What to do in Vung Tau?

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Hopefully this is in the right section. I will be traveling to Vung Tau Vietnam sometime around the first of May. I'll be staying for about a month and wondered what things my sweetie and I can do while I'm there? I'd think that there are lots of things to do that Thao has probably never done because of money constraints. There are bound to be dozens of amazing places, things to do and places to see in the area? I'd like to travel around some too if it's not a huge hassle? I've been told to STAY OFF the motor bikes..LOL I'd really rather not ride behind her either. I'm 6'3" and am sure I'm gonna look like a monkey...you know..LOL Any ideas or input would be great!!

Kevin

[AnhSau 0]

Avoid the Russian sailors...

[Anh map 2,098]

It's a nice coastal town. Not a lot of touristy things in the area. Kick back and drink some iced coffee looking at the fishing boats.

Take a hydrofoil upriver to HCMC/Saigon and spend some time there to hear history from the other point of view. It's a quick trip.

I'm jealous.

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Avoid the Russian sailors...

I'm not that kind of boy If you'd stayed longer than 10 days (and not only concentrated on one thing for the 10) YOU could be some help! LOL

[b_weeks 6]

I know many Vietnamese from the HCMC area go there to enjoy the beaches.

Apparently they are very nice, but I also hear they are crowded at times.

[luckytxn 2,264]

There is a huge statue of Jesus there and I suggest to go climb up the mountain to go see it. The views are he beaches are very breathtaking. There is also a statue of the Virgin Mary and go see that but never got to the statue but there was a church at the bottom before the trail that one hikes up that had people chanting in unison to something that was very eerie. beautiful climb again. There was also a buddhist temple in the side of a hill that was cool. The beaches were very nice.

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

All I think of Vung Tau is Seafood, eat eat eat, and relax, nice weather in vung tau.

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

I'm sure Thao will have a lot of things for us to do. I knew all of you would have some good suggestions though! She said she would take me fishing so I'm looking forward to that. The hydrofoil sounds really interesting too. The beach is definitely going to be done to death!!

[Anh map 2,098]

Here's a little bit of Vung Tau and the hydrofoils. They are russian made so not a lot of luxury. Lind of like waiting room chairs attached to the deck.

http://www.henrybechtold.freewebspace.com/2006VungTau.html

[Melrose Plant 1]

I'd like to travel around some too if it's not a huge hassle? I've been told to STAY OFF the motor bikes..LOL I'd really rather not ride behind her either. I'm 6'3" and am sure I'm gonna look like a monkey...you know..LOL

Kevin

Why have you been told to stay off motorbikes? It's just like riding at Sturgis, only quieter. And people are going to stare at a big, white guy no matter what you're doing, so it's no use worrying about how you appear to other people.

I say this half jokingly, but then I've got 25 years' riding experience in everything from mountain roads to the beltway around Washington, D.C. It didn't take long to get into the Vietnamese motorbike rhythm. Joe Six Pack should weigh in on this subject. He's out there riding around just fine (OK, with one mishap), and his experience has been with much larger equipment.

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

I was told that It was too dangerous and assumed (I guess) that there were some sort of rules against it. The more I learn about it though, I think I'll be finding a way to either purchase or borrow one. Thao has a motorbike and I'm sure will be able to help me find something to ride. I've ridden motorcycles all my life so I'm not the least bit apprehensive about it. I've read the best bet was to just buy something "decent" then sell it before you leave?

[caochi 0]

I was told that It was too dangerous and assumed (I guess) that there were some sort of rules against it. The more I learn about it though, I think I'll be finding a way to either purchase or borrow one. Thao has a motorbike and I'm sure will be able to help me find something to ride. I've ridden motorcycles all my life so I'm not the least bit apprehensive about it. I've read the best bet was to just buy something "decent" then sell it before you leave?

Kevin&Thao, I agreed with you that buy motobike and sell them before we leave. Last year, I saw a motobike (made from China) around 9 trieu to 20 trieu ( ~ 600 to 1200 USD) to have new. It may the same rice which you move place to place through taxi, bus, .... The only concern is how to bike. Last year, it toook me only about 100 m to get familiar with, after that, I rode motobike from Saigon to Gia Kiem, Long thanh, Binh Duong, ... without any problems. It saved lots of money and very funny when you can feel your freedom.

I plan to return VN in May too and Vung tau will be one of my stop. Looking to see you there.

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

I was told that It was too dangerous and assumed (I guess) that there were some sort of rules against it. The more I learn about it though, I think I'll be finding a way to either purchase or borrow one. Thao has a motorbike and I'm sure will be able to help me find something to ride. I've ridden motorcycles all my life so I'm not the least bit apprehensive about it. I've read the best bet was to just buy something "decent" then sell it before you leave?

Kevin&Thao, I agreed with you that buy motobike and sell them before we leave. Last year, I saw a motobike (made from China) around 9 trieu to 20 trieu ( ~ 600 to 1200 USD) to have new. It may the same rice which you move place to place through taxi, bus, .... The only concern is how to bike. Last year, it toook me only about 100 m to get familiar with, after that, I rode motobike from Saigon to Gia Kiem, Long thanh, Binh Duong, ... without any problems. It saved lots of money and very funny when you can feel your freedom.

I plan to return VN in May too and Vung tau will be one of my stop. Looking to see you there.

If you see me you should definitely stop and introduce yourself. I won't be hard to spot. I'm 6'3" and have gray hair..LOL

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

I just finished talking to my little sweetie and SOME THINGS JUST DON'T TRANSLATE!! LOL Are there any special requirements for me to ride a motorcycle there? I asked her if there were rentals there or if I would need to buy one. She didn't answer the rental part and said yes I could buy one. But when I asked if there was a permit or license I needed VDict was no help..LOL She tried to explain but I never fully understood whether or not I could get in trouble for riding??

[toddandhien 2]

I just finished talking to my little sweetie and SOME THINGS JUST DON'T TRANSLATE!! LOL Are there any special requirements for me to ride a motorcycle there? I asked her if there were rentals there or if I would need to buy one. She didn't answer the rental part and said yes I could buy one. But when I asked if there was a permit or license I needed VDict was no help..LOL She tried to explain but I never fully understood whether or not I could get in trouble for riding??

Kevin, I have spent almost 4 months in VN off and on. I bought Hien a nice motorbike a long time ago (I would call it a scooter because it is fully automatic and no foot controls - Honda Dylan 150). It is a nice bike and quite comfortable for 2 people to cruise short and long trips. We have been everywhere on this thing (including Vung Tau) and I always drive.

There is actually a "requirement" to have a license to drive a motorbike but is is not enforced. I worried early on but for no reason. The Cong An do not even look at me (although I am not 6'3", I still do not blend in easily ). Was stopped once going to the airport in HCM for being in the wrong lane (cars only). Did not ask for any ID or license. Hien said to slip him 200,000 VND which I did. problem solved and we were on our way.

Hien did not know what to tell me about the license thing early on either. I think the reason is that these girls have no experience with foreigners on motorbikes so how could they know? But wear your helmet because that is a hard rule since 12/15/07 and it IS enforced.

Do NOT EVER take your eyes off the road. My rule is that when you expect something could NOT happen, it will. I get that reinforced to me every time I go. Do not expect ANY rules of the road to be followed (including driving the wrong way on your side of the road) and beware traffic circles/rotaries. They all want to go in and out at the same time with no merger rules or right of way.

Be cautious and you will be fine.

Vung Tau is a tourist town. most tourist spots have xe rentals. Just go downtown along the beach when you get there and scope it out. They will have them right on the sidewalk so you will be able to spot them.