Vung Tau Shore Excursion Uncover the Beauty from Phu My Port

The best part of this shore trip is its mix of coastal views and local places. From Phu My Port, you ride to Vung Tau for the Jesus Christ Statue, Whale Temple, White Palace, a Vietnamese lunch, the market, and time on Back Beach.

I like the private vehicle and the full day of sightseeing without a large group. I also like the chance to see more than a beach resort, especially at the Whale Temple and Vung Tau Market. Guide Tom has been praised for clear, fun explanations.

One important caution: the overview refers to My Tho, Ben Tre, river islands, and coconut candy, but the detailed schedule is entirely about Vung Tau. Confirm the exact route before booking, since those are different destinations.

Key points at a glance

• About 100 steps to the Jesus Statue: You need enough energy for the climb, but the city and sea views reward the effort.
• Private transportation from Phu My Port: Your group gets an air-conditioned vehicle for the approximately 40-minute ride each way.
• A useful mix of history and daily life: White Palace and the Whale Temple are paired with lunch, market time, and Back Beach.
• Guide Tom is specifically named: He is noted for clear explanations and a fun manner.
• Lunch and entry fees are included: You pay separately for personal purchases, tips, and drinks beyond the one bottle of water.
• Check the advertised route: The detailed stops point to Vung Tau, not the Mekong Delta locations mentioned in the general description.

Vung Tau instead of the Mekong Delta

The first thing to sort out is the destination. The general description talks about My Tho and Ben Tre, a cruise on the Tien River, four islands, coconut candy, and southern folk music. The timed program, however, takes you to Vung Tau and lists a city statue, temple, colonial villa, beach, and market.

That difference matters. Vung Tau is a seaside city in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. My Tho and Ben Tre are Mekong Delta destinations with a different setting and a different style of sightseeing. If you want the Vung Tau attractions described below, this route fits. If you specifically want boats, river islands, and coconut workshops, ask Up Travel Vietnam to confirm the program before you pay.

The listed duration is about eight hours and 20 minutes, with departure from Phu My Port and return to the same meeting point. The schedule begins with a 40-minute drive and ends with another 40-minute drive, so you get a useful amount of time in Vung Tau rather than spending the whole day on the road.

Leaving Phu My Port for Vung Tau

Your day begins at Phu My Port, Đường số 3, TT. Phú Mỹ, Tân Thành, Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu. The ride to Vung Tau takes about 40 minutes and follows National Highway 1 through rice-growing country.

This transfer is part of the value of booking a private shore excursion. You avoid arranging a taxi at the port and have a guide with you from the beginning. You can ask questions during the drive, and your group does not need to follow the pace of a large coach.

The tour provides an air-conditioned vehicle and one bottle of mineral water. That is helpful in southern Vietnam, where a full day of outdoor stops can feel demanding. Bring extra money for additional drinks, food beyond the included lunch, shopping, and a tip for the guide or driver.

Climbing to the 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 and looks out over the city and coast.

The climb is the practical issue here. A previous booking described about 100 steps to reach the statue, so wear shoes that are comfortable on stairs and keep your water handy. The route is not a quick roadside photo stop. You need to allow time to climb, look around, and come back down.

The payoff is the view. From above, you can see Vung Tau, the shoreline, and the surrounding area. This is likely to be one of the most memorable parts of the day, particularly if you enjoy seeing a place from a high point rather than only visiting buildings at street level.

Your guide can add context as you go. Tom is specifically praised for explaining things clearly and keeping the visit enjoyable. The provider says most people can take part, but the stair climb is still worth considering if anyone in your group has limited mobility.

Meeting Vung Tau’s Whale Temple

The next stop is Thang Tam Temple, commonly called the Whale Temple. Local fishermen come here to honor the whale spirit and ask for safety and good fortune at sea.

This visit gives you a different view of Vung Tau. The statue offers a broad coastal panorama, while the temple connects the city to the people who depend on the water. Its design combines Vietnamese traditional elements with French influences, according to the tour description.

The temple is not simply another old building on a checklist. It helps explain why whales hold a respected place in coastal communities in Vietnam. Your English-speaking guide can make the symbols and local customs easier to understand, especially if you have not visited a Vietnamese temple before.

Allow about an hour here. Dress respectfully for the religious setting. The supplied information does not list a formal dress rule, but modest clothing is a sensible choice at any temple.

White Palace and the French colonial past

White Palace, or Bach Dinh, sits on a hill and was used as a summer residence by French governors. The building mixes French colonial design with local touches, giving you a look at the period when European power shaped Vietnam’s architecture and government.

The hill setting adds another change of pace after the temple. You are not only looking at a villa from the outside. The stop is scheduled for about an hour, so you have time to take in the building and its surroundings.

I like this pairing of White Palace with the Whale Temple. One stop reflects local coastal belief, while the other points to the colonial era. Together, they make the day more than a simple beach outing.

The drawback is that the program moves through several major stops in one day. If you want long, slow visits at each site, the hour allocated here may feel short. If you are visiting Vung Tau for the first time from a cruise ship, the broad sampling makes better sense.

A local Vietnamese lunch at midday

Around midday, you stop at a local restaurant for lunch. The meal is described as a traditional Vietnamese spread with fresh seafood and other regional dishes.

Lunch is included, which makes the $231 price easier to assess. You do not have to search for a restaurant in an unfamiliar city, and the timing keeps the day moving. You should still budget for drinks beyond the included mineral water.

The exact menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular seafood dish. Instead, think of lunch as a chance to try several southern Vietnamese flavors in a prepared setting. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the operator before departure, since the supplied details do not explain how special diets are handled.

Two hours at Back Beach

After the cultural stops and lunch, you spend about two hours at Thuy Van Beach, better known as Back Beach. It is described as a long sandy beach with open coastal views.

This is useful breathing room in a busy itinerary. You can walk, sit by the water, or simply take a break from temples, stairs, and indoor sightseeing. The tour description does not say that beach chairs, umbrellas, swimming equipment, or changing facilities are included, so plan on basic beach time rather than a structured resort visit.

Back Beach also gives you a feel for Vung Tau as a seaside escape for people from southern Vietnam. The visit is less about checking off another monument and more about seeing how the city functions as a coastal destination.

Two hours is generous compared with the one-hour cultural stops. If you want a packed day of museums and historic buildings, this may feel like too much free time. If you welcome a pause after the Jesus Statue climb, it is a sensible part of the schedule.

Shopping and everyday life at Vung Tau Market

The final main stop is Vung Tau Market, scheduled for about an hour. You can browse fresh produce, seafood, handmade goods, and other items used in daily life.

This is where the tour moves closest to ordinary local activity. Historic buildings tell you about the past, but a market shows you what people buy, eat, and handle today. Go slowly, look carefully, and ask your guide about unfamiliar foods or products.

Bring Vietnamese currency if you plan to buy anything, though the provided details do not state which payment methods sellers accept. Personal purchases are not included in the tour price. Keep your belongings close in any busy market, and do not feel pressured to buy simply because you are browsing.

The market stop is also a good place to use your guide. An English-speaking guide can explain what you are seeing and help you understand the difference between a useful local product and a souvenir aimed mainly at visitors.

The private format and guide support

This is a private activity, so only your group takes part. That is a major advantage for a cruise-port day. You can ask for clarification, spend a little longer at a favorite sight, or keep the pace comfortable within the fixed schedule.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and used throughout the tour. That matters in a warm climate and makes the 40-minute port transfers easier. Entry fees, tax, service charges, lunch, and the guide are included, so the main extra costs are purchases, extra drinks, and gratuities.

The guide is listed as an English speaker. Tom is the only guide named in the supplied information, and his clear, friendly explanations are a useful sign for anyone who values context rather than a simple ride between stops. Since guide assignment can vary, confirm who will lead your group if having Tom specifically is important.

Is $231 a fair price?

At $231 per person, this is not a budget shore outing. The value comes from the private vehicle, port pickup and return, a full day of sightseeing, entry fees, lunch, and an English-speaking guide.

It makes more financial sense for a small group that wants convenience and privacy. Splitting a private tour among several people can also make the per-person cost easier to accept, and group discounts may be available. For one person or a couple focused only on a beach visit, the price may feel high.

You are also paying to reduce port-day uncertainty. A prearranged vehicle and guide help you avoid negotiating transport at Phu My and give you a planned return to the ship area. The schedule ends with a 5:00 PM departure toward Phu My, but you should still confirm the exact timing against your ship’s departure.

The biggest value question is the route itself. The detailed program supports a Vung Tau day. The broader description supports a Mekong Delta day. Get that clarified before booking, since the price is only good value if the destination matches what you want.

Who should book this Vung Tau day?

I would choose this tour if you want a private, structured introduction to Vung Tau from a cruise stop. It suits you if you enjoy a mixture of viewpoints, religious places, colonial architecture, local food, market browsing, and beach time.

It is also a good match for families or small groups that prefer their own vehicle. Most people can participate, service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation, although the tour itself includes private transport.

You should think twice if stairs are difficult for you, since reaching the Jesus Statue involves about 100 steps. You may also prefer another plan if your main goal is the Mekong Delta, river boats, Ben Tre, My Tho, or coconut candy. Those experiences are mentioned in the general description but are not part of the detailed Vung Tau schedule.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the confirmed route is Vung Tau and you want a private day with solid variety. The Jesus Statue provides the big view, the Whale Temple adds local meaning, White Palace supplies colonial context, and the market and beach keep the trip from feeling like a series of formal monuments.

I would not book until the provider confirms whether you are getting the Vung Tau program or the My Tho and Ben Tre program described elsewhere. Once that point is clear, the private transport, included lunch, entry fees, and guide support make this a practical choice for a port visit, especially for a small group willing to pay for ease and personal attention.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Phu My Port.

How long does the excursion last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 20 minutes.

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

The drive takes about 40 minutes each way.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The tour includes private transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle for the full excursion.

Is lunch included?

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

Are attraction entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees for the listed attractions are included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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