Looking for the perfect Vietnam Beach Holiday....
....with over 2000 miles of coastline, you've got a lot of choice.
In simple terms, Vietnam is a beach lovers paradise. As you travel through the country you will pass mile after mile (after mile!) of undeveloped sand, with nothing but small fishing communities dotting the picture-perfect landscape. Vietnam borders the South China Sea from it's very southern tip at Mua Bai Bung as far north as the port of Haiphong in the Gulf of Tonkin.
The Selective Asia team have all travelled extensively in Vietnam and it would be fair to say that we've suffered the odd beach or two...it's a tough job but someone has to do it! During our travels we are confident that we've discovered the very best of the country's beaches and the following are a few of our favourite Vietnam beach holiday destinations.
Southern Vietnam Beaches
The 11 km's of sand that link Phan Thiet with the fishing port of Mui Ne are amongst the very best that Vietnam has on offer. The region has hotels and resorts to suit every budget, there's great sailing, windsurfing and kite surfing facilities too, and you are just 5 hours by car from Ho Chi Minh City.
The up-and-coming island of Phu Quoc lies 62 nautical miles off the southern tip of Vietnam's Mekong Delta. The island formerly belonged to Cambodia and is still disputed territory with the Khmer people (you can see Cambodia from the northern shores of Phu Quoc). There are large stretches of totally undeveloped beaches to enjoy on the island, with nothing but the odd fishing village in view. Undoubtedly this is the time to go to Phu Quoc, as big development plans are in the making.
If you want that perfect " postcard" beach then look no further than Nha Trang. Whilst the town itself is certainly more developed than many of the other Vietnam beach holiday destinations you cannot fault it on it's looks! There is also the little matter of the Six Senses Hideaway at nearby Ninh Van Bay; certainly amongst the very best beach resorts in Vietnam, perhaps Asia.
Where's the sunshineThe best beach weather in southern Vietnam is from October/November to April with the exception of Nha Trang which gets good weather most of the year outside of September to December.
Central Vietnam Beaches
Undoubtedly the most sought after destination in central Vietnam, the UNESCO protected town of Hoi An is just 5 km's from the beautiful Cua Dai Beach. Whilst Hoi An itself is popular with visitors for its wealth of cultural interests, Cua Dai Beach is delightfully undeveloped with just a handful of resorts lining it's miles of sand.
To the north of Hoi An, en-route to Danang, lies China Beach; the famous R&R destination for American GI's during the Vietnamese-American conflict. The beach has recently started to receive alot of investment and development is under way on a number of luxurious resorts. The Nam Hai has been open since 2008 and is already regarded amongst the top beach resorts in Asia.
Towards the southern boundaries of the central region is Quy Nhon, certainly the least known of the beach destinations listed on this page....this won't be the case for long. Currently there are just two resorts to talk of in the area, including the Life and Wellness Resort Quy Nhon, but plans are in place to bring Quy Nhon into the main holiday picture. Enjoy it before everyone else does!
Where's the sunshineThe best beach weather in central Vietnam is from January - August.
Northern Vietnam Beaches
The north undoubtedly suffers in comparison to the beaches further south, there simply isn't the quality of resort to ensure a great beach holiday. The island of Cat Ba in Halong Bay is one of the few exceptions, however it's not in the same league as Hoi An or Mui Ne. In our opinion your best option for R&R in northern Vietnam is an extended stay onboard a traditional junk in Halong Bay.