What is Vung Tau's primary economic driver?

Vung Tau serves as Vietnam's major crude oil extraction and production center. Offshore petroleum operations form the backbone of the local economy, though tourism related to its coastal location and proximity to Ho Chi Minh City has grown significantly in recent years.

When is the best time to visit Vung Tau?

The dry season from January through April offers the most favorable conditions, with February being the driest month (9 mm of rain) and temperatures averaging 25.8°C. May through October brings monsoon rains peaking at 382 mm in July, making these months less ideal for beach activities.

How far is Vung Tau from Ho Chi Minh City?

Vung Tau is located approximately 125 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. The drive typically takes 90–120 minutes by road, making it accessible as a weekend getaway for residents of the capital.

What are the main attractions in Vung Tau?

Historic sites include the Long Tan Cross memorial and Nui Dat ruins. Religious landmarks such as the Christ statue, Tượng Đức Mẹ La Vang, and Tượng Mẹ Maria reflect the city's Catholic heritage. The Bảo tàng địa đạo Long Phuoc museum documents Vietnam's resistance history.

What airport serves Vung Tau?

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City is the primary air gateway, located 70 kilometers away. Travel from the airport to central Vung Tau requires 90–120 minutes by vehicle.

What are typical daily temperatures in Vung Tau?

Temperatures remain warm year-round, ranging from an average of 25.2°C in January to 28.1°C in April. Highs peak at 32.7°C in April, while humidity is consistently elevated. Coastal location provides some moderation compared to inland areas.

Vung Tau: Coastal Beach City and Oil Hub of Southeast Vietnam

Vung Tau is a coastal city located approximately 125 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City in southeast Vietnam. With a population of around 1.19 million, it serves as both Vietnam's major crude oil extraction center and an increasingly popular beach destination for urban residents seeking weekend recreation. The city covers 141.1 square kilometers and comprises 16 urban wards on Vung Tau island, plus the commune of Long Son and Go Gang Island. As part of the greater Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area, Vung Tau has leveraged its strategic coastal location and accessibility via road and sea routes to establish itself as one of southern Vietnam's significant economic and leisure destinations. The city's dual identity as an industrial and recreational hub creates a unique urban landscape where offshore petroleum operations coexist with beach-oriented tourism infrastructure.

Updated 2026-05-03 · Source: GeoNames, Wikipedia

Image: Wikimedia Commons contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 via

Population: 1.2M
Climate: tropical monsoon
Best months: Jan–Apr

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Local currency

VND

Timezone

Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh

Vung Tau: Coastal Beach City and Oil Hub of Southeast Vietnam: 10.583, 107.250Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

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Climate

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Monthly normals (10-year window). Bars show precipitation, lines show average and max temperature.

Best months to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

What's around (within 10km, 65 POIs)

37
Pharmacies
7
Guesthouses
5
Cafés
5
Temples
5
Restaurants
2
ATMs
2
Markets
1
Viewpoints
1
Attractions

Top landmarks

Long Tan Crossmemorial
Nui datruins
Tượng đài Chiến thắng Bình Giãmemorial
Bảo tàng địa đạo Long Phướcmuseum
Tượng Đức Mẹ La Vangmemorial
Tượng Chúa Kitômemorial
Đức Mẹ Mân Côimemorial
Tượng Mẹ Mariamemorial
Luscombe Bowlmilitary
Đài liệt sĩmemorial

Nearest airports

OpenFlights.org

Tan Son Nhat International Airport
Ho Chi Minh City
SGN70km

Quick facts

Vung Tau is located approximately 125 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City in southeast Vietnam.
The city's population is approximately 1.19 million residents within 141.1 square kilometers.
Vung Tau serves as Vietnam's major crude oil extraction and production center.
February is the driest month, with only 9 millimeters of rain across 3 rainy days.
July receives the highest precipitation at 382 millimeters across 29 rainy days.
Average temperatures range from 25.2°C in January to 28.1°C in April.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is located 70 kilometers northwest of Vung Tau.
The optimal visiting period spans January through April, the dry season with minimal rainfall.
Vung Tau comprises 16 urban wards on Vung Tau island plus the communes of Long Son and Go Gang Island.
The Long Tan Cross is a significant memorial site commemorating the 1966 battle.
Vung Tau contains multiple religious monuments including the Christ statue and Tượng Đức Mẹ La Vang.
The Bảo tàng địa đạo Long Phuoc museum documents Vietnam's resistance history.
Highest temperatures peak at 32.7°C in April, moderated by the coastal location.
Within 10 kilometers, Vung Tau contains 37 pharmacies and 7 guesthouses.
The city is part of the greater Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area.

Geography and Climate

Vung Tau sits at coordinates 10.58°N, 107.25°E on Vietnam's southeast coast, positioned at sea level with direct access to the Gulf of Thailand. The city experiences a tropical monsoon climate with warm temperatures year-round. Average temperatures range from 25.2°C in January to 28.1°C in April, with humidity typically elevated throughout the year. The coastal location moderates extreme heat; highs peak at 32.7°C in April. The city receives most precipitation during the monsoon season from May through October, with July recording the highest rainfall at 382 mm across 29 rainy days. The dry season from January to April offers the most favorable conditions, with January receiving only 26 mm of rain across 5 days and February just 9 mm.

Coordinates: 10.58°N, 107.25°E
Area: 141.1 km²
Warmest month avg temperature: 28.1°C (April)
Wettest month precipitation: 382 mm (July)
Driest month precipitation: 9 mm (February)

Population and Economy

Vung Tau is home to approximately 1.19 million residents, making it a substantial urban center within the greater Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area. The city's economy is anchored by petroleum extraction operations, positioning it as Vietnam's primary crude oil production hub. This industrial foundation is complemented by an expanding tourism sector driven by its accessible coastal location and weekend-getaway appeal to residents of Ho Chi Minh City. The dual economic structure has attracted both industrial investment and consumer-oriented service development, creating a diverse commercial landscape that serves both energy sector workers and leisure travelers.

Population: ~1.19 million
Distance from Ho Chi Minh City: 125 km southeast
Primary economic sector: Petroleum extraction

Getting There

Vung Tau is readily accessible from Ho Chi Minh City via both road and sea routes, reinforcing its role as a convenient weekend destination. Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Vietnam's largest airport, is located approximately 70 kilometers northwest of Vung Tau and serves as the primary air gateway. From the airport, travelers typically require 90–120 minutes by road to reach central Vung Tau. Direct road connections to Ho Chi Minh City enable bus and private vehicle travel, while hydrofoil and ferry services provide alternative water-based transportation options that appeal to both commuters and leisure travelers.

Nearest airport: Tan Son Nhat International (SGN), 70 km
Drive time from Ho Chi Minh City: ~90–120 minutes
Primary transport modes: Road, sea routes, air

Best Time to Visit

The optimal visiting period for Vung Tau is the dry season from January through April, when rainfall is minimal and temperatures remain comfortable. January and February are the coolest months, averaging 25.2°C and 25.8°C respectively, with minimal precipitation. March and April remain dry with temperatures rising to 27–28°C. During this window, February is particularly favorable, receiving only 9 mm of rain. Beginning in May, the monsoon season introduces heavy rainfall that peaks in July with 382 mm across 29 rainy days, continuing through October. May through October sees daily highs in the 29–31°C range but with substantially elevated humidity and frequent rain, making these months less suitable for beach activities but potentially quieter for travelers willing to accept wet conditions.

Dry season: January–April
Driest month: February (9 mm)
Least comfortable months: May–October (monsoon)
Average temperature range: 25.2–28.1°C

Historic and Cultural Landmarks

Vung Tau contains several significant historic and cultural sites reflecting Vietnam's military and religious heritage. The Long Tan Cross, a memorial to the 1966 battle, and Nui Dat ruins represent sites of military historical importance. Religious monuments are prominent in the city's landscape, including multiple statues—the Tượng Chúa Kitô (Christ statue), Tượng Đức Mẹ La Vang, and Tượng Mẹ Maria—which reflect Vung Tau's Catholic heritage. The Bảo tàng địa đạo Long Phước (Long Phuoc Tunnels Museum) documents the city's role in Vietnamese resistance history. Luscombe Bowl represents another military-historical site. These landmarks collectively illustrate Vung Tau's layered history as both a site of military conflict and religious significance.

Primary memorial sites: Long Tan Cross, Nui Dat ruins
Religious monuments: Christ statue, La Vang, Maria statues
Museum presence: Long Phuoc Tunnels Museum

Local Services and Facilities

Vung Tau's urban infrastructure supports both resident and visitor needs. Within a 10-kilometer radius, the city contains 37 pharmacies indicating robust healthcare retail availability, 2 ATMs, 7 guesthouses, and modest restaurant and cafe services (5 restaurants, 5 cafes). Markets (2 total) provide local shopping options. The limited OSM data suggests that higher-amenity tourism infrastructure may be concentrated in specific zones rather than distributed city-wide, or that commercial mapping coverage is incomplete. For standard urban services, central Vung Tau functions as a functional beach city with adequate accommodation, dining, and banking options, though travelers should plan for limited tourism-specific POI density compared to major resort destinations.

Pharmacies (10km radius): 37
Guesthouses (10km radius): 7
Restaurants (10km radius): 5
ATMs (10km radius): 2

Frequently asked questions

What is Vung Tau's primary economic driver?: Vung Tau serves as Vietnam's major crude oil extraction and production center. Offshore petroleum operations form the backbone of the local economy, though tourism related to its coastal location and proximity to Ho Chi Minh City has grown significantly in recent years.
When is the best time to visit Vung Tau?: The dry season from January through April offers the most favorable conditions, with February being the driest month (9 mm of rain) and temperatures averaging 25.8°C. May through October brings monsoon rains peaking at 382 mm in July, making these months less ideal for beach activities.
How far is Vung Tau from Ho Chi Minh City?: Vung Tau is located approximately 125 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. The drive typically takes 90–120 minutes by road, making it accessible as a weekend getaway for residents of the capital.
What are the main attractions in Vung Tau?: Historic sites include the Long Tan Cross memorial and Nui Dat ruins. Religious landmarks such as the Christ statue, Tượng Đức Mẹ La Vang, and Tượng Mẹ Maria reflect the city's Catholic heritage. The Bảo tàng địa đạo Long Phuoc museum documents Vietnam's resistance history.
What airport serves Vung Tau?: Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City is the primary air gateway, located 70 kilometers away. Travel from the airport to central Vung Tau requires 90–120 minutes by vehicle.
What are typical daily temperatures in Vung Tau?: Temperatures remain warm year-round, ranging from an average of 25.2°C in January to 28.1°C in April. Highs peak at 32.7°C in April, while humidity is consistently elevated. Coastal location provides some moderation compared to inland areas.

More about Vung Tau: Coastal Beach City and Oil Hub of Southeast Vietnam

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Sources & methodology

Geographic data from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Narrative sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) and structured by Claude. Map by © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). See the methodology and sources registry for full attribution and update cadence.

This page last refreshed 2026-05-03 · generation v3.