A short trip to the beach

Martin sms, saying he wanted to to go a beach near Saigon. And I suggested Vung Tau.
My plan was to take the hydro-foil fast ferry, which would take about 1 hour 45 minutes, at early morning then we'd have sometime for landscape and the finally the beach.

I chose Nghinh Phong peak, the southern end of Vung Tau city dividing its beach into two parts. The West coast is Bai Truoc ( Front beach) and the East coast is Bai Sau (Behind beach). I thought it was a right place to visit for my personal interest of standing high enjoying large view and for Martin's first time there. Moreover, it was just on our way from the port to Bai Sau.

Of course, to have the best view, we climbed to the top of the mountain where stood a statue of Jesus. It really took our breathe,  and our early breakfast, away. In fact, we had to stop 3 or 4 times in the middle of the route but finally we did it, pheewwww.

 This woman was collecting dried "hoa sứ" for tea making.

 One of the two cannons on the sides of Jesus statue, on the top of the mountain.

Behind Martin was the east-side cityscape, including Bai Sau.

Jesus, welcoming all people didn't matter they were Christian or not

 So steep.

 

 The port at Vung Tau.

Leaving Nghinh Phong peak, both I and Martin ran out of energy and decided to have lunch soon and "Lẩu cá đuối" (Demon fish hot pot) was undoubtedly a good choice. Martin was uncomfortable with the heat of the air and the heat from the meal. We sweated like in steambath. Diving in the peaceful salty water after lunch just made things perfect!

That night, we sat at Coffee Bean in Nguyen Du street, opposite to Duc Ba Cathedral. Such a view for a coffee shop. So sorry Rock was sick and unable to join the Vung Tau trip, but he recovered quickly and got fine enough to wander around the city center that night, gossiping about cars, girls..etc. It would have been much better if these two guys had more time in Saigon, and in Vietnam so that they could see and enjoy more. However, they made a tour from Ha Noi, Hoi An, Hue, to Saigon. That was more than my travel experience in my own homeworld.

 

Martin and Rock.

Some travelling experience I gained for myself:

- I planned everything by searching on the Internet.
- Diadiem.com has a good map of Vung Tau and Ho Chi Minh city.

- It's better buying hydro-foil tickets, especially round-trip ticket, soon if the plan is on weekend.

A lot of people will travel from Saigon in Saturday morning and from Vung in Sunday afternoon.

- Buying the ticket at Ben Bach Dang: 10 Ton Duc Thang Str, District 1. 

There are several companies with slightly different schedule but one same price.

(I just remembered two names: Vina Express and Greenlines)

- 1-way: 200.000 VND

round-trip: 400.000 VND

- Round-trip ticket is better.

- Some mistakes with tickets usually happen on the come-back trip. Several tickets have the same number. But if you have a ticket, they won't kick you out.

- Taxi is the best vehicle.

Just use Vinasun or Mai Linh. I don't trust the others. 

Ask them to turn on the meter.

- "Bai Sau" is better than "Bai Truoc", everybody says so.

- Looking for a restaurant? Be careful with Hoang Hoa Tham street.

( I had one experience there with my friends. We paid surprisingly high price for an ordinary dinnder. People on a travelling website say some taxi drivers may take visitors there and get money from the restaurant for that)

- Demon fish hot pot: 40 Truong Cong Dinh Str.

I visited there twice and really satisfied. The restaurant is small, no air conditioner. But it's the best for the hot pot.

- Get back to the port at least 15 minutes before the departure.