Where to Stay in Vung Tau (2026): Best Beaches & Hotels
Choosing where to stay in Vung Tau depends on whether your weekend trip prioritizes active ocean swimming, relaxed sunset dining, or peaceful hillside seclusion. Extending into the East Sea just two hours southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau wraps around two distinct coastal fronts: eastern-facing Back Beach (Bãi Sau) with wide surf sands, and western-facing Front Beach (Bãi Trước) with shaded seaside parks, hydrofoil ferry terminals, and evening seafood promenades.
The Concierge Verdict
Book a modern high-rise hotel along Thuy Van Street at Back Beach (Bai Sau) if your priority is morning ocean swimming, bodysurfing, and wide sandy beaches. Back Beach offers broad shores and fresh coastal breezes. Choose a boutique hotel at Front Beach (Bai Truoc) near Quang Trung Street if you prefer walking to the Greenlines DP fast ferry pier, enjoying panoramic sunset cocktail bars, and dining at local seafood markets without hiring motorbikes.
Neighborhood Base Comparison in Vung Tau
| Coastal Area | Best For | Nightly Rates (VND / USD) | Beach Swimming | Key Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back Beach (Bai Sau) | Ocean swimming, surf & sunrise views | 450,000 – 1,800,000 VND ($18 – $72 USD) | Excellent (broad sand, flagged zones) | Active beachfront boulevard, lively |
| Front Beach (Bai Truoc) | Ferry pier, sunset dining & parks | 400,000 – 1,500,000 VND ($16 – $60 USD) | Moderate (fishing boats anchored) | Shaded palm gardens, evening strolls |
| Mulberry Beach (Bai Dau) | Quiet retreats & romantic escapes | 650,000 – 2,500,000 VND ($26 – $100 USD) | Rocky shorelines, quiet swimming | Secluded hillside villas, mountain backdrop |
| Pineapple Beach (Bai Dua) | Small coves & coastal viewpoints | 500,000 – 1,200,000 VND ($20 – $48 USD) | Rocky inlets, gentle waves | Tranquil coastal headland, romantic |
1. Back Beach (Bai Sau): The Premier Swimming Shore
Back Beach stretches for over three kilometers along the eastern edge of the peninsula. Lined with casuarina trees and broad paved sidewalks, Thuy Van Street forms the primary accommodation row for beachgoers.
High-end properties including The Imperial Hotel Vung Tau and Vias Hotel Vung Tau offer private beach clubs, infinity rooftop pools, and direct pedestrian bridges across the avenue to the sand, with rates from 1,600,000 to 3,200,000 VND ($64 – $128 USD). Mid-range and budget travelers will find dozens of clean, comfortable mini-hotels on La Van Cau and Phan Van Tri streets offering double rooms with air conditioning and sea glimpses for 350,000 to 600,000 VND ($14 – $24 USD).
2. Front Beach (Bai Truoc): Sunset Strolls & Dining
Front Beach faces southwest into Ganh Rai Bay, providing Front Beach Park with manicured green lawns, outdoor exercise areas, and shaded stone benches. It is also the docking location for Greenlines DP catamarans from Saigon.
Petro House Hotel and Rex Hotel provide heritage hospitality within walking distance of the municipal museum, Bach Dinh (White Palace), and coastal cafes along Ha Long Street. Rates average 550,000 to 1,200,000 VND ($22 – $48 USD). Front Beach is ideal for business travelers, couples seeking romantic sunset views over the water, and ferry travelers avoiding long transfers.
3. Mulberry Beach (Bai Dau): Mountain-Facing Sanctuaries
Heading north along Tran Phu Street brings you to Bai Dau, where steep forested cliffs drop directly into the sea. This rocky coast is home to upscale boutique resorts and private rental villas.
Marina Bay Vung Tau Resort & Spa features ocean-view infinity pools that seem to blend into the horizon, starting at 1,900,000 VND ($76 USD). It is completely insulated from weekend tourist crowds, although you will need a 10-minute taxi ride to reach city seafood markets.
Weekend Surges & Booking Guidelines
Vung Tau operates on two distinct pricing tiers: Monday through Thursday rates are extremely reasonable, while Saturday nights frequently see room prices double due to weekend demand from Ho Chi Minh City. If visiting on a weekend, book your hotel at least two weeks in advance and reserve your return Greenlines DP ferry ticket simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Back Beach safe for ocean swimming?
Yes, Back Beach has professional municipal lifeguards patrolling daily from 06:00 to 18:00. Always swim between the red-and-yellow safety flags and heed warnings during rough afternoon swells.
How far is Back Beach from the ferry terminal?
Back Beach sits roughly 2.5 kilometers east of the Greenlines DP ferry terminal at Front Beach, taking 5 to 7 minutes by Grab taxi (approx 40,000 to 50,000 VND / $1.60 – $2.00 USD).
Can I rent a scooter easily in Vung Tau?
Yes, virtually all hotels and homestays provide semi-automatic and automatic scooter rentals for 120,000 to 150,000 VND ($4.80 – $6.00 USD) per day.
Where to go next
- Saigon to Vung Tau Transport: Hydrofoil speed ferry vs luxury DCar limousine vans.
- Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide: Urban attractions, dining, and transit in southern Vietnam.
- Where to Stay in Saigon: District 1 luxury vs District 3 boutique heritage hotels.
- Best Day Trips from Saigon: Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, and coastal breaks.