Motorbike Trip to Vung Tau
A weekend getaway to Vung Tau, why not? Check out my recommendations.
Hello friends,
Another trip happened — not planned, but definitely welcomed. This past weekend, I hopped on a motorbike and made a spontaneous road trip to Vũng Tàu. Nothing was organized ahead (except the hotel booking), but somehow the unexpected things were parts of the charm. And guess what? The ride itself was the highlight!
Fun fact: Since Ba Ria is now part of Ho Chi Minh City, we Vietnamese finally have what no one thought possible — a beach in Saigon! (Don’t ask where it was hiding all this time...)
1. Departure & Route
The southern heat in Vietnam is no joke, so an early morning start is your best bet to dodge the sun. I left HCMC at 6am and rolled into Vũng Tàu around 8-ish. It usually takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic and how fast (or slow) you ride.
After trying a few routes, I now prefer the one that goes: HCMC → Binh Khanh ferry [1] → Can Gio speed ferry [2] → Vung Tau. Choose whatever route fits your vibe, but if you want a scenic, smooth ride, this one’s a winner!
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What to prepare:
These days, bank transfer works in most places in Vietnam. Still, it's always handy to carry some cash — especially for the old-school spots where QR codes haven’t made it yet.
Ferry Prices:
Binh Khanh Ferry [1]
Motorbike (single): 7,000VND
Motorbike (with passenger): 9,000VND
Cần Giờ Speed Ferry [2]
Motorbike (with passenger): 190,000VND
(Funny enough, the price I paid didn’t match what’s listed online. Future me will investigate this mystery like a detective with sunscreen.)
2. Accommodation
Vung Tau offers many accommodation options from low to high, this time I stayed at a new one called “Hotel D’Melin” (I’ll be leaving some other recommendations of where I stayed so you can check out as well).
Hôtel D’Melin
📍 Address: 12 Trương Công Định, Phường 2, Vũng Tàu
💵 Price: From 1,500,000VND/night
The hotel was clean, and the staff were friendly and helpful. My room was small, but good enough for one night, though I did feel the price was a bit steep for what I got. The breakfast buffet was okay, nothing to write home about.
Now, the swimming pool… let’s just say it’s a minimalist pool party. Only two lounge chairs. The rest are high tables and chairs, which made sunbathing feel like a business meeting.
But, I loved how convenient the place was. There's a GS25 convenience store and a Xing Fu Tang milk tea shop (hotel guests get 10% off!) right downstairs. At night, it’s a chill spot to sit outside and people-watch.
Location-wise, it’s solid, close to the beach and right next to a lively seafood market with lots of restaurants nearby.
Note: Vũng Tàu has two main beach areas, pick your favorite sky mood:
Bãi Trước (Front Beach) — for sunset views
Bãi Sau (Back Beach) — for sunrise views
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Other places I’ve stayed that you can also check out:
3. Sightseeing
Arriving in Vung Tau early will give you plenty of time to visit most of everything in one day, especially it is a small place, also easy access to places. In this newsletter I’ll be suggesting the places to visit.
3.1 Ho May Park
Driving up to this mountain will give you the city view from above. Since this is a themed park — offers many activities such as Water park, Drift king, Zipline, Alpine coaster, etc..
You technically can spend the whole day here if this park meets your expectation. For me, I’d like a chill experience so I only took the road up to have the city view.
Snack Alert!
Soft-boiled eggs and homemade yogurt are specialties from Vung Tau that I always enjoy everytime I had chances to visit.
There are many places on the way, and I personally eat here.
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Locals call it the mini version of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer. It’s… let’s say "humble" in size, so manage expectations and you’ll have more fun.
You’ll climb up a long staircase, but the reward is great, fresh sea breeze and panoramic views from the statue’s shoulders. Worth the leg workout.
3.3 Other suggestions
You don’t always have to follow exactly what I did, because the places I have visited are the combination of multiple times I’ve visited Vung Tau. Therefore, below is the suggestion of other places that you can spontaneously adjust to your plan or mood.
Vũng Tàu Lighthouse: is Vietnam’s oldest lighthouse, built by the French in 1862 atop Tao Phùng (Small) Mountain. Standing 18 meters tall at 170 meters above sea level, it continues to guide ships while offering panoramic views of the city and sea. Visitors can climb its 55-step spiral staircase and enjoy scenic walks through the surrounding greenery.
Bạch Dinh (White Palace/ Villa Blanche): Built in the early 1900s. Overlooking the sea, it features elegant architecture and now serves as a museum with historical artifacts and coastal views.
Ba Ria - Vung Tau Museum: Showcases the province’s history and culture through over 2,500 artifacts, including ancient shipwreck finds. Opened in 2020, the museum features modern design and highlights local heritage from prehistoric times to today.
The Robert Taylor Museum of Worldwide Arms: Vietnam's largest private collection of military artifacts. Established in 2016 by British collector Robert Taylor, it features over 2,500 items—including weapons, uniforms, and historical memorabilia from around the world.
4. Restaurant & Snack
The list above is the recommendation I collected after multiple times visiting Vung Tau:
Bánh Khọt 14 (Vung Tau’s style)
📍 Address: 14 Hoàng Hoa Thám, Phường 3, Vũng Tàu
💵 Price: 65,000VND/portion
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Quach’s Seafood Restaurant
📍 Address: 187 Võ Thị Sáu, Phường Thắng Tam, Vũng Tàu
💵 Price: From 150,000VND
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La Sirena Vung Tau (Premium seafood restaurant)
📍 Address: 159 Thùy Vân, Phường Thắng Tam, Vũng Tàu
💵 Price: From 200,000VND
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Ốc Bình (local seafood restaurant)
📍 Address: 221/18A Trương Công Định, Phường 3, Vũng Tàu
💵 Price: From 45,000VND
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Avocado Smoothie & Coconut Ice Cream — Cô Bống
📍 Address: 6 Nguyễn Trường Tộ, Phường 2, Vũng Tàu
💵 Price: From 35,000VND
Nguyen Hoang Bakery (multiple branches — easily found on Google Maps)
📍 Addresses: 67 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường 3, Vũng Tàu and more
💵 Price: From 45,000VND/muffin cake
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Davi Bakery (multiple branches — easily found on Google Maps)
📍 Addresses: 11 Hoàng Hoa Thám, Phường 3, Vũng Tàu and more
💵 Price: From 50,000VND/muffin cake
Whether you live in HCMC or are just passing through, a weekend beach escape is never a bad idea. Whether you're looking to explore or just do absolutely nothing, this list should help you enjoy either.
If you have any other tips, spots, or secrets in Vũng Tàu, drop them in the comments. I’d love to hear!
Take care until next time ✨
