10 best beaches in Vietnam
Despite not being the most popular beach destination in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has plenty of great beaches. Follow along for the top 10.
Vietnam may not be as famous for its beaches as some other countries in Southeast Asia. But with 2,030 miles (3,260 kilometers) of coastline, you can rest assured that there’s no shortage of golden sands and stunning coves to visit on a sunny day. Follow along for a list of 10 of the best beaches in Vietnam and where you can find them.
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1. My Khe
If you don’t want to leave the urban lifestyle too far behind, My Khe beach might just be the pick for you. The beach is located on the Eastern edge of Da Nang in central Vietnam, with city skyscrapers dwarfed by lush hills in the background.
On top of being a great place to lay on the soft sand and bask in the sun, My Khe is also famous for surfing, jet skiing, and snorkeling. Restaurants and bars are never too far away, yet the scenery itself is quite calm and peaceful.
2. Cua Dai
Cua Dai beach offers an even more peaceful getaway. Despite being one of the more popular beaches in Vietnam, it has surprisingly few mass tourism attractions such as five star hotels. This provides a serene environment, complete with white sand beaches and turquoise waters.
The beach is located 4 km away from the Hội An town center, and you can take a bus from the town to get there. Unfortunately, the beach is suffering from a serious erosion issue, so make sure to pay it a visit before its stunning beauty shifts into the sea.
3. Ha Long bay
Ha Long Bay, located in the Northern part of Vietnam, is a UNESCO heritage site known for its towering limestone islands. Sandy beaches may be few and far between, but that’s more than compensated by the endless coves, with one for nearly every island in the archipelago.
The Cat Ba island is the largest here. Big enough to hold a town, where you can stay within walking distance from an iconic Cat Co Cove and multiple spots where boats leave on tours around the surrounding islands as well.
4. Sao
The Phu Quoc island, located in Southern Vietnam, has no shortage of great beaches, but if you are to only visit one, it should be Sao beach. The crescent-shaped beach on the southern tip of the island offers picture-perfect white sand, turquoise waters, and an environment untouched by mass-tourism architecture.
Even outside of Sao beach, Phu Quoc is a great place to be when you visit Vietnam. It has plenty of great hiking trails, lush mountains, and plentiful wildlife. The Phu Quoc International Airport makes it easy for you to get to and from the island, so there are no logistical issues either.
5. Rach Vem
Rach Vem, also known as Starfish Beach, is another gem on the island of Phu Quoc. It’s located on the northern coast of the island, near the Rach Vem fishing village. The beach itself is more than 5 km long, so take some time to find a spot that feels perfect for you. Some parts are near beach bars and are a touch busier, while others are quiet and tranquil.
As for the name, it’s not called Starfish Beach for no reason. The Rach Vem beach has the biggest population of starfish in Vietnam, so make sure to look down, watch your step, and enjoy the beauty of these distinct marine animals.
6. An Bang
An Bang Beach is one of Vietnam’s top seaside destinations, gaining increasingly in popularity as the nearby Cua Dai beach suffers from erosion. On top of an extensive sandy beach, An Bang offers some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll ever see.
The nearby Hoi An town, dating back to the 15th century, is something you won’t want to miss either. Here, you’ll find French, Chinese, and Japanese influences in the architecture as well as ancient ruins of the Islamic Champa kingdom. On top of that, Hoi An is home to several Vietnamese festivals, so check the calendar before you visit.
7. Nha Trang
Nha Trang city and the beach named after it are both popular tourist draws in Vietnam. The beach is located right next to the city, so street food and cocktail bars are never far away. It’s a great spot to simply relax.
You can also take a snorkeling tour or explore the surrounding islands for a full seaside experience. It offers pretty much everything you’d expect when packing your bags for a Vietnam trip.
8. Long Beach
If you’re planning an extended stay on Phu Quoc island, Long Beach should be on your list of places to visit. Located on the edge of Duong Dong city, it offers warm water and lush surroundings. The city’s iconic night market isn’t too far away, so you can be basking in the sun for one minute and have a cultural experience the next.
Being located in one of Vietnam’s resort towns, parts of the beach are private and belong to seaside resorts, but there are plenty of public access points as well. The accommodation here is quite budget-friendly, so if you’re looking for a resort to stay in, consider looking for a place beside Long Beach.
9. Doc Let
Located about an hour’s drive from Nha Trang is Doc Let, a near 18 km-long beach with three very different sections.
The northern part is the most touristy. The scenic bay and white sand are complimented by plenty of bars and resorts. The central part is home to the Hyundai shipyard, and while the beach itself is stunning, it gets quite a lot of boat traffic. Lastly, the southern part, also known as Jungle Beach, is surrounded by fishing villages and family-owned shops.
10. Ly Son
Ly Son Island is a great spot if you’re looking to get away from the mainland and find some more secluded spots. It’s a remote island located off the coast of Central Vietnam, reached by ferry from Danang or speed boat from Sa Ky port. It’s not overly popular with tourists yet, which means there’s plenty of affordable accommodation and local food.
Here, lush forests and plentiful resorts are replaced by a landscape of craters, cliffs, and coves. Ly Son still offers sandy beaches between the rocky areas but the views are unlike anything else on this list. Outside of basking in the sun, you can go reef snorkeling and sightseeing around the island.
Stay connected during your beach holiday
Having mobile internet during your stay in Vietnam is a must. Whether it’s to share beach pictures with your friends, find your way around with map apps, or communicate with the locals by using a translation app.
While options such as a local SIM card or pocket WiFi are available, eSIMs offer the best way to stay connected. They’re affordable, easy to use, and provide a solid connection all throughout the country. Get an eSIM plan for Vietnam, and you’ll be connected within minutes. No need to fiddle around with plastic cards or additional devices.