Nice experience, very customer-oriented company fast and easy booking, very fast reaction. Mr. Bien a well-prepared guide and enthusiastic. You should try this experience.
Best of Vung Tau Small Group Tour – Shore Excursion
From Phu My Port
Air-Conditioned Vehicle
15 Passengers Maximum
If your cruise ship docks at Phu My Port, the best shore excursion should be around Vung Tau, ideal for those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere away from the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City. In addition to gorgeous beaches and seafood feasts, Vung Tau features myriad architectural wonders and entertainment venues.
Highlights
Pick-up & Drop-off From Phu My Port
Knowledgeable English-Speaking Guides
Bask in the Salty Air of the Beaches
Admire Colonial-Era Grandeur
Click the Tabs to See More
Tour Details
Phu My Port
From $115 per person
Season
Year-round!
Duration
All shore excursions are approximately 8 hours. At the end of the group tour, we always make sure that you return on time to board the cruise ship.
Port permit service
Our guide and transport will go inside the port, right to your cruise ship for pick-up and drop-off. This requires passport details such as full name, passport number, DOB, expiry date and nationality.
Max group size
We limit the number of guests to 15 to ensure the best experience at every destination.
Included
- All Entrance Fees
- All Taxes
- Fully Air-Conditioned Vehicle
- Unlimited Bottles of Water
- English-Speaking Guide
- Port Permit Service
- Lunch (please note we can cater for any dietary requirements, just be sure to get in touch beforehand)
Not included
- Gratuities
- Booking Fees
What to bring
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Insect Repellent
- Light Jacket
- Flashlight or Torch
What to wear
Please ensure you dress respectfully. Knees and shoulders should be covered when you visit religious sites.
Itinerary
Welcome to the Beautiful Coastal City!
Once you disembark, join our small group to get ready for the exciting journey ahead. Your English-speaking guide will escort you in an air-conditioned vehicle to explore the city’s highlights. As an initial introduction to the seaside vibes, we will head to Hoa Long Market. The market is filled with stalls selling different types of local delights, from seafood to vegetables.
To continue, gain a deeper insight into the traditional process of making rice wine as we visit a local family’s home. Vietnamese rice wine has a humbler reputation compared to Japanese sake or Korean soju, but its rich cultural significance and unique character is slowly gaining recognition.
Unravel the Tumultuous Past at a Historic Site
Next, delve into the historical significance of the Long Phuoc Tunnels. To the Vietnamese, these tunnels are a testament to their unwavering resistance against the French colonial rule and the subsequent American War. Started in the late 1940s, this subterranean labyrinth expanded across Long Phuoc commune and the neighbouring provinces near Ba Ria.
Following your in-depth exploration, unwind with a coffee at a cosy café – the perfect ambience to chat with local residents and hear their vibrant stories. Shortly after, journey through scenic rice fields and visit a 150-year-old ancient house, where you will witness the unique tradition of multiple generations living under one roof.
Get a Bird’s-Eye View of the City
Don’t let our stomachs rumble! It is time to enjoy a local lunch at a famous, seafood restaurant on the seafront. Fresh, flavourful ocean delights await you, perfectly paired with the refreshing coastal breeze. If you have any food allergies or special dietary requirements, please contact us beforehand and we will try our best to cater to your needs.
After satisfying your cravings, enjoy panoramic views of the city, including a visit to the Vung Tau Lighthouse – the 1910 lighthouse easily recognised from afar thanks to its remarkable white exterior.
For the next stop, prepare for amazing photo opportunities at the towering Christ of Vung Tau, a 32-metre-high statue with arms extended majestically atop Small Mountain. Climb to the arms for a breathtaking panoramic view of Vung Tau and Hon Ba, a unique island accessible at low tide.
Admire the Grandeur of the Colonial Era
Walk through the bonsai garden at Front Beach, then you will explore the iconic White Palace, once known as the King’s Palace. Built from 1898 to 1902 by the French as a resort for the Governor-General of Indochina, it later served as a residence for King Bao Dai and South Vietnamese high-ranking officials.
Nowadays, as a popular tourist attraction, White Palace welcomes visitors to marvel at its authentic architecture and delve into its historical significance. It stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam.
Listen to Gripping Tales of the Sea
Our next stop will be Ben Dinh Fishing Village. This small village is populated with local fishermen and their families, whose livelihoods center around fishing. Walk among the fishing boats, and see the morning’s catch being brought in.
Following this, make your way to Whale Temple, a special temple dedicated to whales, believed to be protectors of fishermen and their families. Listen closely as our guide reveals the cultural significance and reverence behind the worship of whale bones here.
After the last stop, our guide will take you back to the port in plenty of time for your departure. Don’t forget to say goodbye to your guide and ask for any final recommendations.
See What Our Guests are Saying
I now refer my friends, family and colleagues, as well as book all of my tours, accommodation and flights with Maika because I feel very lucky to have finally found an organisation in Asia that gives me the confidence to do so.
The tour was very well organized, and the guide spoke very good English. We got to see and experience so many things: Besides visiting a pagoda and Buddha statue, we also went on a boat ride (with a stop to enjoy a coconut drink) and visited local businesses producing rice paper, conical hats and mats. We had fresh fruit and tea for a snack and Pho soup for lunch which was delicious! We had such a good day and would highly recommend this tour!
We went on this tour, two families of four, with children aged 9-12 years old. We were really happy with it and highly recommend. Lin was our guide and she was fantastic, would really do a trip with her again. It was nice to do this privately and easy to adjust with Lin if needed. Maika helped us book the accommodation in Can Tho which we really appreciated. Would highly recommend and for sure do again.
You did a great job looking after all of our family of 7. The kids enjoyed all the tours and especially the Mekong cruise …as did we……because the kids were so happy we got to enjoy some time to ourselves too. I would recommend Maika Tours if your thinking of visiting Vietnam!
Giang’s English is great and he’s very easy to understand. Our morning cyclo tour of Saigon was a highlight! We felt very safe – even with the crazy traffic, and our tours through the different markets were amazing.
It’s like he did magic and showed us 3 days worth of tour in just 10 hours and got us back to our ship in time. Thank you from our hearts.
Such a great experience; learning all about the history and climbing through the tunnels. The guide was so wonderful, he answered all of our questions in such detail and made sure we had a good time.
If travelling to Vietnam, we highly recommend Maika Tours; and, if you are on a cruise, Maika Tours offers a cost-effective alternative to ship shore excursions – you will see so much more, have a personal experience, and probably save some money.
