Vung Tau hotels cover the full price range from the cityβs best resort to basic town guesthouses. The key decision is Front Beach versus Back Beach - theyβre 2β3km apart on a narrow peninsula and offer genuinely different experiences.
Where to stay: Front Beach vs Back Beach vs town centre
Front Beach (Bai Truoc) area: The curved west-coast promenade has the most scenic position. Hotels along Tran Phu street face the beach with sea views. Quieter than Back Beach - not the main swimming beach, so it attracts fewer domestic weekend crowds. Best for couples, mid-week visitors, and those who prioritise location and view over beach access.
Back Beach (Bai Sau) area: The 8km east coast beach has most of the resort-style hotels and the widest range of accommodation. More infrastructure - restaurants, beach bars, and water sports. Gets crowded on weekends and public holidays.
Town centre: Between the two beaches. Practical guesthouses and budget options. Walkable to either side of the peninsula. Good for access to restaurants, the market, and colonial-era buildings.
Luxury and mid-range
Imperial Hotel Vung Tau Back Beach area. A large resort-style property with pool, spa, and direct beach access. The most complete resort option in Vung Tau. β«2,000,000β6,000,000 ($80β240) per night.
Mia Resort Vung Tau A boutique property on the south end of Back Beach. Smaller and more carefully designed than the larger resort hotels. Pool, restaurant, good service. β«1,500,000β3,500,000 ($60β140).
Rex Hotel Vung Tau Front Beach promenade. A long-established hotel with good sea views. Colonial-influenced architecture. β«1,000,000β2,500,000 ($40β100) per night.
Grand Hotel Vung Tau Front Beach. Older hotel with a solid reputation and sea-view rooms. β«800,000β2,000,000 ($32β80).
Aniise Villa Resort A boutique villa resort in the Back Beach area with private villa rooms and a quiet atmosphere. β«2,000,000β5,000,000 ($80β200).
Budget
Town centre guesthouses: Multiple options in the centre between Front and Back Beach. Simple a/c rooms at β«200,000β500,000 ($8β20). The nha nghi (guesthouse) standard is adequate for a one or two-night stay.
Back Beach area budget hotels: A range of 2-star hotels behind the beach strip at β«400,000β800,000 ($16β32). Generally clean with a/c; primarily serving Vietnamese domestic visitors.
Booking notes
Weekday rates are significantly lower than weekend rates at all Vung Tau hotels. A room that costs β«500,000 on a Tuesday may cost β«800,000β1,000,000 on FridayβSunday. Vietnamese public holidays (Tet, April 30, September 2) see the highest prices and most difficult availability. If visiting on a weekend, book in advance. Weekday visitors have easy walk-in availability.
What to look for in Vung Tau hotels
Beach vs town: Front Beach hotels have better views and a more scenic position. Back Beach hotels have more swimming access and a wider accommodation range. Town centre properties are cheapest but not beach-adjacent.
Pool: Useful at Back Beach hotels where the beach can be crowded on weekends. The Imperial and Mia both have good pools.
Motorbike rental access: Essential for reaching the Bai Dau seafood area, Cap Saint-Jacques, and the lighthouse. Most hotels arrange rental for approximately β«100,000β150,000 ($4β6) per day as of 2026.
Eating near hotels
Front Beach area: Several waterfront cafes and the promenade food stalls. Good for evening walks and ca phe sua da.
Back Beach area: Resort restaurants along the strip. Prices 20β40% higher than town centre equivalents.
Bai Dau (northwest tip): The best seafood restaurants - Goc Bien and neighbouring operations. β«200,000β500,000 ($8β20) per person for a full meal as of 2026. Worth the 5km motorbike ride from the centre.
Central market (Cho Vung Tau): The cheapest local food. Pho, com tam, bun bo from β«30,000β50,000 ($1.20β2) as of 2026.
Town centre: Budget meals from β«30,000β60,000 ($1.20β2.40) as of 2026 at the market area.
Getting to Vung Tau
Hydrofoil from HCMC (recommended): 75 minutes from Bach Dang pier. β«250,000β350,000 ($10β14) each way as of 2026.
Bus from HCMC: 2β2.5 hours. β«70,000β120,000 ($2.80β4.80) as of 2026.
Transport from accommodation
Grab is reliable throughout Vung Tau. Motorbike rental (β«100,000β150,000 / $4β6 per day as of 2026) provides access to the Bai Dau seafood area, the lighthouse, Cap Saint-Jacques, and the Christ statue. The peninsula is compact - most destinations are within 15 minutes by motorbike.
Travelling on a budget? We also have a dedicated guide to the best hostels in Vung Tau.
Useful links:
Useful links:
- Book tours in Vietnam
- Cheap flights to Vietnam
- Travel insurance for Vietnam
- Airport transfers in Vietnam
More in Vung Tau
- Vung Tau Beaches 2026: Front Beach, Back Beach and Bai Dau
- Best Hostels in Vung Tau 2026: Back Beach Budget Stays
- Best Restaurants in Vung Tau 2026: Seafood, Banh Khot and Local Dishes
- Vung Tau Food Guide 2026: Local Dishes, Seafood and Banh Khot
- Getting to Vung Tau 2026: Hydrofoil from HCMC and Bus Options
- Things to Do in Vung Tau 2026: Christ Statue, Beaches and Cape Saint Jacques