The original 1862 lighthouse was located on a different peak on Nho Mount before being relocated to its current site in 1913.
The lighthouse operates a high-intensity lamp with a rotating lens system capable of projecting light up to 35 nautical miles.
The French administration buildings on-site were designed with heavy stone walls and high ceilings to facilitate air circulation in a tropical climate.
The staircase inside the lighthouse consists of 55 steps.
The lighthouse serves as a primary navigation aid for ships entering the Long Tau river channel toward Ho Chi Minh City ports.
Vung Tau Lighthouse sits atop Nho Mount, serving as one of the oldest active lighthouses in Vietnam. Constructed by the French in 1862 and rebuilt in its current form in 1913, the structure is a cylindrical white tower standing 18 meters tall. The light remains operational, providing guidance for vessels navigating the coast of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Visitors reach the lantern room by climbing a spiral staircase housed within the tower. The site offers a 360-degree vantage point overlooking the Vung Tau peninsula and the South China Sea. Adjacent to the lighthouse is a colonial-era complex of French administration buildings connected by tunnel-like corridors. The surrounding grounds are landscaped with mature frangipani and tropical vegetation.
The external balcony encircling the lantern room provides the clearest view of the coastline and the city below.
Wear footwear with good traction as the access road is paved but includes a steep incline.
Bring a light jacket if visiting at dusk, as the wind speed increases significantly at the summit.
Limit belongings to what you can carry, as there is no storage area for bags at the entrance.
Do not attempt to hike the jungle trails branching off the main road, as they are often unmaintained and slippery.
Maintain a quiet volume near the interior residential and operational areas; avoid leaning on or damaging the historic outer walls.
