While Vietnam stretches for over a thousand miles between its northernmost and southernmost points, the long, thin shape of the country means you’re never too far from the soft sands and cool breezes of one of its myriad tropical beaches. And who doesn’t enjoy a bit of beach time when on holiday? Whether you enjoy lying supine in the sand in an act of sun worship or prone under a palm tree’s shade with a paperback, the beaches of Vietnam offer great locations to chill. There are also popular party beaches and tranquil family-orientated beaches. And for the adventure-loving beach goer, there are also excellent options for swimming and snorkelling or kitesurfing and scuba diving.
Whatever it is that draws you coastwards, you’ll be able to find your ideal stretch of sand among the best beach destinations in Vietnam. There are hundreds of beaches in Vietnam, and we have – with difficulty – whittled the list down to ten to help you find your dream beach resort or choose the perfect relaxing extension to a longer Vietnam itinerary…
Map of Vietnam’s best beaches
The ten beaches in this guide, running from the karst bays of the north down to the remote south.
The 10 best beaches in Vietnam
After the ordeal of limiting our list to only ten beaches, rather than trying to rank them from best to tenth-best, we opted to list the best beaches in Vietnam by geography. Starting at number one, you will find the northernmost beach of our top ten and the last entry on our list is the most southerly.
1. Lan Ha Bay Beaches
Location: Cat Ba Island – a stone’s throw from Ha Long Bay
Best for: Kayaking, sunbathing, and rock climbing
Best time to visit: March & April – the end of the dry season
Lan Ha Bay sits right next door to Ha Long Bay, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations. The island boasts half a dozen relaxed sandy beaches. Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2, and Cat Co 3 are three small sandy beaches that are all next to each other, and close to Cat Ba Town. Being close to the town makes them more popular than some of the island’s other options, but they are not crazy busy as many people are out cruising Ha Long Bay, hiking the nature trails, rock climbing, or kayaking during the day.
Tiger Beach and Moody Beach are located next to each other, and both offer excellent rock climbing on their limestone rock formations. The climbing is said to be superb here, and there are routes to suit all levels of climbers – even complete novices.
There are also a few small islands just off Cat Ba’s shoreline, and these offer relaxed sunbathing opportunities. They tend to be a little quieter, as more effort is required to get there. Ba Trai Dao Beach and Cat Dua Beach are two options. Cat Dua Beach is on Monkey Island, which is great for kayaking. It’s also great for monkeys! Keep your belongings out of their reach…
2. Lang Co
Location: Between Hue and Da Nang
Best for: Scenery, paddleboarding, and seafood
Best time to visit: February till May
Lying between Hue and Da Nang, Lang Co is surrounded by stunning views. Land Co was a fishing village that has grown a little in size in recent times. There’s still plenty of traditional fishing going on, and you can enjoy some delicious seafood after a day at the beach. The area is also well-known for the nearby Hai Van Pass – a hairpin bend laden stretch of road between Lang Co and Da Nang that provides stunning views after stunning views.
The 12 kilometre sandy shoreline is a great place to kick back and take it all in. At the southern end of the beach, the sand forms a peninsula, with a narrow channel blocking your way to Da Nang. Although, there are bridges to cut down on journey time. Standing on the beach and looking offshore you have the endless blue of the South China Sea. Turn around and you have lush mountains and a lagoon, and under your feet will be soft golden sand.
It’s a great place to rent a paddleboard for views of the beach with the mountainous backdrop. During the rainier months you can also find some surfable waves.
3. My Khe Beach
Location: Da Nang
Best for: Family beach time
Best time to visit: January to July
After negotiating the hairpins and taking in the stunning scenery along the Hai Van Pass, our journey south continues to Da Nang. The standout beach in Da Nang is called My Khe Beach, but also goes by the nickname of China Beach. Vietnam was famously at war with the United States in the middle of the last century, with Da Nang being the site of a major US air base. The beaches of Da Nang were a popular hangout for the US troops, and it was the soldiers who gave the beach its nickname.
Da Nang is one of the best beach destinations in Vietnam, especially for families and those looking for a city break. There are plenty of activities – paddleboards, jet-skis, a kids playground, as well as excellent swimming and sunbathing opportunities – and just behind it are the full amenities of Vietnam’s sixth largest city: Da Nang. Vietnam beach trips also always come with stunning views across the South China Sea and plenty of delicious seafood restaurants nearby.
4. An Bang Beach
Location: Hoi An
Best for: Relaxed beach time
Best time to visit: February to August
Hoi An Old Town, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1999, lies around 30 kilometres south of Da Nang. The town is a popular destination for its history, but it is also home to one of our favourite Vietnam beaches. An Bang Beach is known to offer a fairly relaxed beach vibe, with plenty of cool bars, restaurants and boutique hotels a short stroll away.
Many of the beach destinations in Vietnam have places where you can rent paddleboards and sea kayaks, and An Bang is no different in this regard. Along the front, there are also some lovely spas where you can enjoy a relaxing massage and still take in the sea views. Early risers can also enjoy an authentic local market on the way to the beach in the morning. The market is aimed at locals rather than tourists, so it offers an interesting peek into life in a traditional Vietnamese fishing town.
5. Ky Co Beach
Location: Quy Nhon
Best for: Family time
Best time to visit: February till April
Located between Da Nang and Nha Trang, Quy Nhon is a city that kind of doesn’t exist any longer. Following a reorganisation of Vietnam’s administration of its cities and provinces, Quy Nhon lost its status as a municipal city and the province it was once the capital of has been merged with another. But physically, it is still there and the region is still recognised for its diverse natural attractions. It boasts mountains, forests, hills, fields, salt marshes, plains, lagoons, lakes, rivers, peninsulas and islands. And its 40-plus kilometres of shoreline is home to Ky Co Beach.
The small slither of golden sand stretches the length of a bay which is a little over half a kilometre long. The clear and shallow water make it a great place for a cooling dip and for family swimming time. And if you have a mask and snorkel, the rocks at either end of the beach are good spots to snorkel, although there’s not much fish life in the centre of the bay.
Generally speaking, you will see more fish in rocky areas than sandy areas when snorkelling from the beach. Rocks give them more protection from predators and more opportunity to feed. Polarised sunglasses can help you spot submerged rocky patches from the beach more easily.
Richard Reardon
Several other beach activities are also on offer – sea kayaks, banana boat rides, parasailing, and jet-skis – but they do make the beach a little nosier at times. But the kids will have plenty to do at this sandy hangout.
6. Nha Trang Bay
Location: Nha Trang
Best for: Family time, watersports
Best time to visit: February till March
With the city of Nha Trang and its amenities right behind you, Nha Trang Beach is another good option for family beach days. The six-kilometre stretch of golden sand sits in Nha Trang Bay, which is often cited as being amongst the world’s most beautiful bays.
With an array of amenities behind the beach – restaurants and restrooms, spa centres and convenience stores – you can easily spend a full day relaxing at the beach. And right in front of you will be views of the South China Sea and Hon Tre Island.
7. Doc Let Beach
Location: Nha trang
Best for: Sunbathing, relaxing, and swimming
Best time to visit: February till March
If you were to follow the curve of the coastline from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, you would find Doc Let Beach about halfway between the two. The white-sand beach is a little to the north of Nha Trang City, and is a nice spot for sunbathing and swimming away from the hustle of the city.
The crescent-shaped beach is lined with palm trees, whose shade offers respite from the midday sun and a perfect spot to chill with your holiday book. There are a couple of large resorts along the beach, but aside from these areas, the rest of the beach is relatively relaxed and quiet.
Near to the resorts, you will find the usual watersport options. And at the southern end of the beach is a tiny island that you can kayak out to and explore.
8. Mui Ne Beach
Location: Mui Ne
Best for: Kitesurfing and sandboarding
Best time to visit: December till April
We’re well and truly in the south now, with Mui Ne Beach located almost due east of Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam’s most populous city which is home to many tourist sites from the French colonial period and from the war with the US. A few hours’ drive east from Ho Chi Minh will bring you to Phan Thiet, which used to be the capital of Bihn Thuan Province, and a little farther to the east of Phan Thiet is where you will find Mui Ne Beach.
Vietnam – thanks to Mui Ne Beach – now finds itself as an up-and-coming kitesurfing destination. The area has been growing in popularity for the adrenaline sport, and there are now a couple of kitesurfing schools near the beach. The conditions can suit novices and the more experienced kitesurfer alike, and lessons are available.
Before or after your beach time, you can also visit the nearby Red Sand Dunes for a spot of sandboarding. The dunes are also great for photography, especially during golden hour around sunrise.
9. Bai Sao Beach
Location: Phu Quoc Island
Best for: The veritable ‘tropical island beach experience’, and snorkelling
Best time to visit: December till March
Phu Quoc Island is the largest of all Vietnam’s islands, and it is found at the eastern edge of the Gulf of Thailand. Bai Sao sits at the north of Phu Quoc, which helps keep its inviting waters nice and calm. The beach itself is covered with powder-soft white sand, and behind the beach is authentic jungle.
If you feel the need to cool down, Bai Sao Beach is also a great place to snorkel while in Vietnam. The beach is also known as Starfish Beach, but there is much more to see below the surface here with the aid of a mask and fins. You’ll see plenty of colourful reef fish species, including butterflyfish, anemonefish, damselfish, and surgeon fish.
Pro tip: When snorkelling, don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun. A lycra rash vest can be a big help and offer UV protection. But don’t forget the backs of your legs, arms, neck, and ears – make sure you use a good-quality waterproof suncream to keep you burn-free!
Richard Reardon
Aside from gazing at the multi-coloured marine life, the beach also offers the full gamut of beach activities. Parasailing, jet-skis, kayaks, and banana boats abound, while you can also choose more sedate options, such as losing yourself in your book while wrapped in a sunsoaked hammock.
10. Con Dao Beaches
Location: Con Dao Archipelago
Best for: Chilling, reading, and snorkelling
Best time to visit: December till April
On the other side of Ca Mau Cape to Phu Quoc, the Con Dao Archipelago offers the southernmost of Vietnam beaches on our list. The sixteen mountainous islands in the group offer a few different options for those seeking some soft sand and quietly lapping waves.
The islands sit around 150 kilometres south of Ho Chi Minh City, but are easily reached via a short domestic flight from the city. The remoteness of the islands and their beaches makes them a little quieter than some of the country’s other options and definitely places them among the best beaches in Vietnam.
Having said that, Dam Trau Beach is one of the archipelago’s popular beaches despite being right next to the airport. It’s a beautiful beach, and it does offer unique photography options as the planes come in to land.
An Hai Beach, near the town of Con Son is another popular option. The beach offers a true tropical beach vibe, with golden sand and plenty of palm trees swaying in the breeze. There’s also a good beach bar that offers Vietnamese and Western fares.
Depending how long you stay in the Con Dao archipelago, you can also explore the other islands and find plenty of picturesque beaches as you move through the various islands. The region is a great place for a beach extension after an intense land tour of Vietnam’s myriad wonders.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam’s beaches?
Generally speaking, the months between November and May will offer the best conditions for hitting the best beaches in Vietnam. These are the drier months in the country, with the later months in that timeframe being ideal in the north, and the earlier months in the south.
Are Vietnam’s beaches better than Thailand’s?
Thailand has long been considered to be home to Southeast Asia’s best beaches. And in some ways this is true. Thailand certainly wins when it comes to quantity and accessibility. Thailand’s main advantage over Vietnam beaches is that Thailand has an east and a west coast, meaning that there are more beaches accessible throughout the year as the monsoon winds switch direction.
If you compare individual beaches against one another though, the best beaches in Vietnam hold their own against Thai beaches and should not be dismissed!
Beach safety in Vietnam
As with beaches throughout the world, a little common sense goes a long way. Keep an eye on your belongings; look for swimming zones near resorts; protect yourself from the sun’s rays; and drink plenty of water too.
How to add a beach stay to your Vietnam itinerary
At In Asia Travel, we believe in fully customisable itineraries to suit the individuals needs. This means we can help you work out a bespoke Vietnamese itinerary that suits your beach and adventure needs.
Beach extensions are easily added to any of our travel itineraries, including our Vietnam itineraries. Whether you fancy some beach time after northwest Vietnam, or wish to add a Phu Quoc extension to your tour of southern Vietnam, drop us a line and see how we can help you plan your dream voyage through Vietnam…
Richard Reardon
Rich has lived and worked across Southeast Asia for over twenty years, primarily in Thailand but also in the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. With a background that extends to Australia, New Zealand, and Palau, his career has centered on his work as a scuba diving instructor. When not in the water, he is an avid trekker with a particular love of the Nepalese Himalayas.
Gabriele Stoia
With 25 years dedicated to his passion for travel and Asian culture, Gabriele has developed a career as a tour guide and ethnographic photographer after relocating to Asia. Subsequently, he founded In Asia Travel, a tour operator specializing in personalized travel experiences throughout Southeast Asia and Central Asia, leveraging his extensive knowledge of the territory to create bespoke travel itineraries.
