Savor Vung Tau’s iconic local dishes like banh khot and seafood in Ho Chi Minh City’s coastal ward! Discover sustainable dining, prices, and eco-tours with Legend Travel Group.
Capture the savory essence of Vung Tau’s culinary gemVung Tau, now a vibrant ward of Ho Chi Minh City following Vietnam’s administrative merger effective July 2025, lies 95 km southeast of Ward 1 (formerly District 1), drawing over 2 million visitors annually for its 42-km coastline and rich culinary scene. Renowned for dishes like banh khot and fresh seafood, Vung Tau’s tropical monsoon climate (dry season: November–April, 22–28°C or 71.6–82.4°F; rainy season: May–October, 24–32°C or 75.2–89.6°F) enhances outdoor dining with cool sea breezes. Meals cost $1–$10 (25,000–250,000 VND), offering affordable indulgence.
Vung Tau’s food culture prioritizes sustainability, with restaurants sourcing seafood from local fisheries and vegetables from nearby farms, using biodegradable packaging to align with Ho Chi Minh City’s “Green Metropolis” initiative. From bustling markets to beachside eateries, Vung Tau’s dishes reflect its coastal heritage. Legend Travel Group’s sustainable culinary tours guide you through this gastronomic haven, supporting local communities. Book via links on this page or contact us at WhatsApp: +84825862222 or email: sales@legendtravelgroup.com
Vietnam’s administrative reform has merged Ba Ria - Vung Tau into Ho Chi Minh City, reclassifying Vung Tau as a ward. Use “Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City” for seamless navigation with ward-based maps.
Legend Travel Group, a pioneer in sustainable Southeast Asia tourism with over 17 years of experience, offers eco-friendly culinary tours in Vung Tau, perfect for foodies seeking authentic flavors. Our low-impact transport, like electric shuttles, and English-speaking guides highlight sustainable dining, local ingredients, and green practices. Supporting coastal communities, we align with Ho Chi Minh City’s sustainability goals. With transparent pricing, free cancellations up to 48 hours, and 24/7 support, we ensure a seamless experience. Book our eco-tours via links on this page for a responsible culinary adventure
Photograph the vibrant allure of Vung Tau’s cuisine (Source: Internet)Vung Tau’s cuisine, rooted in its fishing heritage since the 1990s, thrives on fresh seafood and local produce, served at markets like Tran Phu and eateries along Thuy Van Street. Sustainable practices, including regulated fishing and eco-friendly utensils, preserve over 150 marine species. Signature dishes like banh khot (crispy mini pancakes) and stingray hotpot showcase the ward’s coastal bounty, just 1.5 hours from Ward 1. Pair these with eco-conscious dining for a guilt-free gastronomic journey that supports Vung Tau’s vibrant food culture.
These eco-friendly culinary experiences, costing $1–$10, blend flavor and sustainability:
Savor crispy mini pancakes topped with shrimp and green onions, best at 7:00 AM, for $1.50–$3 (37,500–75,000 VND), served with nuoc mam and herbs.
Cost: $1.50–$3.
Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM–2:00 PM (weekdays); 7:00 AM–8:00 PM (weekends).
Eco-Friendly Note: Uses local seafood; biodegradable plates.
Tip: Located at 14 Nguyen Truong To, Ward 2; arrive early to avoid crowds. Included in Legend Travel Group’s Vung Tau Foodie Tour ($50–$80).
Enjoy sizzling pancakes filled with shrimp and bean sprouts, best at 6:00 PM, for $1–$3 (25,000–75,000 VND), wrapped in lettuce.
Cost: $1–$3.
Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM–9:00 PM.
Eco-Friendly Note: Sources organic vegetables; minimal plastic use.
Tip: Located at 42 Tran Dong, Ward 3; try with pickled vegetables.
Taste sustainable dishes like grilled squid or stingray hotpot, best at 5:00 PM, for $1–$5 (25,000–125,000 VND), supporting local fishermen.
Cost: $1–$5.
Hours: Daily, 5:00 PM–10:00 PM.
Eco-Friendly Note: Locally sourced seafood; reusable baskets.
Tip: Near Sao Mai Village; pair with fish sauce dip.
Relish grilled snails with tamarind, best at 6:00 PM, for $2–$5 (50,000–125,000 VND), with over 20 snail varieties.
Cost: $2–$5.
Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM–10:00 PM.
Eco-Friendly Note: Uses local ingredients; eco-friendly utensils.
Tip: Located at 368 Tran Phu, Ward 5; try lemongrass clams.
Learn to make these iconic dishes, best at 9:00 AM, for $8–$10 (200,000–250,000 VND), using market-fresh ingredients.
Cost: $8–$10.
Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM–11:00 AM.
Eco-Friendly Note: Zero-waste cooking; local produce.
Tip: Book via local vendors; included in Legend Travel Group’s Vung Tau Culinary Adventure ($70–$100).
Learn Vung Tau’s heritage with expert insights (Source: Internet)Visit from November to April for dry, sunny weather (22–28°C or 71.6–82.4°F), ideal for outdoor dining at markets or beachside stalls. The rainy season (May–October) offers cozy indoor dining but requires rain gear. Weekdays (Monday–Thursday) see fewer crowds (5,000–15,000 daily visitors) than weekends (50,000–100,000), especially during Lunar New Year. Early evenings (5:00–7:00 PM) are best for market freshness, while late evenings (7:00–10:00 PM) suit relaxed restaurant dining with cooler breezes.
Vung Tau, 95 km from Ward 1, Ho Chi Minh City, is reachable in 1.5–2 hours:
By Private Car: Drive 1.5 hours via Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway, $25–$40 (625,000–1,000,000 VND) round-trip for 4 people. Book via Legend Travel Group.
By Electric Taxi (Xanh SM): Eco-friendly VinFast taxis, 1.5 hours, $20–$30 (500,000–750,000 VND) one-way; $40–$60 (1,000,000–1,500,000 VND) round-trip. Use Xanh SM app.
By High-Speed Ferry: From Bach Dang Wharf, 1.5 hours, $10–$15 (250,000–375,000 VND) round-trip. Book via GreenlinesDP.
By Private Motorcycle: Ride via Highway 51, 2 hours, $8–$12 (200,000–300,000 VND) fuel; rental $5–$10/day (125,000–250,000 VND). Helmets mandatory (fines up to $40 or 1,000,000 VND).
By Public Bus: Futa or Hoa Mai buses from Mien Dong Station, 2 hours, $5–$7 (125,000–175,000 VND) round-trip.
By Private Tour Bus (Legend Travel Group): Group bus from Ward 1, 1.5 hours, $12–$18 (300,000–450,000 VND)/person for 15+ people, including guide.
From Tan Son Nhat Airport: Private car ($30–$45 or 750,000–1,125,000 VND, 2 hours); Xanh SM taxi ($25–$35 or 625,000–875,000 VND); or airport bus to Ward 1 ($0.80 or 20,000 VND, 30 min) + ferry ($10–$15).
Navigation Tip: Save “Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City” in offline maps (Maps.me); head to Tran Phu or Thuy Van Street for dining. Parking: $0.80–$1.20 (20,000–30,000 VND).
Eco-Friendly Note: Ferries or electric taxis reduce emissions; group buses lower per-person impact.
Safety: Wear helmets on motorcycles; confirm taxi/bus fares.
Seize the vibrant spirit of Vung Tau Travel (Source: Internet)Pack these essentials for a sustainable dining experience:
Clothing: Light layers, comfortable shoes for market walks; waterproof jacket ($2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND) for rainy season; hat for sun.
Sun Protection: SPF 50+ sunscreen, sunglasses.
Travel Essentials: Reusable water bottle, compact umbrella ($2–$5), hand sanitizer ($0.50 or 12,500 VND).
Tech Gear: Smartphone with Grab/Xanh SM apps, offline maps, portable charger; Vietnamese SIM card ($5–$10).
Culinary Gear: Small backpack, reusable tote for market buys ($1–$2), notebook for recipes.
Documents: Passport copy, travel insurance, VND (10,000–50,000 notes).
Eco-Friendly Items: Reusable cutlery; biodegradable wipes.
Extras: Cash for vendors; allergy medication for seafood sensitivities.
Culinary and Market Fees
Banh Khot (Goc Vu Sua): $1.50–$3 (37,500–75,000 VND).
Banh Xeo (Ba Hai): $1–$3 (25,000–75,000 VND).
Tran Phu Market Seafood: $1–$5 (25,000–125,000 VND).
Snail Dishes (Quan Oc Tu Nhien): $2–$5 (50,000–125,000 VND).
Cooking Class: $8–$10 (200,000–250,000 VND).
Local Snacks: $0.50–$2 (12,500–50,000 VND).
Drinks (Water, Coffee): $0.30–$1 (7,000–25,000 VND).
Souvenirs (e.g., Fish Sauce): $1–$5 (25,000–125,000 VND).
Guided Culinary Tour: $15–$25 (375,000–625,000 VND).
Transportation (Round-Trip, from Ward 1)
Private Car: $25–$40 (625,000–1,000,000 VND).
Xanh SM Electric Taxi: $40–$60 (1,000,000–1,500,000 VND).
High-Speed Ferry: $10–$15 (250,000–375,000 VND).
Public Bus: $5–$7 (125,000–175,000 VND).
Private Motorcycle: $8–$12 (200,000–300,000 VND) fuel; rental $5–$10/day.
Private Tour Bus: $12–$18 (300,000–450,000 VND)/person.
Airport to Vung Tau: $30–$45 (750,000–1,125,000 VND).
Parking: $0.80–$1.20 (20,000–30,000 VND).
SIM Card: $5–$10 (125,000–250,000 VND).
Total Daily Cost (Per Person)
Budget: $7–$15 (bus, market dining, snacks).
Mid-range: $25–$40 (ferry, restaurant meal, guided tour).
Luxury: $50–$80 (taxi, cooking class, premium dining).
Tip: Budget for dining ($1–$10) and transport ($5–$60); carry cash for markets (no cards accepted).
Capture the sustainable charm of Vung Tau’s ecotourism (Source: Internet)Timing: Visit markets at 5:00–7:00 PM for fresh catches; November–April for outdoor dining. Weekdays for fewer crowds (5,000–15,000 vs. 50,000–100,000 on weekends). Avoid Lunar New Year for quieter eateries.
Booking: Order dishes on-site; reserve cooking classes or Legend Travel Group’s tours 24–48 hours ahead. Book transport early for weekends.
Sustainability: Choose eateries with local sourcing; avoid plastic waste. Support vendors at Tran Phu Market ($1–$5).
Navigation: Save “Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City” in offline maps; ask locals at Thuy Van Street for dining spots. Avoid night rides on rural roads.
Safety: Check for seafood allergies; secure valuables at markets. Confirm taxi/bus fares.
Weather: Dry season for street dining; rainy season needs indoor options and rain gear ($2–$5). Check AccuWeather.
Cultural Respect: Greet vendors with “xin chào”; respect market etiquette. Avoid loud talking in eateries.
Health: Drink bottled water ($0.50); carry hand sanitizer for market visits.
Our eco-friendly tours highlight Vung Tau’s culinary treasures:
Vung Tau Foodie Tour ($50–$80/person, 1 day): Private car to Goc Vu Sua, Tran Phu Market, and banh khot tasting, with lunch ($3–$7). Includes guide, transport.
Vung Tau Coastal Culinary Escape ($120–$180/person, 2 days): Seafood markets, Quan Oc Tu Nhien, homestay ($15–$30/night). Includes meals, ferry.
Ho Chi Minh City & Coastal Food Journey ($280–$420/person, 3 days): Vung Tau dishes, Mekong Delta markets, homestays. Includes meals, eco-transfers.
Prices include guides, eco-transfers, fees. 15% off for groups of 8+! Book now via links!
Vung Tau Ward, a vibrant coastal destination in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Region, Ho Chi Minh City, enchants with its sustainable local dishes like banh khot and seafood, served for $1–$5 (25,000–125,000 VND) at spots like Goc Vu Sua and Quan Oc Tu Nhien, drawing over 2 million visitors yearly, just 95 km from Ho Chi Minh City’s Ward 1. Eco-friendly practices, including local sourcing from Vung Tau’s fisheries and biodegradable packaging, preserve its coastal heritage. Legend Travel Group’s Vung Tau Tours guide you through this culinary haven, ensuring a sustainable Vung Tau Travel experience with activities like savoring snails or mastering banh xeo in cooking classes, paired with visits to Tran Phu Market and Vung Tau Lighthouse. Don’t miss out—browse our featured tours and book your eco-friendly culinary adventure today!
Ready to savor Vung Tau’s iconic dishes? Reserve your sustainable tour with Legend Travel Group and embark on an unforgettable eco-gastronomic adventure!
Author Bio: Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, guiding 100,000+ travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights, guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys.
Sources:
Vung Tau Culinary Information: By Tony Bùi at Legend Travel Group
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