Information
City: Ba Ria Vung TauCountry: Vietnam
Continent: Asia
Ba Ria Vung Tau, Vietnam, Asia
Overview
Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu, a province in southeastern Vietnam, is known for its sparkling shoreline, soft sandy beaches, and the lively rhythms of its coastal culture.Travelers flock here for its blend of rugged cliffs, ancient temples, and quiet afternoons by the sea.Just southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the province sits within easy reach, drawing both local travelers and visitors from abroad who can arrive in just a few hours’ drive.Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu sits at the southern tip of the Đông Nam Bộ region, with Ba Ria stretching out to its north, Vũng Tàu lying to the east, and the South China Sea shimmering along its southern and southeastern edges.It sits just 100 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, close enough for a quick drive and a breath of fresh air, which is why so many people head there for weekend escapes.The province spans 1,987 square kilometers, with two main areas: Bà Rịa, the busy provincial capital, and Vũng Tàu, a breezy coastal city known as a hub for tourism.Vũng Tàu City is the province’s best‑known spot, a lively seaside resort where waves break gently against the long, sandy shore.The place draws crowds with its scenic beaches, a lively buzz in the air, and plenty of ways to have fun, from street performers to late-night music.Vũng Tàu is home to some of Vietnam’s best-loved stretches of sand, from the lively Back Beach (Bãi Sau) to the calm waters of Front Beach (Bãi Trước) and the sun-soaked shoreline of Long Hai Beach.These beaches are ideal for a morning swim, a lazy stretch in the sun, or a plate of fresh grilled fish by the shore.Christ the King Statue (Tượng Chúa Kitô Vua) is one of Vũng Tàu’s most famous sights, a towering figure of Jesus rising from the peak of Mount Nho, where the salty breeze carries the sound of waves and the coastline stretches out below.You can ride the swaying cable car or follow the steep, pine-scented trail up the mountain to reach the statue.Ho May Park sits high on Mount Dinh, where you can glide up in a swaying cable car, splash through its water park, wander a lively zoo, and explore shady forest trails in the eco-tourism area.Vũng Tàu Lighthouse, one of Vietnam’s oldest, offers sweeping views of the city and the shimmering blue sea.Long Hai Beach, set in the heart of Long Hai Town, offers a calm stretch of sand where you can hear nothing but the gentle rush of waves.It’s quieter than Vũng Tàu’s busy main beaches, with only the soft rush of waves for company.The beach is perfect for a swim, a round of paddleboarding, or casting a line into the waves.Con Dao Islands sit about 185 kilometers off Vũng Tàu’s coast, a scattered cluster of green peaks rising from the blue.Con Dao is known for its untouched beaches, where soft white sand meets turquoise water, and for the rich history that lingers in its old prison walls.These islands once held the infamous Con Dao Prison, where political prisoners endured cramped, sweltering cells during both French colonial rule and the Vietnam War.The old prison now serves as a museum, where visitors wander past cold iron bars on guided history tours.The islands boast vibrant marine life, with coral reefs teeming with color and endless chances to dive or snorkel.Tao Phung Mountain, rising quietly in Xuyen Moc District, is known for its stunning scenery and winding trails perfect for a day’s hike.From the peak, you can see forests rolling to the horizon, rivers like silver threads, and faint beaches glinting in the distance.Minh Dam Mountain, tucked away in Xuyen Moc District, is a favorite hiking spot in the province, where trails wind past weathered rocks and whispering pines.This place holds deep history-it’s where the Vietnamese Resistance battled French colonial forces in the 1940s, their gunfire echoing through the dense jungle.The area’s dotted with natural caves, rushing waterfalls, and forests so green they smell of pine after rain.Bà Rịa Town, the capital of Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu Province, moves at a gentler pace than bustling Vũng Tàu, yet it’s steeped in culture and history, from old market streets to weathered colonial buildings.This town makes a great starting point for day trips, from the bustling stalls of Bà Rịa Market to quiet temples and timeworn shrines.Linh Son Co Tu Pagoda sits quietly in Vũng Tàu, where the air smells faintly of incense and the city stretches out in a stunning view below.This sacred spot invites quiet reflection and offers a chance to unwind, like sitting beneath the shade of an old cedar tree.In Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu, beaches like Back Beach, Front Beach, Long Hai, and Ho Tram invite you to stretch out in the sun, dive into cool blue waves, and breathe in the salt-tinged air.The beaches here are perfect for water sports-you can tear across the waves on a jet ski, catch the wind while parasailing, or ride the surf with a sail snapping overhead.Hiking and trekking fans can roam the region’s mountains and forests-like Tao Phung and the rocky slopes of Minh Dam-where winding trails lead deep into the greenery.Visitors can wander through lush rainforests, stand in the mist of tumbling waterfalls, and step into the cool darkness of hidden caves.Water activities go beyond lounging on the sand-you can cast a line, dive beneath the waves, or snorkel among bright, darting fish.Off the coast of Con Dao and Vũng Tàu, the water’s clear and calm, perfect for these activities.Along the province’s coast, from Long Hai to Ho Tram, you’ll find traditional fishing villages where nets hang to dry in the sun, the seafood’s as fresh as the morning catch, and the beaches stay calm and quiet.On the Con Dao Islands, Con Dao Prison stands as a stark reminder of the past, where political prisoners endured harsh confinement during both the colonial era and the Vietnam War.Today, it’s a museum where visitors learn about the region’s dark past and the grit of the Vietnamese people, with faded photographs staring out from dimly lit walls.Vũng Tàu blends graceful colonial facades with sleek new designs, home to landmarks like the Vũng Tàu Lighthouse, the incense-scented Dinh Cậu Temple, and the stately White Palace.In Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu, the year is dotted with lively traditions-from the firecrackers and red lanterns of Tet to harvest celebrations and solemn ceremonies at temples and pagodas.These festivals burst with traditional music, lively dances, and the warm glow of local customs.In Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu, people flock to enjoy fresh seafood and classic Vietnamese fare, like bánh khọt-golden, crispy little pancakes topped with shrimp, pork, or tender vegetables.Seafood: The province serves up an impressive variety-fresh fish, sweet crab, tender shrimp, and squid that still smells of the sea.Bánh Xèo are crispy Vietnamese pancakes stuffed with pork, shrimp, and crunchy bean sprouts, served hot with fragrant herbs and a tangy dipping sauce.Gỏi Cá is a traditional Vietnamese fish salad, usually prepared with fresh, locally caught fish glistening on the plate.Getting there by car is simple - from Ho Chi Minh City, it’s a smooth drive to Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu, with the sea breeze greeting you as you arrive.From Ho Chi Minh City, you can reach Vũng Tàu or Bà Rịa in about two to three hours, just enough time to watch the sun shift across the road ahead.National Highway 51 runs straight through the province, making travel in and out quick and easy.By bus, you can catch one of several rides from Ho Chi Minh City to Vũng Tàu or Bà Rịa every day, with engines rumbling as they pull out of the station.It usually takes about two to three hours, enough time to watch a couple of movies or catch the scent of coffee drifting through the train car.Take the ferry - the kind that hums across the water with a faint smell of salt in the air.
Landmarks in ba-ria-vung-tau
