Travel Tales
Vũng Tàu
As we climbed out of the hydrofoil, breathing down that unpolluted air was like downing a liter of ice cool water after an hours run in the April sun…..wonderful. Recently the ever increasing congestion in HCM and the fumes that go with it have been getting to me, so a weekend in the relatively placid city of Vung Tao was needed. Over two years since my last visit, about 10 for Chi. Here is ‘Back Beach’.
As a seaside boy myself, my hometown being the beautiful Bournemouth, I adore the seaside and the lifestyle that goes with it. One thing you’ll never see in Bournemouth however is people having a seafood breakfast at 7am on the beach!
Below, vendors selling bánh mì chiên tôm, or shrimp fried in breadcrumbs.
Here, my wife tries to impersonate an old Italian women. She got halfway through the ‘mamma mia’ but couldn’t keep a straight face any longer.
Descending, we pass the new ferry terminal (new some time in the last two years). No offence to the architect, but it looks like it was inspired by a loaf of bread. Plus it holds the very first Lotteria AND KFC in town. Fantastic!
Jesus! No really…it is.
Back at the hotel, we were never stuck for a ride.
In the evening we went to the popular Hải Sản Sống. It’s located right on the rocks. I took this from our table.
Just to chase away those images for a second, the rocks in front were crawling with rats, some even had little chopsticks and were dashing up to the table trying to nab a prawn off my plate. I spotted one leaning on a small wire fence with his arms folded, just glaring at me. Most unnerving.
After dinner we bundle over to the dog track. A real touristy attraction, this was.
Inspect the mutts that will lose money for you.
And they’re off…..sorry for the crapness of this shot, but I had one chance - I blew it.
To celebrate the arrival of a new bridge that cuts journey time to 30 minutes and distance to only about 20 km, we drove to Long Hải. Somehow we ended up in this small village halfway there. The seafront was totally undeveloped, people living in small houses right on the beach. What a place to live!
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17 comments for “Vũng Tàu”
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Connections Vietnam is a brilliant company operating in Saigon, Vietnam, with a slogan of "Bringing visitors to Saigon closer to it's people, food and culture". 
G’day Jon,
Did you see where in Vung Tau the new Casino and golf course will be developed? Nice pics!
Can’t say I did Nam…I did see one golf course but I presume that isn’t the new one.
There are 25 or so developers with applications into the government for one casino license to be awarded (supposedly) in the Baria-Vung Tau Province. Some of these sites are located at Back Beach — others are located north of Vung Tau at Ho Tram. None are under construction yet (no matter what you read in the current news). If only one site gets the license, it is unlikely the others will be constructed. Some may be downscaled to supporting resorts, depending on their locations.
Thank you, thank you Jon. That has got to be the most beautiful post I have ever seen! The pics were icing on the cake-beautiful views that I missed.
My family lives in Ba Ria-Vung Tau. While there, we spent alot of time at the beach, and on that road. Also, visiting a friendwhose family lives in Ben Da.
A KFC!!!!!LIf is full of surprisesssss.
Hi Rogena….I was hoping there would be a few Vung Tau homies out there. You can see other VT pics in my flickr account, just click on the window on the right hand side of the blog.
Ah Vung Tau, I’ll be going there again in a few weeks.
It is ok. I must say it is better than a complete foreign tourist trap, though it seems to be heading that way.
I look forward to going to the top of the hills, and seafood on the beach, but thats about the extent of it. You are good at putting things in a good perspective, I like how you didn’t mention the water quality at all. You are more of a “the glass is half full” type of person than I am apparently.
Brian, are you one of the Brian’s I know?
Anyway, I don’t see Vung Tao as a beach break, just an escape from the city.
That is one funky looking building housing the KFC, I think it’s so ugly that it’s cute! Are you serious about rats crawling on the rocks? The image you captured looks so serene and calm, who would have thought…
Vung Tau was one of the best parts of my time in Vietnam. My wife and I would take the hydrofoil there during the week when there was hardy anyone there. It was also a nice chance to get away from the family. The pictures are really great.
I Love Vietnam.
Rats with chopsticks, eh? Very witty writing.cin
Hello Jon,
I’ve been reading your blog for a while - this one’s a great post!
I went to Vung Tau in January not sure what to expect after reading the negative comments in the edition of Lonely Planet in my HCM guesthouse.
But….I loved it and will go back for another look next time I’m in Vietnam. Did you make it to the Cao Dai temple and climb up the Jesus statue?
I’ve got some of my Vung Tau photos here:
http://www.brian.ubikhost.com/gallery/main.php
Oh, and I’m a different Brian, but still not one of the ones you know!
I don’t think I have ever met you John.
I’ve only been in Saigon about 10 months
My wife loves Vung Tau mainly for the seafood that she can pig out on. Last time we were there with the family they positioned themselves (on purpose) right behind one of the food sellers on the public beach and I was reminded of how different the idea of ‘perfect day out’ can be between cultures. Never made the trek up the hill though - maybe on our next trip.
16 comments! someones getting a bit popular.
Ps liked the bit about the rats
Hi Jon,
great photos of vung tau,probably a place to visit next time im in vietnam. Have been to phu quoc island, is it as nice and relaxing as that?
Hey Phil! Funny story. Yes - a Vietnamese day out differs slightly from a European one!
R.Manon - yes, I’ve been to Phu Quoc a few times, it is a different kettle of fish altogether, but still very relaxing. P.Q is more a traditional tropical beach holiday.