Vung Tau, an old port and the first Vietnamese area to be visited by vacationers and people seeking health treatment, is a resort town in the province of Dong Nai. Vung Tau is located on a 110 km2 area, 125 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. The town is a long strip approximately 14 km long and 6 km wide. Where the southern tip of town meets the ocean stand two famous mountains Nui Lon (Truong Ky) and Nui Nho (Tao Phung) or Large Mountain and Small Mountain.

Historically, Vung Tau used to be part of Bien Hoa. The first settlements in this area occurred during the reign of King Gia Long. During this period, there were many Malay bandits in this region. They often enter the area through Song Be entrance from the ocean. This created a threat for merchants in the Gia Dinh area.

Vung Tau, with an average temperature of 28 Celsius, has 20 km of coastline with famous soft-sand beaches and calm waters. Vung Tau has five beaches scattered over the peninsula. Bai Truoc, also called Front Beach, is located on the northern side of Vung Tau and stands between Nho and Lon Mountains. Restaurants, kiosks, and hotels are close to the beach. Vong Nguyen, also called O Quan Beach, is a peaceful cove with good wind. Surfers particularly enjoy this area.

Bai Dua or Dua Beach is located approximately 2 km from the center of the city. People who do not like crowded beaches particularly enjoy this quiet beach. Bai Sau, also called Back Beach, is the longest stretch of sand on the peninsula. It is located approximately 2 km from town on the southeastern side of Vung Tau. It is exposed to South China Sea wind and surfing there is excellent. Finally, Bai Dau Beach is located at the foot of Lon Mountain. It is a small quiet beach, 3 km northwest of Vung Tau.