Vietnam captivates visitors with its stunning natural beauty, from the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay to the Mekong Delta's floating markets. This Southeast Asian nation seamlessly blends ancient temples, French colonial architecture, and dynamic modern cities with a rich culinary tradition that has gained worldwide acclaim.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Vietnam.
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- Active beach city with surf culture and local atmosphere
- sunbeds
- restaurants
- surf hire
- showers
- toilets
- volleyball
My Khe Beach
Vietnam's most celebrated urban beach stretching 30km with golden sand and consistent waves. Backed by a dense strip of seafood restaurants and beach clubs, popular with both locals and international visitors.
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- Relaxed beach village with laid-back café scene
- beach bars
- seafood restaurants
- sunbeds
- showers
- toilets
An Bang Beach
Hoi An's most beloved beach with calm waters, excellent seafood shacks, and a tranquil atmosphere. Far less developed than Da Nang, with beach bars serving fresh coconuts and chilled deckchairs under palm trees.
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- Resort beach with sunset views and luxury hotels
- sunbeds
- restaurants
- water sports
- showers
- resort facilities
Long Beach (Bai Truong)
Phu Quoc's most developed beach stretches 20km along the western coast facing the Gulf of Thailand. Famous for spectacular sunsets, lined with resorts from budget bungalows to ultra-luxury properties.
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- Pristine white sand with crystal-clear turquoise water
- seafood restaurants
- sunbeds
- showers
- kayak rental
Bai Sao (Star Beach)
Frequently ranked among Asia's most beautiful beaches with powdery white sand and impossibly clear shallow waters in shades of turquoise and emerald. Quieter than Long Beach with a handful of seafood restaurants.
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- Undeveloped escape with pristine shallow waters
- simple restaurants
- basic facilities
- boat trips
Doc Let Beach
One of Vietnam's most untouched beaches with incredibly calm, shallow turquoise water perfect for wading and swimming. Minimal development preserves the natural setting, with just a few simple seafood restaurants.
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- Busy resort beach with full tourist amenities
- sunbeds
- restaurants
- water sports
- showers
- beach clubs
- volleyball
Nha Trang Beach
The classic Vietnamese resort beach running through Nha Trang city with wide, manicured sand and calm waters protected by offshore islands. Highly developed with international hotels, water sports, and beach clubs.
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- Traditional fishing village beach facing offshore islands
- restaurants
- sunbeds
- showers
- boat trip operators
Cua Dai Beach
Wider and more exposed than nearby An Bang, Cua Dai has a traditional fishing boat atmosphere with direct views of the Cham Islands. Snorkeling trips to the Cham Islands Marine Reserve depart from here.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Doc Let Beach near Ninh Hoa or Ong Lang Beach on Phu Quoc - minimal development, far fewer tourists, empty stretches of sand
Family
Family-friendly
An Bang Beach Hoi An (calm waters, safe for children, beach clubs with pools nearby) or Nha Trang (gentle waves, shallow water, resort facilities)
Sport
Active & sporty
My Khe Beach Da Nang for surfing and beach volleyball, Nha Trang for water sports including kite-surfing, jet-ski, and banana boats
Social
Lively scene
Long Beach Phu Quoc sunset strip with beach bars and restaurants, or Bui Vien adjacent to Nha Trang beach for late-night scene
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Vietnam memorable.
Snorkeling and Diving
The Cham Islands Marine Reserve near Hoi An and Con Dao Islands offer Vietnam's best diving with coral reefs and diverse marine life. Phu Quoc and Nha Trang also have snorkeling day trips to offshore islands.
Cham Islands (Hoi An), Con Dao Islands, Phu Quoc
Surfing
Central Vietnam's coast receives consistent swells from October to March. Da Nang's My Khe Beach and China Beach are the main surf spots with board rentals and lessons available from local surf schools.
My Khe Beach Da Nang, An Bang Beach Hoi An
Kayaking
Sea kayaking is particularly stunning around Ha Long Bay's limestone karsts, exploring hidden lagoons and sea caves that larger boats cannot enter. Day trip operators in Hoi An also offer river kayaking.
Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay
Kitesurfing
Mui Ne in Binh Thuan Province is Southeast Asia's kitesurfing mecca with strong and consistent winds from November to April. Multiple schools offer lessons for all levels on Mui Ne's long beach.
Mui Ne Beach, Phan Thiet
Island Hopping
Boat trips to offshore island clusters are a highlight of many Vietnam beach stays. Tours typically include 3-4 islands, snorkeling stops, and fresh seafood lunch on board.
Nha Trang (to 4 islands), Phu Quoc (to An Thoi Islands), Hoi An (to Cham Islands)
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Nov-Apr for Central and South Vietnam beaches (dry season). Northern Vietnam beaches best May-Sep. Phu Quoc best Nov-Apr.
Getting there
Most beaches are public and free. Some resort beaches charge for sunbed use ($3-8/day).
On-beach facilities
Major beaches like Nha Trang and My Khe have full facilities. Remote beaches have minimal or basic facilities only.
Costs to budget
Sunbed hire $3-8/day, water sports activities $10-40, snorkeling trips $15-25, island hopping tours $20-50
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.