Vung Tau eating guide

Introduction

Vung Tau is a great place for seafood - and that’s one of the draws for the Saigon dwellwers who flock here each weekend. The local food scene is cool too with many atmospheric little eateries that date back decades. This list is only a small sample of what’s available. Make sure you do some exploring on your own.

If you're looking for western food, the expat community underwrites a handful of western eateries.

Here’s our independent guide to eating in Vung Tau. It was updated in July 2018.


Ganh Hao

Probably the most famous seafood restaurant in Vung Tau, Ganh Hao is something of a logistical miracle. This is one of those enormous places that churns through hundreds of diners a day, but still seems to deliver tasty seafood, as ordered, and in reasonable time. My recent meal was sensational. Staff were pleasant too.

Set by the sea in the open air, Ganh Hao serves lunch and dinner. Head down late afternoon, grab a table with a view a few drinks and tuck in. Prices here seem to be around half those of similar places in Saigon.

Ganh Hao’s still a local venue so don’t expect fancy cocktails or an extensive wine list.

Address: 03 Tran Phu, Vung Tau - on the waterfront

 

 

 

Pho Thien Loi

Said to be the oldest restaurant in Vung Tau, Pho Thien Loi started out in the northern province of Nam Dinh before relocating to Vung Tau in the migration of 1954.  Madem Thien Loi, in her nineties, is normally on deck.

Serves pho ga and pho bo noodle soup as well as a bunch of other noodle (bun) dishes.

Closes early afternoon.

Address: 21 Trung Nhi, Vung Tau

 

 

 

Nhut Ky

Nhut Ky opened in 1968 at the height of the Vietnam War. Madam Nhut Ky, who still runs the show, has been in command since day one and remembers foreign soldiers frequenting her place in the late 60s.

The walls have five decades of grime embedded. Perfect spot!

Madam Nhut Ky serves Hu Tieu noodles, Bo Kho beef stew and other dishes. This place is packed in the mornings. Closes early afternoon.

Address: 33 Trung Nhi, Vung Tau

 

 

 

Lang Ky

An old timer Chinese Vietnamese restaurant, in a cool modernist corner building, Lang Ky was packed on our visits. Wasn’t the friendliest of welcomes but food was good and the space is brimming with old world southern Vietnam character.

Address: 22 Ly Tu Trong (Tran Hung Dao junction),  Vung Tau

 

 

Cay Da

Any eatery that sets up around the banyan tree (rather than cutting it down) is off to a good start. This place serves up delicious banh khot - Vietnamese mini rice pancakes with shrimp served with herbs and fish sauce. These things probably won’t win any nutrition awards but they’re spectacularly edible. Don’t miss a dose of banh khot and a coconut by the banyan tree.

Address: 21 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Vung Tau

 

 

 

 

Bistro 9

Vung Tau’s obligatory French eatery is worth a visit. The chef and owner Jean Francois spent a few years doing F&B at the casino in nearby Ho Tram before taking over 9 Cafe.

I’ve now had breakfast and a couple of dinners here. All were good. The open air space is pleasant and the place has a  welcoming feel. The menu includes French standards, steaks, pastas.

Was some of the best espresso-style coffee I had in Vung Tau too.

Address: 9 Truong Van Ky, Vung Tau

 

 

 

 

Good Morning Vietnam

The people from Good Morning Vietnam have the whole country covered serving dependable pastas, pizzas and other Italian standards. We haven’t tried the Vung Tau offerings but we’ve been to others across the country.

Address: 6 Hoang Hoa Tham, Vung Tau