On water

Beach holidays

From pristine white sand to hidden sea bays

ChillWet from a couple of hours to infinity Year-round in different parts of the country 4 places

What it is and why

Beach vacations in Vietnam are extremely diverse due to the length of the country. In the South (Phu Quoc, Mui Ne), summer lasts almost year-round, offering both calm azure waters for perfect relaxation and windy spots for active activities. In the Central region (Da Nang, Nha Trang), beaches are excellently combined with developed infrastructure: here you can sunbathe in the morning and go to a top restaurant or night bar in the evening.

If you are looking for seclusion, pay attention to the islands. Con Dao and remote beaches of Phu Quoc retain the atmosphere of "wild" tropical vacation, where except for you, coconut palms and the clean South China Sea, there is practically no one. It is important to consider seasonality: if the rainy season in the South begins in May, then in the central region (Da Nang and Hue area) the best time is from February to August.

Where to do it in Vietnam

Points on the map are real places where this activity can be done. Numbers in the list match the markers.

Sao Beach (Bai Sao)
Phu Quoc
Classic white sand and palm trees like in Bounty commercials.
My Khe
Da Nang
One of the best urban beaches in the world with a wide sandy strip.
Dam Trau
Con Dao
Secluded beach near the airport where planes fly right overhead.
Mui Ne Beach
Mui Ne
Mecca for beach vacation lovers, kitesurfing, and fresh seafood.

Tips

Use the UV index: in midday hours the sun in Vietnam is very aggressive, always use SPF 50+.
If you want seclusion, move away from the main tourist streets on a rented bike for 5-10 kilometers — the most beautiful beaches are almost always empty.
Always check for flags on the lifeguard tower; red flags mean dangerous underwater currents, which often happens in the low season.
Ask locals about tide times, as on many beaches the water can recede very far or, conversely, flood the entire coastal strip.

Caution

From October to December on the Central Coast, storms and big waves are frequent, swimming may be prohibited.
Do not leave valuables unattended on the sand, especially on urban public beaches.