I have been living in Vung Tau for almost 2 years (live on the street of Xo Viet Nghe Tinh) and find this part of Vietnam a really relaxing place to live in.
It has a vast variety of food, especially seafood. The local people from other parts of Vietnam come to Vung Tau for seafood.
You can do surfing too.
Every night after a hard day's work, I'll pop into one of the local bars for a drink. I have patronized a few but 'concluded' on only one bar named *** Bar near *** Hotel. The two lady bosses are really friendly and accommodating where their staff are fun loving and love to chit-chat.
The reason why I return to this bar nightly is because they are friendly and warm unlike the other bars where earning dollar and cents is their motto. This bar is different. That is why they have many returning customers turned close friends. Its great.
Vung Tau also has a Dog Racing track where you can place your bets on the choice of your dog. But the track opens on weekends only. The locals love it. The ids love it too. There are also finger food stalls if you feel like having a snack during the race......