City in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vung Tau
Saigon's weekend beach city, with a coast road, seafood and a growing expat and remote-worker community. Easy and cheap for long stays; the beaches are average and crowded on weekends.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$694–1,080Comfortable, one person · ₫18M–28MDetails
- Value for money90/100Better value than 89% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–AprWarmest: Apr, 34°CDetails
- Internet301 MbpsFixed broadband, Vietnam medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; apartments usually have dispensers.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$8–23Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundGrabWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards in hotels, malls and chain cafés; cash for street food, seafood restaurants, markets and motorbike taxis.Details
Where to stay in Vung Tau
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Back Beach (Bai Sau) and Thuy Van street | Long-stay apartments, cafés, gyms, expats |
| Front Beach (Bai Truoc) and the center | Seafood, hotels, markets and easy walking |
| Ben Dinh–Pham Hong Thai area | Cheaper local food and long-stay rentals |
Apps that work in Vung Tau
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| GrabFood | Wide choice along the beaches and downtown |
| ShopeeFood | Cheaper local food, often with promotions |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Zalo
- VeXeRe: Booking buses and sleeper coaches
- Taxis: Metered taxis from large firms are fine; check the meter runs. Seafood restaurants should show prices before you order.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Vietnam.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards in hotels, malls and chain cafés; cash for street food, seafood restaurants, markets and motorbike taxis.
- Currency: Dong (VND). US$1 ≈ ₫25,953.96 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Foreign-card fees run roughly 20,000–110,000 VND per withdrawal and limits are low (often 2–5 million VND); compare banks.
- Tipping: Not expected; locals don't tip. Round up for drivers, and tip guides and spa staff for good service.
- Paying by phone: Apple and Google Pay work at contactless terminals; VietQR needs a Vietnamese bank account or a linked regional banking app.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Many nationalities need an e-visa: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, US$25/US$50, applied for online.
- Look-alike agency sites charge several times the official fee; use only the government .gov.vn e-visa portal.
- Airlines may refuse boarding without an onward ticket dated within your visa or visa-free period.
Emergency numbers
Police 113 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 114
Plugs
Type A, C · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Viettel, Vinaphone and MobiFone airport kiosks sell tourist SIMs with big data allowances; passport required. City shops are cheaper. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Vietnam
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.