Vung Tau Shore Excursion: Christ Statue & White Palace
A 40-minute drive inland puts you face-to-face with a 32-meter statue overlooking the coast.
This half-day shore excursion from Phu My Port takes cruise passengers to Vung Tau's most visited landmarks: the towering Jesus Christ Statue, the Whale Temple, the White Palace colonial villa, and a local market, with private transportation, an English-speaking guide, lunch at a local restaurant, and entrance fees included. The itinerary is timed to ensure you return to the port well before your ship departs, and all areas are wheelchair accessible.
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Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursion: Private Guide & LunchEvery day · 08:00 and 08:30 · Up to age 657hENUS$ 225View ›
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Step-by-step itinerary
Vung Tau sightseeing and local culture
- Depart from Phu My Port
- Drive 40 minutes to Vung Tau
- Climb steps to Jesus Christ Statue
- Visit Thang Tam (Whale) Temple
- Tour White Palace and gardens
- Enjoy authentic Vietnamese lunch
- Explore Vung Tau Market
- Return to Phu My Port
The experience
You arrive at Phu My Port and board a private air-conditioned vehicle for a scenic 40-minute drive through rice fields along National Highway 1 to Vung Tau. The route itself shows you the landscape most cruise passengers miss: the rural stretch between the port and the coast. Once in Vung Tau, the tour moves through four main stops, each chosen to fit inside a single afternoon without rushing.
The Jesus Christ Statue is the centerpiece: standing 32 meters tall on a hilltop, it commands views across Vung Tau and the surrounding coastline. You climb a series of steps to reach it, and your guide explains the statue's history and its place in the local community while you photograph it against the ocean backdrop. From there, you visit the Thang Tam Temple (also called the Whale Temple), where fishermen worship the whale spirit for safe and prosperous catches. The guide walks you through the temple's Vietnamese architecture and the murals depicting whale legends, grounding the spiritual practice in the region's fishing culture. Next comes the White Palace, a French colonial villa set on a hill with gardens overlooking the ocean. Inside, a museum holds artifacts from the colonial period, and your guide contextualizes the building's role during French occupation. Around midday, you sit down to a traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant featuring fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and regional specialties.
After lunch, you spend time at the bustling Vung Tau Market, where locals buy fresh produce, seafood, and handmade goods. Your guide points out the market's significance to daily life here and introduces you to vendors. You can sample local snacks and move through the stalls at your own pace. At 5:00 PM, the return journey to Phu My Port begins, giving you plenty of time to board your ship. The entire tour (transport, guide, entrance fees to all attractions, lunch, and a bottle of water) is included in one price, so there are no surprises at each stop.
What’s included
- Private air-conditioned transportation for the entire journey.
- expert English-speaking guide.
- entrance fees to all attractions.
- traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant.
- complimentary mineral water.
- all taxes and service charges.
Options for this experience
2 optionsBefore you book
Prices and times updated today
Operated by Up Travel Vietnam
Is this one for you?Book the private option if you're traveling with family or a small group and want the vehicle and guide to yourself. The join-in option works if you're comfortable sharing the tour with other cruise passengers from your ship and prefer a lower price.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.
How long is the drive from Phu My Port to Vung Tau?
The scenic drive takes 40 minutes through rice fields along National Highway 1, so you spend most of the morning traveling and exploring rather than sitting in the vehicle.
What is the Jesus Christ Statue, and can I climb up to it?
The statue stands 32 meters tall on a hilltop overlooking Vung Tau and the coastline. You climb a series of steps to reach it, and the guide shares its history and significance to the local community while you take photos from the top.
Is lunch included in this tour?
Yes, a traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant is included, featuring fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and regional specialties. The guide also explains the local food culture and unique ingredients used in Vietnamese cooking.
Will I have time to return to the ship before it departs?
The return journey to Phu My Port begins at 5:00 PM, and the itinerary is carefully timed to ensure you arrive back at the port well before your ship's departure time.
What is the Whale Temple, and why is it important to Vung Tau?
The Thang Tam Temple, known as the Whale Temple, is where local fishermen worship the whale spirit for safe and prosperous catches. The guide explains the temple's unique role in fishing culture and the legends depicted in its murals.
Are entrance fees to the attractions included?
Yes, all entrance fees to the Jesus Christ Statue, Whale Temple, White Palace, and other attractions in the itinerary are included in the tour price.
Vung Tau Shore Excursion: Christ Statue & White Palace
9h · EN
from US$ 100 per person
5.006 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider