Do you dream of spending a holiday by the sea, in an idyllic and relaxing place? Vietnam offers many ways to enjoy its beautiful beaches, rich culture and delicious cuisine. The S-shaped country is an ideal destination for people who love paradise beaches, culture and cuisine. It offers a fantastic variety of landscapes and atmospheres, from north to south, with more than 3,000 km of coastline bathed by turquoise waters.
To help you in your choice, this article offers you our top of the best beach destinations in Vietnam in 2024. Whether you are looking for calm, entertainment, luxury or adventure, whatever your age, your situation or your budget, you will find your happiness among these exceptional places.
THE TIMELESS CLASSICS
Among the most popular beach destinations in Vietnam are the following must-sees.
My Khe beach - Da Nang - Photo credit: personal collection
Da Nang
This coastal city in central Vietnam is known for its My Khe beach, ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Da Nang also offers a multitude of activities and attractions, including the Marble Mountains, Son Tra Peninsula and Ba Na Mountain, made famous by its golden bridge.
Location: Da Nang is in central Vietnam, about an hour flight from the capital Hanoi and the South Ho Chi Minh City metropolis.
How to get there: The easiest and fastest is the plane, Da Nang having its airport located about 3 km from the city center, easily accessible by taxi, bus or Grab. If you have time, opt for the picturesque train, but expect more than 15 hours of travel from Hanoi.
When to go: From February to April, the climate is very pleasant, conducive to seaside activities and visits. September is cooler, but still very pleasant, while we will avoid the period from October to January, it is the rainy season, with abundant rainfall and risks of typhoons.
Good to know: Da Nang and its surroundings is rich in a culture marked by the influences of China, the Cham civilization and colonial France. The historical, religious and artistic heritage of the city, as well as its culinary, musical and festive customs, await you. Respect local customs, such as taking off your shoes before entering a temple or house and dressing decently in sacred places.
.jpg "Hoi An by Night")
Romantic Hoi An by night - Photo credit: Mr Linh's adventures
Hoi An
Located near An Bang Beach, this city has been a
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Traditional houses with gilded facades, Chinese lanterns and typical cuisine are distinctive features of the city.
Location: Hoi An is a historic and picturesque city in central Vietnam, located about 30 km south of Da Nang.
How to get there: You have several options to get to Hoi An, depending on your starting point, budget and preferences. You can get to Da Nang International Airport, which hosts domestic and international flights, and then take a taxi, bus or Grab to get to Hoi An in about 45 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the train to Da Nang, which connects Hoi An to Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and other cities. Then you can take a taxi, bus or Grab to reach Hoi An in about 30 minutes.
When to go: We generally recommend the months of February, April and September because they have a very pleasant weather and comfortable temperatures. This is the best time to enjoy the beaches, water activities and tourist attractions of the city. The temperature starts to drop slightly in September, but it remains comfortable. Rainfall is still moderate, but may increase at the end of the month. This is a good time to explore the hills of Ba Na and the famous golden bridge.
Good to know: Slip light clothes, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a raincoat into your suitcase. If the spoken language is Vietnamese, you can however communicate in English with the staff of hotels, restaurants and tourist sites. Learning a few basic words in Vietnamese, like hello (xin chào), thank you (cảm ơn) or goodbye (tạm biệt), is a plus!
Lang Co Bay - Photo credit: BNT Travel
Lan Co
This peaceful bay, surrounded by mountains and forests, is famous for its gentle beaches, beautiful lagoon and Bach Ma National Park, which has exceptional biodiversity.
Location: The picturesque coastal village of Lang Co is very close to the ancient imperial city of Hue, in the province of Thua Thien-Hue, in the center of the country with two deltas.
How to get there: You can fly to Da Nang International Airport, which receives domestic and international flights, then take a taxi, bus or Grab to reach Lang Co in about 1 hour. Or you can take the train to Hue Station, which connects Lang Co to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other Vietnamese cities. Then you can take a taxi, bus or Grab to reach Lang Co in about an hour and a half.
When to go: The weather is very pleasant from February to May, with comfortable temperatures and little rainfall. This is the best time to enjoy the beaches, water activities and hiking in the national park. The temperature remains comfortable with moderate rains from September to November, but can intensify at the end of the month.
Good to know: It is recommended to avoid sun, humidity and mosquitoes. Be careful when bathing at Lang Co beach as there is a kind of jellyfish year that can cause itching and allergies. If you want to buy souvenirs or gifts, don’t forget to haggle because sellers usually offer higher prices than their real value.
Somewhere in Nha Trang - Photo credit: Pixabay
Nha Trang
Water sports enthusiasts will love this lively seaside town in southern Vietnam, with white sandy beaches bathed in crystal clear waters. Many sights can be visited in Nha Trang, such as Long Son Temple and Hon Tre Island. Nha Trang is also popular for its water activities, including scuba diving.
Location: You will find the city of Nha Trang on the south central coast of Vietnam, about 450 km from Saigon and 1500 km from Ha Noi.
How to get there: Depending on your departure point, you will opt for the plane: located about 30 km from the city center, Nha Trang International Airport hosts domestic and international flights. Although the train ride allows you to enjoy the scenery along the coast, it can be long and uncomfortable. The bus is both the cheapest and the least convenient option.
When to go: The best time to visit Nha Trang depends on your preferences, but February to May and September to November are usually the most recommended. You will enjoy a pleasant weather, ideal to enjoy the Nha Trang National Park with its beaches, water activities and hiking. Note that the period from December to January is to be avoided if you want to have a good stay in Nha Trang. It is the rainy season, with the risk of typhoons.
Good to know: There is a nice night out: the Cho Dam open-air market, located in the center of Nha Trang, where you can buy souvenirs. Consider negotiating prices. To experience Cham culture, visit the two temples built at the mouth of the Cai River in 817. They are visible from afar and are built entirely of bricks. If you can walk there from the center of Nha Trang (bring a bottle of water), it is best to take a taxi back.
Phan Thiet-Mui Ne - Photo credit: Mr Linh's adventures
Mui Ne
Mui Ne is a popular seaside resort for its sand dunes and water activities.
Location: This famous resort is located on the south central coast of Vietnam, in the province of Binh Thuan. It is located about 24 kilometers northeast of the city of Phan Thiet, the provincial capital. Ho Chi Minh City is just over 140 km away and Ha Noi, 1,150 km away. One goes there for its fine sand dunes, beach and nautical activities, not to mention kitesurfing.
How to get there: Mui Ne does not have an airport. You will travel by plane and bus via Saigon from Ha Noi for about 9 hours of travel, including two hours of flight between the capital and HCM-city. You can go to Phan Thiet by bus or train from the South megalopolis.
When to go: You can visit Mui Ne all year round but the area can be windy with some showers in summer, from May to October. Ideally, Mui Ne can be visited from February to May and from September to November, perfect periods to enjoy beaches, water and sports activities.
Good to know: Actually, Mui Ne refers to both the beaches and a district of the city of Phan Thiet. In addition to water and sports activities such as kitesurfing, surfing, sailing, kayaking and jet skiing, visit the fishing village of Mui Ne or explore the Cham towers of Poshanu, which are about 8 km from Mui Ne beach.
.jpg "Phu Quoc")
Phu Quoc - Photo credit: Mr Linh's adventures
Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc, the largest island of Vietnam, is a privileged leisure destination. It is famous for its beautiful beaches, natural park and lively and colorful popular market.
Location: Phu Quoc is located in the Gulf of Thailand, south of Vietnam, near the border with Cambodia. It is famous for its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters ideal for scuba diving and delicious cuisine.
How to go: Several possibilities, depending on your starting point, your preferences and/ or constraints. You can fly from Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Ha Noi or Hai Phong and land at Phu Quoc International Airport, which is about 30 km from Duong Dong, the biggest city of the island. You can also take a fast boat from the ports closest to the island, namely Rach Gia or Ha Tien. It takes about 2.5 hours. From Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho you can also take a bus to Rach Gia or Ha Tien and then take a speedboat to Phu Quoc. The journey time can vary from 6 to 10 hours, depending on traffic and schedules of buses and boats.
When to go: These are the months from November to April are, in general, the most recommended for the comfortable and pleasant weather, conducive to the many activities that the Emerald Island offers. However, the rainy season will be avoided from May to October.
Good to know: Renting a bicycle or motorcycle is the best way to get around the island. Note that the distance between each destination is relatively long, even if the island is small. During the dry season it can be difficult to cycle because of the intense heat. On the other hand, if you choose the motorcycle as the main means of transport, do not forget to bring your motorcycle driving license. Otherwise, your travel insurance does not cover you in case of an accident.
Quy Nhon - Photo credit: personal collection
NEW DESTINATIONS
In addition to these traditional tourist destinations, Vietnam also has many new seaside destinations that are growing rapidly.
Quy Nhon
This coastal city in central Vietnam is known for its Eo Gio beach, characterized by its spectacular rock formations. Quy Nhon is also an ideal destination for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.
Located about 450 km north of Ho Chi Minh City, this former trading port under the Champa kingdom is one of the jewels of the southern central coast of the Land of the Dragon. From February to April and in September, you will fly there, as Quy Nhon International Airport is about 30 km from the city centre. The train allows you to enjoy the coastal landscape, but the journey can be long and uncomfortable. The bus is the cheapest option, but also the least convenient.
Enjoy Ky Co Beach, the Phuong Ma Peninsula - a protected area with rich biodiversity - and the splendid view of Genh Rang Tien Sa, a natural site that is about 3 km from the city center.
Lan Ha bay - Photo credit: Mr Linh's adventures
Cat Ba
Nature lovers will find a true paradise on this
island located inside
Halong Bay UNESCO Heritage Site. The lush rainforest of Cat Ba, pristine beaches and a national park filled with caves and waterfalls, make it famous.
The largest of the 367 islands that make up the Cat Ba archipelago is about 50 km from Hai Phong and 160 km from Ha Noi. By road or air, you can reach Hai Phong by taking a bus and ferry that will take you to Cat Ba in about 2 hours. The ideal time to visit Cat Ba is from November to April, when the temperatures are mild and the climate dry, which allows you to enjoy beaches, water activities and hikes in the national park. The rainy season lasts from May to October, with heavy rainfall and the risk of typhoons.
It is possible to kayak in the bay of Lan Ha, explore the National Park by hiking in the rainforest or simply enjoy the beaches and relax in the bars, restaurants and hotels of the town of Cat Ba, that offer a friendly and dynamic atmosphere.
Con Dao - Photo credit: Vietnam Travel
Con Dao
Located off the south coast of Vietnam, this authentic and preserved archipelago is a hidden gem ideal for lovers of nature and history. White sand beaches, turquoise water and coral reefs are the characteristics of the Con Dao Islands.
The Con Dao archipelago consists of 16 islands laid in the Gulf of Siam, about 180 km from the city of Vung Tau, in southern Vietnam. It is also the name of the largest island of the archipelago. There are two ways to get to Con Dao: By plane, with daily flights that connect Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Con Dao (VCS). The flight takes one hour and 30 minutes. Or by boat, with shuttles departing daily from Vung Tau. The journey takes two hours. The best time to visit Con Dao is from November to May, when the weather is dry and sunny. On the other hand, the months of July to September are wetter and can experience storms.
We come for its beautiful beaches, some of which are ranked among the most beautiful in Vietnam. Hiking in its tropical forests and mangroves or diving to discover the coral reefs will be pleasant activities. History buffs will visit the prison which dates from the French colonial period and the Vietnam War.
Eternal Ha Long bay - Photo credit: Mr Linh's adventures
BEYOND THE BEACHES
Ha Long Bay
Although technically not a seaside destination, the limestone karst formations of Miss UNESCO 1994 rising on the emerald waters offer a fascinating view. Activities such as kayaking, bamboo boat ride and cave exploration offer unique encounters with natural beauty.
PLAN YOUR SEASIDE HOLIDAY IN VIETNAM
Vietnam certainly has the perfect beach for you, no matter if you prefer busy resorts or secluded coves. When choosing your destination, consider your budget, favourite activities and travel style. Remember that the beach at the top is subjective, find the one that will speak to your heart.
Pro tip: Vietnam’s sustainable tourism sector is still booming in 2024. For a responsible beach escape, choose eco-friendly resorts, support local communities and minimize your environmental impact.
In 2024, the beautiful seaside destinations of Vietnam await you with your swimsuit, sunscreen and your apetite for adventure!