Top 10 Beautiful Beaches in Vietnam

Top 10 Beautiful Beaches in Vietnam

When you think of Vietnam, you think of pho, banh mi, the nón lá (conical hat symbolic of Vietnam),  the Saigon coffee culture, Ben Thanh Market, the Old Quarter in Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, endless pagodas and encompassing nature, and of course motorbikes. But you’d never really think of the beach, it’s more of a Bali or Thailand or the Philippines thing. And you have never been more wrong. After reading this, you will be acquainted with the top 10 beautiful beaches in Vietnam. 

With 2,000 miles of coastline and several islands here and there, the best beaches in Vietnam can rival that of its Southeast Asian neighbors. This is why when planning a trip to Vietnam, make sure you do include a beach trip, and if you don’t know which one to visit, this list has the right beach for you in Vietnam.

Top 10 Beautiful Beaches in Vietnam

Da Nang

This 30 km stretch of white sand starts from Monkey Mountain and ends near Hoi An, and is named differently in each area. My Khe is the most popular beach area (being named once as one of Forbes’ World’s Most Luxurious Beaches), with luxury resorts offering an array of spa treatments. But do spend your time on the beach or surf your worries away. And if you do get bored, this place has a lot of non-water activities to offer.

Hoi An (An Bang Beach)

Another diamond in the rough, An Bang Beach in Hoi An is known for its quiet waters – swimming and paddle boarding are the best water activities here. It’s not as busy as Phu Quoc nor Nha Trang, but it is very popular with the locals which is why this place can get crowded when it’s vacation season in Vietnam.

Quy Nhon Beach

Halfway between Hoi An and Nha Trang, is the laid back but gorgeous Quy Nhon Beach area. Though there is very little tourism in these beaches, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit. If you want privacy and total relaxation, this is where you should go.

Ninh Chu Beach

Ninh Chu what? Most of Vietnam enthusiasts might not have heard of Ninh Chu and that this is a beach destination. There is a lot of controversy as to which designated area it falls on the geopolitical map of the country, and the lack of advertising of the hotels and resorts there also contributes to this. But lo and behold, this place is a hidden gem! It has one of the best kite surfing spots in the world, not to mention adventure sports on land including off-roading on dunes! The backdrop to this beach also offers hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing.

Doc Let Beach (north of Nha Trang)

This is by far the best beach getaway in this list. Not only are the waters different shades of clear blue and the sand inexplicably soft and white, the backdrop that this provides for its beaches is also jaw-dropping. It has calm waters which makes it ideal for swimming and several water sports. It has some white dunes, and the best sunrise in Vietnam (great for some Instagram snaps). The shore is also lined with palm trees before the hotels and restaurants greet you and a mountainous backdrop to complete the scenery.  It is halfway between undiscovered and development, so you have the best of both worlds. This place is no doubt one of the best beaches in Vietnam, if not the best one.

Nha Trang Beach

Nha Trang, the Riviera of the South China Sea, is one of the more popular destinations and is one of the best beaches in Vietnam. It has a long coastline and is very diverse. You can be in one part which is the center of everything – think busy, tourists everywhere – or on the other side which is quieter, more tranquil. So go here if you want to get a little bit of both.

Mui Ne Beach

This place is a unique location because it’s a coastal resort town. A lot of the fishing boats are still resting a few kilometers off the shore, and you can buy some fresh fish off of it if you’d like. It also serves as a nice backdrop when watching from afar. This area is also a known spot for kite surfing, kayaking, and surfing – all thanks to its rock-free waters. It could be crowded at times, but if you choose a nice resort, you could enjoy the privacy.

Ho Tram Beach (Vung Tau)

Two things would draw your attention to Ho Tram Beach in Vung Tau. One, it’s close to Ho Chi Minh, only about 110 km away. Imagine just 2 to 3 hours from Ho Chi Minh and you can already jump in the sea. Second, since it’s close to Ho Chi Minh you’d think of it as spoiled and crowded. But no. It still boasts of pristine sands, amazing waters, and a relatively chill vibe. Food won’t be a problem with a variety of restaurants near the shore, not to mention a lot of accommodation to choose from. If you’re in Ho Chi Minh, this is certainly a top choice as one of the best beaches in Vietnam.

Con Dao Islands

If you’re yearning for the perfect getaway island, where tourism is relatively low but you have everything you need within a motorbike driving distance, and not to mention rich in history and outdoor activities, then this is the beach for you. Con Dao Island has a lot of beaches, and hotels ranging from budget to luxury, you’d have a grand time here.

Phu Quoc (Long Beach)

If hypothetically, Vietnam is to be known for its beach destination, Phu Quoc is what will put it on that list. This island is 45 km west of Ha Tien, which is in southern Vietnam, is popular for a weekend getaway of locals and for travellers longing to get a break from busy Ho Chi Minh or the hot weather in the city. Long beach is named long because of its 20 km stretch of sand. Most of the long beach is private, with luxury resorts claiming the area, but there is still some area considered to be public, especially the stretch near the backpacker street – behind Tran Hung Dao. It’s one of the best beaches in Vietnam with its soft sand and inviting waters.