The scenic busy seaside port town of Vung Tau — “anchorage” in Vietnamese – has always had a love affair with all aspects maritime. Huge oil tankers sail in and out of these waters on a daily basis as the main driver of local economy. The shores are the preferred stopover of supply ships, plus it provides shelter during typhoons.
Situated some 90 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, tourism can be far away, since they have so much to offer. The Vung Tau of today proves it so. It is now a choice weekend getaway primarily for its sandy coasts and calm seas. Let’s not forget the plethora of historical sites of note!
Here are five spots you should not miss in Vung Tau:
Behold: Christ the Redeemer
Akin to Rio de Janeiro’s Cristo Redentor, this 32-meter tall statue with 847 steps is actually taller than Brazil’s iconic sculpture! Nestled on top of a cliff on Mount Tao Phùng, it lords over the East Sea and serves as a sentinel by day. Meanwhile, the base is home to several faithful recreations of classic pieces, such as the heartwarming La Pieta by Renaissance man Michelangelo and a depiction of The Last Supper – a familiar centerpiece in Filipino dining rooms – of the genius polymath Leonardo Da Vinci.
Refuge: Vung Tau Lighthouse
The oldest of 79 lighthouses in the country and considered as another watcher of the seas, this structure on Small Mount was one fueled by kerosene lamps. However, modern technology has awarded it industrial-strength spotlights and telescopes for sailors after wrestling with the rough waves on foreign shores. For curious eyes are 10-meter-long cast iron French cannons which were implement as defensive turrets.
Dynasties: Bao Dai Summer Palace
As a breather, we headed to the Bao Dai Summer Palace, which lies beyond the aromatic Perfume River, whose scent reaches the royal rest house. With its 25 different rooms and passages, it is a reflection of the lavish life of rulers then and serves as a mirror for the unbelievable personalities of each of the family members – one was obsessed with pink, another was a purple lover, while one more had a mirror depository – an intriguing thought to have as we meandered through each space. This site of history was the holiday getaway of the last emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Pilgrimage: Duc Me Bai Dau
This desolate and peaceful hideaway was the ideal meditation spot for any pilgrim on a spiritual journey. We then sighted a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus. Nearby, the Sacred Sacrament Chapel is worth a visit, for it remains as a centuries-old house of worship that only the elderly still remembers. The potted flowers in full colorful kaleidoscopic bloom gave life to the hallowed Catholic grounds and were showered in between the statues of Saints.
Elusive: Hon Ba
Reminiscent of Mont Saint Michél in France – which is only accessible on foot and by vehicle during the low tide – the Vietnamese counterpart’s case can be reached by boat during high tide. It is the home of the Mieu Ba Temple, with various ancient deities, worshiped by local seafolk.
These are our five magical postcards. What’s yours?
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