How to Get from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Vung Tau [2025]

Ho Chi Minh City (often still called by its old name, Saigon) is located about 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) from the coastal city of Vung Tau. No matter which mode of transport you choose, you can typically get there within 2-3 hours.

Vung Tau has long been known as a beach getaway. During the French colonial era, it was a favorite weekend retreat for the residents of Saigon.

However, if you’re expecting a paradise of pristine beaches, you might be a little disappointed. Vung Tau is best suited for travelers who want to relax in a nice hotel or resort.

Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau: Options at a Glance

There are several ways to travel between HCMC and Vung Tau. Here’s a quick summary of the travel time and cost for each.

1. Limousine Van – The Most Popular 24/7 Option

This is probably the most popular way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tau. These 9-seater vans are an extremely common way to travel between nearby cities in Vietnam.

The price is similar to other bus options, but you get a faster, more comfortable ride with fewer people. With so many companies operating 24 hours a day between HCMC and Vung Tau, the limousine van should be your top choice!

How to Book a Limousine Van

Option A: Book on Klook (Easiest for Foreigners) Klook calls this service a “Shared City Transfer” and offers options from reputable companies like Vie Limousine and Ben Thanh Travel. They are essentially the same high-quality service.

Buses run every hour, giving you plenty of flexibility. While Klook is slightly more expensive (by about 100,000 VND) than booking through local sites, it’s much more user-friendly for international travelers and is highly recommended.

➡️ Check Prices and Availability on Klook

Option B: Book on Vexere (The Local Method) Vexere is Vietnam’s largest booking website for buses and vans. It’s what most locals use and you can book travel to virtually anywhere in the country.

While there are many operators, I personally use HOA MAI. You can book them through Vexere or by visiting one of their many offices in HCMC (search “xe hoa mai” on Google Maps).

1. Visit the Vexere website.
2. Set departure to ‘Sai Gon’ and arrival to ‘Vung Tau’.
3. Select your date and search. You’ll see available companies for each time slot.
4. Click ‘Detail’ to check the specific pickup and drop-off locations.

Most vans travel from HCMC through the city of Ba Ria before arriving at the Vung Tau beachfront. Even if your desired stop isn’t listed, you can often ask the driver to drop you off along the route. It’s best to have your request translated into Vietnamese beforehand!

Prices range from 150,000 to 320,000 VND, but a van around 200,000 VND is perfectly adequate. There is a big difference in quality between the 150k and 200k vans, so I recommend choosing one that’s at least 200k. 👍

A Heads-Up on Van Etiquette

Since this is a popular local way to travel, you might hope the person sitting next to you is considerate. 😅 Common situations include:

• Loud, long phone calls for the entire trip.
• Buying very fragrant (and not always in a good way) snacks at rest stops.
• Eating said snacks in the poorly ventilated van.

Luckily, it’s a short trip to Vung Tau, so you only have to endure it for a couple of hours!

2. Tourist Bus – A Simple, Hassle-Free Choice

You can easily book a bus to Vung Tau from one of the many travel agencies on Bui Vien Street in District 1. Prices are similar everywhere, but the most reliable choice is The Sinh Tourist.

The Sinh Tourist is one of Vietnam’s most famous travel agencies, and their main office is conveniently located on Bui Vien Backpacker Street. You currently have to book in person as online booking can be difficult, and they have a limited number of buses per day.

The biggest advantage of a tourist bus is that it’s hassle-free. Other transport methods are aimed at locals and require a bit more effort. With a tourist bus, everything is handled for you—just show up and get on! 😊

• Company: The Sinh Tourist (Sinh Cafe)
• Address: 248 De Tham Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Website: thesinhtourist.vn

3. Ferry – A Unique Experience on the Water

A ferry operates from Bach Dang Port in District 1, HCMC, to the Vung Tau Pier, taking about 2 hours.

• Weekdays: 2 trips/day (9:00 AM, 12:00 PM). Fares are around 260,000 – 320,000 VND.
• Weekends: 3 trips/day (8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM). Fares are a fixed 350,000 VND. (Booking at least 3 days in advance on weekdays usually gets you the cheapest price!)

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the ferry. In 2014, a ferry carrying about 100 passengers caught fire on its way to Vung Tau. Luckily, it happened on the Saigon River shortly after departure, and everyone was rescued safely. While safety regulations have improved since then, ferry-related accidents still appear in the news in Vietnam from time to time.

The main advantage is avoiding road traffic, but the last ferry departs at noon, a time when traffic isn’t usually bad anyway.

How to Book the Ferry

• Online: You can book via the official Greenlines DP website or on Klook. Booking directly or in person is cheapest. Klook is about 50,000 VND more but offers convenience.
• Warning: Be careful with other third-party sites. For example, booking on Bookaway can be over 50% more expensive than booking direct.
• Location: Bach Dang Port, 27 Ton Duc Thang Street, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

4. Private Car – The Most Flexible Option

For ultimate convenience, you can hire a private car with a driver.

While it’s the most expensive option, you get complete control over your departure time and pickup/drop-off locations. With vehicle sizes ranging from 3 to 12 seats, it’s a great choice for groups who want to travel quickly and comfortably.

➡️ Check Private Car Prices on Klook

5. Intercity Bus – The Cheapest (But Not Easiest) Way

You can catch a bus from the Mien Dong or Mien Tay Bus Terminals in HCMC, with departures every 30 minutes from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

While the ticket fare itself is the cheapest, most tourists stay in District 1. A Grab or taxi ride from District 1 to the bus terminal can cost an additional 200,000 VND. When you factor in the extra time, hassle, and cost, other options are almost always better.

What About Going by Motorbike? (Not Recommended)

While you can legally ride a motorbike in Vietnam with an international permit, I strongly advise against driving from Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tau. 😨

Only consider this if you are:

• An experienced rider who is part of a club back home.
• A true motorbike enthusiast.
• Looking for a very stressful challenge.

The journey takes at least 4 hours and must be done during the day. At night, the highways can be lawless, with speeding racers and massive container trucks. It’s simply not worth the risk.

How to Get from Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) to Vung Tau

Yes, you can go directly from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) to Vung Tau. Here are your options:

1. HOA MAI Limousine Van (At the Airport)
2. Book a limousine van in advance on Vexere (select “Sân Bay Tân Sơn Nhất” as the departure point).
3. Book a Private Car on Klook for direct pickup.

The most common method is the HOA MAI van waiting at the airport. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Exit the international terminal and find Pillar 13.
2. Cross the street to the parking structure directly opposite the pillar.
3. Walk into the lot and look for a sign that says “Car to VUNG TAU”. You will see HOA MAI vans waiting.
4. Get in a van. It will depart once it has enough passengers. Payment is collected mid-trip at a rest stop (200,000 VND as of May 2025, cash only). When you pay, tell them your hotel name for drop-off.

Final Tips for Your Trip

• Avoid Peak Traffic: Do NOT travel by road between 5 PM and 7 PM, especially on weekends. A 2-hour trip can easily become a 4-5 hour nightmare. Plan to depart before 4 PM.
• Bring Water: It’s always a good idea to have a bottle of water for the journey.