Getting Around Vũng Tàu
Vũng Tàu is a ward of Ho Chi Minh City on the southern coast, sitting at the tip of the Vũng Tàu peninsula. The historic downtown — including Front Beach, Strawberry Beach (Bãi Dâu), Pineapple Beach (Bãi Dứa), part of Back Beach, and the Big Mount and Small Mount (Núi Lớn và Núi Nhỏ) — is compact enough that visitors can mix walking with short taxi or ride-hailing hops. There is no rail, metro or tram network in Vũng Tàu, so getting around relies on road transport, your own two feet, or a rented two-wheeler.
On Foot
Vũng Tàu is a walkable city in its central areas, and walking is one of the most pleasant ways to see the waterfront. Recommended walking areas include Ba Cu street (the city's centre), Đồ Chiểu street (the food centre), Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị Square, Công viên Bãi trước (Front Beach park), and the pavements along the coastline.
- Sidewalks exist almost everywhere and are relatively unobstructed, and a long walking path runs along the beaches, functioning partly as a promenade.
- Walking is described as safe day and night; the main hazard is traffic. Drivers in Vietnam generally do not yield to pedestrians, including at crosswalks with traffic lights, so watch carefully before crossing.
- Attractions and beaches are spread across different districts, some far apart and several on high hills within the city, so plan on combining walking with a ride for outlying sights.
- The practical downside is heat: walking long distances in the day is taxing.
Buses and Public Transport
Vũng Tàu has a city bus system with several routes, and it is inexpensive — fares are paid in cash to the conductor. Buses run frequently during daylight hours until about 18:00, but are rarely seen in the evening.
- Route information is not readily available, so you generally have to work it out on the spot by asking drivers or passengers at stops.
- Little English is spoken; the easiest approach is to show a point on a map with the name written in English.
- For longer journeys, Vũng Tàu Bus Station connects the city to the wider region. At least hourly buses run between Vũng Tàu and Ho Chi Minh City throughout the day, and the city is well connected to Southern Vietnam and the Mekong Delta by bus, with additional daily connections beyond HCMC. There are also daily connections with Phan Thiết (for Mui Ne) in each direction.
- The full list of bus schedules and prices can be found next to the bus station administration desk.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
As an ordinary Vietnamese urban area, Vũng Tàu has plenty of taxis and xe ôm (motorbike taxi) drivers. Taxi fares are similar to Ho Chi Minh City. Always agree on a price before setting off, and remember that your accommodation can help you organise a ride.
- For foreigners, app-based ride-hailing is often the best option because it avoids the language barrier and "misunderstandings" about price. Grab and Xanh SM both work well. Grab offers car taxis, motorbike taxis, and delivery services; Xanh SM is a newer local service using electric cars and motorbikes, positioned as eco-friendly and slightly more expensive than Grab for the same distance.
- Fares around the city are modest, and a motorbike taxi is roughly half the price of a car. The price is shown at the time of ordering, and you can pay via a linked card or in cash at the end of the trip.
- Apps can be installed and registered before arrival. They need local mobile internet, or sometimes hotel or restaurant WiFi. Maxim reportedly does not work in Vũng Tàu, InDrive car availability is not guaranteed, and Uber does not work at all.
- Official street taxis can be flagged down or booked by phone or via hotel reception, but drivers may not use the meter and may demand a fixed price — confirm in advance. Boarding and per-km fares are printed on the side of legitimate taxis; be cautious of taxis without posted fares.
- Private taxis at fixed contract prices are found at the bus station and tourist spots. They are more expensive than apps or metered taxis within the city, but can be cheaper for out-of-town trips such as to Ho Chi Minh City or the airport.
- Small electric tourist golf carts also cruise around Vũng Tàu. There are no meters, so negotiate the price before each trip; a sensible reference point for bargaining is no more than a car taxi.
Motorbike and Bicycle Rental
Renting a motorbike is a popular way to get around, and rental service can be found at most hotels or hostels, especially at Back Beach. Expect around 120,000 dong for a manual and 200,000 dong for an automatic. Make sure you have a valid driving licence and helmets.
- The rental market is less developed than in some other Vietnamese beach destinations, and rental shops are relatively scarce — you may need to arrange in advance by searching on Google Maps and contacting the owner via WhatsApp or local Zalo. Some owners deliver to your hotel or the bus station.
- Bicycles suit Vũng Tàu well, thanks to low traffic density and picturesque coastal roads. Rental services are not abundant but can be found at some hostels at Back Beach.
- The best cycling route is along the coast, through Thùy Vân, Hạ Long, Quang Trung and Trần Phú streets, where road quality is good. If you prefer off-road, some paths up to the Small and Big Mountains are good practice.
- Wearing a helmet is not mandatory but is recommended, and watch out at intersections, as other drivers tend not to give way to cyclists.
- Car rental is not well developed: there are no international chain rentals or competitive aggregators, and cars generally have to be found via social networks or on the spot.
Getting into Vũng Tàu from the Airport
Vũng Tàu's own airport serves only helicopter flights, so visitors arriving by air come through Ho Chi Minh City and continue overland or by water.
- By road: Vũng Tàu is connected to the mainland by Highway 51 (Quốc lộ 51), which runs from Biên Hòa City. The shortest route from Ho Chi Minh City is via the HCMC–Long Thành–Dầu Giây Highway, exiting at Long Thành and joining Highway 51. The drive takes roughly two hours from District 1, HCMC, depending on the driver and traffic; roads usually become busier on public holidays or weekends.
- By bus: Two companies run between Vũng Tàu and Ho Chi Minh City — Phuong Trang Bus Company (FUTA Bus) and Hoa Mai. FUTA tickets are sold at the FUTA office on De Tham; Hoa Mai (luxury) tickets are available at 83 Nguyen Thai Binh.
- By hydrofoil: The "Tàu cánh ngầm" (hydrofoil fast ferry) is a quick and comfortable way to reach Vũng Tàu, and a good way to see the commercial maritime areas as the boat runs down the Saigon River to the sea. Ferries depart from Bach Dang Pier in Saigon, District 1, not far from the Majestic Hotel, and land at Cầu Đá Port in Vũng Tàu. Booking at least a day in advance is recommended, especially at the weekend. Tickets and schedules are available at the port.
- By private taxi: Fixed-contract private taxis found at the bus station and tourist spots can be a cheaper option than apps or metered taxis for out-of-town trips such as to Ho Chi Minh City or the airport.