Beyond the bustling scooter-filled streets of Hanoi and the emerald rice terraces of Sapa lies a different side of Vietnam. Islands dot its 3,000-kilometre coastline, offering limestone peaks and cliffs, beautiful beaches, and exotic wildlife. While Thailand has traditionally stolen much of the limelight regarding Southeast Asian island escapes, the islands of Vietnam more than hold their own.
The Vietnamese archipelagos can be quieter and often provide a more relaxing alternative to the larger Thai islands. You can step back in history with Con Dao’s criminal connections and penal past; enjoy UNESCO Biosphere Reserves on Phu Quoc or the Cham Islands; look out for the rare Cat Ba langur and elusive Hon Son pit vipers on their namesake islands; or add a culinary flavour with stays on Phu Quoc or Ly Son. These ten stunning tropical islands provide the perfect sanctuary for those looking for a relaxing beach extension at the end of a bespoke Vietnam tour or who enjoy a beachside G&T after some more slow-paced sightseeing.
Map of Vietnam Islands
As it snakes from Phu Quoc in the southwest, down and round from the Gulf of Thailand and up towards Co To Island in the country’s northeastern corner, Vietnam’s s-shaped coastline passes by several stunning tropical islands. You can use the map below to help you plan your ideal Vietnam itinerary or see which islands are close to which cities and which ones best align with your return flights. But you don’t need to save the islands until the end of a cultural tour of the mainland. You could also enjoy a tailor-made island-hopping trip or relax by the beach before embarking on a journey through the centre of the country.
The 10 Best Islands of Vietnam
1. Phu Quoc Island
Location: Gulf of Thailand, southwestern Vietnam
Best for: Beaches, resorts, family travel, scuba diving
Best time: November to March
Located in the southwest of Vietnam, closer to the Cambodian mainland than to that of Vietnam, Phu Quoc is the largest of all Vietnamese islands. It is also one of the busiest tourist destinations in the country. The island boasts superb beaches: Bai Sao is famed for its fine white sand; west-facing Long Beach is great for late afternoon rays and G&T-accompanied spectacular sunsets; and if you take a mask and snorkel to Starfish Beach, you’ll soon see how it got its name.
The sun-kissed island, also known as Pearl Island, has attractions for all tastes too. There’s VinWonders on one hand and traditional fishing villages like Ham Ninh on the other. If you fancy some culture, you can head to Dinh Cau Temple, which is a charming rock-top temple and lighthouse that is a wonderful place for watching the sun set over the Gulf of Thailand. To learn about Vietnam’s colonial history, you could also visit the Phu Quoc Prison, which is also known as the Coconut Tree Prison.
Phu Quoc is also famous for its black pepper farms and its fish sauce. The fish sauce, a staple ingredient in Southeast Asian cooking, is considered among the best in the world.
2. Cat Ba Island
Location: Halong Bay, northern Vietnam
Best for: Adventure, hiking, rock climbing, Halong Bay access
Best time: March to May, September to November
At the other end of the country, Cat Ba Island sits on the western edge of Halong Bay in the country’s northeast corner. As another of Vietnam’s more renowned islands, Cat Ba is a great destination from which to explore Halong Bay with its myriad islands, one of Vietnam’s great natural wonders. The island also boasts a UNESCO double-whammy: it’s listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago.
Halong Bay is part of the Gulf of Tonkin, a name that flashed round the world during the Vietnam War. On Cat Ba you can visit a war-era, bomb-proof cave hospital; wander around Cai Beo, one of Vietnam’s oldest fishing villages; tackle the world-class rock climbing – without ropes over the ocean, if you dare; give the heart-pumping mountain biking along rugged trails a go; enjoy stunning ocean kayaking among the islets; or seek out one of the world’s rarest primates, the Cat Ba langur.
3. Con Dao Islands
Location: Halong Bay, northern Vietnam
Best for: Marinelife, luxury stays, French colonial history
Best time: March to September
Lying on the opposite side of the southern tip of Vietnam from Phu Quoc and south of Ho Chi Minh, Con Dao is an archipelago of 16 individual islands whose penal past earned it the nickname ‘Hell on Earth’. Well, a stay at the world-renowned Six Senses Con Dao offers quite the opposite experience to today’s voluntary visitors compared with that which awaited the arrival of prisoners in the French colonial era. Con Dao Prison, with its notorious “tiger cages”, is nowadays a popular, yet sombre, attraction on the main island of Con Son.
Con Son Island is also a spiritual spot, with Hang Duong Cemetery hosting candlelit homages to national heroes like Vo Thi Sau at midnight. For those intrigued by the sea, the island group also boasts great scuba diving opportunities. The reefs can offer visibility of up to 30 metres underwater, as well as possible sightings of turtles, reef sharks and even dugongs. Con Dao is also an important nesting site in Vietnam for green and hawksbill turtles.
4. Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham)
Location: Da Nang, central Vietnam
Best for: Scuba diving, snorkelling, seafood
Best time: March to August
These Vietnamese islands make up part of the Cu Lao Cham Marine Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, and are excellent for snorkelling and scuba diving. They are also a perfect option for an island break after visiting Hoi An, which is another of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a 20-minute speedboat ride from the islands.
Tan Hiep Market is the best place to try the local delicacy of stone crab, known locally as cua da. After the market, you can also check out the island’s famous 200-year-old freshwater well, which is famous for never running dry, even at the height of the dry seasons. There is also an 18th-century Buddhist temple where fishermen pray for calm seas before heading out. If you are prone to seasickness, you could pay a visit before your boat ride back to the mainland.
5. Ly Son Islands
Location: Quang Ngai, central Vietnam
Best for: Seafood, volcanic scenery, hiking
Best time: March to August
Located off the coast of Quang Ngai province, a short way south of Da Nang and Hoi An, Ly Son is a small volcanic archipelago consisting of two main islands and a few smaller islets. The islands are famed for their garlic production, and a hike up Thoi Loi Peak, the highest point on the main island, offers a panoramic view of the island and its patchwork of garlic fields.
Keen photographers will also enjoy the island’s sunrise and sunset photo opportunities. Mu Cu is a small islet connected to the main island via a sea wall and is a good spot for sunrise photography, while To Vo Gate is a natural arch formed from volcanic lava and is also great for sunset and sunrise viewing. Hang Pagoda & Duc Pagoda are two ancient temples built into volcanic caves, while there are also several temples housing whale bones and skeletons. The whale bones are held sacred by the local fishermen, who worship them for protection before heading out to sea.
6. Cat Dua (Monkey Island)
Location: Halong Bay, northern Vietnam
Best for: Kayaking, monkeys, Lan Ha Bay views
Best time: March to May, September to November
As a neighbour of Cat Ba Island, Cat Dua is also a great place from which to explore Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. The myriad islands can be explored by boat or, for the more energetic, by sea kayak. The island is very commonly referred to as Monkey Island, and there are no prizes for guessing why. While the monkeys are worth a visit and can make excellent photography subjects, they can be mischievous, and you will need to keep a close eye on your belongings.
The island has a couple of beautiful sandy beaches – Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2 – and there’s a viewpoint for great views of Lan Ha Bay and its many islands. The hike up to the viewpoint requires decent footwear, though, as the limestone can be sharp and will cut through rubber flip-flops quite easily.
7. Nam Du Islands
Location: Gulf of Thailand, southern Vietnam
Best for: Beaches, hiking, seafood
Best time: December to April
Sitting southeast of Phu Quoc, in the Gulf of Thailand, the Nam Du Islands are much less developed than their large neighbour. The 21 islands that make up the archipelago have differing characteristics, and visiting a few on a mini island-hopping adventure is great fun. The big island – Hon Lon – has a lovely coastal road which is good for exploring by scooter. Hon Mau is known for its excellent beaches, and the forest-covered Hon Dau offers superb snorkelling.
The lighthouse on the big island is also worth a visit for the views across the archipelago, although you can’t get to the very top as it’s closed off by the Vietnamese military. Seafood fans should make a point to try the local delicacy of garfish, and the fishing villages and floating fish farms on Hon Ngang Island reveal insights into the local way of life.
8. An Binh Island
Location: Mekong Delta, southern Vietnam
Best for: Something different, exotic fruits, relaxing
Best time: December to April for dry weather, June to August for the best fruit
Unlike the other Vietnamese islands on this list, An Binh Island is not surrounded by tropical ocean. It is a fertile river island in the heart of the Mekong Delta, located directly across from Vinh Long City, to the southwest of Ho Chi Minh City. The Mekong Delta is often referred to as the ‘rice basket of Vietnam’, and the area is one of the most fertile places on earth. The river sediment enriches the soils, and An Binh is famed for its excellent fruit crops such as rambutan, mango, longan, and durian.
You can take sampan rides through the islands’ palm-shaded canals to get to different fruit orchards, with many offering all-you-can-eat deals included in the entry fees. You can also visit Tiên Châu Pagoda, a beautiful 250-year-old Buddhist temple nestled on the riverbank, and Cai Cường House, a 19th-century home that blends French colonial and traditional Vietnamese architecture. You can also explore the island by bicycle and soak in the relaxed atmosphere, or simply kick back in a quiet homestay with a good book and a plate of delicious, fresh fruit.
9. Hon Son Island
Location: Gulf of Thailand, southern Vietnam
Best for: Hiking, beaches, seafood
Best time: December to April
Situated close to Phu Quoc and the Nam Du archipelago, Hon Son is another Vietnamese island to check out in the south of the country. Hon Son is one of the quieter islands in Vietnam, although it does get a little busier on the weekends. The ferries arrive at the island’s main town – Lai Son – and this is also where you will find much of the island’s accommodation and restaurants. Once settled, you can get out and explore the island. Be sure to check out the viewpoints dotted around the island’s coastal road.
If you’re feeling energetic, the island offers some excellent hiking too. Ma Thien Lanh Peak is the highest point on the island, at 450 metres above sea level, and rewards those who reach the top with breathtaking views. Ong Rong Mountain may be a little smaller, but the dense forest that lines the way makes it a tougher trek. This smaller mountain is famous for being home to a giant, ancient cycad tree that resembles a coiled dragon.
10. Co To Island
Location: Halong Bay, northern Vietnam
Best for: Exploring Halong Bay, beaches, sunsets and sunrises
Best time: April to June
Lying to the east of Halong Bay, and a little farther offshore, Co To Island is surrounded by clearer water and is a quiet island from which to explore Halong Bay. The clearer water makes it better for snorkelling than some of the other nearby alternatives, and it also boasts a few excellent beaches. Hong Van Beach has white sands and calm waters, and the west-facing Van Chay Beach is ideal for sunset, although the water can be a little choppier.
Co To Lighthouse, dating from the 19th century, also offers excellent views across the ocean. If you’re an early bird and fancy taking in a stunning sunrise, you should head to Mong Rong (Dragon Claw) Rock. It’s an interesting geological area with layered sedimentary rocks formed over centuries and is also the absolute best place on the island to watch the sun poke its nose above the horizon. Couples may also enjoy a romantic stroll along Love Road, a red-brick path running through a verdant pine forest beside Love Beach.
Which is the best island to visit in Vietnam?
While Phu Quoc is the most internationally acclaimed, the best island in Vietnam will depend on your tastes and what you are looking for. Phu Quoc was recently voted the #1 most beautiful island in Asia and #3 globally by Condé Nast Traveler, but the many other islands in Vietnam have lots to offer to suit your individual needs or fit in with your Vietnam itinerary ideas…
Best islands for a first trip to Vietnam
Phu Quoc is by far the best known of the Vietnamese islands, and it makes an excellent choice for first-time visitors looking to explore island life Vietnam-style. While it can be a little too busy for some, as the largest island in the country, it’s always possible to find a quiet corner.
The downside to Phu Quoc is that it sits in the country’s far south, and it may not tie in with the rest of your itinerary…
Best islands to combine with Northern Vietnam
If your travel plans take you on a tour of northern Vietnam, then Cat Ba or Co To islands may be a better bet. Both islands are close to the iconic Halong Bay and are good bases from which to explore northern Vietnam’s most popular tourist attraction.
Best islands to combine with central Vietnam
Cham Islands are an excellent add-on to a central Vietnam travel itinerary. They are easily accessible from Da Nang and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An. Especially if you are a keen snorkeller or scuba diver
Best islands to combine with Southern Vietnam
If you are looking for an activity-filled Vietnam island experience in the south, Phu Quoc could be the best bet for you. Alternatively, the neighbouring islands of the Nam Du archipelago or Hon Son Island offer great, quieter options to end a southern Vietnam tour on.
Best islands for off-the-beaten-path travelers
If you’re looking for something a little bit different though, you can’t go wrong with a few days chilling on the relaxed river island of An Binh. Sat in the middle of the Mekong Delta and within easy reach of Ho Chi Minh City and its international airport, An Binh is a special place in a special region of Vietnam.
How to visit the Vietnam islands
Planning a trip to Vietnam’s islands can be an adventure in itself, but the logistics vary greatly depending on your destination. Phu Quoc and Con Dao are pretty easy to reach, with daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi as well as ferry options. If you are exploring the north of the country, Cat Ba, Cat Dua, and Co To are also easy to reach via ferry.
For the more remote of the Vietnamese islands, like Nam Du, Hon Son, or Ly Son, you can usually book speedboats departing from mainland ports like Rach Gia or Sa Ky. An Binh is also very easy to reach and is a perfect option for those prone to travel sickness, as it’s just a short trip across calmer waters.From coordinating flight transfers and ferry schedules to hand-picking the best beachfront homestays and luxury resorts, we can help you plan your perfect Vietnamese island getaway or extension to an existing tour. Get in touch if you need any advice about which island would best suit your travel ideas (when and where), and we can help you with the details so you can relax and simply count down the days until your departure with a peaceful mind.
