VUNG TAU

Vung Tau is an old port, and the first Vietnamsese area to be visited by local vacationers. It is located on a 110 sq km area, 125 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City.

With an average temperature of 28OC and 20 km of beautiful coastline, it’s no wonder that it’s a popular sport.Vung Tau resort

Vung Tau has five beaches scattered over the peninsula. Bai Truoc, also called Front Beach, is located on the northern side and stands between the Nho and Lon mountains. Restaurants, kiosks and hotels are accessible from the beachfront. Vong Nguyen, also called O Quang Beach, is a peaceful cove with stronger winds. Surfers particularly enjoy this area.

Bai Dua or Dua Beach is located approcimately 2 km from the centre of the city. It’s a little quieter than Vung Tau’s other beaches. Bai Sau, also called Back Beach, is the longest stretch of sand on the peninsula. It is located approximately 2km from town on the southeast side. It is exposed to the South China Sea’s wind and surfing here is excellent. And finally, Bai Dau Beach is located at the foot of Lon Mountain. It is a small and quiet beach, 3 km northwest of Vung Tau.

CON DAO

The island of Con Dao is 230 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Originally, it was used by the French to incarcerate revolutionary prisoners. Nowadays, Con Dao is considered an historical vestige where fighters for independence were held and tortured.

The prison, built in 1861, covers a total area of 347,140 sq.m. Part has been transformed into a museum where tiger cages, set up during the period of colonialism, still remain. One kilometre behind the prison is Hang Duong Cemetery where several prisoners were buried.

Con Dao Island is part of an archipelago comprised of 14 islets. The area, providing facilities for tourists, is now a national park with beaches, crystal – clear waters and coconut groves.

CON PHUNG

Con Phung is located in Tan Thach village of the Chau Thanh District, near the Rach Mieu Ferry between My Tho and Ben Tre on Highway No.60.

It is situated on a island emerging from the middle of the Tien river, and has an area of 28 ha. Visitors can see original architectural works of the site of the holy land of the Coconut Religion. In Con Phung there is also handicraft village producing furniture with materials taken from the coconut tree, and families raising bees for honey from the Longan flower. The product is sold on the spot to visitors.

PHU QUOC

Phu Quoc, the largest island in Vietnam, lies in the gulf of Thailand, 45 km from Ha Tien and 15 km south of Cambodia. Phu Quoc, in Kien Giang Province, covers and area of 585 sq.km and is 50 km long.

The population has undergone a dramatic increase over the last 20 years; there are 55,000 people living here now, while there were no more than 5,000 people in 1975. Phu Quoc has also been called the Emerald island (not to be confused with the Emerald Isle) because of its natural treasures and infinite tourism potential. The area is well known for its high-quality fish sauce; apparently it smells particularly good since it is made from a small fish, ca com, with a high level of protein. The island produces 6 million litres of fish sauce every year. The number of litres purchased by tourists is probably not too high.

Phu Quoc has many harbours such as An Thoi and Hon Thom where international and domestic ships can anchor. Also, there are several historical sites on the island: national hero Nguyen Trung Truc’s military base, Emperor Gia Long relics from the time he spent on the island and Phu Quoc Prison.

Off the coast there emerges a group of 105 islands of varying sizes. Some of them are densely inhabited such as Hon Tre and Kien Hai, 25 km from Rach Gia.

HA TIEN LANDSCAPE

People visit Ha Tien hoping to capture some of the ancient magic of the land of South Vietnam, where many heroic historical places such as imperial tombs and ancient pagodas can be visited: It is such a delightful location that a French film company chose it to produce the movie “L’amant” (the Lover) in 1995.

There are several attractions in the area: Thach Dong Grotto, the Chong Stone and the Hang Pagoda. By boat, one can also reach the 16 Hai Tac island. On Hon Doc, the largest, there is a magnificent white sand beach.

Near Hon Chong Beach is Tien Cave that has two openings; the east one to the sea and the west one, opening on to Duoc Beach. Hon Trem Beach, 1000 m from Hon Chong, offers the best white sand in Ha Tien. The Hang Pagoda, 40 m underground, is also very interesting.

People visit Ha Tien hoping to capture some of the ancient magic of the land of South Vietnam, where many heroic historical places such as imperial tombs and ancient pagodas can by visited. It is such a delightful location that a French film company chose it to produce the movie “L’amant” (The Lover) in 1995.

There are several attractions in the area: Thach Dong Grotto, the Chong Stone and the Hang pagoda. By boat, one can also reach the 16 Hai Tac islands. On Hon Doc, the largest, there is a magnificent white sand beach.

Near Hon Chong Beach is Tien Cave that has two openings; the east one to the sea and the west one, opening on to Duoc Beach. Hon Trem Beach, 1000 m from Hon Chong, offers the best white sand in Ha Tien. The Hang Pagoda, 40 m underground, is also very interesting.

BA DONG BEACH

Ba Dong Beach is 55 km from Tra Vinh, in the Duyen Hai District. The coast is lined with white sand for tens of kilometers, and the air is clear and fresh. During the colonialism area, the French built a resort and used it for relaxing and swimming. This resort is now also enjoyed by Vietnamese visitors who spend weekends and vacations there.