Vung Tau Shore Excursion Uncover the Beauty from Phu My Port

The best part of this shore excursion is its clear sense of place. In one day, you move from rice fields and port roads to Vung Tau’s hilltop Jesus Christ Statue, a fishermen’s temple, a colonial villa, a sandy beach, and a local market. It is a useful introduction to southern Vietnam without having to arrange transport from the ship.

I like the private vehicle and the fact that entrance fees, lunch, an English-speaking guide, and one bottle of water are covered. I also like the mix of sights: this is not just a photo stop at a monument, and it is not only a beach day. The main drawback is pace. With seven stops packed into about eight hours and twenty minutes, you will see a lot but may not linger long at each place.

Key points to know before you book

• The day is centered on Vung Tau: Despite references elsewhere to My Tho, Ben Tre, the Tien River, and the island stops, the scheduled route visits Vung Tau attractions only.
• The Jesus Christ Statue requires a climb: The statue is 32 meters tall, and one account describes hundreds of steps to reach the viewpoint.
• Private transport makes the port connection easier: Your group travels in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle instead of joining a large coach.
• Lunch is included at a local restaurant: The meal features several Vietnamese dishes, while drinks beyond one mineral water cost extra.
• Back Beach gets two hours: This is the longest single stop, giving you time to rest after the morning’s sightseeing.
• Tom may be your guide: Tom is noted for clear explanations and a fun manner, though guide assignment can vary.

From Phu My Port to Vung Tau by road

Your day begins at Phu My Port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. The drive to Vung Tau takes about 40 minutes, with views of rice fields along National Highway 1.

That short transfer matters on a cruise day. You are not spending half the morning in a vehicle, and private transport means your group can settle in without waiting for a full busload of people. The air conditioning will also be welcome in southern Vietnam’s heat.

The tour lasts about eight hours and twenty minutes in all. The listed return begins at 5:00 PM, with another 40-minute drive back to the port. You should still confirm the exact pickup time before sailing, since the schedule needs to match your ship’s all-aboard time.

One practical point deserves attention. The introductory description refers to My Tho, Ben Tre, the Tien River, coconut candy, folk music, and four river islands. The detailed route provided for this day is different. It goes to Vung Tau, not the Mekong Delta. If you specifically want My Tho and Ben Tre, ask Up Travel Vietnam to confirm the route before paying.

Climbing to the 32-meter Jesus Christ Statue

The first major stop is the Jesus Christ Statue, one of Vung Tau’s best-known landmarks. The statue rises 32 meters above the city and offers broad views over Vung Tau and the coast.

The key thing to know is that this is not a drive-up viewpoint. You climb stairs to reach it. A published account describes the climb as hundreds of steps, so wear shoes with a secure grip and bring water. One bottle is included, but you may want more, especially on a hot day.

The climb is the physical high point of the tour, quite literally. If you are comfortable with stairs, the reward is a sweeping view across the city and shoreline. If stairs are difficult for you, this stop may feel demanding, and you should raise that concern when booking.

You have about one hour here. That gives you time for the climb, photographs, and a look at the statue itself, but it is not an open-ended hike. The guide can help place the monument in the setting of Vung Tau and point out the coastline below.

The Whale Temple and southern fishing traditions

The next stop is Thang Tam Temple, commonly called the Whale Temple. Local fishermen worship the whale spirit here, asking for safe and successful fishing.

This stop adds a cultural layer that a beach-and-monument outing would miss. The temple reflects the practical beliefs of a coastal community. For generations, the sea has been both a source of food and a source of danger, so the whale tradition is tied to work, safety, and gratitude.

You have one hour at the temple. The architecture combines Vietnamese traditional elements with French influence, giving you something to examine beyond the religious purpose of the site.

Your English-speaking guide is especially useful here. A temple can be easy to treat as a quick photo stop if you do not understand its role. Tom, one of the guides connected with this experience, is noted for explaining clearly and keeping the tone light. Guide assignments can change, but clear interpretation is important at a place like this.

White Palace, a hilltop colonial residence

White Palace, or Bach Dinh, follows the temple. This elegant villa once served as a summer residence for French governors and sits on a hill above Vung Tau.

The building offers a different view of the city’s past. Rather than focusing on local fishing customs, it shows the colonial layer of southern Vietnam. You will see a formal residence with French design influences and a hilltop setting.

The stop lasts about an hour, enough for a measured visit and photographs. It also breaks up the day nicely. The statue gives you a high outdoor viewpoint, the temple brings you into a local religious setting, and White Palace shifts the focus to architecture and colonial administration.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a compact sightseeing visit, not an extended museum tour. The strongest value comes from seeing several contrasting places in one day and hearing your guide connect them.

Vietnamese lunch in Vung Tau

Around midday, you stop at a local restaurant for lunch. The meal includes several dishes that reflect southern Vietnamese cooking, with fresh local ingredients mentioned as part of the meal.

Lunch is included in the $231 price, along with tax and service charges. That removes one common shore-excursion worry: finding a restaurant, dealing with unfamiliar menus, and watching the clock while trying to get back to the ship.

Drinks beyond the included mineral water are not covered. Plan to pay separately for soft drinks or other beverages. Personal purchases and tips for the guide and driver are also extra.

Because the meal is described as a traditional Vietnamese spread rather than a single fixed dish, the experience should suit anyone who wants more than a familiar international lunch. Still, the available details do not specify the exact menu or dietary accommodations. If you have food restrictions, ask before departure.

Two hours at Thuy Van, or Back Beach

After the morning’s cultural stops and lunch, the schedule gives you two hours at Thuy Van Beach, also known as Back Beach. This is the longest stop of the day.

The beach offers a change of rhythm. You can walk along the sand, sit by the water, or simply cool down after the statue climb. The tour description calls it one of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches and highlights its long stretch of fine sand and broad coastal setting.

Do not confuse this with a fully organized resort day. The supplied details do not promise chairs, umbrellas, changing facilities, or water activities. Think of it as free time by the coast rather than a packaged beach-club visit.

Two hours is a useful amount of time. You are not being rushed through a ten-minute photo stop, yet you still have enough time afterward for the market. If your ideal shore day includes swimming and a slow afternoon, Back Beach is the part of the itinerary most likely to please you.

Vung Tau Market after the beach

The final sightseeing stop is Vung Tau Market. This is where you see ordinary local commerce rather than a polished monument.

The market sells fresh produce, seafood, and handmade goods. It is a good place to observe what people buy for daily life and to look for small souvenirs. The atmosphere should feel more practical than staged, which gives the stop its appeal.

You have about one hour here. That is enough for a walk through the market and perhaps a few purchases, but keep personal spending in mind. The price covers the tour services, not anything you take home.

If you are uncomfortable with bargaining or uncertain about local prices, ask your guide for help. An English-speaking guide can also explain unfamiliar foods and products. Remember that the market is not just a shopping stop. It is the day’s clearest look at everyday Vung Tau after the more formal sights.

What $231 buys you

At $231 per person, this is not a budget port shuttle. The value depends on how much you care about privacy, a guide, and a tightly arranged day.

The price includes private air-conditioned transport for your group, entrance fees, an English-speaking guide, lunch, one mineral water, taxes, and service charges. You do not need to organize separate taxis between the port, statue, temple, palace, beach, and market.

That convenience has real value on a cruise stop. Missing the ship because of a poorly timed independent outing is an expensive mistake. A private itinerary also lets you ask questions and travel with only your own group.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a beach and a quick look around town. You would be paying for a full sightseeing program even if you planned to skip the statue, temple, or White Palace. It also does not include gratuities, extra drinks, or personal shopping.

Group discounts are available, though the amount is not specified. If several people from your sailing want the same day out, ask about the discount before booking. For a private group, the per-person cost may make more sense than it first appears.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to cruise passengers who want a broad first look at Vung Tau and prefer having transport, tickets, lunch, and interpretation arranged in advance.

It suits you especially well if you enjoy:

• Several different types of stops in one day
• Coastal viewpoints and historic buildings
• A local temple with a clear connection to fishing life
• Some beach time without giving up sightseeing
• A private group rather than a large coach
• A guide who can explain customs and landmarks in English

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the private setup, since the day does not require joining strangers. Still, the statue climb could be tiring for anyone with limited mobility. The activity information says most people can participate and that service animals are allowed, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information for the stairs or individual attractions.

This is not the best choice if you want a slow, unstructured day. The route moves from stop to stop, and the timetable leaves little room for adding extra attractions. It is also not the right booking for a Mekong Delta excursion unless the operator confirms a change to the route.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

Wear light, comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for stairs. The statue is the only stop specifically described as involving a substantial climb, but comfortable footwear will help throughout the day.

Bring sun protection and extra cash for drinks, souvenirs, and tips. The included mineral water is useful, but one bottle may not be enough for a full day in warm weather.

Your main transport is a private, air-conditioned vehicle. That is a strong advantage for the 40-minute journeys between Phu My Port and Vung Tau. The tour ends back at the same port meeting point, which keeps the cruise-day logistics simple.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The policy uses local time, so do not leave the decision until the last minute.

Should you book this Vung Tau shore excursion?

Book it if you want an efficient, private day that combines Vung Tau’s main sights with lunch, a beach break, and a market visit. The best features are the private transport, the variety of stops, and the guide support, with Tom receiving particular praise for clear and friendly explanations.

Think twice if you are seeking a quiet beach day, have difficulty with many stairs, or were expecting a Mekong Delta river trip. The route details point firmly to Vung Tau, and the packed schedule favors breadth over long visits.

For most cruise passengers with one day at Phu My Port, this is a practical way to see more than the port area. Just confirm the exact route, pickup time, guide arrangements, and any food or mobility needs before you sail.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Phu My Port, at Đường số 3, TT. Phú Mỹ, Tân Thành, Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu, Vietnam.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the Phu My Port meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 20 minutes.

How long is the drive from Phu My Port to Vung Tau?

The drive to Vung Tau takes about 40 minutes, and the return drive also takes about 40 minutes.

Is transportation private?

Yes. Your group has private transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant is included.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees for the attractions on the route are included.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

The activity information says most people can participate. Keep in mind that the visit to the Jesus Christ Statue involves a substantial stair climb.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.