The coastal city of Vung Tau has never ceased to be a hot vacation spot for all Southern Vietnamese dwellers. The azure sea, white sandy shores, picturesque mountains, and a mouth-watering selection of seafood is what kept this city busy all year round. While everyone usually prefers a multi-day coastal adventure, having little time won’t stop you from enjoying this haven. See here for our comprehensive Vung Tau 1-day itinerary to see what you can do and taste!
Tips for Vung Tau 1-Day Itinerary
- Most attractions in Vung Tau are close to each other; therefore, the most economical and convenient transportation is a motorbike.
- Avoid the rainy season (May – October) because there may be storms, which are dangerous in coastal cities like Vung Tau.
- Many restaurants and entertainment are on Tran Phu Street, but it is best to book resorts or hotels on Thuy Van Street since it is nearer to the beaches. Search for hotels and price:
Vung Tau 1-Day Itinerary – Morning
6 AM: Hit the Beach
Vung Tau has one of Vietnam’s best beaches for a summer vacation. That’s why taking a dip in these beautiful waters is a must-do. You can hit the beach at any time of the day though we recommend choosing the morning so that the weather is cool, and you can also watch the sunrise on the sea. Some beaches to put on your list are Bai Truoc, Bai Sau, and Bai Dua.
Vung Tau beaches have long been a local favorite for a holiday
8.30 AM: Breakfast with Banh Khot
Start your adventure with these small but mighty goodies – the Vietnamese mini rice pancakes. A portion will contain 5 to 7 Banh Khot, which you will eat with fresh herbs and sweet fish sauce. This treat is crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, with an explosive flavor of sweet and savory.
Recommendations:
- Banh Khot Mien Dong (59 Ba Trieu Street, Ward 4, Vung Tau)
- Banh Khot Goc Vu Sua (14 Nguyen Truong To Street, Ward 3, Vung Tau)
Banh Khot has fresh shrimp on top, eaten with pickled papaya
10 AM: Visit Christ the King Monument and Nghinh Phong Cape
Christ the King Monument
Christ the King Monument is the tallest Jesus statue in Asia at 32 meters and one of the most popular attractions in Vung Tau. After overcoming about 1000 steps up the mountain where the statue locates and 133 steps of the staircase inside the statue, you’ll get to see a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city.
Note:
- No animals are allowed on the monument’s ground.
- You must wear non-revealing clothing: no shorts and mini-skirts, no sleeveless tops.
Christ the King Monument is on Little Mountain’s peak
Nghinh Phong Cape
Nghinh Phong Cape is another fun location to see the bird’s eye view of Vung Tau. With the mountainous backdrop and the front view of Bai Dua Beach, the place has an untouched kind of beauty that’s going to give you amazing pictures. This is one of the lesser-known things to do in Vung Tau, so you won’t have to worry about the crowds.
Nghinh Phong Cape from above
Noon: Lunch with Stingray Hotpot
We bet you’ve never heard of this dish! Stingray Hotpot is a sweet and sour delicacy of Vung Tau made of stingray meat, fresh vegetables like elephant ears, bamboo shoots, banana flowers, etc. It tastes best on a cool day when you want a quick and easy dish. Some city dwellers travel to Vung Tau for this hotpot only!
Recommendation: Lau Ca Duoi Hoang Minh (44 Truong Cong Dinh Street, Ward 3, Vung Tau)
The stingray meat has a chewy texture like chicken but juicier
Vung Tau 1-Day Itinerary – Afternoon
2 PM: Visit the White Palace
The White Palace used to be the summer vacation home for Emperor Bao Dai, but it’s now turned into a museum of local and cultural artifacts. The palace got its nickname from its milky white paint and its original name – Villa Blanche. You can visit this place in the early afternoon when the sun is still high up since the palace’s ground is sheltered by the shades of many frangipani trees.
The White Palace is built in a European style
4 PM: Check-in at the Lighthouse
The Lighthouse is a famous location among young Vietnamese. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. The Lighthouse locates on the top of Little Mountain, so you can end your day by admiring a mesmerizing sunset over Vung Tau at this location.
Note:
- You can go either by motorbike or by walking up to the Light House. However, as the road is not in its best condition, we recommend going back before it gets dark.
- After you have traveled up the alley from the main road, turn left at the first intersection. The way up is quite confusing, so you should travel with other Vietnamese visitors or ask locals for directions.
- Try homemade yogurt at the Co Tien store. The store is a small, hidden house lying right outside the gate of the Lighthouse.
The view from the Lighthouse Vung Tau
Vung Tau 1-Day Itinerary – Evening
6 PM: Dinner with Seafood
Anyone spending their first time in Vung Tau should not miss the collection of fresh and delicious seafood that this city has to offer. Being a coastal city, the seafood here is especially cheap and varied. You can get anything from sea snails to clams and squids. Get a group of friends to the places we recommend below and mingle like locals over piping hot seafood dishes and beer.
Recommendations:
- Oc Tu Nhien (34 Tran Phu Street, Ward 1, Vung Tau)
- Ganh Hao (3 Tran Phu Street, Ward 5, Vung Tau)
Oc Tu Nhien is a popular restaurant among locals
8 PM: Shopping and Snacking at Vung Tau Night Market
Location: behind The Imperial Hotel & Resort Vung Tau
If you are still feeling energetic or you want to get some sea-themed souvenirs for your friends and family, head to the Vung Tau Night Market. The market is divided into two parts: one selling all kinds of souvenirs and one for seafood stalls. Having dinner here is also a good option since the price is very budget-friendly; however, you have to know how to pick out fresh seafood.
Fresh seafood at Vung Tau Night Market
Find discounted tickets for your trip to Vung Tau:
Our Thoughts on Vung Tau 1-Day Itinerary
Vung Tau is a young and fun city with endless things for you to do. Above are just a few of the highlights of the city. Feel free to add in more locations of your choice or adjust the schedule to your liking, like adding in a day at the beach to explore all the watersports and the peaceful shores of Vung Tau. What do you think of our itinerary? Tell us your thoughts down below or give us a rating!
See more: How to Take Speedboats from Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tau
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