Top 10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Vietnam

From untouched beaches in Tuy Hoa that are natural treasures to gorgeous beaches in Con Dao, you can always find a beach in Vietnam that suits you the best

Planning a Vietnam trip can be stressful due to the vast amount of alluring destinations and exciting activities available. Among all of these options are Vietnam beaches - one of the most enchanting treasures of the country. 

Vietnam beaches glamorize visitors with their exotic beauty and wilderness. From untouched beaches in Tuy Hoa that are natural treasures to gorgeous beaches in Con Dao and Ninh Van Bay, you can always find a beach that suits you the best for your Vietnam package.

Let's dig a bit deeper to understand more about Vietnamese beaches.

1. How Much Do You Know About Vietnam Beaches?

Vietnam sea is an integral part of the South China Sea, stretching from North to South. 28 in 63 provinces and cities of the country border the sea, each has differences in flora and fauna and marine ecosystems. 

The climate of the Vietnam sea is relatively close to the climate of the South China Sea. It is deeply influenced by the tropical monsoon climate. That means the temperature in the sea is warmer than on the mainland during winter. In summer, the sea’s climate is humid, increasing the rainfalls and humidity on the land. 

Thanks to the long coastline stretching along the country, the coastal areas enjoy a cool and fresh climate. The annual average temperature of surface water is from 22 to 23 degrees Celsius. Summers are cool and winters are warm. The highest temperature in January is 28 degrees Celsius, the lowest is 18 degrees Celsius. In July, the highest temperature is 30 degrees Celsius, the lowest is 28 degrees Celsius. 

In recent decades, many places have sprung to become famous beach vacations with a wide range of accommodations from budget hotels to high-end beach resorts.

2. Why Are Vietnamese Beaches Worth Visiting?

While travelers may think Thailand has the most beautiful beaches with white sand, turquoise water, and leaning palm trees, Vietnamese boasts 2,030 miles of coast with a handful of renowned tropical islands that rival its neighbors. 

There are many reasons why Vietnamese beaches are famous worldwide. It is home to a vast range of quiet, unspoiled beaches lying along the country. The tropical climate with year-round heat, especially in the southern part of the country drags beach lovers around the world to enjoy the summer breeze blowing from the sea and reinvigorate in the fresh, calm vitamin sea. The local people are kind and simple and have the typical generosity of coastal folk. Spectacular sunsets, authentic fishing villages, and cliff-top beach resorts looking over the ocean are also some of the reasons.

Put the colonial architecture of historical Hanoi, the bustling life of Saigon, and the charming vibes of Hoi An old town into your Vietnam itinerary. But your Vietnam vacation would be incomplete without hitting the water at least once. 

3. Top 10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Vietnam (with map)

In Vietnam, there are beaches for everyone. Honeymooners would love the secluded Bai Tram Beach of Con Dao, families find Mui Ne Beach in Phan Thiet a great place where kids enjoy sandboarding and quad biking while people who are after nature will immerse themselves in the quiet, relaxing Lang Co. 

To save you time searching for the best beaches to go to, we’ve made a list of the top 10 best beaches in Vietnam to enjoy Vietnam’s sun and sand.

- Monkey Island, Cat Ba

Among 367 islands making up the Cat Ba Archipelago, Monkey Island is one of the most famous. It never fails to dazzle its visitors with its chimerical, pristine beauty. Accessible via cruise ships and boats, standing from the shore, you will have the chance to admire the other islands, charmingly dispersed throughout the sea and into the horizon.

What to expect: Due to the curving shape of the beach, conveying a sense of coziness, and overall protection, Monkey Island is a wonderful location for a beach vacation. The water is turquoise-gorgeous and perfectly complemented by the surrounding rugged mountains. Besides indulging in enchanting beaches and hanging out with the island's iconic monkeys, take advantage of what its nature has to offer by taking a hike into the Cat Ba National Park - a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve or enjoying the fresh seafood. 

When to visit: Spring and autumn are ideal times to spend all day long on this gorgeous island thanks to its temperature and sunshine. 

- Lang Co, Hue

Placed in the center of Vietnam, Lang Co beach is well-known for its picturesque landscape and the spectacular view of the mountains in the surroundings. One fascinating trait of our destination is that it benefits from both the revitalizing breeze of the sea on one side and the fresh air from the Bach Ma National Park on the other.

What to expect: Lang Co is a quiet beach hosted by warm-hearted locals and famed for its white sand and turquoise lagoons. Come enjoy the warm waves tickling your toes and behold the beauty of Truong Son Mountain Ranges. Just 1 hour far away from Hue City, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, it attracts day trippers who are looking for leisure time on the beach. Who wants to spend a longer time, Banyan Tree Lang Co is a beach-front high-end resort that offers laguna, beachfront, or hillside villas with dramatic vistas spread across a rugged landscape.

When to visit: As the temperature can go below 20 degrees Celsius at the beginning of the year, the best time to visit Lang Co is from March to June. 

- My Khe, Da Nang

Among many of the most awe-inspiring Vietnam beaches is My Khe, embellished by the glowing and smooth white sand along with gorgeous scenery. It is not for no reason that My Khe was named one of the most attractive beaches on the planet by Forbes. Many travelers praise its long, flat white sandy beaches, perfect sunlight, and the availability of accommodations ranging from standard hotels to luxury beach resorts. 

What to expect: Located right in the city of Da Nang, this beach boasts a 10 km coastline stretching from the base of Son Tra Peninsula to Marble Mountain, making it extremely convenient for staying and traveling, especially for family vacations. You can find here a lively ambiance, beach sports, and bewitching sunrises. After sunset, visitors can immerse themselves in the vivacious nightlife of local markets and bars. And of course, the unique local delicacy is a must-try.

When to visit: Summer, from May to August is the best time to visit when you can enjoy the beauty of the beach the most.

- Cu Lao Cham, Hoi An

Cu Lao Cham, widely praised as the “Pearl of the East Asian Sea", is inarguably one of the most sensational destinations on this list. Recognized as one of the world’s Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO, the island possesses an extremely well-preserved marine biodiversity. It is easily reached within just one hour's drive from the old town of Hoi An. 

What to expect: Not as touristic as many other beaches in Vietnam, Cu Lao Cham is a wonderful place for taking a break from your busy life. Stepping into this island is just like stepping into a tropical paradise with waving palm trees, emerald green water, and calm waves hitting the sandy beaches. This place used to be a trading port of the Champa Kingdom in the 15th century so there are ancient relics, Cham lifestyle, and culture to explore when you get off the water. 

When to visit: March to August is the best time to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of Cu Lao Cham is at its peak.

- An Bang, Hoi An

An Bang Beach is located just three miles from the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An. In contrast to the exciting vibe and colorful shophouses of the ancient town, An Bang beach is much quieter with a lovely view of what nature has to offer. For a day of lazing in the sun, simply pedal your bike from the port of Hoi An.

What to expect: Listed in the Top 100 best beaches in the world by CNN, this beach attracts both Vietnamese and foreign tourists, solo, couples, and families, young and old who need a place to cool off the summer heat and relax by the seashore after fully exploring Hoi An. Here, you can find a wide variety of restaurants, ranging from local cuisine to western food. Live music, cold drinks, bean bags, beach bum vibes, there are so many things waiting for you at An Bang beach. Come get a sun tan for a perfect beach escape. 

When to visit: Although the beach is well-loved throughout all seasons, the best time to hang out is the dry season from March to September.

- Phu Yen

This Vietnam's easternmost province had always been a hidden gem until 2015 when the Vietnamese movie named Yellow flowers on the green grass chose it as the setting. Travelers and photographers have started to travel to Phu Yen to capture its beautiful nature and discover its authentic culture.

What to expect: There are so many incredible reasons to visit Phu Yen. The view that meets the eye is stunningly beautiful on its coastlines. Rugged cliffs and arched mountains embrace the azure bays, creating secluded and pristine landscapes that you can find everywhere in this land. Visitors love Da Dia Reef of hundreds of black basalt rock columns that were formed 200 million years ago. Mon beach exudes a tranquil atmosphere with spectacular sunrise and sunset. Locals are friendly and kind, the culture is authentic, and seafood can sock anyone with its price and quality.

When to visit: January to mid-August is the most perfect time when the temperature is from 23 to 30 degrees Celsius.

- Ninh Van Bay, Nha Trang

Always on the top list of must-visit beaches in Vietnam, Ninh Van Bay is the dream destination for those who wish to admire the precious gift of nature in Southern Vietnam. This remote bay is accessed only by a 20-minute speedboat ride and is surrounded by majestic mountains, providing the utmost relaxing atmosphere to every beach lover. 

What to expect: Nature endows Ninh Van Bay with clear blue sea water and fascinating marine life, snorkeling allows you to see beautiful coral reefs while kayaking takes you to untouched nature. Due to its secluded location, the area is not yet crowded with hotels. If budget is not an issue, you can find here upscale beach resorts such as Six Senses Ninh Van Bay and L’Alya Ninh Van Bay offering villas with private pools and unrivaled ocean views. Thanks to its indulgent ambience, this beach quite fits honeymooners or couples who want to rekindle their love flame. 

When to visit: Visit Ninh Van Bay from April to September when the average temperature is from 26 to 29 degrees Celsius, ideal for sailing and hiking.

- Mui Ne, Phan Thiet

Located a four-hour drive away from Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne beach is the not-to-be-missed stop for families who are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience for their children. Here, you can have the desert on your left and the beautiful ocean on your right, at the same time. With a fairly tropical climate, this place can be visited all year round.

What to expect: With nearly 5 km of beautiful clean sand, Mui Ne is a mecca for kite-boarding and windsurfing. There are lots of shops offering equipment rental and classes. If you’re not a fan of surfing, it’s just nice to lounge on the beach under the shade of an umbrella in the middle of the day, take a long walk, or swim. 

One of Mui Ne’s unique offerings is undoubtedly the Red Sand Dunes, which constitutes the mystical part of the area. The kids will enjoy sandboarding with a giant piece of cardboard. 

When to visit: From April to August is the most beautiful time to travel to Mui Ne. The sea water is clear and the weather is fairly cool.

- Long Beach (Bai Dai), Phu Quoc 

Off Vietnam’s southern province of Kien Giang, Vietnam’s largest island Phu Quoc is dubbed Vietnam’s Maldives thanks to its untouched beauty and translucent turquoise water. In the past, it used to be a notorious prison island during colonial times when the French invaded the country but nowadays, it has been chosen by the U.K. travel magazine Rough Guides as one of the world’s best 20 honeymoon destinations. In 2018, National Geographic named Phu Quoc Island as one of the best places to watch dazzling sunsets.

The most popular spot in Phu Quoc is Long Beach. Located on the northwest side of the island, stretches up to 15 km long on the coast of the island and is only a fifty-minute car ride away from Phu Quoc International Airport. 

What to expect: Long Beach stands out for its swaying palm trees, blue sky, and clear water making it ideal for wedding photographers. Here,  you will feel the adrenaline rushing in with various exhilarating activities available on sites, such as kayaking, snorkeling, fishing on a boat, or cycling to explore the town.  Relaxing on a sun lounge and enjoying the special atmosphere and glamorous sunset is just as perfect.

When to visit: The best time to take a beach vacation at Long Beach would be from November to March each year. 

- Dam Trau, Con Dao

If you don’t know where to go, pick Con Dao and you will never get it wrong. CNN included Con Dao on its list of crowd-free Asian getaways. Off the southern tip of Vietnam, Bai Tram is one of 16 islets of the Con Dao archipelago, home to unspoiled beaches and a peaceful atmosphere, making it one of the 15 best beaches in Southeast Asia.

What to expect: Just one hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Dam Trau rewards those who make a visit with its mesmerizing coastline, palm-shaded beaches, turquoise water, rainforest trails, nesting sea turtles, and the best diving spot the country has to offer. Burn some calories by swimming in the lovely water then relax on the beach and let the sun tan your skin. Seafood is fresh and delicious at a reasonable price. 

Friendly locals, easygoing life, and appealing nature contrast with the dark history of Con Dao. This island used to be a notorious prison under the rule of the French colonialists and then American-back South Vietnam for 113 years, from 1862 to 1975. The prison is now open to visitors who want to look back into Vietnam's history.

When to visit: To enjoy the most beautiful weather, make your trip between March and October.