Vung Tau has two beaches that most visitors will hear about immediately.
Bãi Trước (Front Beach) and Bãi Sau (Back Beach) are the names of Vung Tau Beaches.
They are both on the same small peninsula, but they feel quite different within Vung Tau Beaches.
Front Beach is right in the city centre and is more about the promenade, sunset, and restaurants.
Additionally, 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.
I spent time around both areas, and if you are trying to decide where to go, the answer really depends on what kind of beach experience you want.
Front Beach vs Back Beach: The Quick Answer
- For swimming and a classic beach day: Back Beach (Bãi Sau)
- For sunset and a waterfront walk: 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 Beaches, I would choose Back Beach during the day. Additionally, 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.
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.
The area is also much more geared toward beach visitors. You will find rows of chairs and umbrellas, cafes and restaurants, hotels and various activities along the beachfront.
The beach is particularly lively on weekends and holidays, while weekdays can feel considerably more relaxed.
How Much Do Beach Chairs and Umbrellas Cost?
This is one place where having a current price board is useful because prices can be difficult to find online.
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 the prices I personally photographed, so they are useful as a real-world reference rather than an old online menu.
Is Back Beach 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.
Front Beach or Back Beach for Swimming?
If swimming is your priority, choose Back Beach.
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.
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.
Older national tourism sources have described the broader Thùy Vân beach area as more than 10 kilometers, which appears to use a wider definition of the coastal stretch.
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.
Front Beach and Back Beach: 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 |
Can You Visit Both Beaches in One Day?
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.
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 toward Vung Tau Lighthouse.
You can also visit Hồ Mây Park 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.
If you are building a complete sightseeing plan, our upcoming Best Things to Do in Vung Tau guide will bring these attractions together.
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 on Trip.com 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.
Which Vung Tau beach is best for swimming?
Back Beach (Bãi Sau) is the main swimming beach in Vung Tau and the better choice if swimming is your priority.
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.
