Vung Tau: Private City Tour with Local Guide & Lunch

Summary

Vung Tau city tour with seafood lunch and local temples

You’ll explore Vung Tau’s lively beaches and climb Little Mountain for panoramic views from Christ the King statue. Taste fresh local seafood at lunch, wander colonial-era Bach Dinh palace, and find calm at Buddhist temples with your guide nearby. It’s a day full of small moments you’ll remember long after heading back to port.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to smell the sea before I even saw it, but as soon as we left Phu My Port and rolled down the van windows, there it was — that salty air mixing with something sweet from roadside fruit stalls. Our guide, Minh, had this easy way of pointing out things you’d never notice on your own. He laughed when I tried to say “Bãi Trước” (Front Beach) — pretty sure I got it wrong — but he just grinned and told me about how locals avoid the crowds there for quieter spots like Back Beach. We stopped for a quick look anyway; the beach was busy, kids running everywhere, and the smell of grilled squid drifting over from one of those little seafood shacks. I still think about that taste.

The climb up Little Mountain to see the Christ the King statue was hotter than I thought — sweat in my eyes, shirt sticking to my back — but Minh kept us distracted with stories about how it took decades to finish building. Standing under those giant arms (they’re 18 meters wide!), you get this weird mix of feeling tiny and kind of protected at the same time. The view over Vung Tau is wild — fishing boats dotting the water, roofs all faded by sun. There’s a hush up there that made everyone go quiet for a second.

Lunch was at this family-run spot where they brought out more dishes than we could finish: crispy fish, sour soup, rice that tasted smoky somehow. The owner’s daughter practiced her English with us between clearing plates. Afterward we wandered through Bach Dinh — the White Palace — all colonial arches and peeling paint, perched above the sea breeze. Minh explained how French governors used to escape Saigon’s heat here; I tried to imagine them sweating in their suits.

We ended at Thich Ca Phat Dai temple, incense curling up into thick green trees. It felt peaceful after all the city noise. There was a moment where Minh just stood quietly beside me watching monks sweep leaves off stone steps — not saying anything, just letting us take it in. That stuck with me more than any photo could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Vung Tau City Highlights

• Visit Front, Back, Pineapple, and Paradise Beaches
• Climb Christ the King Statue and observatory
• Tour Bach Dinh (White Palace)
• Explore Thich Ca Phat Dai Buddhist Temple
• See Whale Tomb at Thang Tam’s Holy Temple
• Visit Chon Khong Monastery and city views

Top questions

How far is Vung Tau from Phu My Port?

Vung Tau is about 1 hour by car from Phu My Port.

Is lunch included on this Vung Tau city tour?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour price.

What are the main stops on this day trip?

Main stops include Front Beach or Back Beach, Christ the King statue, Bach Dinh (White Palace), Thich Ca Phat Dai temple, and a local village.

Does this tour include pickup from Phu My Port?

Yes, port pickup and drop-off are included with your booking.

Is this Vung Tau excursion suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels though there are some stairs at certain sites.

Who leads this private city tour in Vung Tau?

A professional local guide will lead your private tour throughout the day.

Can I visit both beaches and temples on this trip?

Yes, you’ll visit both beaches (such as Front or Back Beach) and several temples including Thich Ca Phat Dai.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off right at Phu My Port, entry fees for every site you visit, transport by air-conditioned minivan so you can cool off between stops, a flexible private itinerary led by a professional local guide who knows all the shortcuts (and stories), plus a big Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to port in time for your ship.