Travel Adventures
Phuoc Buu Street Food: The little town of Phuoc Buu (also known as Ba To) is 10km north of Ho Tram hamlet. It’s easy to get
here if you have your own wheels or you can get a taxi from your accommodation on the beach. There’s one street here which
is lined with excellent street food stalls. Head to Huynh Minh Thanh Street from 5pm-8pm and food-hop from one stall to the
next, dining on grilled chicken, roast pork, noodle soups and more. It’s a very local experience and each dish will only cost you
20-40,000vnd.
Ho Tram Beach Boutique Resort Restaurant: Open to non-guests, there’s a wide range of dishes available here, including some
excellent Vietnamese classics. The setting is very romantic at night, with candles, lanterns and a sea breeze. Mains start from
150,000vnd.
Saigon-Ho Coc Resort: The main restaurant here has a great range of Vietnamese dishes, including lots of seafood. Quality is
good and prices are around 60-150,000vnd per dish.
TRANSPORTATION
Getting to and from Ho Tram and Ho Coc beaches from Saigon is much easier and quicker than ever before. However, there is
still no regular direct public transportation to the beaches. If you have your own wheels, it’s a simple, easy, quick journey. If you
are staying in one of the high-end resorts and have booked in advance, then you may receive a free shuttle service from Saigon
to your accommodation, or at the very least the resort will be able to arrange or advise on transportation for you. If you are using
public transport you will need to change vehicles at least once and there are several possible combinations, including mini-van,
bus, taxi, motorbike taxi, and boat.
Self-Drive:
By Motorbike: Take the Cat Lai ferry across the Dong Nai River, follow Road DT769 through Nhon Trach industrial estate until
it meets Highway QL51 (also marked AH17). Turn south onto the highway towards Ba Ria. Exit Ba Ria on Highway QL55.
Bear right (due southeast) on Road TL44B. When this road meets TL44A, go straight across onto Vo Van Kiet street which then
becomes Ven Bien street: this is the Ocean Road that takes you to Ho Tram and Ho Coc. The total distance is 110/120km. If you
know the route well and you are a confident rider, journey time is around 2 hours. However, including stops for gas or drinks
and map checking, 3 hours is more likely.
Public Transportation:
By Bus & Taxi: Take one of the many mini-buses leaving Saigon’s Mien Dong bus station every 15 minutes to Vung Tau
(80,000vnd, 2 hours). You can either stay on until Vung Tau or get off at Ba Ria (30km north of Vung Tau). From either of these
stops you can take a taxi to Ho Tram or Ho Coc beaches (around 45 minutes; approximately 650,000vnd). Alternatively, you
can find a xe ôm(motorbike taxi) which should be half the price, but you’ll have to bargain hard. Although the taxi may sound
expensive, once the fare is divided between you (assuming you are not travelling alone), it’s really not that much. There are
some local buses from Ba Ria and Vung Tau which trundle down to the beaches, but you’ll need time and patience to make these
connections.
By Boat & Taxi: Another alternative is to take the ferry from Saigon to Vung Tau (1 hour 15 minutes) and then a taxi. The ferry
is very scenic and a lot of fun, but ticket prices are high (250,000vnd) and services are far less frequent than they used to be now
that the Vung Tau highway has been upgraded. See the Greenlines website for details.
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At the Beaches:
Local buses ply the Ocean Road but you’ll need to ask your accommodation for schedules and times. Renting motorbikes for the
day is a great way to explore the area. Most hotels should be able to arrange rental for 100-200,000vnd per day. There are also
some local taxi companies which can be arranged through your hotel.
Rent a motorbike and ride the
Ocean Road between Ho Tram
and Ho Coc beaches
The MAG Vung Tau
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