Monday, September 14, 2009

About Vũng Tàu

Vũng Tàu is a small city about 2 hours north-east of Ho Chi Minh City. It is a famous holiday haunt for Vietnamese as it boasts a long and beautiful beach, just outside of bustling HCMC. The most iconic landmark of Vũng Tàu is a large statue of Jesus Christ sitting atop a hill. It reminds you of Brazil's statue and is a must-see when in Vũng Tàu.

During the Vietnam war, Vũng Tàu is a popular R&R for the American troops (and some say Vietcongs too!). It was so popular that troops stationed in Vũng Tàu refuses to go for R&R elsewhere for fear that they will be transferred out. After the fall of South Vietnam, Vũng Tàu became a popular launching point for the Vietnamese boat people fleeing to other countries.

Modern-day Vũng Tàu is a beautiful and charming city. It has boomed due to the many industries sprouting around the province of Ba Ria - Vũng Tàu. Most notably are the power stations, fertilizer plants and O&G facilities. Many expats stay during the weekdays in Vũng Tàu and so the city is lined with many bars, cafes and good-quality restaurants. On weekends, it is packed with Vietnamese who date along the beach fronts.

No comments: