20 Best Beaches In Vietnam

11 February 2022 Updated on Aug 2nd, 2023

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Vietnam is one of the best destinations for all kinds of travellers, whether you’re solo, on a group tour or with friends. The vast country features spectacular scenery, including breath-taking mountains, jungles, deserts and bustling cities. There are some impossibly beautiful beaches in Vietnam too.

Vietnam is a long country, which means it can take a while to get from place to place, but this provides the perfect excuse to explore some of the most stunning beaches you will ever see. You can experience snorkelling, scuba diving and watersports, or relax with a cold Vietnamese beer and some fresh food while you admire the view. The country has a considerable coastline, meaning there are hundreds to choose from, but there are a few beaches in Vietnam that have that special something.

Woman relaxing at the beach on a hammock — Looking for the best beaches in Vietnam? Read on to find your place in paradise.

Best Beaches In Vietnam

20 Vietnamese Beaches For Your Bucket List

1- City Beach, Nha Trang

City Sand Beach with high rise buildings in the background — City Sand Beach in Nha Trang Bay is one of the more crowded beaches in Vietnam.

Nha Trang is located towards the country’s south and is popular as a stop-off destination and an arrival city, as there are direct flights from many countries.

The city is Vietnam’s answer to Las Vegas, which is the towering backdrop of City Beach.

This beach in Southern Vietnam runs for miles and is lined with sports shops, hotels and restaurants, so you won’t be short of activities or far from your hotel.

The sea is very shallow and warm, and off the coast, you can see some beautiful coral reefs.

Arrive early as hundreds of locals descend at around 3 pm in the summer, making it a little crowded.

2- Non Nuoc Beach, Danang

most beautiful beaches in vietnam floaties for rent in Danang — Local people at a beach in Danang have pop-up stalls with floaties for hire.

Non Nuoc Beach is possibly one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam for a relaxing time out.

Danang is located between Hue and Hoi An, and while many visitors skip it, if you plan to explore the Hai Van Pass, it is worth stopping here for a night or two.

The beach is tranquil and clear, with swaying palm trees and very few people, stretching to the foot of the Marble Mountains, making a great day trip.

The best things to do here are sit back, order some fresh seafood and chill out.

3- An Bang Beach, Hoi An

traditional round fishing boat found on the beaches in north vietnam — A traditional fishing boat on a beach in Hoi An.

An Bang beach is one of two beaches close to the ancient town of Hoi An.

The beach is a welcome respite after exploring temples and lantern shops and perhaps getting some clothes tailored.

Out of Hoi An’s two beaches, An Bang caters more to locals and often gets busy in the late afternoon. However, there is no shortage of activities or restaurants, and you’re sure to find a beach umbrella all to yourself.

If you have some time, you can walk from this beach all the way along to Hoi An’s other beach, Cua Dai, which takes about 45 minutes and is stunning at sunset.

4- Cua Dai, Hoi An

sunset on the waves and sand on a beach in hoi an vietnam — Cua Dai Beach in Hoi An is one of the most famous beaches in Vietnam.

Cua Dai is Hoi An’s second beach and is directly connected to An Bang beach.

Cua Dai has more of a tourist vibe because of the many palm-fringed restaurants and beach cafes here, and yet it is somehow much quiet than its counterpart.

The water is shallow, and the views are endless, so a great idea is to visit at the end of the day for a swim before going to one of the eateries on the beach.

They all have great views, cheap drinks and super fresh food on offer.

5- Quan Lan, Bai Tu Long

vietnam beaches in january Swing on the beach — A swing on an idyllic Vietnam beach.

If you haven’t heard of Bai Tu Long Bay, it’s Ha Long’s quieter little sister.

Quan Lan is an island all to itself, and its sheer remoteness means you won’t find many people here.

3km of stunning white beach stretches along the island and it is here you will find some spectacular snorkelling and diving spots.

You can also eat well as you’ll find some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste.

There are some small locally-run hotels on the island, or you can hire a motorbike to explore for the day before heading to the beach.

For more beaches around the world read:

6- Mui Ne Beach

coconut palms in silhouette against a fiery orange sky is a typical scene on many beaches in Vietnam — Mui Ne beach in Vietnam at sunrise.

One of a few beaches in the Mui Ne area, this beach is a great place to spend the day doing nothing.

Mui Ne has famous red and white desert sand dunes and the Fairy Stream.

Most hostels and hotels offer a tour of these at either sunrise or sunset, which is spectacular and leaves the day free to relax.

Mui Ne beach is generally quiet because most hostels have pools, and guests don’t tend to venture further out.

As Mui Ne beach doesn’t have a wealth of food and drink options, swimming, relaxing and topping up your tan are the order of the day here.

7- Lang Co Beach, Hue

Picture of Lang Co beach, one of the clear water beaches in vietnam — An unusual Vietnamese beach is Lang Co Beach, as seen from Hai Van mountain pass with a train running through the green forest near the shore.

Often touted as one of the world’s most beautiful bays, Lang Co Beach just outside of Hue is one not to miss when planning your Vietnam itinerary.

It stretches for 10km, so you will be able to find a huge swathe all to yourself.

As the beach is between Danang and Hue, the best way to see it is to go on a Hai Van Pass tour through the mountains.

You can do this by motorbike yourself, with a driver or a jeep. Not only will you get to stand on the top of the famous pass, but your driver will usually stop at Lang Co for a while so that you can explore and relax before taking you to the nearby Elephant Springs natural pools.

8- Star Beach, Phu Quoc

A female asian model relaxing in the sun on the tropical Sao Beach, Phu Quoc, Vietnam — There are plenty of beautiful beaches in Vietnam to choose from, such as Sao Beach in Phu Quoc.

Known as Bai Sao in Vietnamese, it is around 25km from Phu Quoc Island’s capital.

Of the several beaches on the island, Star Beach manages to be tranquil while still offering activities and places to eat for those tired of sunbathing.

The beach is lined with palm trees, and the water is incredibly clear and blue, which is the main draw for tourists travelling to Phu Quoc from the mainland.

It is worth staying overnight here and hitting the beaches in the morning, as this beach is on the tourist route and can get crowded in the afternoon.

If you stay, you’ll have the beach to yourself and might even see Star Beach’s namesake – the hundreds of starfish that appear in the shallows at sunset.

9- Ganh Dau, Phu Quoc

Aerial view of a group of boats at sea in Vietnam, Phu Quoc — Where are the best beaches in Vietnam? Whether you choose the north or the south, there are beautiful beaches everywhere. Pictured here is Phu Quoc.

One of the most postcard-perfect, tropical beaches in Vietnam, Ganh Dau is one not to be missed.

Unlike some of Phu Quoc’s other beaches, which are popular beaches on the tourist trail, Ganh Dau is down a dirt road just after the village and hidden behind swathes of palm trees.

All there is to do is eat a fresh coconut, sink into the white sand and admire the endless blue sea.

10- Bai Cong, Hoi An

top beaches in vietnam have kayaks, umbrellas and other facilities — Many of the popular beaches in Vietnam have kayaks and other watersports gear for hire.

Lying off the coast of Hoi An, Bai Cong is on Hon Lao, one of the Cham Islands.

You can get a ferry out from the mainland and spend the day exploring more than one of these islands, such as Cu Lao Cham Marine Park, famous for diving, and Hon Lao, which features the best beaches in the area.

Hotels offer tours to the marine park from the mainland, but if you want to explore Hon Lao’s beaches, you’ll need to hire a driver, as visitors aren’t allowed to drive.

This means, however, that at least one of the beaches is likely to be quiet for you to enjoy and try your hand at kayaking, jet-skiing or snorkelling.

11- Ho Coc Beach

Dusk and purple sky at Ho Coc Beach of Vietnam — Another beach in Vietnam to escape to is the lovely Ho Coc Beach.

Roughly a three hour, leisurely drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Coc beach has pristine white sand and clear waters for you to enjoy.

There are many high-end resorts in the area, so if you feel like splashing out, treat yourself to a stay in a resort with its own private beach area.

Otherwise, make yourself at home on a sunlounge and go for a swim.

The waters here can get rough in certain seasons, so if you aren’t a confident swimmer, head instead to the nearby Binh Chau Hot Springs, where you can relax and get a nourishing mud bath.

12- Binh Ba Island, Nha Trang

Vietnam coastline with fishing boats in the water near the best secluded beaches in vietnam — The Vietnamese coastline near Nha Trang is a picturesque scene of fishing boats bobbing in the ocean.

Nha Trang is popular for its multitude of boat trips out to coral reefs and islands off the coast, one of which is Binh Ba Island.

The best time to go to the island is between March and September when the waters are warm, and the island’s famous lobster population is aplenty (both for snorkelling with and eating!).

This island was owned by the military and has only recently opened for tourism, meaning it is empty, tranquil and the perfect hidden gem to explore.

13- Con Dao Archipelago

A small, round, blue boat of the kind used by fishermen fishing boats and blue sky in background. Horizontal color shot on sunny day. — A small, round, blue boat used by fishermen in the Con Dao Islands. Con Dao beach is one of the most interesting beaches in Vietnam to visit.

Just off Vietnam’s southern coast, the Con Dao Islands are a group of 16 uninhabited islands.

The main island features jungles and a host of hiking trails for the more sporty traveller, but they all have spectacular and untouched beaches for you to explore.

Island hopping is the agenda of the day here, where you can either snorkel or dive and will see stingrays, barracuda, eels and even sharks, among the other tropical fish.

Hon Bay Canh island is also famous for its beach because it is a turtle breeding ground, so add this to your list if you visit between June and September.

14- Cat Ba Island, Ha Long Bay

beaches in south vietnam — The beaches in South Vietnam are perfect for relaxing, sunbaking and swimming.

Like the rest of Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba island rises out of the ocean, featuring jagged limestone peaks and lush jungle covering everything.

Most overnight trips to the Bay will include a stop on Cat Ba, which is worth your time, both for the view from the top if you decide to do some hiking and for its beaches.

The beaches here are tiny and cosy up to local fishing villages, but this area is protected as a national park, so you won’t find a better spot to relax and see some amazing marine life.

15- Ninh Chu Beach

Picture of one of the main beaches in vietnam with boats anchored in Vinh Hy Bay in Ninh Thuan — Boats anchored in Vinh Hy Bay in Ninh Thuan.

Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, Ninh Chu is in Ninh Thuan province.

It is a 10 km stretch of sand shaped like a crescent moon, which has not been hit by the construction of resorts and hotels yet, meaning you won’t compete with many tourists.

Whether you’re into diving, fishing, sailing or sunbathing, all of it can be enjoyed here.

You can catch some rare marine life off the coast, or if you have children, the rock pools are filled with shrimp, lobsters and cuttlefish.

The nearby mountains also feature a scattering of temples and pagodas if you need a history break.

16- Bai Xep Beach

Bai Xep Beach with blue sky, deep golden sand and waves breaking on the rocks — Bai Xep Beach in Quy Nhon is a natural Vietnamese beach with golden sand and interesting rock features.

Roughly 10km from Quy Nhon, this is the perfect beach for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city.

Here is where you’ll find an authentic Vietnamese experience, as Bai Xep beach is one of many local fishing villages in the area.

Aside from relaxing, this is a great place to sample local cuisine and watch the fishermen as they go out for the day.

In the evenings, many people have barbecues on the beach, and they’ll be happy to give you some fresh seafood and a drink.

17- Binh Tien Beach

vietnam beaches in winter empty beach and turquoise water — The wild Binh Tien beach is a natural gem and one of the beaches in Vietnam where you might be lucky enough to have it to yourself.

Like Ninh Chu, Binh Tien beach is in Ninh Thuan province and is known as ‘the hidden pearl’ due to its untouched, wild beauty.

The beach itself offers diving and boat rental activities, and you can even catch your own seafood.

It is a beautiful area to camp in as it is off the grid.

Most people set up a tent and a fire and sleep under the stars.

18- Front Beach, Vung Tau

Panoramic view of Vung Tau and some of the best beaches in southern vietnam — Vung Tau has some of the best beaches in Southern Vietnam.

Located between Big Moutain and Little Mountain, Front Beach is one of a few in Vung Tau.

Backed by Vung Tau city proper, this beach is accessible and popular.

If you’re looking to swim, do yoga or enjoy some fresh food at one of the many open-air restaurants, then head here during the daytime.

In the evenings, the beach becomes a nightlife hotspot, and you’ll find no shortage of bars and late-night parties to attend.

19- Thuan An Beach, Hue

vietnam beaches traditional Vietnamese wooden boat — A traditional Vietnamese wooden boat moored on a Hue beach in Vietnam.

About 14km from Hue, this is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful yet most underdeveloped beaches.

Backpackers hostels shuttle people out here once a day, otherwise, you will have it to yourself.

There are some cheap hostels with beach cabanas if you’d like to stay the night, and one resort if you want to splurge.

Otherwise, arrive early and spend the day doing a boat trip, visiting the nearby lagoon or just chilling out.

20- Nam Du Island

Coconut trees on Nam Du Island, which has some of the best beaches in vietnam — Nam Du Island has some of the best tropical beaches in Vietnam.

Sitting in the Gulf of Thailand (although Vietnamese), Nam Du Island is only accessible by boat but is well worth the journey.

You can hire a boat when you arrive to get here, as most of the accommodation and food options are on the main island of Hon Lon.

Nam Du is a desert island, having only been recently connected to the national electricity grid, so WiFi is patchy, making it the perfect place to log off, wind down and relax.

If you have time, visit Nam Du’s lighthouse for panoramic views of the island.

For more things to do in Vietnam, read:

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