The center of TP.HCM is about 95–100 km from Vũng Tàu depending on the starting and ending points, and the bus takes 2 to 2 hours 30 minutes. This is the closest coastal route to Sài Gòn, short enough for a day trip.
From 1/7/2025, Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu province has been merged into TP.HCM, so addresses in Vũng Tàu now read “TP.HCM” — if you see the drop-off point listed as “Tam Thắng, Hồ Chí Minh”, that is actually Vũng Tàu.
How many km from Sài Gòn to Vũng Tàu and how long does it take?
- Distance: about 95–100 km from the center of Sài Gòn to Bãi Sau, Bãi Trước.
- Time: 2 to 2 hours 30 minutes by car; weekends and holidays can take up to 3 hours.
- Route: TP.HCM → TP.HCM – Long Thành expressway → National Highway 51 → Phú Mỹ → Bà Rịa → Vũng Tàu.
- Congested sections: the gateway to TP.HCM and National Highway 51 between Phú Mỹ and Bà Rịa on Friday afternoons and Sunday afternoons.
How long does it take to reach each point?
Milestones calculated from when the bus leaves Quận 1, on regular days:
| Segment | Cumulative km | Time from departure |
|---|---|---|
| Entering TP.HCM – Long Thành expressway | about 10 km | 25 minutes |
| Leaving the expressway, entering National Highway 51 | about 35 km | 50 minutes |
| Phú Mỹ | about 55 km | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Bà Rịa | about 75 km | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Bãi Sau, Bãi Trước Vũng Tàu | about 95 km | 2 – 2 hours 30 minutes |
Bus, hydrofoil, or self-drive?
| Mode | Time | Suitable for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared 9-seat Limousine | 2 – 2 hours 30 minutes | 1 or 2 travelers | A few daytime trips, spacious seats, pick-up in Quận 1 |
| Hydrofoil from Bạch Đằng pier | about 2 hours | Guests who prefer river routes and want to avoid traffic jams | Schedule and price depend on the operator, easily suspended in high waves — check in advance |
| Private 4–16 seat car | about 2 hours | Families, groups of 4 or more | Door-to-door pick-up and drop-off at the hotel, suitable for a day trip |
| Self-driving | 2 – 3 hours | Those familiar with the route | National Highway 51 is very crowded on weekends; plan parking at the beach in advance |
Is a day trip feasible?
Yes. Take an early morning trip, arriving in Vũng Tàu around 10:00; have seafood for lunch, swim in the sea or visit the Christ the King statue in the afternoon, and take an afternoon trip back to Sài Gòn the same evening. For groups of 4 or more, a private car for a day trip is usually more convenient as you can control your return time.
Tips for this route
Avoid departing on Friday afternoons and returning on Sunday afternoons if possible — these are the two most congested periods on National Highway 51. During the monsoon season (around November to March), Bãi Sau beach has large waves, so check the swimming conditions in advance if traveling with young children.
Fares and current Go365 departure times
| Vehicle type | Price | Departure times |
|---|---|---|
| 9-seat Limousine | 300.000 ₫/guest | 08:00 · 10:00 · 12:00 · 15:00 · 17:00 |
| Private 4-7 seat car (charter) | 1.200.000 ₫/car | Customer's choice of time |
| Private 16-seat car (charter) | 2.500.000 ₫/car | Customer's choice of time |
| 9-11 seat Limousine (charter) | 3.000.000 ₫/car | Customer's choice of time |
Prices and times are taken from the Go365 booking system, updated 21/09/2026. Prices may change on holidays and during peak season — the amount shown at booking is the final amount.
Pick-up and drop-off points
Pick-up in Hồ Chí Minh: 131 Nguyễn Thái Bình.
Drop-off in Vũng Tàu: Tam Thắng, Hồ Chí Minh, Việt Nam.
The exact pick-up point depends on the trip and vehicle type you choose; for private cars, pick-up is at your door according to the address you provide when booking.
Departure times, vehicle types, and actual fares for this route are available on the Sài Gòn to Vũng Tàu bus page on Go365. Read more about a 1-day trip to Vũng Tàu from Sài Gòn and the introduction to the Sài Gòn – Vũng Tàu bus route.
Photo: Bai Truoc Vung Tau.jpg — NDTK08, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
