Can you climb inside the Christ statue in Vung Tau?

Yes. The base contains 133 spiral steps leading to observation points inside the figure, with views from the outstretched arms over the peninsula and South China Sea. Entry is 10,000 VND ($0.40) with a dress code requiring covered shoulders and knees.

What is Bach Dinh (White Villa) in Vung Tau?

A French colonial villa built in 1898 as a royal retreat, used by Vietnamese emperors and the French Governor-General. Now a museum housing Chinese ceramics recovered from shipwrecks. Entry is 10,000 VND ($0.40).

What is the best early morning activity in Vung Tau?

Ben Da fishing village at the southern base of the peninsula has a fish auction at 05:00-07:00 that is chaotic and interesting - fresh catch sold directly off boats. Access by motorbike.

Things to Do in Vung Tau | The Vietnam Guides

Q: What is Cap Saint-Jacques in Vung Tau?

The southern tip of the peninsula (Mui Nghinh Phong) - a rocky headland viewpoint where the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea meet. Popular for watching fishing boats and accessible by motorbike (10km from town).

Christ of Vung Tau (Thanh Gia Jesu)

A 32m statue on Nho Mountain (170m elevation), built between 1974 and 1994. The base of the statue contains 133 spiral steps leading to observation points inside the figure, with views from the outstretched arms.

Entry: ₫10,000 ($0.40). Note the dress code - shoulders and knees must be covered. The climb from the road to the base takes 20–30 minutes on steep steps. The hilltop view takes in the entire peninsula, the South China Sea, and on clear days, the offshore oil platforms.

Lighthouse Hill (Nui Lon)

The northern headland of the peninsula. The lighthouse was built by the French in 1910 and is still operational. Road access to the base; short walk to the lighthouse and the viewpoint. Good for early morning or late afternoon.

Bach Dinh (White Villa)

A French colonial villa built in 1898 as a royal retreat, used by Vietnamese Emperor Thanh Thai and later by the French Governor-General. The building is a well-preserved example of French colonial architecture - white rendered walls, large verandas, and a hilltop position with sea views.

Now a museum housing Chinese ceramics and artefacts recovered from shipwrecks in the area. Entry: ₫10,000 ($0.40). The grounds and the building itself are worth 45–60 minutes.

Niet Ban Tinh Xa Pagoda

A large Buddhist pagoda complex on Nui Lon (the northern hill). A 12m reclining Buddha, gardens, and temple buildings. Free entry. Popular with Vietnamese visitors - a functional religious site rather than a tourist attraction, though visitors are welcome.

Front Beach (Bai Truoc)

The curved beach on the west (Gulf of Thailand) side of the peninsula. Calmer than Back Beach, flanked by a promenade, and more scenic. Not a pristine beach - this is an urban waterfront - but the setting is pleasant in the morning and evening. Sunrise views from the promenade are good.

Back Beach (Bai Sau)

The 8km east-coast beach. Longer and more open than Front Beach, facing the South China Sea. Gets rough in the northeast monsoon (November–March). The main beach for swimming in dry season. The southern end is less crowded than the northern section near the main hotels. Weekend crowds are heavy.

Cap Saint-Jacques (Mui Nghinh Phong)

The southern tip of the peninsula. A rocky headland with a viewpoint over the sea junction - where the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea meet. Motorbike access (10km from town). A popular spot for watching fishing boats entering and leaving the harbour.

Ben Da fishing village

A working fishing village at the southern base of the peninsula. Active from pre-dawn. The fish auction at 05:00–07:00 is chaotic and interesting. Fresh catch sold directly off boats. Access by motorbike.

Practical guide and getting around

Vung Tau is compact and most sights are reachable by motorbike. Hire from guesthouses on the Back Beach strip: ₫150,000–200,000 ($6–8) per day. The circuit from Christ Statue (Nho Mountain) to Lighthouse Hill to Bach Dinh to Cap Saint-Jacques covers the main landmarks and takes a full half-day at a relaxed pace.

Opening hours:

Christ Statue (Thanh Gia Jesu): open daily 07:30–11:30 and 13:30–17:00. Dress code enforced — shoulders and knees must be covered. Entry ₫10,000 ($0.40)
Bach Dinh (White Villa): open daily 07:00–17:00. Entry ₫10,000 ($0.40)
Niet Ban Tinh Xa Pagoda: open daily 08:00–17:00, free
Lighthouse Hill: road open during daylight hours, no entry fee

Getting to Vung Tau from HCMC: Petro Express and Greenlines DP hydrofoils depart from Nha Rong Pier (District 4, HCMC) and from Bach Dang Pier. Journey: 75–90 minutes. Tickets: ₫250,000–330,000 ($10–13.20). Multiple departures daily from 06:30. Weekend boats fill up — book in advance through the operator websites or hotel tour desks.

The weekend crowd at Back Beach is significant. If you’re visiting for beach time, a weekday trip gives a noticeably more relaxed experience than a Saturday or Sunday.

Useful links:

Top Tours at a Glance

Here’s a quick comparison of top-rated Vung Tau tours on GetYourGuide:

Tour	Duration	Price (from)	Group Size	Highlights
Vung Tau City Highlights Tour — Lighthouse and Christ Statue	3–4 hrs	from $22/person	Small group	Giant Christ statue climb, Bach Dinh villa, lighthouse, Back Beach viewpoint
Vung Tau Day Trip from HCMC by Speedboat	Full day	from $35/person	Group	Hydrofoil or speedboat from HCMC, Front or Back Beach, seafood lunch
Vung Tau Fishing Village and Morning Market Tour	3 hrs	from $18/person	Small group	Local fish market at dawn, traditional boat yard, seafood breakfast
Vung Tau Cycling Tour — Coastal and Hill Circuit	4 hrs	from $25/person	Small group	Coastal road, Small Mountain circuit, Bai Dau secluded beach, guide
Con Dao Islands Day Trip from Vung Tau by Speedboat	Full day	from $85/person	Group	2-hour speedboat, Con Dao beach, national park entry, snorkelling, return

Browse all Vung Tau tours → GetYourGuide

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Things to Do in Vung Tau: Christ Statue, Beaches & Bach Dinh

Top-rated experiences in Vung Tau