Vũng Tàu Discovery Tour: Christ the King Statue, Lighthouse, Nirvana Vihara & White Palace
Day tour
City Tour
Cultural tour
Standard
Departure point
→
Destination
Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vung Tau
1N (Participation Duration)
Car,Walking (Transportation)
English (Language)
Number of participants 0/10
0 booked
Tour description
Vũng Tàu was once called Cap Saint-Jacques by the French. It is the beach closest to Saigon and a strategic observation point overlooking the maritime routes leading into the Saigon River. It has been a resort destination for more than a century, and its two small mountains — Small Mountain and Big Mountain — are home to many historical sites from that period.
We will depart early to avoid the intense heat, beginning with a climb up Small Mountain to the Christ the King Statue — approximately 800 steps leading to the 32-meter-high statue with outstretched arms, completed in 1993 — and, if the queue is not too long, visitors may climb the narrow staircase inside the statue to reach the shoulders and enjoy panoramic views of the two bays. We will continue to the lighthouse at the mountain summit, built by the French in the early 20th century, then follow the coastal road downhill to visit Nirvana Vihara, a pagoda built against the cliff and famous for its 12-meter-long reclining Buddha statue.
The final stop is the White Palace, built from 1898 to 1902 as a seaside retreat for the Governor-General of French Indochina. It later served as the residence of Emperor Thành Thái in exile and a retreat for presidents of the Republic of Vietnam, offering beautiful panoramic views over Front Beach.
Since July 2025, Vũng Tàu has been incorporated into Ho Chi Minh City; the central area is now Vũng Tàu Ward.
We will depart early to avoid the intense heat, beginning with a climb up Small Mountain to the Christ the King Statue — approximately 800 steps leading to the 32-meter-high statue with outstretched arms, completed in 1993 — and, if the queue is not too long, visitors may climb the narrow staircase inside the statue to reach the shoulders and enjoy panoramic views of the two bays. We will continue to the lighthouse at the mountain summit, built by the French in the early 20th century, then follow the coastal road downhill to visit Nirvana Vihara, a pagoda built against the cliff and famous for its 12-meter-long reclining Buddha statue.
The final stop is the White Palace, built from 1898 to 1902 as a seaside retreat for the Governor-General of French Indochina. It later served as the residence of Emperor Thành Thái in exile and a retreat for presidents of the Republic of Vietnam, offering beautiful panoramic views over Front Beach.
Since July 2025, Vũng Tàu has been incorporated into Ho Chi Minh City; the central area is now Vũng Tàu Ward.
Meeting point:
View on map
Christ the King Statue entrance, Ha Long Street (Nui Nho), Vung Tau ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotel pick-up in Vung Tau (Front Beach and Back Beach areas) is included - send your hotel name after booking.
Detailed itinerary
Stop 1 - Christ the King statue (07:00): Climb about 800 steps through the gardens of Nui Nho to the statue and, subject to queues, the 133-step stairway inside to the shoulders.
Stop 2 - Vung Tau lighthouse (approx. 08:45): The early 20th-century lighthouse at the summit of Nui Nho and its 360-degree view. Cars are banned on the lighthouse road; we walk up or use the electric shuttle.
Stop 3 - Niet Ban Tinh Xa (approx. 09:45): The cliffside pagoda and its reclining Buddha above the sea.
Stop 4 - White Palace (Bach Dinh) (approx. 10:30): The 1898-1902 colonial villa and its gardens above Front Beach. Entrance included.
Finish (11:30): Drop-off at your hotel or on Front Beach.
Stop 2 - Vung Tau lighthouse (approx. 08:45): The early 20th-century lighthouse at the summit of Nui Nho and its 360-degree view. Cars are banned on the lighthouse road; we walk up or use the electric shuttle.
Stop 3 - Niet Ban Tinh Xa (approx. 09:45): The cliffside pagoda and its reclining Buddha above the sea.
Stop 4 - White Palace (Bach Dinh) (approx. 10:30): The 1898-1902 colonial villa and its gardens above Front Beach. Entrance included.
Finish (11:30): Drop-off at your hotel or on Front Beach.
Tour price includes
• English-speaking local guide
• Air-conditioned car and hotel pickup and drop-off in Vũng Tàu
• Entrance tickets to the lighthouse and White Palace
• Shuttle electric vehicle to the lighthouse (subject to availability)
• Bottled drinking water
• Taxes and service fees
• Air-conditioned car and hotel pickup and drop-off in Vũng Tàu
• Entrance tickets to the lighthouse and White Palace
• Shuttle electric vehicle to the lighthouse (subject to availability)
• Bottled drinking water
• Taxes and service fees
Tour price excludes
• Robert Taylor Museum of Worldwide Arms (optional add-on)
• Food and drinks
• Tips
• Travel insurance
• Food and drinks
• Tips
• Travel insurance
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are non-refundable. In the event of a storm warning or an official closure notice due to bad weather, we will reschedule the itinerary or provide a 100% refund.
Other notes
The climb to the Christ the King Statue involves approximately 800 steep steps in the sun and requires a moderate level of fitness. The narrow staircase inside the statue leading to the shoulders has a limited capacity at any one time, and access cannot be guaranteed when it is crowded. The statue is closed from 11:30–13:00, which is why the tour departs early at 07:00.
Appropriate clothing is required at the Christ statue and the pagoda: clothing that covers the shoulders and knees.
From February 2026, cars will be prohibited from traveling on the roads leading to the lighthouse; visitors will walk or use a shuttle electric vehicle for the final section.
From May to November, showers are common. The tour still operates in light rain, but the stone steps may be slippery.
Appropriate clothing is required at the Christ statue and the pagoda: clothing that covers the shoulders and knees.
From February 2026, cars will be prohibited from traveling on the roads leading to the lighthouse; visitors will walk or use a shuttle electric vehicle for the final section.
From May to November, showers are common. The tour still operates in light rain, but the stone steps may be slippery.
Detailed price list
| Guest type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $42 |
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Weekly on CN,T2,T3,T4,T5,T6,T7
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Month12,2026
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CN
Month01,2027
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Month02,2027
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Month03,2027
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Month04,2027
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CN
17
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