Hydrofoil - Saigon to the beach at Vung Tau for the day

Note: all photos are clickable for best viewing

Your in Saigon, tired of dodging motor bikes and the constant hum of activity the city generates.  So hop on down to the Saigon river, plunk down 160,000 dong and in a flash, OK, an hour and a half and your in Vung Tau.  A pleasant little town on the sea with beaches and lovely ocean views. A cheaper option would be to get a bus at the station across from Ben Thanh Market but it takes around three and a half hours.  I've never taken the bus over there but know that from other experiences, its a good way to get a look at life in Vietnam but can be very uncomfortable.

A couple weeks ago a Vietnamese friend and her niece made a trip out there with me on the Hydrofoil.  I really enjoyed the ride, while you can't see much from inside, as its enclosed and air-conditioned but there are a couple areas mid ship where you can poke your head out.  Gives you a up close look at the goings on of the harbor, tugs, ocean going container ships, strange little motorized barges, ferries, small and large fishing boats along with all the shore side activities.   While my excitement wasn't shared with my Vietnamese friend, she said she felt sick the whole way.  While her nice, unaffected by my exuberance and her aunts ills, slept. 

The boats are pretty ratty looking when you see them up close, thinking there probably Russian built in the 1970's. It's pretty obvious not much has been invested in maintaining there appearance.  You see that a lot here in Vietnam.

There are two boat company's Vina and Petro Express but the boats and fares are the same.   Though there schedules are a little different with about 6 departures a day.

  

Yup, lovely ocean views to be had, just don't look to close as the beaches are awash with trash.   Really sad as it wouldn't take much to make em great but the visiting Vietnamese don't seem effected by it.  There are bath houses where you can change and shower off the after your swim for a nominal fee.   They also offer liquid to clean the tar off you feet .