Vung Tau a coastal city with pleasant beaches within easy reach of Saigon.

It is ideal to visit if you are in search of quiet self-reflection, want to renew your links with nature, or just to take a deep breath of fresh air.

With this in mind, check out these lesser-known places in Vung Tau to indulge your inner self at no cost.

There are many interesting activities in Vung Tau. Photo: Travel Services - Lesvos

Nghinh Phong Cape

Nghinh Phong Cape is located in the southern part of Vung Tau peninsula. It is called Nghinh Phong (Cape of greeting the wind) because of the strong wind throughout the four seasons.

This cape has two beaches, Huong Phong Beach and Vong Nguyet Beach, two large bays in the East and West. It is sacred and unique with a huge white Kito God statue, stretching out his arms to embrace the sea to his heart.

Nghinh Phong Cape makes visitors unable to leave because of its deep blue sea and magnificent mountains and forests.

Behind the cape are shady trees, majestic mountains, bringing peace and fresh air. With charming landscapes and unique quiet space, this cape is a must-visit destination in the coastal city of Vung Tau.

Photo: Foody

Nghinh Phong Cape is located at No. 1 Ha Long Street, Vung Tau City. It is very easy to find because it is near the Kito God statue with stretched out arms and Vong Nguyet beach.

From the martyr’s memorial in Vung Tau, visitors follow Le Hong Phong Street to reach Sau beach, then turn right to Thuy Van Street. Tourists continue to follow Thuy Van Street towards the Kito God statue to reach Nghinh Phong Cape.

Heaven Gate is located right at Nghinh Phong Cape. To reach Heaven Gate, visitors will have to move through a trail. Although the road is quite difficult to find, every visitor wants to see the Heaven Gate of the coastal city of Vung Tau.

Thuy Van Street is one of the two most beautiful coastal roads in Vung Tau, so tourists should choose a motorbike to travel their. To rent a motorbike to move to Nghinh Phong Cape, prices range from VND 100,000 to 200,000 per day.

Near Nghinh Phong Cape, there are also many entertainment places in Vung Tau, such as the Kito God statue, Vong Nguyet beach, Dua beach, and Vung Tau lighthouse.

Big mountain

This iconic Vung Tau landmark is usually the first thing that travellers see when arriving by hydrofoil ferry from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). It's known as 'Big Mountain' not so much for its height, but the fact that its four peaks sprawl back from Front Beach for several kilometres along the west side of the Vung Tau peninsula.

Photo: MIA

There are many different trails to access the top, each with its own degree of difficulty. The asphalted bitumen road is the simplest, used by locals for exercising every day. More challenging are the several "very steep" climbs up the side of the mountain, and the 600+ steps further around and towards the fishing village.

Views from Big Mountain are superb. On the southern side you can see Vung Tau Bay and the Front Beach area – as well as across to Small Mountain.

As you move around to the western side, the shipyards come into focus. Then along the ridge heading east, you have magnificent views of the residential part of Vung Tau City.

On top of the mountain is the old radar antenna (now disused) and the vast theme park accessed by cable car. Scattered around the hillside are local shops and houses, and many shrines and pagodas including the iconic “Goddess of Mercy” statue (sometimes mistaken by tourists for the Virgin Mary).

The battery of old French cannons is very popular with locals as it's not far from the main road – the site also provides an interesting “water stop” for Hashers on the way to the top!

Pig Hill

Photo: Trang An

For tourists coming to Vung Tau, Pig Hill is a great place to explore the nature at Bai Sau, District 2, Vung Tau. In addition to Ho Tram and Ho Coc, Pig Hill is emerging as the tourism phenomenon in the hearts of young people, and is an ideal destination to admire the most wild and beautiful scenes and discover a completely new, unique and strange beautiful side of Vung Tau.

At first glance, it looks like just a bare hill. However, when approaching the edge of the hill, the scenery of long sandy beach bending to the sea and the blue sky will amaze.

Pig Hill is considered as the land lighthouse of the city. From the top of the hill, tourists will see a whole Thuy Van Road, a corner of Ha Long Road and Hon Ba Island in the middle of the sea. Standing on the high hill, looking down at the cool breeze and enjoying a moment of peace is an unforgettable experience. The gravel road on the hill is a way for tourists to reach a real paradise.

Interestingly, the sides on the hills have a different beauty depending on the season. In the dry season, the hill is full of boulders, creating a wild and mysterious space for discovery.

During rainy season, tourists have the opportunity to see the natural green space with beautiful gardens. This is also the ideal place to catch the magical image of sunrise or sunset in Vung Tau.

Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort. Photo: Klook

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