Vung Tau is a resort town in the province of Dong Nai 125 km from Saigon. The town is a long strip approximately 14 km long and 6 km wide. Where the southern tip of town meets the ocean stand two famous mountains Nui Lon (Truong Ky) and Nui Nho (Tao Phung) or Large mountain and Small mountain.
Vung Tau is the first seaside resort for the elite in Vietnam. The first hotel, the Arduzer, was built in the 1870's and was a spa for the French leadership at the time. Over time, many more bungalows and vacation homes were built by the well to do of Saigon. Today, Vung Tau has many large and modern hotels on its 3 main beaches. Vung Tau is also known for its abundance of pagodas and temples, most of them lean against the mountains and face the ocean.
One of the largest pagoda in Vung Tau, this pagoda attracts pilgrims from the whole country. The pagoda is located 20 km from the center of town and sits on the north face of Nui Lon mountain. In 1957, Mr. Le Quang Vinh built a small temple at this site and called it Thien Lam Tu. In 1961, a larger temple was proposed by the many Buddhists in this region. Work commenced on July 20, 1961 and was completed in 1963. Various statues along the stairs leading to the pagoda describe the history of Buddha: Thích Ca Mâu Ni at his birth, his introduction to Buddhism and his becoming a Buddha. Thich Ca Phat Dai pagoda is made famous by its large and serene environment and its statue of Buddha, 6.2 m tall and in the meditation pose Kiê't Già, perching on a pedestal 4 m high shaped like a lotus.
On top of Nui Nho mountain stands the statue of Jesus overlooking the southern point of the peninsula and facing the South China Sea. The statue is 30 m high and was built in the early 70's. The statue is hollow. The inside is illuminated by light coming from 6 windows, 3 in the front, 3 in the back, that are shaped like the chinese character Tho (longevity). A spiral stair of 129 steps leads to the head. This is the largest sculpture in the South of Vietnam. Recent construction of a pathway has made the 30-minute hike up the mountain more pleasant and the panoramic view from various vista points along the way is magnificent.
Bai Truoc is also known as Bai Tam Duong. Tam Duong means "searching for the sun". The beach is located between Nui Lon mountain and Nui Nho mountain. From afar, the beach is shaped like a crescent moon, and along the beach, there are many coconut trees. Not a clean beach for swimming, it has many kiosks, open-air restaurants and bars and it is the beach closest to urban Vung Tau.
Bai Dau is situated 3 km northwest of town. It is a small, rocky beach but its water is calm, shallow and very clear. Known as "foreigners' beach", it is frequented by travelers who want relaxation. Vietnamese visitors also go to Bai Dau, but for a different reason: to eat at "Cay Bang", widely recognized as the best sea-food restaurant in Vung Tau.
This picture of the sunset on Bai Dua beach concludes our little "slide show" of Vung Tau. Visit us again on our next Vietnam destination.
