With only one coastline, you'd imagine Vietnam not having those dazzling beaches you want. That's not the case, Vietnam has exhilarating beaches in spades. There are lots of places to choose from. You can enjoy an amazing short break that excites you, or a proper holiday full on relaxation. It's finding the sweet spot in Vietnam that will work for you, and there's many sweet spots:
We spent an amazing two-day getaway on Phu Quy Island. It was a lovely break; the Island is popular for the beaches. And we managed to fit in time for the charming villages and beautiful seascapes.
You can get to Phan Thiet City from either Ho Chi Min City or Nha Trang City.
And the good times keep rolling. That is, so long as you understand where to holiday in Vietnam for the time of year you're coming over on holiday. That's because there are months of rain, but don't be disheartened by that. The rains are never heavy, nor do they last long.
For the least amount of rainfall, check out these months:
Often thought of as a tropical country, Vietnam for certain feels like one. At any point of your holiday, you should expect there may be rain. After a few holidays to southeast Asia, you grow accustomed to it and expect it. For those coming to Vietnam for their first time, it'll be a pleasant surprise to you.
Are you concerned about rain during your dream holiday? Let's put it into perspective for you. We had a three-week holiday in Da Nang for Christmas and New Year in 2019 (before COVID) and it rained maybe 4 times. The rain kept us indoors sure, but it never rained all day nor was it heavy (we could enjoy coffee on our balcony).
Don't worry, besides it continues to be warm afterwards.
Pro Tip #1: If you love road trips, begin from Da Nang City. Take in Hoi An Ancient Town and continue south along the coast to Nha Trang City and onto Phan Thiet City. Finally, turn westward heading to Ho Chi Minh City to conclude your 7-day itinerary.
For several reasons. You can find a special beach for you no matter where you holiday in Vietnam, either in the north, central or south. A beach will always be within easy reach for you, and in a beautiful location too. The Vietnamese know very well how to make you feel welcome:
There is something for everyone. In other words, whether you seek fun and games, adventure or total relaxation. Vietnam has many beaches leaving you dazzled, that's very true.
Vietnam is famous for the huge variety of fresh seafood dishes. Their fish sauces especially, are world renowned and served in top restaurants around the globe. Whether dining out for lunch or an evening meal or simply paying for street food, here are some popular snacks to look out for:
When eating seafood in Vietnam always ensure its cooked. Some restaurants have raw seafood dishes on their menu, ask what something is if unsure. Staff are always super friendly and helpful.
What other dishes should, or must you try in Vietnam? Off the bat, is Pho soup.
The national dish is legendary, and each region of Vietnam has its own variety. Pho soup in Hanoi isn't the same Pho soup in Da Nang, or elsewhere. Pho soup in Ho Chi Minh City will be different too, flavors and taste differ so much.
The crispy Banh Mi baguettes of Da Nang and Hoi An are another must try street food snack. The bread is filled with succulent pieces of pickled pork or vegetables.
The "go to" beach when staying in Nha Trang City. You must leave the city behind and travel north 50km to find this beach. We already knew the journey time was as long as 90 minutes, so we packed a picnic for the whole day before setting off.
The bus tickets were less than a dollar for two people, leaving on bus route 03 for Doc Let Beach.
This is an idyllic stretch of sand that's white chalk colored with turquoise blue waters. In other words, it is a dream beach for most of us. The distance from Nha Trang ensures it is never crowded and a lot of those on it, are locals. Great if you are looking for time to relax and work on your tan.
When the mood takes you, go for a stroll sightseeing along the beach, enjoying the shade of the coconut trees. Is it one of those beaches that makes you feel good? Yes, with activities ensuring you're never bored:
There are quality resorts nearby but let's face it, it's a day trip from Nha Trang. One day is enough. There is not a lot more to warrant you staying a night away from Nha Trang to be honest. The beach is best for solo travelers and couples, and families too. On the beach there are many activities for kids. The beach was amazing for us.
When you are traveling in the south of Vietnam it's inevitable. You'll come across Phan Thiet City, about 180km east of Ho Chi Minh City. Many tourists either travel to Nha Trang or Phan Thiet, from HCMC. One time, we opted to go to Phan Thiet City first. That's because Nha Trang is further up the coast, we'd for certain get to there anyway.
What's of interest to you is 16km out of Phan Thiet is the smaller town of Mui Ne, to the north. Hire a taxi is the most convenient way of reaching the beach, but don't pay any more than US$15 for the pleasure. The small town is famous for its coconut palm trees of Mui Ne Beach, and red sand dunes.
For something to do:
A cool breeze blowing in off the ocean you welcome, whilst lounging under the shade of coconut trees. The best activity on the beach is the kite surfing, due to the breeze we found this surfing to be exhilarating. Mui Ne Town happens to be one of the more enjoyable towns along Vietnam's coast.
Pro Tip #2: In Vietnam with taxi drivers, it's advisable to haggle between them and save yourself a dollar, or more. Using an app is another way to negotiate a deal and a place to be picked up. Each day of your holiday, set a budget for taxi hire and stick to it.
Hoi An Town is a marvelous experience for couples on a two-day holiday getaway. But it's just as amazing for backpackers too, and families.
That's mostly in part to the attractions found in town, and An Bang Beach. Hoi An's best beach stretches for kilometers, is clean and peaceful. We strolled onto the beach the first time, on our own two-day break from Da Nang City. We could feel the hustle and bustle immediately melt away.
Being close to the sea does that for most of us, or any body of water. Thankfully, Vietnam is blessed with its own share of beautiful sand.
Whereas Cua Dai Beach is closer to the town center, An Bang Beach is a little more distant. Yes, you could cycle the 3km (rent a bicycle from 25,000VND) but honestly, it's more convenient to take a 5-minute taxi ride. If you do choose to cycle the few kilometers, the huge benefits of course are:
Once at the beach enjoy swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing. Even tutored kayaking, this is a great activity for children. There are also beachfront yoga and meditation classes you can join, for ultimate self-therapy.
Traveling around Vietnam you soon understand the east coast of Vietnam is one long beach. Phan Rang was exactly that in our thoughts.
Long stretches of lovely sand and pristine waters. Nestled between Nha Trang City and Mui Ne Town is Phan Rang City. Quite inconspicuous in fact, great if you're seeking a laidback ambience. The small city is typical traditional Vietnam, with a slower pace of life and is the best stop gap place to rest.
The city has two beaches worth exploring, although we only visited one:
You must travel outside the city to Vinh Hy Bay, some 38km distant you must go by taxi or motorbike. Once you do, you are met with long stretches of white sands, but be wary the beach is often crowded. It's popularized by tourists, local and foreign.
The location is superb for enjoying walks off the beach, exploring the landscape. That's what we did, to climb to one of the high points looking down. It's very rewarding to sit there and relax for an hour before returning to the beach. The sea blends with forest creating the perfect painting.
The masterpiece is complete with anchored Vietnamese fishing boats.
What more could you want? Not far off from the beach is a cave, a few kilometers you could in theory walk there. Rai Cave has a stunning rock formation that was once a coral reef now no longer. In among the rocks, you can find in places to sit submerged in the water to cool off.
The best months to travel for enjoying this bay are in June, July and August, the height of summer.
The full length of Vietnam's coast has many hidden bays, regular haunts the locals keep secret. And for good reason. Cam Ranh Bay is a secret you must uncover for yourself. You'll come across the bay on your travels throughout the south of the country.
Cam Ranh City is quite large and known to be a top luxury resort destination. An excellent choice as a two-day base, and an alternative to the busier Nha Trang City an hour to the north. In fact, it could be thought Can Ranh is overshadowing Nha Trang. The international airport close by, aiding an upsurge in tourists could be the cause?
Journey times from Ho Chi Minh City's airport now one hour to Cam Ranh's international airport. In practice, you can completely bypass Nha Trang altogether, why bother. Aside from natural beauty of the bay, the resort ambience resonates relaxation.
Or for those seeking thrills, there is an active nightlife as expected of any top city.
It's our recommendation you stay at one of the resorts with a private beach for a luxury experience. Also, many resorts have spa facilities and a golf course. A little way from the bay there are public beaches and often they'll be deserted.
Nha Trang City is a top tourist haunt in Vietnam's south, in thanks to the picturesque coastline. It's the only place in fact with great beaches other than the Phu Quoc Islands, to the southwest of Nha Trang. For some of the best beaches you must travel out of the city.
Hon Chong Beach is a peaceful beach retreat and only 10 minutes from the city center. That says a lot for this leading beach, because there are a dozen other beaches within the vicinity of the city. The beaches we like the most are:
What makes Hon Chong Beach so astonishing? For us, it's the fact there are far less crowds, compared to those beaches closer to the city, such as Tran Phu Beach.
You must travel out of the city to get to the best beaches, some as far away as 15km. It's worth the hassle, especially for Vinh Luong Beach, in the long run for relaxation. Many of Vietnam's Nha Trang's beaches are like beaches elsewhere in Vietnam. Beach activities are all similar in nature, which isn't a bad thing.
Vinh Luong Beach is great for couples. Yet, both Nha Trang and Khu Du Lich beaches are more geared towards families. The best beach we stayed all day on, it was Nha Trang Beach, within walking distance of our hotel in the city center.
All beaches within any distance of Nha Trang have full facilities and services. Don't be thinking the distance leaves you without basic amenities, that's not the case. The amazing seafood we enjoyed in the city center we also found a restaurant on the beach.
The southern archipelago is an amazing retreat and one you should dare yourself to try.
As you could imagine, there are dozens of good quality beaches in Phu Quoc. What makes Khem Beach dazzle? We strayed upon this amazing beach on our first trip to the Islands. The beach belongs to An Thoi Town to the south of the main Island.
From Phu Quoc's Duong Dong Town grab a taxi to journey 25km to An Thoi Town. In fact, it's not for certain you should stay in Duong Dong Town for your holiday. If you're on a short trip, such as a weekend getaway, bypass Duong Dong altogether in favor of An Thoi Town.
As soon as you are free of the airport, go direct to An Thoi Town.
Another favorite of ours is Hoi An Ancient Town, for many reasons. It's a beautiful place for total relaxation, fun and beaches. And, as a bonus it's less than an hour from Da Nang City.
Is this beach so different to An Bang Beach elsewhere in Hoi An? No, in truth. Both beaches are similar in nature, which isn't a bad thing. Hoi An Ancient Town complements your holiday so well; you cannot help but feel pulled by the town. Here is what we liked about Hoi An's Cua Dai beach:
It's best to visit the beaches of Hoi An Town from April through to October, for the best weather and festivals. From the town center it is so easy to get to the beach by bicycle. You can rent a bicycle in town, ask your hotel or guesthouse for details.
They're cheap and so accessible for getting around only to return at the end of the day. So, hurry along to this beach. Because, it's said to be one of the 25 most beautiful beaches in Asia. That can't be far off the truth in our opinion.
Is Vung Tau Beach worth visiting? We guess so. All beaches in Vietnam have their niceties, including beach front resorts. This one is no different.
We traveled by taxi from Ho Chi Minh City and arrived at the town a few hours later. If you leave early enough you can be on a beach for sunrise, when there are so few people around. Those living in Ho Chi Minh City who cannot make it to the Phu Quoc Islands, settle for Vung Tau Town.
It's their best alternative destination with several good quality beaches and resort facilities. The town has four beaches in total. Each offer different things to different people, from rest and relaxation to swimming. Enjoy scenic views, the tranquil ambience and exciting beach sports activities. It so happens beach volley is everyone's favorite:
We only had the one day in Vung Tau Town, returning to Ho Chi Minh City late evening. What little time we did have in town, it was marvelous and an amazing day trip. Off the beaches there is always something to do other than sunbathing. In Vung Tau, we found time for:
It's so easy to make comparisons between Vung Tau and Cam Ranh, which is better? It depends. If you favor staying close to Ho Chi Minh, then of course Vung Tau is the clear winner. But for those traveling, Cam Ranh because it's also close to Nha Trang.
The last beach in our list isn't any less breathtaking. Have you ever heard of anyone talk about Con Dao National Park?
On the edges of the park is this amazing Island, by the name of Con Dao Island. The location is far south of Ho Chi Minh City, in the South China Sea. It's best to take flight from HCMC to the small Island's airport. It's so easy and convenient to do so, it's ridiculous not to.
Less than 90 minutes from one airport to the other you are jumping into a taxi bound for your hotel in Con Dao Town. The Island's main transport links are:
The Island's main town in central to the port and airport, on the east side of the Island. The crescent shaped Island is perfect for exploring over the course of any two day stay. Rent a motorbike from US$7 a day and create an adventure for yourself. That's more or less what we did:
By late afternoon we were on the plane back to Ho Chi Ninh City. The Island is such a place your time enhanced staying local within town at a homestay and not a beach resort. Anywhere else it may not feel right but on Con Dao Island, it does. Have you never tried a homestay in Vietnam before? You should.
Anyway, Dam Trau Beach may be the largest stretch of pristine sand on the Island. When we say you'll be looking forward to it, you can believe it. Behind the pure white sandy beach are forests of the said national park. Although there are rough rocks to be wary of, it's one of those beaches you can go snorkeling without too much bother.
The waters are calm, and safe. The beach is close to the airport terminal actually, on the Island's west coast. If you find the beach in town too much a distraction, the resorts too noisy don't fret. Head back to the airport for Dam Trau Beach.
Related Reading: Con Dao Island, and Other Secret Island Getaways You Must Know About
Where do you begin?
There are so many gorgeous beaches in Vietnam, it breaks your heart to decide on only one. Friends and family who had yet to travel to Vietnam have asked us if An Bang Beach a good beach or not. We loved this beach, yes but we have felt it was over hyped. The title of the best beach in Vietnam for us, goes to Khem Beach found in the Phu Quoc archipelago.
Phu Quoc is an amazing experience, and it's possible for you to kick start your holiday there. Phu Quoc's international airport makes that possible. The chances are you won't have any problem with flights either. How about you spend your first few days there? Creating the perfect conditions for the rest of your vacation.
Also check out Vietnam's other weekend Island getaways because they're worth visiting too.
Further Reading: The Best Beaches in Goa, India for Christmas Vacation
All along the coast of Vietnam, there are quality resorts and hotels, cafes and restaurants. Be in no doubt the choice of accommodation available to you, and at favorable budgets. It's not as if you'll go out your way for one beach or another. But you'll choose one closest to where you happen to be.
If you're flying into Ho Chi Minh City to begin your holiday, moving on, your options are varied:
Most tourists would go with the first two options. But, actually the airport at Cam Ranh is far more convenient. For tourists on holiday, that's our recommendation holidaying in the south ― fly. Because Nha Trang and its world class diving spots are only an hour away by taxi.
We don't see the point of a long journey by road from HCMC to Nha Trang. Unless on a road trip or have budget concerns.
It's clear for you to understand no matter where it is you are holidaying in Vietnam, there's a beach not too far away. The best beaches when in Hanoi are close to Haiphong City, a few hours by express bus. You make a beehive for Ha Long Bay, enjoying an incredible 2D1N cruise, with the awesome Cat Ba Island thrown into the mix.
No matter where you go in Vietnam, you're onto a winner. That's especially so in the southern third of Vietnam, in our experience the best beaches are. Actually, be sure you plan to avoid the monsoon months ― May through to October take note.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.