Back Beach is a popular beach located on Vung Tau Island. It is the closest sea beach to Ho Chi Minh City, making it a convenient getaway for locals and tourists alike. The beach is known for its expansive shoreline, which can extend over 100 metres during low tide, indicating relatively shallow waters for a considerable distance. This feature, along with the occasional surfable wave, makes it a favorite spot for diehard surfers.
The beach stretches from The Point near Old Woman Island to the Co May River, which separates the island from the mainland. This length makes it a much longer beach than the typical tourist strip. The end of the beach near the river is remote and home to a few fishing families who maintain a traditional lifestyle.
Back Beach is also a popular spot for kite flying, having hosted the International Kite Festival multiple times. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, such as swimming in the morning, relaxing under the trees in the afternoon, or taking a leisurely stroll in the evening. The beachfront promenade is particularly popular for evening walks, where one can meet many locals.
While the beach is mostly clean, there have been instances of littering, which has led to calls for more regular cleaning by local authorities. In terms of amenities, there are food stalls across the Main Street for tourists to explore. However, visitors are advised to be cautious of tourist traps and to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
Several elite hotels have claimed segments of Back Beach, providing beachfront access through their properties. However, as of September 2023, many of these beachfront hotels and restaurants were temporarily closed. Despite this, access to the beach remains available.
