Vung Tau, just 125km away, is about the nearest beach from Saigon. Beside the beaches, Vung Tau also offers great seafood, some attractions with the pagodas and gigantic religious statues on the mountains. And as far as I know, it’s the only place in Vietnam where you can find greyhound racing (www.vietnamracing.net/). For a brief tour to Ba Ria Vung Tau, check out 36 hours in Vung Tau.

 

There are about 3 ways one can get to Vung Tau from Saigon:

001) Tour bus from Sinh Cafe and other tour agencies. About 3 hours.

002) Drive or ride to Vung Tau from Saigon. About 3 hours (under 2 hours if you are a hell rider).

003) Take the hydrofoil. It is the most comfortable and fastest at just under 1.5 hours.

 

In this travel tip on how to get to Vung Tau from Saigon, I’ll show you where to buy the hydrofoil or ferry ticket, the timings of those ferry services and how those hydrofoils to Vung Tau feels like.

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We are now standing directly behind the Rex Hotel at Nguyen Hue Street. From the Saigon Tax Trade Center, or commonly known as the Saigon Tax Center or Thuong Xa Tax in Vietnamese, head down in the direction of the yellow arrow. Use the blue Sun Wah Tower (circled in red) as the next landmark.

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

 

With the blue Sun Wah Tower on your right, head down about 150m in the direction of the yellow arrow. Use the Duxton Hotel and Harbour View building (circled in red) as your next 2 landmarks.

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

 

Just after passing by the Harbour View building, you will be at this T-junction where there are always lots of cars and especially big trucks. Yellow arrow is where the main ferry or hydrofoil terminal is. You can buy your tickets from all 3 different hydrofoil operators here. At the same time, the blue and green arrows indicate the positions of ticket booths also from the same 3 operators. The difference here is that you can get your tickets without having to get off your bike  

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

 

Main ferry terminal.

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

 

Once you enter the ferry terminal, you’ll see the 3 different operators’ booth. They are all selling at the same price of 160,000vnd per ticket (about US$9).

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

 

This is the waiting area. 

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

 

How the hydrofoil looks like.

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

 

Inside the hydrofoil. Air conditioned and fairly comfortable seats.

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

 

 Lots of space for your bags and luggage.

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

 

 The toilet. Not the best time to have a bad stomach on board the hydrofoil.

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

 

This is how the ferry terminal at Vung Tau looks like.

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

 

Inside the ferry terminal at Vung Tau. This is where you buy your tickets back to Saigon.

How to get to Vung Tau from Saigon

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Hope the above guide has been clear to you. If there’s anyway I can improve on my ‘directional tips’, do feel free to leave a comment here. And do share this Vietnam travel tips with your friends.