Meaning ‘anchorage’ in Vietnamese language, Vung Tau was a busy international port during the 4th and 15th centuries. Later it became an important support base for the Australian and American army during the Vietnam War. Nowadays, it is a reputable resort town, full of sun, sand and seafood.

Vung Tau is a capital of Ba Ria – Vung Tau, 125 kilometres southeast of Ho Chi Minh. It is famous for its extensive sandy beaches, particularly Back Beach that stretches more than 10 kilometres. Even though the town is popular among Saigon tourists, it has seen an increasing number of foreign visitors recently. It is also home to one of Vietnam’s best golf courses.

Hotel accommodation ranges from luxury four-star hotels to guesthouses. Many of them are concentrated on the Back Beach and Front Beach. Other beaches like Pineapple Beach and Mulberry Beach are small and safe for swimming while Nghinh Phong Beach are suitable for surfing. The pristine and scenic Long Hai Beach, 14 kilometres from Vung Tau town centre, lies along the Chau Long and Chau Vien Mountains. The beach has many sand dunes and faire slop, making it an ideal place for swimming.

Attractions
Binh Chau Thermal Springs
Located about 70 kilometres west of Vung Tau city, Binh Chau Thermal Springs cover an area of one square kilometre that features lakes and ponds connected by underground pools of mineral water from 70 sources. The area is indeed a part of a protected area that includes forests, shorelines and lakes. The hot water from the springs is believed to have medicinal values for treating skin disease and rheumatism.

Con Dao Island
Formerly used as a prison during the French colonial era and the American War, Con Dao Island is now a national park that includes a vast forest and 14 islands encompassing oceanic and coastal ecosystems such as mangrove forests, coral reefs and sea grasslands.

The park is one of a few places in Vietnam where dugong, sea turtles and dolphins can be spotted. In addition, the islands around Con Dao are home to different types of coral reefs. The main island has a population of 5,000 friendly islanders. The best time to visit Con Dao Island begins from March to June, when the sea is calm and the water is clear. Some beaches like Dam Trau, Hang Duong and Phi Yen are popular among vacationers who come here to relax and enjoy the warm temperature.

Thich Ca Phat Dai
Thich Ca Phat Dai is the name of a 19-metre high pagoda in a temple in Vung Tau City. Visited by Buddhist pilgrims, the temple also houses a large white statue of Sakayamuni seated on a lotus-shaped pedestal. The temple is open from 6 am to 6 pm.

An Son Temple
A memorial temple on Con Son Island off the coast of Ba Ria, the temple was built in 1783 in honour of Lady Phi Yen, the wife of Emperor Gia Long. The legend has it that Phi Yen was jailed by her husband king who thought that she was a traitor. After she got out of the prison, she found out that her young son died after being thrown to the sea by his own father after urging him to release his mother. She lived in a village and took care of her son’s tomb. The villagers built the temple in memory of her after she died. The original temple was damaged by the French army in 1861 but rebuilt in 1958.