Vung Tau Back Beach

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

Back Beach, known locally as Bai Sau, is the long, open stretch of sand running along the ocean-facing side of the Vung Tau peninsula, roughly two hours southeast of central Ho Chi Minh City. It's the city's main swimming beach, distinct from the calmer, bay-facing Front Beach on the other side of the peninsula, and stretches for several kilometres lined with hotels, seafood restaurants and beachside cafes.

As Ho Chi Minh City's closest proper beach escape, Bai Sau draws heavy weekend crowds from the capital seeking a straightforward sea-and-seafood break without the flight or ferry needed for further-flung island destinations like Con Dao.

For city dwellers and visitors without time for a longer beach trip, Bai Sau offers the easiest possible taste of the Vietnamese coast: a short drive from Ho Chi Minh City, a long swimmable beach, and an entire strip of affordable seafood restaurants right across the road from the sand. It's less pristine than Vietnam's postcard beaches but delivers a genuine, unpretentious slice of Vietnamese weekend beach culture.

Highlights include the long open sweep of sand itself, the row of seafood restaurants and beachside cafes facing the water, water-sports operators offering jet-skiing and parasailing, the lively weekend atmosphere as day-trippers arrive from Ho Chi Minh City, and views out over the South China Sea toward the offshore oil platforms that are part of Vung Tau's economic backbone.

Swim in the ocean, relax at a beachside cafe with a coconut or iced coffee, and browse the strip of restaurants for a fresh seafood meal. Rent a beach chair and umbrella from one of the small vendor setups, or try jet-skiing and parasailing with the operators working the beach.

Many visitors combine a Bai Sau afternoon with a walk or motorbike ride up to the Christ the King Statue on Small Mountain nearby, taking in coastal views from above before heading back down to the sand.

The full sweep of Bai Sau beach itself, the seafood restaurant strip facing the water, and the nearby Christ the King Statue and lighthouse on Small Mountain, a short ride away, are the main draws for a Vung Tau beach day.

The quieter southern stretches of Bai Sau, away from the main hotel cluster, tend to have fewer crowds and a more relaxed local feel, especially on weekdays; small family-run seafood stalls slightly off the main strip often serve fresher, better-value food than the more tourist-facing restaurants.

Bai Sau on a weekend is essentially a slice of everyday Vietnamese leisure culture: extended families picnicking on the sand, groups sharing a seafood feast at plastic-stool restaurants, and the general unpretentious energy of a beach that belongs as much to Ho Chi Minh City residents as to tourists.

The beach itself offers open sea swimming and a long sandy walk, while nearby Small Mountain (Nui Nho) adds a short hike or drive up to forested, panoramic viewpoints over the coastline.

Bai Sau is generally family-friendly, with a gently shelving beach suitable for swimming and plenty of casual restaurants nearby; weekends can get crowded, so families preferring a quieter setting should aim for weekday visits or the quieter southern end of the beach.

The beachfront strip has a handful of bars and late-night seafood restaurants that stay lively into the evening, especially on weekends, though Vung Tau's nightlife is more low-key than central Ho Chi Minh City's; those wanting a bigger night out are better served back in District 1.

Sunrise over the open sea from the beach, the long curve of sand and restaurant strip from Small Mountain above, and the Christ the King Statue against the coastal backdrop are the standout photo opportunities near Bai Sau.

Vung Tau developed as a coastal resort town under French colonial rule, valued for its accessible beaches close to Saigon, and it later grew further as a base for Vietnam's offshore oil and gas industry from the late 20th century onward. Bai Sau itself has long served as the city's principal public swimming beach, evolving alongside the town's growth as a weekend getaway for the capital.

Vung Tau's identity blends a long-standing beach-resort economy with its more recent role as a hub for offshore oil workers, giving the town a mix of holidaymaker energy and working port-city character not found in more purely touristic beach towns.

Visit on a weekday if possible to avoid the heaviest crowds, during the November to April dry season for the calmest, sunniest conditions; weekends year-round bring a significant influx of day-trippers from Ho Chi Minh City.

Vung Tau shares southern Vietnam's tropical climate: hot and humid year-round, with a May to October wet season bringing afternoon showers and rougher surf, and a November to April dry season offering calmer seas and more reliable sunshine for beach days.

Vung Tau hosts a Whale (Ca Ong) worship festival tied to local fishing communities' traditional beliefs, typically held in the later months of the year, alongside general increased beach traffic during Vietnamese public holidays and Tet.

A day trip from Ho Chi Minh City works well: depart in the morning, spend the day at Bai Sau with a seafood lunch, visit the Christ the King Statue in the afternoon, and return to the city by evening; an overnight stay allows a more relaxed pace and a sunrise beach walk.

A half to full day covers the beach itself; an overnight stay is worthwhile if combining it with Small Mountain, Front Beach and other Vung Tau sights.

Vung Tau is roughly 95-120 km from Ho Chi Minh City, reached by road in about 2 hours, or by hydrofoil/high-speed ferry along the Saigon River and coast in a similar or shorter time; buses, private cars and organised tours all run this route regularly.

Once in Vung Tau, the beach strip and nearby sights are easily covered by rented motorbike, taxi, or on foot for shorter distances along the beachfront itself.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City is the nearest major air hub, about 2 hours away by road; Vung Tau also has a ferry terminal with hydrofoil services to and from Ho Chi Minh City.

The beach is open-access and can be visited at any time; restaurants and cafes along the strip generally operate from morning until late evening.

There is no entry fee for the beach itself; beach chair and umbrella rental typically costs a small fee of around VND 30,000-50,000, and water-sports activities are priced separately per session.

The road facing Bai Sau is lined with seafood restaurants of every price range, from simple plastic-stool stalls to larger sit-down venues, all specialising in fresh catch prepared to order.

Try banh khot (small savoury rice-flour pancakes topped with shrimp, a Vung Tau specialty), grilled seafood skewers, and fresh crab or clams from the beachfront restaurants.

Bai Sau's beachfront is lined with hotels ranging from budget guesthouses around VND 400,000-700,000 a night to larger resort-style hotels well above VND 1,500,000, making it easy to find lodging directly across from the sand.

A day trip covering transport, a seafood meal and beach chair rental can comfortably run around VND 300,000-600,000 per person; an overnight stay with a mid-range hotel adds accordingly.

Small shops and stalls along the beach road sell beachwear, snacks and simple souvenirs; Vung Tau is not a major shopping destination compared to central Ho Chi Minh City.

Swim within marked or watched areas of the beach, as currents can be stronger on this ocean-facing side than on calmer bay beaches; keep valuables secured or with a companion while swimming, and agree on prices with water-sports operators before starting.

The beach itself has soft sand that can be difficult for wheelchair users, though the paved beachfront promenade and road are more accessible; several hotels along the strip offer ground-floor or accessible rooms.

Basic English is common among hotel and restaurant staff along the main tourist strip, though less so at smaller family-run stalls; simple Vietnamese numbers help when ordering seafood by weight.

Visit on a weekday for a quieter beach experience, agree on seafood prices before ordering (dishes are often priced by weight), and bring cash as smaller beachfront vendors may not accept cards.

Swimwear, sun protection, a change of clothes, cash in small denominations, and sandals suited to sand and pavement.

Dispose of beach litter properly, choose seafood restaurants that source responsibly where possible, and be mindful of marine life if participating in water-sports activities near the shoreline.

The Christ the King Statue and lighthouse on Small Mountain, Front Beach (Bai Truoc) on the calmer side of the peninsula, and the Binh Chau Hot Springs further along the coast are all reachable from a Vung Tau base.

Vung Tau's city tourism department and general Vietnam tourism resources provide current information on beach conditions, hotel listings and transport schedules for the area.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.