Bus Travel from Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tau (Bus Ho Chi Minh Vung Tau)

Bus Travel from Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tau

Hello, I am mr.hotsia. I had the opportunity to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, which is one of the popular routes for travelers wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and head to a peaceful seaside with a relaxing coastal atmosphere. Today, I would like to share my actual bus travel experience to provide complete information and help everyone prepare better.

Choose to board the bus at Pham Ngu Lao area

For those visiting Ho Chi Minh and staying around Pham Ngu Lao Street, a popular area for backpackers, I recommend buying tickets at Phuong Trang company (also known as FUTA Bus Lines), which has an office nearby and offers direct bus services to Vung Tau.Ho Chi Minh Travel InformationThis is very convenient because there are many departures daily, and the fare is quite affordable, about 190 Thai Baht (priced in Vietnamese Dong). This single fare applies for both Ba Ria city and Vung Tau.

Bus Boarding and Travel Experience

I departed in the afternoon from Pham Ngu Lao. Phuong Trang’s bus is an air-conditioned coach with comfortable seats. Along the way, there is a short stop at Dong Nai for passengers to buy food or snacks. I recommend bringing simple food like boiled corn, fruit, or snacks from Ho Chi Minh to eat on the bus because the stop is brief and there are limited food options nearby.

The route from Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tau is about 100 kilometers, but due to heavy traffic in the big city, there can be congestion, making the journey take about 4-6 hours. I have experienced both extremes: some days with traffic jams lasting up to 6 hours, but on lucky days, arriving in Vung Tau in the early evening before dark.

Get off at Ba Ria, then take a bus to Vung Tau

Most passengers get off at Ba Ria, a small town about 20 kilometers from Vung Tau. I chose to get off here to experience local travel more. The next day, I took a local bus from Ba Ria to Vung Tau. Traveling by bus allowed me to see local life through the window, which I enjoyed more than going directly to Vung Tau by the same bus company.

If you want convenience and prefer not to transfer buses, you can take Phuong Trang’s bus directly to Vung Tau city center. The fare is the same as getting off at Ba Ria.

Return Travel Options and Precautions

For the return trip from Vung Tau to Ho Chi Minh, I recommend trying the speed boat instead of the bus. It is faster, avoids traffic jams, and offers beautiful sea views along the way. However, traveling by boat requires paying a taxi fare to the pier, so plan your time well to avoid wasting your trip.

Overall, bus travel from Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tau is quite comfortable and economical. It suits those who want to travel independently without relying on tours and also experience Vietnamese life along the way.

Atmosphere and Feelings During the Journey

I rode the bus with several foreigners heading straight to Vung Tau. Everyone was excited about the upcoming sea trip. The bus atmosphere was filled with chatter and laughter. Even with some delays due to traffic, the fun was never diminished.

Along the way, I saw lush green rice fields and houses lining both sides of the road, giving a true sense of closeness to nature and local life. This is something I believe cannot be easily experienced if traveling by plane or private car.

Recommended Accommodation and Activities in Ho Chi Minh Before Departure

For travelers planning to go from Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tau, I recommend staying in the Pham Ngu Lao area because it offers affordable accommodations, delicious food, and many tour companies to choose from.Recommended Affordable and Good Hotels in Pham Ngu Lao, Ho Chi MinhI have stayed at bi Saigon hotel, which is clean, has attentive staff, and is close to the bus departure point to Vung Tau.

Also, if you have free time before traveling, consider booking a tour in Ho Chi Minh. There are interesting one-day tours like the Cu Chi Tunnels or Cao Dai Temple, which I have written about in this article.Book Tours in Ho Chi MinhThis will enhance your Vietnam trip experience.

Food and Snacks Along the Way

During the stop at Dong Nai, I tried hot boiled corn and fresh fruit, simple snacks that helped boost energy for the long bus ride. I also recommend bringing light food from Ho Chi Minh because there is no food service on the bus, only some drinks and small snacks.

If you enjoy authentic Vietnamese food, don’t miss trying signature dishes like Vietnamese Chicken Biryani or Nem Phuong when stopping for meals or resting in various towns. These dishes truly capture the local flavors (see examples fromVietnamese Chicken BiryaniandVietnamese Nem Phuong)

Closing Remarks from mr.hotsia

For anyone planning to travel to southern Vietnam and wanting to experience the seaside atmosphere of Vung Tau, bus travel from Ho Chi Minh is a worthwhile and interesting option. It is not only economical but also offers close-up views of local life and landscapes along the way, just as I experienced and want you to try yourself.

Don’t forget to prepare well, including food and travel time. See you again with more Vietnam travel stories in the next article.
— mr.hotsia