November 12, 2024, 6:33 am | Read time: 11 minutes
Vietnam may not be the first destination considered for a beach vacation. Quite wrongly, because the country has some of the most breathtaking beaches in Southeast Asia. TRAVELBOOK presents nine of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam.
The secluded bays and islands of the Vietnamese coast have a lot to offer. The beaches there are not only paradisiacal, they are also a hotspot for snorkeling and great beach parties. TRAVELBOOK presents nine beaches in Vietnam, including some hidden gems.
Overview
1. South Beach Son Tra – Da Nang
Turquoise water, soft sand, and the South China Sea – South Beach Son Tra is located around 10 kilometers from the center of the city of Da Nang. This has developed into a real vacation paradise not only because of its beautiful beaches, as Da Nang also has a lot to offer culturally. For those who drive to the beach by car, there is a parking lot right next to the beach. As the beach is not very busy, you can usually find a parking space. There is also a campsite in the immediate vicinity for those who want to do without the comfort of a resort. The shores of South Beach Son Tra slope gently and are therefore ideal for families with children.
Our tip: The area around Da Nang is perfect for a beach vacation, and the other beaches should not be overlooked. We also recommend North Beach, My Khe Beach, and Non Nuoc Da Nang, for example. They are all just a few kilometers away and offer the perfect opportunity to explore the area and add some variety to your beach vacation. If you don’t have a rental car available locally, cabs and bus connections provide good access to the beaches.
2. Binh Lap Beach – on Binh Lap
A green oasis surrounded by blue water and green trees – the island of Binh Lap is a real hidden gem among the islands of Vietnam. If you want peace and quiet, you’ve come to the right place, because Binh Lap is surrounded by a special atmosphere. In the past, fishing was the main activity here, and you can still find many fishermen in the bays of Binh Lap today. They all contribute to the island’s idyllic atmosphere, and it is impossible not to be infected by the island’s attitude toward life.
Due to the unusually large number of rocks in this area, the Binh Lap bays offer ideal conditions for discovering Vietnam’s underwater world. If you remember to pack your diving goggles, you will be overwhelmed by the variety of colorful fish. The rock formations are not only popular with sea creatures, they are also ideal for children to enjoy a climb or two!
Our tip: If there’s one place where you should definitely book a kayak tour, it’s the islands of Vietnam. There really is no better way to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery. Binh Lap Island in particular is a real hidden gem for this activity.
3. Bhai Nhat Beach – on Con Son
Picturesque mountains, lots of nature, and pristine beaches – Vietnam’s paradise is located around 100 kilometers from the mainland and is called Con Dao. The archipelago consists of 16 small and large islands, all of which have the most beautiful bays.
One of them is the island of Con Son in the middle of the South China Sea. It is the largest of the Con Dao islands and has one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. Partly due to its distance from the mainland, this place has so far been spared mass tourism. This ensures that nature – above and below the water – is largely untouched here and provides real relaxation. For anyone who enjoys snorkeling and diving, this is heaven on earth. Due to the island’s location, the sunrises and sunsets here are also real highlights. It is, therefore, really worth getting up early, at least once during your vacation. The few local hotels, restaurants, and cafés are all rather small and have a lot of charm. The only problem here could be the language barrier, we, therefore, recommend using a translation program.
Our tip: On the neighboring island of Bay Canh, you have the unique opportunity to watch sea turtles lay their eggs between July and October.
4. Nha Trang Beach – in Nha Trang
Golden sand, lots of parasols, and a pure vacation feeling – the beach in Nha Trang stretches for an impressive six kilometers. It is not without reason that the coastal town is one of the most popular vacation resorts in Vietnam. In many places, it is also known as the Rivera of the East. There are many hotels and resorts along the beach, inviting you to spend your entire vacation on this beach, as there is plenty of space for everyone. In addition to a wide range of leisure activities and numerous restaurants, cafés, and bars, one or two beach parties often provide entertainment in the evenings. The crowning glory of any beach day! The best way to enjoy them is by floating on the water on an air mattress.
Our tip: For anyone who has had enough of even one of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches, the nearby Monkey Island offers a welcome change. On a day trip, you can get to know the island’s monkeys. But be careful, because these cheeky animals are true masters of theft!
5. Mui Ne Beach – in Mui Ne
The vibrant yellow of the sand and the deep blue of the ocean – Mui Ne Beach is known for its extraordinary play of colors. It is also popular because of its ideal conditions for kite surfing and is, in that scene, also known as Rang Beach. As the stretch of beach measures an impressive sixteen kilometers, the range of activities at Mui Ne Beach is particularly large. While many sections here are very busy, other parts of the beach offer peace and relaxation. Hotels, surf schools, small boutiques, and bars are lined up in some areas, while in other sections there is not much to see apart from a few coconut palms. So there’s something for everyone here!
Our tip: The highlight of the area is definitely the meter-high sand dunes. They are located just outside the coastal town of Mui Ne and really shouldn’t be missed. For those who find a walk through the dunes not enough, a quad bike tour is worthwhile. It is an unforgettable experience, leads through the middle of the dune landscape and can be booked on site.
6. Bai Chong – on Cu Lao Cham
Soft, white sandy beaches, and many, many palm trees – the island of Cu Lao Cham is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. Our favorite among them is Bai Chong Beach, because here you feel like you’re on a desert island. Pure relaxation takes place here in perfect harmony with a varied offer. If you can’t wait to get to Cu Lao Cham Island, you have three options. The starting point is always the town of Hoi An. From here, you can take the public ferry to the small island. It departs from the port of Bach Dang and makes a stopover at the quay of Cua Dai. There is also the option of boarding here. The other two options involve booking a private trip. You only have to choose between the speedboat and the Vietnamese sailing boat.
Our tip: At Bai Chong, there is a wide range of activities on offer, including jet skiing and banana boating. The latter in particular is guaranteed fun. Thanks to all the laughter, there will certainly not be a dry eye in the house.
7. Long Beach – on Phu Quoc
Gleaming white sandy beaches and magnificent palm trees – Phu Quoc is often referred to as the “Pearl Island”. The reason for this name is obvious when you look at the island’s beaches. However, it is not only popular for its white sand, Phu Quoc also has an incredibly large national park. It is home to many plant species, many of which are threatened with extinction.
The area around the island is also well protected and home to numerous corals, colorful fish, and other marine animals, which can be observed up close at one of the local surf schools. One of the most beautiful beaches on the island is called Long Beach. Here, too, the name says it all: it stretches for several kilometers and is a real hotspot. As a result, there is always something going on here, there is a wide range of hotels and restaurants, and in the evenings there is a good chance of a beach party.
Our tip: If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, Khem Beach and Sao Beach are the places to be. Both are located in the south of the island in secluded bays.
8. Ha Long Bay – on Cat Ba
Overgrown rocks, clear water, and many mountains – Cat Ba Island is the largest island of an archipelago in Ha Long Bay. It is world-famous for its landscape, which offers a mix of wild jungle, the ocean, and rugged cliffs. Only a few islands in the bay are inhabitable, the largest of which is Cat Ba Island. Similar to Phu Quoc, almost half of Cat Ba Island is a protected national park. Dense mangrove forests and coral reefs grow in this natural paradise, providing a home for many animal species. One of the main beaches is called Cat Co and is located very close to the town of Cat Ba. If you have the opportunity, you should definitely explore the bay and its islands by boat.
Our tip: If you want to get active during your beach vacation, take one of the numerous hiking trails here. These meander through the park and lead through the jungle up to the waterfalls. A real adventure, for which various tours can be booked on site.
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9. Hon Kho Beach – a hidden gem
Colorful boats, white sand, and dreamy waters – Hon Kho Beach is located in the Binh Dinh region, and it is a real hidden gem. Just a few kilometers from the center of the city of Quy Nhon, it is located on a small island that bears the same name as the beach itself. This location makes it one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam for us. As only a few people know about this beach, you often have it all to yourself.
The beach can be easily reached by a ferry from the small coastal town of Nhon Hai. There are a few hotels in Nhon Hai, but this place has so far been spared mass tourism. As a result, there are hardly any souvenir stores here. Therefore, you should definitely remember to bring diving goggles. The range of restaurants is also small – but fine! So, if you prefer peace and quiet to the hustle and bustle on vacation, Hon Kho Beach is the place to be.
Our tip: In Quy Nhon, some guides offer private tours to the island. This gives you the opportunity to get to know the country and its people firsthand. They often know the best spots and restaurants for authentic Vietnamese cuisine.