14 Top Picks from Over 2,000 Miles of Coastline
As far as reasons to visit Vietnam go, its beaches are far less known than Vietnam’s other attractions — but that’s quickly changing, as formerly sleepy fishing villages have seen far more income coming in from tourists than from the day’s catch.
With over 2,000 miles of coastline, it was inevitable that Vietnam’s beaches, in places like Nha Trang, Mui Ne, and Da Nang would finally rise in the rankings of hot beach destinations, alongside established places like Phuket and Boracay.
Find out what locals have known for ages — the next time you visit, try and fit one of the beaches below into your Vietnam itinerary.
1. Ti Top Island & Beach, Ha Long Bay
Address: Ti Top Beach
Perhaps it’s only fitting that an island named after a famous Russian cosmonaut offers a majestic 360-degree view of Ha Long Bay at its peak and a compact but tourist-friendly beach at its base.
“Ti Top” is the closest Vietnamese approximation to Gherman Titov‘s name. Titov was the second man in space, having spent a whole day in orbit in 1961 aboard Vostok II. Titov visited Vietnam and Ha Long Bay on Ho Chi Minh’s (former president) request in 1962, and the former Cat Nang Island was renamed in his honor.
After making the 400-step climb to the viewing deck and back, finish your visit with a few hours swimming or sunning at the beach — a touristy 130-yard stretch of sand with deck chairs and drinks sellers. The white-sand beach is surprisingly clean, as the favorable currents sweep any pollution away from the island.
Getting here: You can book a tour of Ha Long Bay that includes a stop at Ti Top Island.
2. Minh Chau Beach, Quan Lan
Address: WGXW+42H, Đảo, Quan Lạn, Vân Đồn, Quảng Ninh, Vietnam
Close to Ha Long Bay but far enough to offer a less touristy, more nature-grounded experience than its popular neighbor, Quan Lan Island on Bai Tu Long Bay rewards tourists for stepping off the beaten path.
You can choose from several beaches to visit on the island, but you can’t go wrong with Minh Chau Beach: an arcing 1.5-mile-long stretch of white sand lapped by calm waves. The fineness of the sand is a big draw for visitors; if you’re looking for more action, rent volleyball equipment from one of the local providers, or rent a lounge chair or hammock for relaxation.
A beachfront restaurant scene operates during peak season, from May to October.
Getting here: A ferry from Ha Long Hon Gai Port takes a scenic route through Bai Tu Long Bay to Quan Lan island, at a port south of the main village.
3. Thien Cam Beach, Ha Tinh
Few beaches balance a mountain backdrop and the ocean quite like Thien Cam Beach. In fact, the beach’s grandeur has been immortalized in legend; the sound of its waves so entranced a king that he renamed the surrounding area “Heaven’s Lute” (or, Tien Cam in Vietnamese).
As remote as Thien Cam is, history has not forgotten the place — the 13th-century Yen Lac Pagoda can be seen in the area, and travelers interested in local cuisine can visit the Cua Nhong fishing village, where they continue the traditional craft of making nuoc mam, or fish sauce (an essential condiment for every Vietnamese meal).
Getting there: Thien Cam Beach is some 20 miles from the nearest large city, Ha Tinh, and another 200 miles east of Hanoi. Buses regularly service the journey from Hanoi to Ha Tinh; from Ha Tinh, you can either ride a taxi or a local bus to get to Thien Cam.
4. An Bang Beach, Hoi An
Address: W87R+C7R, Đ. Hai Bà Trưng, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
While the beaches in Hoi An may feel somewhat overshadowed by those in nearby Da Nang, that’s not an issue for visitors to Hoi An — the less crowded, rustic beach near the historic town is a hidden gem.
This four-kilometer stretch of dirty-white sand near Tra Que Village is a departure from the sleek overcrowded beach vibe of Da Nang. Instead of glitzy beachside bars, you’ll find scruffy watering holes selling basic cocktails and good vibes.
For the price of a drink, you can rent a lounge chair on the beach and watch stand-up paddleboarders master their balance on the calm waters.
How to get here: Da Nang (and nearby areas like Hoi An) are serviced by the Da Nang International Airport (IATA: DAD, ICAO: VVDN), with flights from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Hire a xe om to take you here and back.
5. Non Nuoc “China” Beach, Da Nang
The busy, resort-like feel of the Da Nang beachfront belies its Vietnam War background. Part of this beach served as a rest and recreation spot for American GI’s, who nicknamed its southernmost sector “China Beach”.
The present-day Da Nang beachfront — composed of Non Nuoc, Bac My An, My Khe, and Pham Van Dong beaches — spans about 18 miles close to the city center, transforming into a Riviera-like collection of high-end restaurants and hotels that yesterday’s GI contingent could only have dreamed of.
Additionally, some five-star resorts have acquired sections of the beach for their guests’ private use, but there are enough “public” areas for you to enjoy.
Getting here: The beach is directly accessible from the city. Direct flights from Hanoi and Saigon arrive multiple times daily at Da Nang International Airport.
6. An Binh, Ly Son District
Address: An Bình, Lý Sơn, Quảng Ngãi, Vietnam
Strangely enough for a tropical island, beach pickings are slim on the Ly Son islands off Vietnam’s south-central coast — except for those on its second-smallest island.
The Anh Binh (Little Island) beach appears completely undeveloped, situated on a 7-hectare island with about 100 permanent households. The volcanic cliffs framing the white sand and the roiling waves look positively unspoiled, with the main drawback being the lack of tourist facilities on the beach.
The “tourist trail” takes less than an hour to cover on foot, consisting of the beach on one end, a few restaurants on the other, and garlic fields in between. (Ly Son District is Vietnam’s garlic capital.)
Getting here: Regular flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City fly to Chu Lai International Airport, from which taxis and buses can cover the thirty miles to Sa Ky port. Alternatively, you can ride a bus or train to Quang Ngai City, followed by a taxi or bus to Sa Ky. Ferries from Sa Ky to Ly Son connect the mainland to the island district. From the Great Island, you can take tourist boats to An Binh.
7. Ky Co Beach, Quy Nhon
Address: Bãi Kỳ Co, Nhơn Lý, Quy Nhơn, Bình Định, Vietnam
The curving Ky Co Beach feels like Vietnam’s most pristine beach. It has to be: it’s far from the town center, requiring a car ride along remote roads or a quicker ferry to get here.
The local cliff formations create stunning backdrops, particularly the Ong Dia rock at the northern end of the beach. Cliff jumping into the strong currents is possible from this point, but only recommended for the strongest swimmers. Younger visitors will enjoy the rock pools carved out of the limestone near the beach.
Getting there: Ky Co is closest to Quy Nhon in Binh Dinh Province. Phu Cat Airport connects visitors from Hanoi and Saigon to Quy Nhon. Alternatively, you can take the train to Quy Nhon’s Dieu Tri Station or ride the bus.
Boat packages from Quy Nhon explore Ky Co Beach as part of an itinerary that reaches nearby Hon Seo, Hon Can, and Yen Islands. Canoe rentals from nearby Eo Gio Bay to Ky Co can also be arranged.
8. Tran Phu Beach, Nha Trang
Address: Bãi biển Nha Trang, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa, Vietnam
As touristy as they come, Tran Phu Beach forms part of the quintessential Nha Trang experience. This 3-mile stretch marks the city’s eastern edge, skirting the namesake Tran Phu Street and its promenade.
Restaurants, hotels, and museums along Tran Phu Street — many dating back to the French colonizers — enhance the local beach experience. When you’re tired of the sun and crowds, retreat to the many eateries along the promenade or check out adjacent tourist sites like the Po Nagar Cham towers and Long Son Pagoda’s towering Buddha statue.
Visitors to Tran Phu feel immersed in the action, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Nha Trang’s accessibility draws tourist levels that can feel overcrowded during peak seasons and holidays.
Getting here: Nha Trang is accessible from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) by air or by train.
9. Doc Let Beach, Nha Trang
Address: Bải biển Dốc Lết, Tx. Ninh Hòa, Khánh Hòa, Vietnam
Nha Trang may be Vietnam’s hottest beach destination, but its crowds can grow tiresome fast. Luckily, there’s a secluded alternative just an hour-and-a-half bus ride north from the city center.
Doc Let Beach stretches about 4 miles, a gently curving shore with bright-white sands and shallow blue waters. Casuarina trees provide shade, and several rustic resorts offer refuge to visitors.
These welcoming local resorts allow day-trippers to access their facilities for a fee, even without an overnight stay. Activities like parasailing, jetskiing, and camping equipment rentals are available at much cheaper rates than found in Nha Trang. Camp on the beach overnight for a chance to catch Doc Let’s beautiful sunrise first thing in the morning.
Getting there: Doc Let lies about 25 miles north of Nha Trang. The air-conditioned #3 bus runs hourly from Nguyen Thien Thuat Street in Nha Trang to Doc Let. Taxis also follow this route.
10. Mui Ne, Phan Thiet
Address: Mũi Né, Phan Thiet, Bình Thuận, Vietnam
This resort town in Phan Thiet Province is another fishing village made famous for its expansive sand dunes (perfect for sledding and ATV riding) and kitesurfing (ideal when conditions are right between November and March).
The Mui Ne beachfront spans 9 miles from northwest to southeast. A traditional fishing village occupies the northwest part, gradually being replaced by high-end resorts. Guesthouses, shops, and a handful of boutique resorts can be found along the eastern end of the beach, while the middle zone remains budget-friendly, grappling with ongoing sand erosion amidst a burgeoning number of kitesurfers (most local kitesurfing schools can be found here).
Getting here: Mui Ne is approximately 120 miles west of Ho Chi Minh City, requiring a five-hour bus journey to reach it.
11. Back Beach, Vung Tau
Address: Back beach, Vũng Tàu, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Vietnam
Only a two-hour bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vung Tau practically fills with weekenders, as city day-trippers flock to the area’s four beaches to unwind.
The cleanest beach in Vung Tau — Bãi Sau, or Back Beach — is also the go-to spot for water sports like surfing, kite-surfing, and kayaking, owing to its favorable currents and wind swells. Facilities are commonplace but not free; rentals of storage, umbrellas, and showers are available, as well as equipment from local providers.
Once you’ve had your fill of surfing at Back Beach, explore nearby beaches — Front Beach, Paradise Beach, and Pineapple Beach — or discover the city’s colonial architecture. A 100-foot-high concrete Christ statue stands over the city from Nui Nho (“Small Mountain”), offering stunning views of Vung Tau’s coastline to those who dare tackle the 800-step climb.
Getting here: Most weekenders take a bus from Saigon to Vung Tau and back. The transport service Greenlines DP provides a fast ferry from Saigon to Vung Tau.
12. Ho Coc Beach, Vung Tau
Address: Hồ Cốc, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Vietnam
Another Vung Tau beach that benefits from its proximity to Saigon, the 10-kilometer Ho Coc Beach is a beloved rustic getaway for local tourists. With light gold sands, clear waters, and a bustling seafood scene, Ho Coc sits high on the weekend escape list of many Saigon locals.
However, the beach offers more than just sun and surf; the Binh Chau Hot Springs, a collection of about 70 springs located approximately 11 miles north of the beach, provide therapeutic experiences, with warm to scalding spring waters offering relief to aching muscles. A mud bath experience is also available for an additional charge.
Getting here: Ride a minibus from Mien Dong Bus Station in Saigon headed to either Ba Ria or Vung Tau; from either stop, you can take a taxi or motorcycle taxi (known as xe om) to Ho Coc Beach or Binh Chau.
13. Long Beach, Phu Quoc
Vietnam’s largest island boasts a wonderfully varied ecosystem — half of it is a National Park, and travelers gain immediate access to all of Phu Quoc’s diving sites, waterfalls, wetlands, rainforests, and of course, beaches.
The 12-mile Long Beach stands out as the island’s most popular stretch, often crowded with hotels, resorts, and restaurants eager to capitalize on the beautiful sunset views. The crystal-clear waters provide an excellent backdrop for tourists lounging at beachside cafes and bars.
Why stop at Long Beach? Consider visiting the 20 other beaches on the island, including the less-frequented Ong Lang and Bai Sao. Alternatively, dive into the waters below; scuba divers appreciate Phu Quoc’s rich undersea life, featuring giant turtles and the laid-back dugong.
Getting here: Regular flights connect Phu Quoc International Airport to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
14. An Hai Beach, Con Son Island
Address: Bãi tắm An Hải, Côn Đảo, Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu, Vietnam
For locals, the desolate Con Dao group of islands invokes memories of harsh colonial prisons and the inhumane “tiger cage” enclosures. Nevertheless, the biggest (and only inhabited) island, Con Son, has leveraged its remoteness and limited development into an attractive off-the-beaten-path destination.
The stunning beaches on Con Son like Dam Trau and An Hai draw visitors for their soft white sands and lively waters. An Hai Beach is especially appealing due to its convenient location near the town; its picturesque appearance, framed by the island’s mountains, makes it a must-visit.
Moreover, the scuba diving around the 16 Con Dao islands offers some of Vietnam’s best underwater experiences; dive centers on Con Son provide easy access to over 20 dive sites in the archipelago.
Getting here: Regular flights cross from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Can Tho International Airport in the Mekong Delta to Con Dao Airport on Con Son. A slower (but cheaper) option is to take a boat from Cat Lo Harbor in Vung Tau, taking around 12 hours to reach the islands.
