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With over 2,000 miles of coastline, you’re never too far away from the beach in Vietnam. Beaches like Halong Bay, Da Nang, offer secluded coves, blue waters, white sands, vibrant corals, and breathtaking sunsets.
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Whether you want to bask in sunshine and take walks across the shore or would like to unleash your adventurous side by snorkeling and scuba diving, you’ll be spoilt for choice. You can even choose between beaches near big cities, like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, or rural towns and remote islands.
While some tourists prefer to jet off to a location they know little about, others do their research beforehand to ensure they’ve picked the right place. But you don’t have to scour the internet for hours. We’ve made it easy for you with this overview of the best beaches in Vietnam.
From the UNESCO-designated Ha Long Bay and the quintessential Hoi An to the tropical island destinations of Phu Quoc and more, here are 8 of the best beaches in Vietnam.
1. Halong Bay
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay is not to be missed. Located just a 4-hour bus ride away from Hanoi, Halong Bay is renowned for its limestone karsts and islets that rise dramatically from the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.
Kayaking and swimming in the middle of the phosphorescent plankton is a highlight when visiting Halong Bay. You can head to the man-made Bai Chay beach nearby or get on a boat tour to Ti Top Island, an island in the center of the bay that comes with its own beach.
Looking for an off-the-beaten-track destination? You can venture out further afield to the Ban Chan beach – an unexpected patch of paradise far away from the hustle and bustle of mass tourists.
2. Da Nang
Formerly a French colonial port, Danang is Vietnam’s third-largest city and is home to many of the country’s stunning beaches. Whether you want to be in the heart of the city or in a more secluded spot, there’s something for you in this central Vietnamese destination.
If you’re a fan of water sports, head to My Khe beach – the closest beach to the city center. It’s world-famous for surfing, snorkeling, and jet-skiing. For some peace and quiet, the untouched Tien Sa Beach on the northern side of the Son Tra Peninsula is a good bet.
A beach trip to Da Nang also doesn’t have to be just about beaches. Nearby attractions include the Phong Nha-ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to Son Doong, the world’s biggest cave.
3. Nha Trang
Nha Trang is a city in south-central Vietnam with plenty of stunning beaches. Although mass tourism has affected its landscape in recent years, you can still find some well-maintained beaches and islands in the area.
For iconic views of the bay, head to the Nha Trang Beach or City Beach – the city’s main beach. Just be prepared to deal with a large crowd if you go during peak hours. If you’re on the lookout for something more secluded, head to the beaches on nearby islands such as Hon Lon and Hon Tre.
Resort fun is also an option. Located on Hon Tre island, Vinpearl is a luxury resort and entertainment complex, offering a wide range of facilities including a water park, amusement park, golf course, spa, restaurants, shopping areas, and more!
4. Doc Let
Moving further north, Doc Let is just a quick, one-hour drive away from Nha Trang and is a less crowded alternative. The beach is known for its soft powdery sand and shallow waters, making it ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
But not all parts of Doc Let are the same. While the north part is most visited by tourists and is filled with many beach resorts and hotels, the central section has a good share of pristine beaches and the southern part, aka Jungle Beach, is surrounded by fishing villages.
With lesser crowds comes less development. Unlike Nha Trang, Doc Let mostly has family-run accommodations, restaurants, and kayak rentals. It makes for a peaceful retreat if you’re looking to experience a coastal getaway.
5. Hoi An
With a well-preserved architecture and history as a trading port in Vietnam’s central region, Hoi An’s French, Japanese, Chinese, and Islamic influences are clear. Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but there’s more to do than just taking in the sights and sounds of its quaint ancient town.
Cua Dai Beach is known for its calm and clear waters, and it’s where three key rivers meet before reaching the sea. While no longer an escape destination, due to resort developments, the bright side is you’ll find plenty of dining and drinking options.
Don’t forget to visit Hoi An’s hidden treasure, the Cham Islands. Comprising eight unspoiled islands nestled along the coastline, the Cham Islands are lauded by UNESCO for its remarkable assortment of plant and marine species, including 200 different types of fish!
6. Phu Quoc
Also known as “pearl island”, in reference to its white sand beaches, more than half of Phu Quoc is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The southern Vietnamese island has great environmental conservation efforts and cultural heritage and is a magnet for leisure travelers and water sports enthusiasts.
Phu Quoc has an impressive coastline of 150 kilometers, as well as gentle waves and turquoise waters. Long Beach is an especially popular option for beach loungers with its unobstructed sunset views, while Ganh Dau and Bai Thom beaches further north provide additional privacy and seclusion.
Did you know that Phu Quoc is famous for its fish sauce? It’s worth visiting a fish sauce factory to see how this fermented goodness is made. You can also get a window into traditional daily life by visiting fishing villages like Ham Hinh and eating fresh seafood at a floating restaurant!
7. Mui Ne
Known for its rolling sand dunes and beautiful beaches, Mui Ne is a coastal town just a 2-hour bus ride away from Ho Chi Minh City. Mui Ne has water sports for the adventure lover – particularly kiteboarding and windsurfing, but this doesn’t come at the expense of a relaxing beachside atmosphere.
Mui Ne is also famous for its charming fishing villages, fresh seafood, and captivating sunrises over the vast sand dunes. Morning walks can be quite an experience as you see vendors selling the day’s fresh catch and sample some yourself!
You’ll find no shortage of places to stay in Mui Ne. The town has got a reputation as the resort capital of Vietnam, which means there are plenty of resorts, hotels, and bungalows for varying budgets.
8. Con Dao
Con Dao is an archipelago of 16 islands located on Vietnam’s southern coast, filled with white sandy beaches, colorful coral reefs, and diverse marine life. Nature lovers will have plenty to see and do. But don’t be fooled by its beauty, this paradise has a dark history due to its prison.
Local stays, budget hotels, and a couple of high-end resorts are dotted along the main island of Con Son. Popular beaches here include Dat Doc Beach and, to the north of the town, the peaceful Lo Voi beach.
If you love turtles and want to see a spectacular sight, head to the Bay Canh Island Turtle Sanctuary on the nearby Bay Canh Island. Here, baby turtles are released from mid-August to early November.
Home to one of the country’s most infamous former prisons, which served as an incarceration facility for the French and the Americans, Con Dao’s dark history can be learned about at the Con Dao Museum.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which region is home to the nicest beaches in Vietnam?
The nicest beaches in Vietnam are predominantly located in the central and southern half of the country such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Hoi An, to name a few. With that said, the north also has its fair share of nice beaches like Ha Long Bay.
What is the most popular beach in Vietnam?
Although Vietnam has many popular beaches, Nha Trang is often hailed as the most popular. It’s a coastal city in the southern part of the country, featuring six kilometers of sand that connect the sea to the city and a number of cafes and restaurants to keep holidaymakers happy.
Which coastal road in Vietnam is known for its beauty?
The Nui Chua coastal road is often described as the most idyllic coastal road in Vietnam. The route skims the edges of mesmerizing bays, serene beaches, quaint fishing villages, and a national park!
What is considered appropriate beach attire in Vietnam?
Visitors are allowed to take off their clothes at Vietnamese beaches – as long as they’re wearing a bathing suit underneath. Women are allowed to wear full-coverage bikinis, and men will be fine in loose swimming shorts.
Conclusion:
Vietnam is a beach lover’s paradise. With so many options to choose from, you can’t go wrong – just make sure you’re visiting at the right time of year. For nice and sunny weather, it’s best to visit between March and May. Beyond beaches, Vietnam also has many other destinations worth visiting.
If you’re considering visiting Vietnam, you’ve probably already visited other countries in South East Asia. Happen to visit Indonesia by any chance? If so, check out our article on Indonesia vs. Vietnam to get a glimpse of the differences between the two countries.
Finally, it’s also a good idea to look into and secure travel insurance or expat health insurance for Vietnam before setting off. In the event of health emergencies, you’ll get peace of mind knowing that you’re covered.
To learn about your health insurance options, you can contact Pacific Prime. We’re a global health insurance broker with 20+ years of experience helping clients find the right plan for their needs and budget. We also offer FREE value-added services like form filling, claims assistance, and more.
With over 5 years of experience in the field, Suphanida spends the majority of her day synthesizing complex pieces of insurance-related information and translating this into easy-to-understand, engaging, and effective content across a variety of media such as articles, infographics, whitepapers, videos, and more.
Suphanida is also responsible for planning and publishing three whitepapers released annually by Pacific Prime: The State of Health Insurance Report, The Cost of Health Insurance Report, and The Global Employee Benefits Trends Report. Additionally, she handles the LinkedIn profiles of Pacific Prime’s Founder and CEO, as well as Global HR Lead.
Suphanida’s strengths lie in her strong research and analytical skills, which she has gained from her BA in Politics from the University of Warwick and Erasmus Mundus Joint MA in Journalism from Aarhus University and City, University of London.
Being of Thai-Indian origin and having lived, studied, and worked in Thailand, the UK, and Denmark, Suphanida also has a unique, multicultural perspective that helps her understand the struggles of expats and globetrotters.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling to new places and immersing herself in different cultures.
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