Vung Tau sits at the tip of a peninsula on the southern coast, roughly 95 km southeast of Saigon, with the South China Sea to the south and Ganh Rai Bay wrapping around the north and west. The historic downtown, the Front Beach, Strawberry Beach (Bãi Dâu), Pineapple Beach (Bãi Dứa) and part of Back Beach all fall within the same central area, with the Big Mount and Small Mount rising behind it.
For a visitor, the practical choice comes down to which beach you want on your doorstep. Back Beach (Bãi Sau) is where the budget accommodation clusters, while the downtown and Front Beach side puts you closer to the historic core and the hills. This guide covers the areas worth considering as a base, what each suits, and how the price tiers differ.
Best areas to stay in Vung Tau
1. Thùy Vân Street, in front of Bãi Sau (Back Beach)
This is the main budget strip, running along the seafront at Back Beach. Cheap guesthouses and hotels line Thùy Vân Street, with the lowest room prices starting from 140,000 dong on weekdays and 200,000 dong at weekends. It suits budget travellers and anyone who wants to step out of their room and onto the beach.
It is also where you find the larger full-service places at the top end, so the street spans the range rather than being purely cheap. If you want the beach as your base rather than the town, this is the area to look at first.
2. Thang Tam Ward
Inland from Back Beach, this ward sits behind the seafront strip and is home to larger hotel and convention-style properties. It suits travellers who want modern, big-hotel facilities and a location near the beach without being directly on the sand.
It is close to Lotte Mall and lies near Bãi Sau beach, so shopping and the beach are both within easy reach. This is a reasonable base if you prefer a quieter setting a short walk back from the water.
3. The historic downtown (Front Beach and the central beaches)
The old downtown area takes in Front Beach, Strawberry Beach (Bãi Dâu), Pineapple Beach (Bãi Dứa) and part of Back Beach, with the Big Mount and Small Mount behind. It suits first-time visitors who want to be in the centre of things and within reach of several different beaches rather than committing to one.
Because the hills rise directly behind the downtown, expect some sloping streets if you base yourself on this side. The trade-off is that you are closer to the historic core and have more than one beach to choose from.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: cheap guesthouses and hotels, concentrated on Thùy Vân Street in front of Back Beach, with the lowest room prices on weekdays and higher rates at weekends.
- Mid-range: the sources do not describe a distinct mid-range area, so treat this tier as a matter of comparing individual properties within the beachfront and central areas.
- Splurge: large full-service hotels, including a five-star property on Thùy Vân Street with its own private beach, and a hotel and convention building in Thang Tam Ward near Lotte Mall and Bãi Sau beach.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself on Thùy Vân Street in front of Bãi Sau. It gives you the beach directly, the widest spread of accommodation from cheap guesthouses upward, and a straightforward introduction to the peninsula. From there the downtown beaches and the hills are easy to reach on a day out.
Frequently asked questions
Which area is best for budget travellers?
Thùy Vân Street, in front of Bãi Sau (Back Beach), where cheap guesthouses and hotels cluster and the lowest room prices are found.
Where do the larger, full-service hotels tend to be?
On Thùy Vân Street at Back Beach, and in Thang Tam Ward, which is near Lotte Mall and Bãi Sau beach.
Is it cheaper to stay midweek or at the weekend?
Midweek. Lowest room prices on Thùy Vân Street start from 140,000 dong on weekdays against 200,000 dong at weekends.
Which beaches are close to the central downtown area?
The historic downtown takes in Front Beach, Strawberry Beach (Bãi Dâu), Pineapple Beach (Bãi Dứa) and part of Back Beach, with the Big Mount and Small Mount behind.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide.