In his book The Customs of Cambodia (Chinese: 真臘風土記; pinyin: Zhēnlà Fēngtǔ Jì, literally Chenla Culture and Land Report) referred to Vũng Tàu as Zhenpu 真蒲, which he described as the border of Chenla.自溫州開洋，行丁未針。歷閩、廣海外諸州港口，過七洲洋，經交趾洋到占城。又自占城順風可半月到真蒲，乃其境也。[5] Since departing from Wenzhou, it has not done anything yet.

Moreover, if the wind blows from Champa, you can reach Zhenpu in half a month, which is its territory.During 14th and 15th centuries, the cape that would become Vũng Tàu was a swamp which European trading ships visited regularly.

Apres de Mannevillette (1707–1780), one of the greatest French chart-publishers, mentioned Saint Jacques in his book La Neptune Oriental.

During the 16th and 17th century, conflicts caused by the opposing clans in the Trịnh–Nguyễn War led to emigrations of Vietnamese people from Thuận Quảng to the coastal area near Vũng Tàu.

The kings Gia Long, Minh Mạng and Thiệu Trị invested heavily into Vũng Tàu's protection, by opening various defensive facilities.

A military barrack, Phước Thắng bảo 福勝堡, on the hill slope overlooking the Buffalo Cape, then called was built in 1839.

[9] In 1898, the French governor of Indochina, Paul Doumer (who later became president of France), built the Villa Blanche in Vũng Tàu that is still a prominent landmark.

The rebels threw a grenade from the kitchen killing the Vietnamese bartender, then shot the cook Nguyen Van Loc who was trying to play dead.

Attackers stationed in the hallway found the four children of Air Vietnam President Jean Perrin-Christian, Elysabeth, Michel, and Nicole- who were playing a game of hide-and-seek.

[13] Due to its rising significance as a military base and coastal beach resort, Vung Tau attracted a large number of residents during the war time.

After the capture of Bà Rịa and Phước Tuy province on 27 April, the 3rd NVA Division forces began their attacks on Vũng Tàu.

At 01:30 on 30 April the Division began its attack on Vũng Tàu forcing the Airborne into the city center where they eventually succumbed at 11:00.

[15]:chapter 6[16]: 476 [17] A fierce armed hostage crisis took place between the ARVN officers and the communists at Palace Hotel ended with the final surrender at 13:30.

In January 1976, a major adjustment of administrative boundary in southern Vietnam saw the merger of Vũng Tàu and three nearby provinces into Đồng Nai.

After the war, due to Vietnam being put under debilitating trade embargoes by the United States and failing economy, Vũng Tàu was a common launching place for the "Vietnamese boat people" – refugees escaping the post-war Communist regime.

The government-led nationalisation of private entreprises, collectivisation of the economy, central planning and money changes carried out in the post-war years brought in hardships for the majority of people.

After the signing of Soviet-Vietnam agreement on oil exploitation and establishment of Vietsovpetro, the city welcomed more than 2,000 Soviet officials and experts to work in the joint venture.

To create comfortable accommodation for the new workers, in 1985 the special zone government and the General Department of Petroleum built a separate dormitory for these people, often called the "5-storey area".

[19] Success from Đổi Mới and profits from seafood and petroleum exports brought a large budget source to Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, creating positive changes to repel the socio-economic crisis.

[21] The openings of Gò Găng and Cửa Lấp bridges helped connect Vũng Tàu with nearby districts faster.

Today, the city's importance as a shipping port has diminished, but it still plays a significant role in Vietnam's offshore oil industry.

[26][27] Vũng Tàu boasts a rich and diverse culture thanks to its unique location and history of foreign influences and domestic immigration.

A sizeable number of fishermen, particully those living near Thắng Tam village temple also celebrate holidays related to fishing and the sea, with Lễ hội Cá Ông (Whale Festival) or Lễ hội Nghinh Ông (Whale Celebration Festival) being most prominent.

Contrary to traditional feasts, this festival is usually held in summer months and aims to promote tourism and foster community spirit.

Mahayana Buddhism, the dominant form of the religion in Vietnam, was brought to Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu by the Vietnamese settlers from the north at the beginning of the 17th century during the expansion of the Nguyễn lords.

Nam Hai General is said to govern the ocean and protect people from evils, monsters, and disasters, and an annual festival is held in recognition.

Ingredients include rice flour, shrimp, pork, bean sprouts but it tastes is more significant thanks to the crust made from fresh chicken eggs, and the filling full of onions and mushrooms.

Common traditional music includes đờn ca tài tử, cải lương, tuồng and various folk songs.