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The sea sings its song in the afternoon breeze.
“The evening is bustling, listening to the sea of Vung Tau singing, the waves gently lapping against the sandy shore. The sea and sky of my homeland are so endearing. One April day, the sun has risen, chasing away the darkness…”, because of this famous song, countless tourists have come to Vung Tau city and they have not been disappointed.
The picturesque road stretches along the beach.
Not far from Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is always a popular tourist destination on weekends and holidays. Besides Bai Truoc, Bai Sau, and Bai Thuy Van in the city center, Vung Tau province also boasts several other beautiful beaches that remain unspoiled due to limited tourism development. If you want a relaxing vacation, a truly restful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and the crowds of tourists, consider one of these seven beaches with promising names. Vong Nguyet Beach is located at the foot of Nui Nho (Small Mountain), offering views of the statue of Christ the Redeemer atop the mountain. Chi Linh Beach is situated within the Chi Linh tourist area, about 3km from Vung Tau city. Here, the endless green of rolling hills and valleys blends seamlessly with the blue sea, white sand, and golden sunshine.
From Vung Tau City, follow Highway 3.2 to Doi Nhai Beach, where the water is clear and clean. Loc An Beach, located in Loc An commune (Xuyen Moc district), boasts beautiful beaches with diverse landscapes. A common feature of these beaches is the crystal-clear, turquoise waters embracing long stretches of pristine white sand. There's also Ho Coc Beach, with its interesting rock formations of varying sizes; Ho Tram Beach, clean and beautiful, with clear water and gentle waves lapping against the shore; and Suoi O Beach, unspoiled with its long stretches of sand and two parallel turquoise waterways connecting the river and the sea, offering visitors moments of wonderful tranquility amidst the cool casuarina forest.
Sacred Whale Mausoleum
Mr. Bui Vinh Duc, an experienced tour guide in Vung Tau City, said: "Vung Tau is a coastal city, formed from ancient fishing villages, so the worship of the Whale God is a prominent feature. When visiting Vung Tau, tourists should visit the Whale God shrine to learn more about the spiritual life of the people here."
The Whale Mausoleum is located on Hoang Hoa Tham Street, within the spacious and airy grounds of a complex that includes the Thang Tam Temple and the Ba Ngu Hanh Shrine.
You certainly can't miss seafood dishes like grilled octopus with satay sauce, steamed crab with chili salt dip, and fresh stuffed squid straight from the blue sea. In addition, Vung Tau also has many popular snacks such as banh khot (miniature savory pancakes), bun canh (noodle soup), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), banh hoi (rice vermicelli), banh xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake), and shrimp blood pudding…
In the center of the mausoleum is an elaborately carved altar depicting dragons, mythical creatures, turtles, phoenixes, and fish transforming into dragons playing in the waves. Behind the altar are three large glass cabinets containing fish bones. The anniversary of King Ông's death is celebrated on the 16th day of the 8th lunar month every year. On this day, fishermen from Vũng Tàu flock to the mausoleum to perform elaborate and solemn rituals.
If you've come to Vung Tau, few people miss the White Palace, located along Bai Truoc beach towards Nui Lon mountain. This white mansion with a red tiled roof stands majestically on the mountain, prominent against the lush green backdrop of the surrounding trees. Facing the sea, the White Palace offers panoramic views of Bai Truoc beach, Nui Nho mountain, and Nui Lon mountain. Looking straight down, you can see Hon Hai Nguu, a small rocky promontory jutting out into the sea, resembling a buffalo lying underwater. Today, the White Palace houses a museum displaying artifacts found on Hon Cau island in Con Dao.
