Phu Quoc beaches are a gem of Vietnam
The coastline of Vietnam is 3,444 km (2,140 miles), which is one of the conditions that create many breathtaking beaches for this country. Some beaches have been carefully planned and developed to serve the needs of tourists, while the others are still pristine. Besides swimming, there are a lot of other interesting activities that you can engage in while marveling at the beauty of nature and learning about the local culture at the same time. Summer is the most suitable time to visit these beaches since it rarely rains and the weather is not uncomfortably hot in this period of the year. Below are some top Vietnam beaches and our guides to make your summer vacation more enjoyable.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang beach in Central Vietnam is hailed as one of the top Vietnam beaches. The clear turquoise seawater and the long white stretch of sand are what makes people fall in love with Nha Trang. Nha Trang is a calm bay area beach surrounded by many islands that protect it from hurricanes. After exploring the beaches near Nha Trang like Long Beach or Doc Let, you can take a day to Cam Ranh Bay and the islands nearby. Each island has its distinguishable characteristics. Vinpearl Land Nha Trang, a huge amusement park combined with luxury resorts, is built on Hon Tre. It is where you can find lots of thrilling rides such as Double Shot, Evolution, Kamikaze, and more. The most common way to get to Hon Tre is via the world’s longest oversea cable car system which would take you less than 10 minutes. Another incredible stop is Hon Mun which has been endowed with a diverse ecosystem featuring different types of fish and corals, so diving is a recommended activity when you come here. And there are still a great number of other peaceful islands in Nha Trang where you can escape from the modern busy lifestyle.
Beaches in Nha Trang have pleasantly blue seawater
The majority of the famous local food is made from seafood such as Fish Cake Noodles (Bun Cha Ca), Jellyfish Noodles (Bun Sua) or Sea Chub Noodles (Bun Ca Dam). A serving is usually colorful as it contains varied ingredients, but it is light and would not make you feel bloated. Many best beach resorts in Vietnam are located in Nha Trang, ready to provide you with the most joyful experience.
You can go to Nha Trang from Ho Chi Minh City by plane (just a 50-min flight), train or coach. For more directions, check out our Nha Trang travel guide.
Da Nang
Da Nang has recently gained attention for its potential in tourism. Many luxurious resorts and hotels have been built along the beaches to welcome tourists from all around the world. This city is also said to be an ideal place to live in Vietnam. My Khe Beach has long been known for its beauty, while Non Nuoc Beach and Bac My An Beach are adored by local people. The two latter beaches are located in the Ngu Hanh Son mountain area, quite far from the center of Da Nang. You can stop by to have a look at them on the way to Hoi An, which would be mentioned later. In addition, Ngu Hanh Son includes five mounts that have lots of caves and pagodas with unique architecture. Ba Na Hill is another place that is worth your visit. Every construction project here is done delicately and the all-year-round cool atmosphere can make you forget about the summer heat.
Most of the beaches in Da Nang are incredibly beautiful and clean
The Golden Bridge is one of the significant architectures at Ba Na Hills
The central district of Da Nang, however, has several amusing night activities. For example, on the weekend, the dragon head of the Dragon Bridge would breathe fire and spray water at 9 PM. Or you can visit Sky36, the highest rooftop bar in Vietnam, and watch the city from the top. It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes to fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang. Check out our Da Nang travel guide to know what to eat and some other interesting places in Da Nang.
Hoi An
Hoi An located 30 km (18.6 miles) from Da Nang International Airport is mostly known for its marvelous Ancient town. Its beaches might not be as famous as those in Da Nang, but they are still favorite go-to places for sea-lovers. The most crowdest beach is Cua Dai where you can either enjoy your swim, sunbathing or join sailing with the local fishermen. Ha My beach, one of Asia’s sixteen most beautiful beaches, and An Bang beach are more tranquil and the seafood here is sold at more reasonable prices. Some dishes in Hoi An such as Cao Lau (Hoi An Noodles), Banh Mi, and Chicken Rice (Com Ga) are must-try. Although you can possibly try them in other provinces of Vietnam, the exact aroma cannot be found anywhere else.
Read more about the attractions in Hoi An.
The beauty of Ha My beach has not been recognized by the public
Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc Island is the biggest island in Vietnam with great biodiversity. From Ho Chi Minh City, it takes approximately 1 hour to fly to this Pearl Island. Under the sea, there are more than 100 species of corals, coral reef fish, mollusks together with migrating fish and marine mammals. On land, about half of the whole island is an unspoiled landscape with picturesque Suoi Tranh waterfall, mighty Ham Ninh mountain range, and miles of primeval forests.
Suoi Tranh waterfall would be the favorite destination of backpackers
The North area of the island is suitable for sightseeing, trekking, and exploring. You can visit the Khu Tuong pepper garden and buy some fresh peppers as souvenirs. Phu Quoc pepper is known for its strong spicy taste and smell which enhances the flavor of any dish. If you wish to capture the beauty of nature, you should watch the sunset at Dinh Cau Cape or plan an adventurous journey to see Tranh waterfall, Da Ban waterfall, and Da Ngon waterfall. Long Beach is the only swimming-friendly beach in the North, and it is in top 100 beaches around the world. If you are a swimming person, find a room on the Southside of Phu Quoc Island since there are more beaches there. Sao Beach and Truong Beach are the two most visited beaches by tourists. Note that Sao Beach can be very crowded during the summer peak, so don’t forget to book your room in advance. Other activities such as visiting the process of making Nuoc Mam (fish sauce) manually or the relic of a jail from the Vietnam war era are also worth being on your to-do list.
Sunrise in Phu Quoc Island
Read more about Phu Quoc.
Con Dao
For over 100 years Con Dao was used as a place to incarcerate Vietnamese political prisoners by the French colonizers. Nowadays, it has become an ideal destination for unwinding. Life here is so peaceful that the local people have no fear of theft or robbery.
Con Dao is not a very big island but it has a considerable number of beaches like Dam Trau Beach, Lo Voi Beach, Nhat Beach, and Dat Doc Beach, and they are all top Vietnam beaches. Beaches here are calm and clean, highly recommended for couples and ones that want a true respite. They are also home to countless types of sea turtles, as well as of Dugong (sea cow), which is an endangered species.
A part of a Con Dao beach
Many Vietnamese people visit Con Dao to commemorate and worship the martyrs. The Con Dao prison system would describe a dark part in Vietnam history and explain why this paradise of leisure was once called Hell on Earth. The island might be still lacking conveniences since some goods have to be imported from the mainland, so unless you are staying at a luxurious hotel, prepare that some products cannot be found or cost a little bit higher.
Con Dao prison depicts the cruel abuses that the Vietnamese soldiers had to endure
You can take a 1-hour flight to Con Dao from Tan Son Nhat airport (Ho Chi Minh) or Tra Noc airport (Can Tho). More details about Con Dao.
Mui Ne
It’s only a 4 to 5-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne. The iconic image of Mui Ne is the coconut beaches and the sand dunes. Hon Rom Beach is a good place to watch the sunsets and sunrises with no big waves or reefs. From Mui Ne, you can visit the nearby beautiful beaches which are also in Binh Thuan province like Lagi or Ke Ga Cape. After recharging your energy at the beaches, there are some amusing activities waiting for you at the sand dunes like sand sliding, jeep riding or kite flying (Mui Ne sand dunes are a huge hit in Vietnam). End your day with a stroll at the Fairy Stream or Hang Temple, and enjoy your dinner with Surf and Turf Hotpot, fresh seafood or grilled butterfly lizard – a specialty of Binh Thuan.
In the summer, Mui Ne is dry and hot, which is the suitable weather for swimming
The breathtaking beauty of the Fairy Stream
Plan your Mui Ne tour with our travel guide.
Vung Tau
Vung Tau is one of the best beaches near Ho Chi Minh City. The city Vung Tau can be quite crowded in the summer due to the number of tourists flooding in, so you can consider other beaches around like Ho Coc, Ho Tram, Long Hai or Deo Nuoc Ngot (Freshwater Pass). They are all located in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province and it is easy to get there by car. Christ the King Monument and White Palace are two iconic attractions of Vung Tau, so visiting them is a must when coming to this city.
Get your tickets from Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tau:
Moreover, Vung Tau has a festival you might be interested in. Specifically, the fishermen here worship the whales to be blessed for safe sailings and large hauls of fish. Therefore, at the 16th to 18th of the eighth lunar month (around the end of September), they would celebrate the Nghinh Ong Festival at the Ca Ong (how they call the whales) Tomb. It is a great chance to know about the characteristics of the local people.
Many people in Ho Chi Minh City love visiting Vung Tau as a short trip in the weekends
Learn more about the travel guide for Vung Tau.
Quy Nhon
In recent years, Quy Nhon has gained popularity thanks to its unspoiled beauty and affordable expenses. From Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, you can take a flight to Phu Cat airport, which is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Quy Nhon (1 hour). There are many natural masterpieces that are rarely touched by the hands of humans. Eo Gio and Ky Co are two most breathtaking destinations, according to the locals. Even an amateur photographer can have some amazing photos at these places. As they are completely virgin, the relevant services here will not be fully developed until the next several years. For sea swimming, you can visit Hon Kho, and Queen Beach, whose name stems from the fact that it used to be the exclusive property of Nam Phuong Queen, the last queen of Vietnam.
A lesser-known yet appealing destination is Ham Ho. You would have to go through a narrow stream by boat, across the mysterious jungle which you have just seen in documentaries to reach Ham Ho waterfall, where you can enjoy the freshwater and the unspoiled landscape.
Queen Beach is also known as Egg Beach because of the shape of the rocks along it
Don’t forget to try Banh Xeo while in Quy Nhon. Although Banh Xeo is available in many regions of Vietnam, the one here is distinctive. Local people create a special variation called Banh Xeo Tom Nhay (Jumping Shrimp Banh Xeo) that can satisfy the toughest customers.
Banh Xeo Tom Nhay in Quy Nhon
Places to try Banh Xeo Tom Nhay
Banh Xeo Tom Nhay Ong Hung
Address: 24 Dien Hong, Le Hong Phong Ward, Quy Nhon
Opening hours: 8 AM – 10 PM
Price: 18,000 VND – 21,000 VND/cake
Banh Xeo Tom Nhay Gia Vy
Address: 14 Dien Hong, Le Hong Phong Ward, Quy Nhon
Opening hours: 1 PM – 10:30 PM
Price: 25,000 VND/cake
Ha Long Bay
See how to get to Ha Long Bay from Hanoi.
Ha Long Bay is recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage. With thousands of islands, Ha Long has the scenic wonder that attracts many tourists. Each island has its own greatness waiting for you to discover. Quan Lan Island has several beaches that are ideal for a summer vacation like Son Hao, Chan Tien and lots of historical sites. Tuan Chau Island has the biggest artificial beach in Vietnam and it is also the only island that local people inhabit. You would find some appealing underwater games here, too. Another typical beach of Ha Long is Chay Beach, a windy and warm closed sea area where you can visit all year round. Besides swimming, there are still a lot of activities that you should experience such as kayaking, a one-night cruise, mountain climbing, visiting fishermen’s villages and most fascinatingly, exploring majestic caves. The typical caves in Ha Long include Thien Cung Cave (Heaven Cave), Sung Sot Cave (Cave of Surprise) and Dau Go Cave.
Ha Long Bay is as miraculous as its name: the place where the dragons land
Search for resorts and cruises in Halong Bay:
Some must-try dishes of Ha Long and where to try them
Banh Cuon with Squid Patty (Banh Cuon Cha Muc)
Ba Ngan Stall
Address: 34 Doan Thi Diem, Bach Dang Ward (Hon Gai), Ha Long City, Quang Ninh
Opening hours: 7 AM – 2 PM
Price: 30,000 VND/serving
Squid Patty (Cha Muc) is a pride of people in Quang Ninh. It is so famous that there is a saying that goes “if you have not tried squid patty, you have not come to Ha Long”.
Horseshoe Crab
Sam Ba Ty
Address: Ngo 6 Cao Thang (Hon Gai), Ha Long City, Quang Ninh
Opening hours: 7 AM – 11 PM
Price: 20,000 VND – 100,000 VND
Horseshoe Crab is one of the significant types of seafood in Ha Long. At this restaurant, it is cooked into many delicious dishes.
Ly Son
Ly Son Islands is a district of Quang Ngai province. It includes Big Island, Small Island and Hon Mu Cu. If you are looking for a hidden tourist attraction where you can escape the crowds, Ly Son is the answer for you. Although tourism has gradually developed, the service here might not fulfill the needs of visitors who are fond of luxurious vacations. Make sure you can cope with exploring, backpacking travel before deciding to visit this wonderful destination.
Getting to Ly Son is quite challenging. First, you have to make your way to Quang Ngai by train, car or plane. After that, you need to arrive at Sa Ky port, usually, tourists would choose taxi as the method in this step. Every day from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, there is a high-speed ship to take you from Sa Ky port to Ly Son port every one to two hours. You should arrive at the port at least one hour before the ship’s departure to buy the tickets, especially in peak seasons like Vietnam public holidays. One person can only buy two tickets at a time with the presentation of your passport and your partner’s. A ticket costs 126,000 VND – 161,000 VND (around US$ 6.5) depending on the ship.
The splendid scenery would make you feel the labor of traveling totally worth it. Some must-see attractions on Big Island are Hang Pagoda, a pagoda in the biggest rocky cave of Ly Son which was built in the Hau Le Dynasty; Cong To Vo, an arc made from volcanic rock; Thoi Loi mount, a volcano that is no longer active, and the lake on the peak providing fresh water for both islands.
Getting to Ly Son is not easy, but it is totally worthy
Ly Son is known as the Kingdom of Garlic so almost all the dishes here are seasoned with garlic. The salad on the island is exotic and unique, particularly the seaweed salad, garlic salad or jellyfish salad. Another strength that nature has given to this land is the diverse fresh seafood from shellfish, oysters, to sea urchins, and red frog crabs.
Summary on Top Vietnam Beaches for a Summer Vacation
Along the coastline from North to South, there are many top Vietnam beaches where you can enjoy your summer vacation. Lots of activities are available for you to experience such as swimming, beholding massive salt fields, eating seafood and sightseeing. Check out our blog for more information about traveling in Vietnam!
See more: Coastal adventure tours in Vietnam
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