# Things To Do

Christ of Vung Tau Statue – #1 Biggest Jesus Statue in Asia

Being the number 1 biggest Jesus statue in Asia, the Christ of Vung Tau Statue is one of the top attractions for any travelers visiting Vung Tau City, Vietnam. This article will give you the most detailed information about the place, as well as visitor guide how to enjoy the trip to Christ of Vung Tau smoothly.

Where is Christ of Vung Tau Statue?

The Christ of Vung Tau statue, also known as the Christ the King Vung Tau, is situated on the top of Small Mountain (also known as Tao Phung Mountain), one of the two famous mountains in Vung Tau City, Vietnam.

You can easily find the entrance to the statue at Ha Long – Thuy Van street, Ward 2, Vung Tau City.

History

In 1972, Father Phaolô Nguyễn Minh Tri and local Catholics in Vung Tau started building a Christ the King statue at Nghinh Phong Cape. Construction stopped in 1973 due to a Buddhist Church complaint. A compromise moved the project to Tao Phung Mountain.

In 1974, the statue’s construction resumed on Tao Phung Mountain, overcoming financial and logistical challenges. The team discovered a hidden bunker, complicating the foundation. By April 1975, after the event at the Independence Palace, the statue was nearly complete.

After the war, the statue’s lightning protection was stolen in 1980. Repairs were delayed until 1992, when the government approved restoration. The project, including the statue, reliefs, and a Pieta statue, was completed by December 1, 1994.

Interesting facts & achievements

The Christ of Vung Tau statue is 32 meters tall, with arms stretching 18.4 meters wide. It stands on a pedestal featuring carvings of Jesus and the 12 apostles.

Inside the statue, there is a spiral staircase with 133 steps that goes from the base to the neck of the statue. To reach the statue, you have to climb a path with 1,000 steps that cover 500 meters.

The statue can hold up to 100 visitors at the same time.

On May 15, 2006, the Vietnam Record Book Center and Dam Sen Culture Company awarded this statue the record for being the “Largest Statue of Jesus Christ in Vietnam.”

On May 26, 2012, the Christ of Vung Tau was awarded the #1 Biggest Jesus Statue in the whole Asia, by the Vietnam Record Book Center.

Guide to visit

Best time to visit

It is highly recommended that you visit the Christ of Vung Tau Statue on sunny days (the site will be closed on rainy days for safety). Besides that, you should visit it on weekdays to avoid massive crowds.

Entrance fee & hours

You can freely visit the Christ of Vung Tau statue without entrance tickets. However, at the gate, there will be parking fees for:

Bikes: 5,000 VND
Car: 30,000 VND

Christ of Vung Tau’s opening hours are from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (every day). The last visitor can go into the entrance at 4:30 PM. Below is the photo of official opening hours board at the gate:

Clothings (Important)

Visitors are encouraged to wear modest clothing. This typically means wearing garments that cover the shoulders and knees. Long pants, skirts, and dresses are ideal for both men and women.

It is common for visitors to be stopped at the entrance of the Christ of Vung Tau Statue for wearing inappropriate clothing, particularly short pants. The statue’s management enforces a dress code to maintain the site’s sanctity and respect its religious nature.

Guide to go up to the statue

The Christ of Vung Tau does not stand alone. It comes with a compound site, including:

The entrance
The park nearby
Souvenir shop
Toilets
The old canons
The statue

With the map below, you can easily visit and browse the site without any difficulty.

When you reach the entrance gate, you can park your bikes on the left. Cars can park along the entrance. Or if you have none, you can simply walk straight up to the statue.

Keep walking for 1000 steps, you will reach the bottom of the statue. The walking path is beautiful, with sea views. With every 100 steps, there’s a bench where you can rest, so if you feel tired, make sure to take a break and regain your energy. Additionally, there are many flowers along the path, perfect for taking photos. Walking from the entrance gate to the Christ of Vung Tau statue takes about 30 minutes.

When you reach the ground of the statue, you have 2 options:

Enjoy the view from there only, and explore the old canons next to the statue
Keep going inside the Christ of Vung Tau, and up to the shoulders of the statue

If you choose to stay under the ground, you can explore the old canons next to the statue. These canons was put from the French colonization in 1900s.

If you want to continue climbing, you need to go up 133 spiral steps inside the statue, which is 32 meters tall. These steps take you from the base to the statue’s arm, where you can enjoy a full view of Vung Tau city from above. The staircase is very narrow, only wide enough for one person. Since the arm can hold only three people at a time, you have to wait for others to finish their visit before you can go up.

Do & Don't at Christ of Vung Tau

Please do

Dress Properly: Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
Bring Water: The climb can be tiring, so carry a bottle of water.
Wear Good Shoes: The path has many steps, so wear comfortable shoes.
Be Respectful: Keep noise levels low and respect the place and other visitors.
Take Breaks: Climb slowly and take breaks if needed. The view at the top is worth it.
Watch Your Stuff: Keep an eye on your belongings.
Take Photos: Feel free to take pictures but be mindful of others.

Please don't

Don’t Litter: Use trash bins to keep the area clean.
No Smoking: Avoid smoking, as it’s a religious site.
Keep Quiet: Speak softly to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
Don’t Damage Anything: Avoid writing on or damaging any part of the statue or its surroundings.
No Climbing Outside of the Statue: When you reach the top of the shoulders, do not try to reach outside
No Flash Photography Inside: If you go inside, avoid using flash photography.
Don’t Rush: Take your time climbing to avoid accidents or getting too tired.

Travelers' review

Visited by thousands of travelers each day, the Christ of Vung Tau Statue has up and down feedbacks. Here is the summary of each, so that you won’t have to read reviews one by one:

Positive review of Christ of Vung Tau

Visitors to the Christ of Vung Tau Statue often praise the breathtaking panoramic views of Vung Tau and the sea from the top, highlighting the impressive and majestic nature of the statue itself, which draws comparisons to the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.

Negative review of Christ of Vung Tau

Visitors to the Christ of Vung Tau Statue have expressed several concerns. One frequent complaint is the issue of littering around the site, which detracts from the overall experience and the natural beauty of the area.

Additionally, many visitors have been frustrated by the lack of warnings regarding the dress code; specifically, short pants are not allowed for climbing to the top. This restriction often catches visitors by surprise, causing inconvenience and disappointment for those who are unaware of this rule in advance. These factors have impacted the enjoyment and accessibility of the site for many travelers.