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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.
Historically, Vung Tau used to be part of Bien Hoa. The first
settlements in this area occurred during the reign of King Gia Long.
During this period, there were many Malay bandits in this region. They
often enter the area through Song Be entrance from the ocean. This
created a threat for merchants in the Gia Dinh area.
King Gia Long sent three garrisons of troops to the area to quell the
disturbance and to clear this area for settlement. A few years later,
the bandits were driven away and in 1822, King Ming Mang rewarded the
three officers who led the army to this region. The soldiers were
allowed to retire and brought their families to this area to make a
living. The first three successful settlements in this area were under
the leadership of the three officers who originally led the troops here.
Thang Nhat (first win) township, Thang Nhi (second win) township and
Thang Tam (third win) township were led by Mr. Pham Van Dinh, Mr. Le Van
Loc, and Mr. Ngo Van Huyen respectively. Ever since then, this area is
known as Tam Thang or Three Wins. The name Vung Tau came about because
the geography in this area also forms a natural bay where many merchant
ships would stop to seek shelter. In time, this area became known as
Vung (puddle) Tau (ships). Another name for this area is Cap Saint
Jacques or Au Cap in French.
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.
A
serpentine road 6 km long hugging Small Mountain starts from Bai Truoc
(Front Beach), passes by Nghinh Phong (Windy Point) and leads to Bai Sau
(Rear Beach). Named Ha Long (Descending Dragon), the winding road goes
up and down along the shore, offering a spectacular view of the skyline
and refreshing ocean wind. Facing the ocean on three sides, Vung Tau is
windy all year round and has 2 distinct seasons, rainy from May to
October and dry from November to April. Average temperature is 28 deg.
C.
Another
winding road 10 km long circling Big Mountain starts from fishing
village Ben Dinh, passes through Bai Dau and ends at Front Beach.
Traditionally a weekend get-away spot for city dwellers from Saigon,
Vung Tau has also a significant fishing industry. With oil riggs only 70
km off shore, the city is a center of services for the exploitation of
gas and oil
Thich Ca Phat Dai Pagoda
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.
Niet Ban
Tinh Xa - Temple of Nirvana
Niet Ban tinh Xa is also known as Chua Phat Nam or the Pagoda of the
Lying Buddha. The pagoda is 3 km from town and sits on the side of Nui
Nho mountain facing the ocean. Work began on the pagoda in 1969 and was
completed in 1974. This is probably the most beautiful pagoda in Vung
Tau for its many intricate architectural details and the granite work
around the pagoda. There is a flag tower standing 21 m high in front of
the temple covered by ceramic tiles. Perching atop the tower is a Lotus,
signifying Buddhist purity. There are 42 steps leading to the Lotus
signifying the first 42 pages of the Buddhist Sutra which made their way
to Vietnam in the 2nd century. The main area of the pagoda is built in
the likeness of the garden in which Buddha entered Nirvana. Here lies a
12 m statue of Buddha overlaid with marble. The gate of the garden is
guarded by two gods, Ong Thien (God of Goodness) and Ong Ac (God of
Evil). Standing in wait below the sleeping Buddha is the likeness of his
closest disciples. To the rear of the temple is the boat Bat Nha built
of concrete to signify Buddhism as a craft in which mankind can escape
Be Kho or Sea of Sorrow. In the upper level hangs the giant bronze bell
Dai Hong Chung 3.5 m high and weighing 3.5 tons.
Statue
of Jesus
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.
Bach
Dinh - Villa Blanche
Bach Dinh or the White Mansion was built during the French
occupation. The mansion sits at the bottom of Nui Lon overlooking the
South China Sea and is one of Vung Tau's major landmark. Work on the
mansion began in 1898 and was completed in 1916. At the time, no
expenses were spared as the amount of work and manpower involved in
laying the road leading to the mansion were done almost completely by
manual labor. Commissioned by French governor Paul Doumer, this mansion
has served as summer retreat for Emperor Bao Dai as well as vacation
home for vietnamese heads of state. The mansion is 50 m above sea level
and is designed in the style of 19th century French architecture. The
grounds of the mansion still show signs of a once glamorous lifestyle of
the French governor who commissioned this building. The garden has an
open air dance floor and many statues and details of Greek mythology. In
terms of historical significance, Bach Dinh was where King Thanh Thai of
the Nguyen Dynasty was under house arrest before he was finally exiled
to Reunion island in Africa.
VUNG TAU
BEACHES
Bai Sau - Rear Beach
Bai Sau is also known as Bai
Thuy Van. This stretch of beach is located in the southe ast side of town
and is about 10 km in length from the base of Nui Nho. The most popular
beach in Vung Tau, it is packed with Saigonese every weekend during the
summer months. Teenagers arrive on scooters (3 hrs travel), locals by
mini-van or bus (2 hrs) and affluent tourists by hydro-foil boats (1 1/2
hr). The sea is calm during the rainy season but there are frequent
periods of high winds and big waves during the dry season. Strong
undertow currents make swimming dangerous in some spots.
Bai Dua - Pineapple Beach
Historically known for its wild pineapple trees and black rocks, Bai Dua
is located at the foot of Nui Nho Mountain. It is the smallest of the
four major beaches in Vung Tau but very popular for its calm waters and
its majestic sunset. Bai Dua is also known as Huong Phuong beach.
Visitors come to this rocky cove for its tranquility and cleanliness.
Bai Truoc - Front Beach
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.
Paradise Beach
In 1994, a taiwanese
conglomerate paid a large sum of money to the vietnamese government for
the right to build a theme park with private beach on the northern end
of Bai Sau. This beach, not too aptly named Paradise Beach, is open to
the public but requires an entrance fee. Everything here costs twice as
much as at the other beaches. It is populated mostly with group tourists
from other asian countries.
Bai Dau
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
Hon Ba
Hon Ba - Islet of the Goddess, just off Nghinh Phong tip between Bai Dua
and Bai Sau, can be reached only on foot when the tide is low. It has
the shape of a tortoise and is home to a temple built by fishermen in
honor of the Goddess of the Sea.
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