Vung Tau beach guide
Vung Tau has several beaches within a short ride of each other. The national tourism authority lists Bai Sau (Back Beach), Bai Truoc (Front Beach), Bai Dua and Bai Dau as the local beaches. Back Beach is the long sandy one with services, and Front Beach is the town's bay with a promenade.
This page compares them and gives the practical points, from where to eat to what to watch for when the beach is busy. Beach tours from Saigon and from Phu My port are listed at the end.
Our picks: Vung Tau beach tours
The private tour from Saigon fits if you want free time on the beach with a seafood lunch. The car from Phu My Port covers only the vehicle and water, and the day tour pairs the beach with the Christ statue.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private car from Phu My Port to the beaches
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Private pickup and drop-off at Phu My Port
- Unlimited bottles of water
A guide, entrance fees and lunch are not included. A 30 % surcharge applies to the total price around Lunar New Year; the tour has eight reviews, rated 4.1.
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Private tour from Saigon with a seafood lunch
- Round-trip transportation from Saigon
- Seafood lunch at a beachfront restaurant
- Free time at the beach
An English-speaking guide and the entrance fees listed in the itinerary are included. It is a sightseeing day with a meal, not a food tour, and it has no reviews yet.
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Vung Tau essentials: beach, Christ statue and colonial heritage
- English speaking guide for the whole trip
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Lunch and entrance fee
One bottle of water per person and all fees and taxes are included. The day lasts about ten hours and starts in District 1.
Check availability →Vung Tau beach tours
Day trips and private tours that stop at the beaches of Vung Tau, with live prices and availability.
Back Beach (Bai Sau)
Back Beach is the main sandy beach of Vung Tau. Along the road behind it you find guesthouses and hotels, restaurants, beach clubs and umbrella rental. It is the beach most visitors mean when they say Vung Tau beach, and the one with the most facilities. On weekends and national days off it fills up, and the roads to it get busy.
Hon Ba, the temple island, lies in front of the beach. If you plan to stay near the sand, read where to stay in Vung Tau.
Front Beach (Bai Truoc)
The town side of the peninsula.
Front Beach lies in the centre, along Quang Trung and Tran Phu. A waterfront park and promenade run beside it, and boats lie at anchor in the bay. It is better suited to a walk and the view than to a day in the sand. If you want to swim, Back Beach is the more common choice.
Bai Dua and Bai Dau
The other two beaches on the official list.
Bai Dua, also called Pineapple Beach, and Bai Dau both appear in the national tourism guide as beaches of Vung Tau. Ask locally about their size, swimming areas and fees before you go. Both are an alternative if Back Beach is crowded.
Hon Ba at low tide
A temple island you can reach on foot, sometimes.
Hon Ba lies off Back Beach. At low tide a stony path leads to the temple, and it is slippery, so wear sturdy shoes. No crossing times are fixed, so check the tide on the day and do not start the walk if the water is rising. More about the island is on the things to do page.
Swimming safety
Practical advice, no guarantees.
Check the sea yourself and ask locally about flags and lifeguards on the day. Look at the sea before you go in, and stay out if the surf is strong. Keep an eye on children at all times, and do not leave belongings unattended on a crowded beach. Ask at your accommodation or a nearby beach club about local conditions that day.
A press report from early September 2026 described crowded beaches and heavy traffic on Thuy Van, Ha Long, Quang Trung and Tran Phu. Plan extra time if you travel on a weekend or a national day off.
Beach tours
Trips that include sand time.
Private tour from Phu My port
A private highlights tour from Phu My port lasts 7 to 8 hours with an air-conditioned car and unlimited water. A guide, lunch, entrance fees, a hat, chair or umbrella and the shower at Thuy Van Beach are not included. A 30 percent surcharge applies at Lunar New Year.
Private coastal tour from Saigon
This private tour lasts 10 to 12 hours. It includes the return journey from central Saigon districts, a guide, entrance fees, a seafood lunch at a beachfront restaurant and free time at the beach.
Group day trip with lunch
A group trip of about 12 hours meets at 112 Tran Hung Dao and includes transport, a guide, the entrance fee, lunch and a bottle of water. See all offers on the tours page.
Vung Tau beaches: frequently asked questions
Which is the main beach in Vung Tau?
Back Beach (Bai Sau) is the long sandy beach with hotels, restaurants, beach clubs and umbrella rental.
Where can I stay near the beach?
Back Beach has accommodation behind the sand, and Front Beach sits in the centre. See where to stay in Vung Tau. Not every room has direct access to the water.
Is Vung Tau crowded?
Weekends and national days off are busy, with heavy traffic on the beach roads. Go earlier in the day and allow extra time.
Can I get there on a day trip from Saigon?
Yes. Several tours stop at a beach. See Vung Tau tours and Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tau.