Vung Tau beaches come down to two names: Vung Tau Front Beach and Vung Tau Back Beach. Bai Sau vs Bai Truoc is the choice most visitors face, and the best beach in Vung Tau depends on whether you want swimming or a sunset walk.
Bãi Trước (Front Beach) and Bãi Sau (Back Beach) are Vung Tau’s two main beaches.
They are both on the same small peninsula, but they feel quite different from each other.
Front Beach is right in the city centre and is more about the promenade, sunset, and restaurants.
It offers an easy walk by the water.
Back Beach is the main place to go if you actually want a proper beach day.
It has a much longer sandy shoreline, beach chairs, umbrellas and plenty of space for swimming and relaxing.
The best beach in Vung Tau depends on your plans: Back Beach for swimming and sand, Front Beach for sunset and the city waterfront. Below is a practical comparison of Vung Tau beaches, including facilities, prices and access from Ho Chi Minh City.
Vung Tau Beaches: Front Beach vs Back Beach
- For swimming and a classic beach day: Vung Tau Back Beach (Bãi Sau)
- For sunset and a waterfront walk: Vung Tau Front Beach (Bãi Trước)
- For beach chairs and umbrellas: Back Beach
- For restaurants, cafes and the city centre: Front Beach
- For a long sandy beach: Back Beach
- For an evening stroll: Front Beach
If you only have time for one beach in Vung Tau, I would choose Back Beach during the day. Visit Front Beach around sunset if your schedule allows.
Back Beach (Bãi Sau)
Bãi Sau, also known as Back Beach or Thùy Vân Beach, is the main beach for a traditional Vung Tau beach day.
The beach runs along the eastern side of the peninsula and stretches for nearly 4 kilometers according to the current local tourism information. It is lined by Thùy Vân Road, hotels, cafes, restaurants and beach facilities.
This is where I would come if I wanted to put down a towel, rent a chair and umbrella, swim, have a drink and spend several hours by the sea.
Vung Tau Beaches: What Is Back Beach Like?
Back Beach has a much more open seaside feeling than Front Beach. The sandy shoreline is long, and there is enough space to walk for quite a while without feeling that you have already seen everything.
Back Beach has hotels, restaurants, beach chairs and umbrellas. Its Thuy Van waterfront was substantially redeveloped in 2025, with new public spaces and a promenade. Check local signs for designated swimming zones and any temporary restrictions.
The beach is particularly lively on weekends and holidays, while weekdays can feel considerably more relaxed.
How Much Do Beach Chairs and Umbrellas Cost?
Chair and umbrella prices depend on the operator and date. The Hawaii Beach price board photographed for this article provides one specific example, not a citywide fixed tariff. Ask whether the price covers one chair, an umbrella, a drink and the full rental period before paying.
At Hawaii Beach on Thùy Vân, I photographed the current price board during my visit. The listed prices were:
| Option | Weekday | Saturday/Sunday | Holiday / Tet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 VIP chair + 1 umbrella | 140,000 VND | 180,000 VND | 200,000 VND |
| 1 regular chair + 1 umbrella | 70,000 VND | 100,000 VND | 170,000 VND |
| 1 regular chair + umbrella + any drink | 100,000 VND | 140,000 VND | 190,000 VND |
| 1 VIP chair + umbrella + any drink | 170,000 VND | 200,000 VND | 230,000 VND |
The same board also lists drinks such as iced coffee from 40,000 VND, Vietnamese milk coffee from 45,000 VND, bạc xỉu from 50,000 VND, and several fresh drinks and teas at 69,000 VND.
These are photographed on-site prices from one operator. Confirm today’s tariff before renting; weekend and holiday rates differ substantially.
Are Vung Tau Beaches Good for Swimming?
Yes. Back Beach is the main swimming beach in Vung Tau.
The open coastline and long sandy beach make it the more natural choice if swimming is one of the main reasons you are visiting Vung Tau.
As always with an open beach, conditions depend on the weather and sea conditions on the day you visit. Follow local beach safety instructions and pay attention to the water before going in.
Front Beach (Bãi Trước)
Bãi Trước, or Front Beach, is on the western side of Vung Tau and sits right next to the city centre.
It is sometimes called Tam Dương Beach and is very different from Back Beach. Instead of coming here primarily for a long swimming session, I would come for the waterfront, promenade, sunset and city atmosphere.
The beach is surrounded by restaurants, hotels, cafes and the central waterfront area, making it one of the easiest parts of Vung Tau to explore on foot.
Why Visit Front Beach?
The biggest advantage of Front Beach is its location.
You can walk along the waterfront, stop for coffee, watch the boats and then continue toward other attractions in central Vung Tau without needing transport between every stop.
It is also the beach I would choose for sunset. The western-facing position gives you a completely different evening atmosphere from Back Beach.
For a city walk, Front Beach is difficult to beat.
Vung Tau Beaches: Bai Sau vs Bai Truoc for Swimming
For swimming, choose Back Beach (Bai Sau). It has a longer open shoreline, while Front Beach (Bai Truoc) is a sheltered urban bay with boat activity. Neither beach has guaranteed safe conditions every day: check warning flags, surf and lifeguard instructions before entering the water.
Front Beach is much more useful as a waterfront sightseeing area. The local tourism authority specifically describes it as a central beach suitable for walking and combining with attractions around the city centre.
That does not mean Front Beach is uninteresting. It simply serves a different purpose.
I would think of it this way:
Back Beach = beach day.
Front Beach = city, promenade and sunset.
Bai Sau vs Bai Truoc: Practical Comparison
| Question | Back Beach (Bai Sau) | Front Beach (Bai Truoc) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for swimming? | Better choice when conditions permit | Not the preferred swimming beach |
| Sunset or sunrise? | East-facing, better for morning light | West-facing, better for sunset |
| Beach rentals? | Chairs and umbrellas available | Primarily promenade and waterfront |
| Accommodation? | Hotels near Thuy Van Road and sand | Central hotels near cafes and restaurants |
| Best short visit? | Morning beach session | Late-afternoon walk |
Which Beach Is Better for Families?
For families who want to spend several hours on the sand and swim, Back Beach is the better choice.
You have more beach space, easier access to chairs and umbrellas, and plenty of nearby food and drink options.
Front Beach can be better for families with young children who simply want an easy waterfront walk, a meal or an evening outside without planning a full beach session.
Which Beach Is Better for Sunset?
Front Beach.
The western-facing location makes Bãi Trước the natural choice for watching the sun go down over the water.
Back Beach faces the open eastern side of the peninsula, so it is more interesting for early-morning light and daytime beach activities.
If you enjoy photography, I would actually visit both. The two beaches produce very different photographs even though they are only a short distance apart.
How Long Is the Vung Tau Beachfront?
The exact figure depends on which part of the coastline is being measured.
The current local tourism information describes Back Beach itself as nearly 4 kilometers long, stretching along the Thùy Vân axis toward Chi Linh.
Do not confuse the named Back Beach area with longer measurements used for the wider coastline. Distances vary with the endpoints chosen.
For a visitor, the practical point is simple: Back Beach is long enough for a substantial seaside walk.
You can walk a section of it, stop for coffee or a drink, sit on the beach and continue later without feeling that you have to complete the entire shoreline in one go.
Vung Tau Beaches: Which One Should You Choose?
| What you want | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Swimming | Back Beach |
| Long sandy beach | Back Beach |
| Beach chairs and umbrellas | Back Beach |
| Sunset | Front Beach |
| Waterfront walk | Front Beach |
| Restaurants and cafés nearby | Both |
| Morning beach visit | Back Beach |
| Evening stroll | Front Beach |
Vung Tau Beaches in One Day: An Easy Plan
Absolutely, and I think that is actually the best way to experience Vung Tau.
Start your day at Back Beach. Spend a few hours swimming, walking along the sand, renting a chair and umbrella or simply sitting by the sea.
Later, head toward the city centre and Front Beach. Walk along the waterfront, stop for a drink and stay until sunset.
This gives you two completely different sides of Vung Tau without spending the whole day traveling between attractions.
Getting to Vung Tau Beaches from Ho Chi Minh City
GreenlinesDP operates a passenger ferry from Bach Dang in central Ho Chi Minh City to Ho May Pier at 1A Tran Phu in Vung Tau. The operator lists a journey time of around 120 minutes. From the pier, use local transport or a private transfer to reach the beach you choose.
| Passenger | Weekday one-way ferry | Weekend one-way ferry |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (12+) | 320,000 VND | 350,000 VND |
| Child (6–11) | 270,000 VND | 300,000 VND |
| Senior (63+) | 270,000 VND | 300,000 VND |
These are published fares effective July 1, 2026, subject to later changes. The ferry does not carry motorcycles or bicycles. Confirm the departure when booking.
What Else Can You Do Near the Beaches?
Vung Tau’s beaches are unusually convenient because several major attractions are close to them.
From the Back Beach area, you can continue toward Mũi Nghinh Phong and then up Small Mountain (Núi Nhỏ) toward Vung Tau Lighthouse and the Christ the King Statue, both easy add-ons from the beach route with panoramic views back over the coastline.
You can also visit Hồ Mây Park, on Big Mountain (Núi Lớn) at the other end of the beachfront, if you want to trade the beach for a mountain and cable-car experience.
For history, the Worldwide Arms Museum and the city’s other museums offer a completely different experience from the coast.
Combine these stops with a waterfront walk if you have a full day in Vung Tau.
Where to Stay Near Vung Tau Beaches
If the beach is your main reason for coming to Vung Tau, staying around Thùy Vân and Back Beach gives you the easiest access to the sand.
If you prefer restaurants, cafes, the waterfront and a more central city atmosphere, Front Beach can be more convenient.
You can check Vung Tau hotels and compare accommodation around both areas before booking.
Is Vung Tau Worth Visiting for the Beaches?
Yes, especially if you are looking for an easy beach escape from Ho Chi Minh City.
Vung Tau is not only about the beach itself. The real advantage is how much you can combine with it: a morning at Back Beach, a mountain viewpoint, a museum, seafood for lunch, a walk along Front Beach and sunset by the water.
That combination makes Vung Tau more interesting than simply judging the city by the quality of its sand.
If you want a straightforward beach day, go to Back Beach. If you want the classic Vung Tau waterfront experience, spend time around Front Beach. Ideally, do both.
Quick Facts
- Best beach for swimming: Back Beach (Bãi Sau)
- Best beach for sunset: Front Beach (Bãi Trước)
- Back Beach length: Nearly 4 km according to current local tourism information
- Back Beach location: Along Thùy Vân on the eastern side of Vung Tau
- Front Beach location: Central Vung Tau waterfront
- Beach chairs and umbrellas: Available at Back Beach
- Example current price: Hawaii Beach regular chair + umbrella from 70,000 VND on weekdays
- Best combination: Back Beach during the day + Front Beach at sunset
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Front Beach or Back Beach in Vung Tau?
Back Beach is better for swimming, a traditional beach day and renting chairs and umbrellas. Front Beach is better for walking, restaurants, the waterfront and sunset.
What is the best beach in Vung Tau for swimming?
Back Beach (Bãi Sau) is the main swimming beach in Vung Tau and the better choice if swimming is your priority.
How much does the ferry from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau cost?
GreenlinesDP lists adult one-way fares of 320,000 VND on weekdays and 350,000 VND on weekends, effective July 1, 2026. Confirm the current price and sailing schedule before departure.
Can you swim at Front Beach Vung Tau?
Front Beach is primarily used as a central waterfront and sightseeing area. If you specifically want a proper beach-swimming experience, Back Beach is the better choice.
How long is Back Beach in Vung Tau?
The current local tourism information describes Back Beach as nearly 4 kilometers long. Older sources use a wider measurement of the Thùy Vân coastal area and give longer figures.
How much are beach chairs in Vung Tau?
Prices vary by beach operator, day and type of chair. At Hawaii Beach, a current price board I photographed listed a regular chair plus umbrella at 70,000 VND on weekdays, 100,000 VND on Saturdays and Sundays, and 170,000 VND on holidays and Tet.
What is the best time to visit Vung Tau Beach?
Morning is a good time for Back Beach, especially if you want to swim before the hottest part of the day. Late afternoon and sunset are particularly good for Front Beach and the waterfront.
Can you visit Front Beach and Back Beach on the same day?
Yes. They are close enough to combine easily. A good plan is Back Beach during the day followed by Front Beach in the late afternoon and evening.
You might also enjoy: Ultimate Vung Tau Tours: Beaches, Lighthouse, Seafood, Sunset.
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