Vung Tau Beaches 2026: Front Beach, Back Beach and Bai Dau

Vung Tau’s beaches are urban beaches — they’re on the outskirts of an active oil-industry port city, not a remote island. The water clarity is lower than Phu Quoc or Con Dao. That said, the beaches function well for local beach culture and there’s a genuine pleasure in the Vietnamese domestic scene: seafood, beach chairs, coconuts, and extended family picnics.

Front Beach (Bai Truoc)

A curved 3km beach on the west (Gulf of Thailand) side of the peninsula. Protected from the northeast monsoon. Calmer water than Back Beach.

Character: The promenade along Tran Phu street is pleasant in the morning and evening. Breakfast cafes, coffee shops, and the view of the sea are the draw. The beach itself is narrow and not primarily a swimming beach — most people use it for walks and the atmosphere.

Water quality: Reasonable in dry season (November–April). Some pollution from boat traffic near the north end.

Facilities: Sunloungers and beach service from the hotels along the strip. Public access to the sand throughout.

Back Beach (Bai Sau)

8km of east-facing beach, longer and more open than Front Beach. This is the main swimming beach. The central section has sunlounger operations, beach food and drink vendors, and water sports (jet ski rental, banana boat rides).

Swimming: Dry season (November–April) is best — calmer conditions. June–September has good swimming weather but the beach is more crowded on weekends. Northeast monsoon (November–December) occasionally brings rougher surf.

Character: Weekend Back Beach is a full-scale Vietnamese domestic beach party: large family groups, children in floaties, beach food vendors, loud music from some operations, and complete informality. Weekday Back Beach is quieter and more spacious.

Honest note: The south end of Back Beach (approaching the headland) is less crowded and slightly cleaner than the northern section where the hotels are. Worth the extra 10 minutes by motorbike.

Bai Dau (Rocky Beach)

A small rocky cove on the northwest tip of the peninsula, 5km from the centre. More interesting for the excellent seafood restaurants on the beachfront road than for swimming. The water is cleaner here than at the main beaches. A good spot for morning coffee and seafood lunch.

Bai Dua (Pineapple Beach)

A small quiet beach between Bai Dau and Front Beach. Mostly rocky with a sand section. Used by local residents. Relatively untouristed.

Water quality honest assessment

Vung Tau’s water is not the crystal-clear turquoise of Phu Quoc or Con Dao. The city sits at the mouth of the Saigon River system and receives sediment and some pollution from the river outflow and port activity. The beaches are swimmable in dry season but they are not pristine. Travellers who prioritise water clarity should manage expectations or choose another coastal destination.