Vũng Tàu in a Day: Exploring the Iconic Jesus Statue with Three Generations

Vũng Tàu is a coastal city in southern Vietnam, about 2–2.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) by car or van. Known for its beaches, seafood, and religious landmarks, it’s a popular weekend getaway for both locals and tourists.

• It sits on a peninsula, meaning it’s surrounded by water on three sides.

• Vũng Tàu played an important role during the French colonial period and the Vietnam War, once serving as a rest area for soldiers.

• Today, it’s a peaceful city known for its hills, sea breezes, and religious landmarks like temples and churches.

It is the perfect day trip to take with your family to visit King the Christ Statue.

I posted this video on my YouTube channel under the Travel category.

Note--If you have difficulty walking, this trip to the top might not be for you. However, I have seen many elderly locals climbing making it look easy. It will depends on your overall body.

✝️ Christ the King Statue – Key Facts

• Name: Christ the King (Tượng Chúa Kitô Vua)

• Location: Mount Nhỏ (Small Mountain / Núi Nhỏ), Vũng Tàu

• Height: 32 meters (105 feet) tall, with arms stretching 18.4 meters wide

• Year completed: 1994 (though construction began in the 1970s)

• Built by: The Vietnam Catholic Association

• Material: Reinforced concrete

• Climb: ~800 steps to reach the base of the statue

Why it’s special:

• It's one of the largest statues of Jesus Christ in Asia.

• Visitors can climb inside the statue (up a spiral staircase) to the shoulders, where you can step out and enjoy breathtaking views of the sea and city.

• The arms serve as viewing platforms, offering a unique photo opportunity.

Most travelers choose to get to Vũng Tàu from Ho Chi Minh City by road or water. The most popular option is traveling by car, van, or motorbike, which takes around 2 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic. Many families and groups opt to rent a private van for comfort and flexibility, especially for day trips.

That is exactly what we did.

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Another convenient option is the express bus, with several companies offering daily departures from central Saigon. For a more scenic route, some travelers take the hydrofoil ferry from Bach Dang Wharf, which offers a relaxing 90-minute ride along the Saigon River and out to the coast. Each mode of transport has its own charm, making Vũng Tàu an accessible and appealing getaway for both locals and tourists.

You’ll need to choose the option that best suits your needs, but I highly recommend booking a private rental van if you're traveling with a multigenerational family. It offers the flexibility to stop whenever you like, more comfort during the ride, and the privacy to travel at your own pace. My aging parents and father-in-law—ages 76, 81, and 82—truly appreciated having our own vehicle for the journey.

This is the company I used. I picked a private shuttle for 10 of us that day.

👉Saigon Shuttle Service

It’s best to start early, as the drive to Vũng Tàu takes about 2.5 hours. If you choose a private shuttle service, your driver will pick your family up directly from your hotel at the agreed time. We began our day around 7:30 a.m. to get an early start and avoid the midday sun and heat.

Drivers will absolutely follow the speed limit. So, plan on the ride to take more than 2 hours

TIPS

1- Rent a private Shuttle - this is by far the best decision we made for our multi-generational family. ( I cannot imagine booking this day trip via a tourist bus with 50+ people on the busses.)

2- Plan accordingly to arrive early by 9 am - The sun gets hot and climbing the 800+ steps adds to this challenge.

3- Cover your shoulders- wear pants or long dresses-- YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INSIDE THE STATUE OTHERWISE. The security guards might give you access to climbing to the top, but you will not be able to get into the statue at all. My daugther and I were the ONLY members of our family that were able to get inside the Statue. What a shame to have come from such a long way to see the statue and not be able to get inside and enjoy the view. However, climbing the 800+ steps was a victory for all who came and did it.

4- Bring a hat/ sunglasses- it is hot during the Summer.

5- Wear comfortable shoes- definitely for climbing and keeping your ankles protected.

6- Bring cash to tip- you can tip the attendant at the entrance of the Statue or donate towards the upkeep.

7- Bring a small backpack or purse- You cannot bring any water bottles at all. They sell the water bottles once you climb the first set of stairs, but you could sneak in a water bottle in your backpack if you have one. They don't check the backpack in general.

8- Enjoy the journey to the top- Take it all in- This is a memorable experience

Our day ended up running longer than expected due to heavy traffic on the way back, so we had to pay a little extra for the extended ride. That’s why it’s important to plan your return time carefully if you want to avoid getting stuck in traffic.

There are two guards at the entrance gate who check your outfit before you're allowed to pass. Men wearing shorts are allowed to climb all the way to the top, but they won't be permitted to enter the statue itself.

If you forget to wear long pants, don’t worry — pants are sold at the gift shop located at the arrival area before the gate.

Plan ahead so you don’t miss out on the full experience!

811 steps in total

Here's how the climb breaks down:

• About 700 steps to reach the base of the statue (the platform).

• Then another ~133 narrow spiral steps inside the statue to reach the top — where you can stand inside the arms and look out through the openings.

⚠️ As mentioned earlier, you can only enter the statue if you're dressed appropriately (long pants for men and women). Shorts will prevent you from accessing the inside spiral staircase

Depending on your fitness level, the climb can take anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour. It’s a steady incline with shaded resting spots along the way, but it can get hot and humid, so bring water (hidden in your backpack) or buy some at the gift shop past the gate at the 1st platform and pace yourself.

I really encourage everyone to at least make it to the first platform on the climb — it’s a great resting spot with beautiful views that are worth the effort.

I honestly wish my parents had made it up to that point when they visited over 20 years ago. Instead, they waited at the entrance because of knee issues. I know they would’ve enjoyed the view, even if they couldn’t go all the way to the top.

Their experience is a reminder: don’t wait too long to take the trips you dream about. Time passes quickly, and health or circumstances can change before you know it. If there's somewhere your heart is set on going — go while you can. You may not always get another opportunity

Thank goodness for shaded path and lush gardens along the way. The climb is surrounded by greenery, tropical trees, and small rest areas. You’ll also find shaded pavilions where you can catch your breath and enjoy the view of Vũng Tàu’s coastline.

Of course, you have the magnificent views of the Ocean and City. As you ascend, the higher you get, the more impressive the panoramic views of the sea, city, and surrounding mountains become.

Please, take your time, enjoy your walk to the top. I wish I had taken more photos. It was just so hot that all I could think about was to make it to the top as fast as I could.

Take the time to enjoy every off-the-path resting spot — you never know if you'll have the chance to come back, and even if you do… will you actually return?

Once you’ve climbed the ~700 steps up Núi Nhỏ (Small Mountain) and reached the base of the statue, the final and most exciting part of your journey begins — entering the statue itself

Dress code is enforced. Remember that you will not be allowed inside if you wear shorts. Long pants and modest clothing are required.

Footwear must be removed before going inside. Most visitors will leave them at the entrance steps.

You will be given a lock key to put your belongings such as your purse.

The interior is simple, with minimal decoration, focusing more on function than aesthetics. Along the way, you will see a Jesus and Virgin Marie Statue.

Once inside, you will find a narrow spiral staircase that leads up through the interior of the statue.

The stairs are narrow and steep, allowing just enough room for people to line up with their back against the wall to allow people to go down as you wait on the way up. It has approximately 133 steps. The handrails are mostly used for going down.

There is no ventilation. It is hot. If you have a paper fan, bring one. You can purchase one in any gift shop. I highly recommend you have one on hand. It is soooo hot, and you will need to fan yourself.

Be patient, it is a long wait to the top, especially if it is crowded that day. You will pass by small viewing windows carved into the statue's body.

The staircase leads you to inside the shoulders and arms of the statue.

Things to Know

• Space is limited at the top — it’s not a place to linger long, especially during busy hours.

• Claustrophobic or mobility-challenged visitors may find the climb inside difficult.

• There are no elevators or emergency exits inside the statue.

I am so happy to have visited this monument. It was recognized the largest Christian Statue (measuring 32 meters tall) in Asia in 2012 until September 2024. A new Christ Statue in Indonesia measures 61 meters tall and is located near Lake Toba.

Once standing inside the arm of the body, you have a gorgeous view of the city. I wish i had taken more pictures. However, my daughter and I took it all in. Being there and living a special moment forever etched in our memory.

Coming down from the Jesus Christ Statue in Vũng Tàu is just as rewarding as the climb up. However, coming down was so much easier.

As you descend the winding stone steps from the peak of Núi Nhỏ (Small Mountain), you’re treated to sweeping panoramic views of the coastline, city, and distant fishing boats dotting the sea.

With each steps downward, you are reminded on how special it was to make it to the top and you sort of realize that it may be the only time that you will ever be there.

So, when you visit, take a moment to truly appreciate the beauty around you—the peaceful presence of the place, the majestic journey to the top, and the simple gratitude of being there, in that moment.

After the morning visit and climb to the peak of Núi Nhỏ (Small Mountain) where the Statue resides, we had lunch in an open air restaurant.

It was hot and humid. There were fan blowing, but it was still so hot.

If you travel with a group tour, you will not have to decide where to eat since it would be part of the package.

There are plenty of eating places in town.

My mother did not recognized Vũng Tàu from 25 years ago. The city has completely transformed to accommodate tourism.

The city aims to become a world‑class tourism centre. The plan includes more luxury / resort offerings, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions), varied coastal resorts, eco‑tourism, water sports

The city has long been important for oil and gas production, as well as maritime trade. It's also a popular destination for domestic tourists, especially travelers from nearby Ho Chi Minh City.

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After Lunch, my parents were tired and wanted to go home. However, because we were surrounded by the many beautiful beaches, we decided to make a quick stop.

We dipped our toes in the sea.
We admired the area, and we could see the Jesus Statue looking minuscule from the bottom, from the beach.

I'm so glad we made the stop—not just at the mountain to see the statue, but also at the beach, where we could take in all the beauty around us. Feeling the breeze, the warmth of the sun on our skin, the sound of the waves rolling in—it was one of those rare moments that stays with you. A memory quietly etched into our minds, marking a truly special day.