About 125km away from Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is a popular weekend escape from the bustling HCMC to a city known for its beautiful beaches. You can travel to Vung Tau by car, bus, or even on new speedboat routes launched in the beginning of 2018 from HCMC to Vung Tau, taking 2 hours.

Villa Blanche (Bach Dinh)

Summer holiday house of French Governor General Paul Doumer, built by the French (1989-1916). 

Villa Blanche is located on the slope of Big Mountain, along Tran Phu St., at 50m above sea level. The outside walls are decorated with beading and Hellenic statues. 

Today Villa Blanche exhibits hundreds of antiques collected from Cau Islet-Con Dao and is the cultural destination which attracts thousands of tourists every day.

Jesus Statue

A challenge for tourists: to climb 847 steps to meet a 32-meter tall Jesus on the top of Small Mountain (Nui Nho) with his outstretched arms span over 18.4 meters, facing the sea. This is the biggest Jesus statue in Asia. 

You can also stand on the statue’s shoulders and admire the views of the town and the whole coastline. Under the foot of the statue hosts the exhibition of its construction from start to finish.

Ho May Park

An amusement park located on Big Mountain (Nui Lon), with 2 artificial lakes, playgrounds for kids and water park, Ho May Park is known as one of the best spots for families to visit. You can also visit the 30-meter high Maitreya Statue and Buddha Cave which are dedicated to 33 founders of Chen sect.

There is a resort to stay over, so visitors can have a view of the stunning, breathtaking sunset.

The Robert Taylor Museum of Worldwide Arms

A must-attend museum if you are interested in military history. Owned by Robert Taylor, who has lived in the city for more than 25 years, the museum – opened since 2012 – exhibits over 2,000 army items, from military weapons to uniforms from every major power over many eras. 

Most displays have descriptions written in English about their origins and uses.