Things to do in Vung Tau at a glance
The sights of Vung Tau are spread over two hills and the shore between them. On Nui Nho, the Small Mountain, stand the Christ statue and the lighthouse. On Nui Lon, the Big Mountain, you find Bach Dinh, the Thich Ca Phat Dai temple and Ho May Park. Hon Ba, a small temple island, lies off Back Beach, and the Niet Ban Tinh Xa temple with its reclining Buddha sits above the sea.
Most sights can be combined in a single day by car or on a tour. Where opening times are not given below, ask on the spot, since hours change. Entrance fees appear only where an official fee list names them.
Our picks: sightseeing in Vung Tau
The full-day tour fits if you want the Christ statue, the White Palace and a beach in one go. The private guided tour suits a slower pace, and the half day is enough when you are already in Vung Tau.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator and GetYourGuide. 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 tour in Vung Tau with a guide
- Christ the King Statue
- Bai Sau and Bai Truoc beaches
- Shakyamuni Buddha Statue
A private English-speaking guide takes you around for about eight hours. The journey to Vung Tau and meals are not included, so arrange the transfer first; it has no reviews yet.
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Half day of coast, history and culture
- Private transport
- English-speaking guide
- Entrance tickets
About four hours, with one bottle of water per person and no meal. It suits you if you are already in Vung Tau and want just one half day.
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Full day: beach, Christ statue and White Palace
- Entrance fees per itinerary
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Round-trip air-conditioned transportation
An English-speaking guide and bottled water are included. Hotel pickup exists only for selected packages, so the default is the meeting point in District 1.
Check availability →Tours to the sights of Vung Tau
Guided trips to the Christ statue, the beaches and the White Palace, with live prices and availability.
Christ of Vung Tau and the lighthouse
The two landmarks of Small Mountain.
The Christ statue, known locally as Tuong Chua Kito Vua, is 32 m tall and stands on Nui Nho. About 800 steps lead up the outside. The French lighthouse of 1862 stands on the same hill, and a winding mountain road leads to it. The statue and lighthouse page has the details and what to check before you go.
White Palace (Bach Dinh)
A colonial villa from 1898.
Bach Dinh, the White Palace or Villa Blanche, is a colonial building from 1898 at 6 Tran Phu. It now houses a museum, and it has been a listed national monument since 1992. The official fee list, which carries no date, names VND 30,000 per visit and VND 15,000 reduced. Children and some other groups are exempt or pay half.
Do not mix up the opening times of the museum building at 4 Tran Phu with Bach Dinh, because they apply to a different address. Ask at the gate for the hours of the villa itself. The villa also appears on the history page.
Reclining Buddha at Niet Ban Tinh Xa
Niet Ban Tinh Xa is a Buddhist temple with a reclining Buddha that is 12 m long and rests on a base 2.5 m high. The temple stands above the sea. Ask locally for entrance fees and visiting times. Dress modestly, as at any active temple.
Thich Ca Phat Dai
Thich Ca Phat Dai is a Buddhist temple at 610 Tran Phu on Nui Lon, listed as a national monument since 1989. Do not confuse it with a national park. It is easy to combine with Ho May Park, since both sit on the same mountain.
Hon Ba temple island at low tide
A small island off Back Beach.
Hon Ba is a temple island in front of Back Beach. A stony path leads to it at low tide. The path is slippery, so wear shoes with a good grip. No fixed crossing time is guaranteed on any day, and the route can be wet. Check the tide on the day and turn back if the water rises. The beach itself is described on the beach page.
Ho May Park
The cable car and park on Big Mountain.
Ho May Park lies at 1A Tran Phu on Nui Lon. A cable car runs up to a hill park with gardens and play areas, and the operator lists the park as open daily from 08:00 to 22:00. The play area closes earlier, at 18:00. Prices, the height scale and the package options are on the Ho May Park page.
Worldwide Arms Museum
A private collection.
The Robert Taylor Worldwide Arms Museum is a private collection of historical weapons and uniforms, and the national tourism guide lists it as a place to visit. It opened on 21 April 2016. Prices and opening hours from that time are out of date, so ask before you go.
Banh khot and seafood
What to eat in Vung Tau.
Banh khot is the dish to try first: small crisp pancakes, often with shrimp, eaten with salad, herbs and fish sauce. The national tourism authority lists it as a local speciality. Other local dishes are stingray hotpot with bamboo shoots and banh canh, a thick noodle soup with crab. A fish and seafood market stands on Tran Phu near the Sao Mai fishing village. Look at how the food is prepared before you order.
Things to do in Vung Tau: frequently asked questions
What should I see first in Vung Tau?
Start with the Christ statue and the view from Small Mountain, then add Bach Dinh and a beach. A guided day trip covers those three. See Vung Tau tours.
How much is Bach Dinh?
An official fee list without a date names VND 30,000, or VND 15,000 reduced. Confirm the price at the gate.
Can I walk to Hon Ba?
Only at low tide, over a stony and slippery path. No crossing time is guaranteed, so check the tide on the day.
What is the local food?
Banh khot, stingray hotpot, banh canh with crab and seafood from the market on Tran Phu are the dishes the national tourism authority names.