Vung Tau Beach Full-Day Trip with Lunch Ho Chi Minh City
Overview
Swap the city for the sea on this full-day trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau, the nearest beach resort. You relax on Thuy Van Beach and visit the Christ of Vung Tau statue, the Whale Temple and the White Palace, with a lunch at a local restaurant, entrance fees, a guide and bottled water included. Choose to join at a meeting point or with hotel pickup and drop-off in District 1. Ideal for families and travellers who want a beach day without long planning.
Highlights
- Relax on Thuy Van Beach, Vung Tau's long stretch of sand
- Visit the Christ of Vung Tau statue on Small Mountain
- See the Whale Temple, a place of worship for local fishing families
- Tour the White Palace, a colonial-era villa near the sea
- Lunch at a local restaurant, entrance fees and water included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in District 1 on one option
- Air-conditioned bus or van and a tour guide
Full Description
Vung Tau and Thuy Van Beach
Vung Tau sits on a peninsula about 100 kilometres south-east of Ho Chi Minh City and has long been the city's favourite seaside escape. Thuy Van Beach, also known as Back Beach, is its longest stretch of sand, with a promenade, palm trees and plenty of cafes and seafood restaurants nearby.
A Vung Tau day trip from Ho Chi Minh City is popular because the drive takes roughly two hours each way. You have free time to walk on the sand or swim, and the sea is warm year-round. The best time to visit Vung Tau is on a weekday or in the dry months, since weekends can be busy with city residents.
Christ of Vung Tau on Small Mountain
The Christ of Vung Tau is a large statue of Jesus with open arms standing on Small Mountain (Nui Nho), roughly 32 metres tall and looking out over the coast. It is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city and can be seen from many points around the bay.
Visitors climb a flight of several hundred steps to reach the statue and the viewing area, so wear comfortable shoes and allow time for the walk. The climb is optional, and the views over the harbour and the sea are worth the effort for those who can manage it. Opening hours change with the season, and modest clothing is asked for at religious sites.
The Whale Temple
The Whale Temple honours the whale, which coastal fishermen in southern Vietnam have long treated as a protective spirit that helps sailors in trouble. The building holds altars, ceremonial items and offerings left by local families, and gives you a real look at coastal folk belief.
Travellers looking for a Whale Temple in Vung Tau will find it a quiet, atmospheric stop compared with the beach, and your guide explains the customs behind it. Dress respectfully and keep your voice low. The visit is short but adds a cultural counterpoint to the seaside day.
The White Palace and how the day runs
The White Palace (Bach Dinh) is a cream-coloured villa built in the late nineteenth century for a French colonial governor and later used as a summer retreat by Vietnam's last emperor. Surrounded by gardens on a hillside above the sea, it is one of Vung Tau's best places for photographs.
The day lasts about 12 hours, with pickup or meeting point departure at about 7:15 to 7:20 AM, lunch at a local restaurant and a return to the city in the evening. Weekend traffic on the road back to Ho Chi Minh City can be heavy, so allow some flexibility in your evening plans.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup or meeting pointPickup in District 1 at about 7:15 AM on the hotel option, or join the group at the meeting point around 7:20 AM.
- Drive to Vung TauAbout two hours by air-conditioned bus or van.
- Christ of Vung TauVisit the statue on Small Mountain; the climb is optional.
- White PalaceWalk the grounds of the colonial-era villa above the sea.
- Whale TempleA short visit to a local place of worship for fishing families.
- Lunch at a local restaurantA Vietnamese lunch included in both options.
- Thuy Van BeachFree time to relax, walk or swim.
- Return to Ho Chi Minh CityDrive back in the evening, with drop-off at your hotel on the hotel option.
What's included
- Transport by air-conditioned bus or van
- Tour guide
- Entrance fees
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- 1 bottle of mineral water per person
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Other meals and drinks
- Tips and personal expenses
Not suitable for
- Travellers who dislike long days by road
- Guests who cannot climb steps, if they wish to reach the statue viewing area
- Travellers looking for a private tour, since this is a shared group trip
Meeting point
On the option with hotel pickup and drop-off, we collect you from your hotel in District 1 at about 7:15 AM and take you back at the end of the day. On the meeting-point option, you join the group at a meeting point in central Ho Chi Minh City at about 7:20 AM. We confirm the pickup time or the exact address after booking.
Important information
- Wear light clothes and comfortable shoes for the steps; bring swimwear and a towel if you want to swim
- Bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- Dress modestly at the statue and temple, with shoulders and knees covered
- Travel insurance, other meals and drinks, tips and personal expenses are not included
- Weekend traffic can be heavy on the way back to the city
- Keep an eye on your belongings on the beach
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Vung Tau beach day trip cost?
The price depends on the option you choose, with or without hotel pickup. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, adult and child.
Is hotel pickup included?
Depending on the option you choose. One option includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in District 1, and the other starts at a meeting point in central Ho Chi Minh City.
How long is the tour?
About 12 hours, starting around 7:15 to 7:20 AM and including the drive to Vung Tau, the sightseeing, lunch and beach time.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, children aged 4 to 9 join with a child rate, and infants aged 3 and under also travel. The beach is popular with families, but the climb to the statue involves many steps.
What should I wear and bring?
Light clothes, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat and swimwear. Modest clothing is needed at the statue and temple.
Is lunch included?
Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included in both options, along with one bottle of mineral water per person. Other meals and drinks are paid separately.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
The booking panel shows which dates are open. Choose the earliest available and we confirm your pickup time or meeting address after booking.
What is the difference between the options?
Both follow the same itinerary. One option has hotel pickup and drop-off in District 1, and the other has you join at the meeting point.
Can I swim at Thuy Van Beach?
Yes, there is free time at the beach for swimming. Check the flags and conditions on the day, and keep an eye on children.
Is Vung Tau worth visiting for a day?
Yes, if you want a change from the city. It combines a beach, viewpoints and heritage sites within a couple of hours' drive from Ho Chi Minh City.
