that comes the Whale Temple (Thang Tam Temple), where preserved whale skeletons sit inside a shrine dedicated to the guardian spirit of fishermen. The guide explains the local legends and spiritual traditions tied to the fishing community. Then you eat an authentic Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant, with fresh regional dishes included. The meal is the only break built into the day.

The White Palace is a former French colonial mansion on Big Mountain, with sweeping coastal views and European-style architecture throughout its grounds and rooms. You walk through it and see the historical artifacts inside. Thuy Van Beach comes next: you stroll along the sand, feel the ocean breeze and relax by the shoreline, but swimming is not part of the itinerary. The final stop is Nghinh Phong Cape, a scenic point known for its sea views and the "Gate of Heaven" rock formation. Then the driver takes you back to your hotel or the original pickup point. The whole day runs 10 to 11 hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Ho Chi Minh City.
• round-trip air-conditioned transportation.
• English-speaking guide for the entire day.
• entrance fees to all attractions on the itinerary.
• authentic Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant.
• and bottled water throughout the tour.

Options for this experience

3 options

Large group (maximum 25 people)Guide in English · 07:00Transport by 25-seater vehicle, meeting point only: pick-up and drop-off at the SST Travel Office

Small group (maximum 20 people)Guide in English · 07:00Transport by 16 or 18-seater vehicle with pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Districts 1 and 4, pickup is included

VIP group (maximum 10 people)Guide in English · 07:30Transport by luxury limousine with 10 seats, pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Districts 1, 3, 4 and 5, pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 07:30

AgesAdult (8 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by SST TRAVEL

Is this one for you?Choose the VIP Group option (up to 10 people) if you want a smaller group and more flexibility with timing; the Large Group option (up to 25 people) works for families or friends traveling together and keeps the cost lower per person; the Small Group option (up to 20 people) sits in the middle. All three options follow the same itinerary and include the same guide and meals. The difference is how many other travelers share the vehicle and the pace of the stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

Can I swim at Thuy Van Beach on this tour?

No, swimming is not included. The tour includes a leisurely walk along the beach and time to relax by the shoreline, but the activity is limited to strolling and taking in the coastal views.

What is the Christ the King Statue like when you reach the top?

The Christ the King Statue stands 32 meters high with outstretched arms, and from the top you see panoramic views over Vung Tau's coastline and the South China Sea. Your guide shares the history and cultural significance of the landmark as you take in the views.

Is the White Palace always open on this tour?

The White Palace closes every Monday. On Mondays, the tour visits Song Vinh Church instead, a local Catholic church with a calm atmosphere, so the itinerary adjusts but the day structure stays the same.

What does lunch include on this tour?

Lunch is an authentic Vietnamese meal at a local restaurant, featuring a variety of flavorful dishes made with fresh regional ingredients. The meal is included in the tour price.

How long is the drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau?

The drive takes about an hour through countryside and coastal landscapes. Traffic can be heavy, so the operator builds in time for possible delays.

What is the Whale Temple and why is it important to Vung Tau?

The Whale Temple (Thang Tam Temple) is a shrine dedicated to the worship of whales, considered guardians of fishermen in Vietnamese coastal culture. The temple houses preserved whale skeletons and teaches visitors about the local legends and spiritual traditions tied to Vung Tau's fishing community.