Vietnam has about 3,200 km of coastline, but there is no single beach season. The country is split by two monsoons, so while Da Nang is perfect in July, Phu Quoc is wet and rough, and in January the reverse is true. This guide runs through 13 beaches from north to south, with the best months for each, the nearest airport and a link to where to stay. Every beach links down to our full local guide.
How the monsoon split works
- North and central coast (Ha Long Bay to Quy Nhon): best April to October. Winter (November to February) brings cold, grey weather in the north and rough surf in the centre. Typhoon risk peaks September to November.
- South-central coast (Nha Trang, Mui Ne): the driest stretch of the country. Good from roughly January to August. Mui Ne is windy from November to April, which suits kitesurfers more than swimmers.
- South and the Gulf of Thailand (Phu Quoc, Vung Tau): best November to April. The southwest monsoon (May to October) brings rain and rough water to Phu Quocβs west coast.
- Con Dao is the exception in the south: calmest April to October.
For a month-by-month view of the whole country, see our best time to visit Vietnam guide. For official country information, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism is the primary source.
North Vietnam
1. Ti Top Island, Ha Long Bay
A small crescent of sand on a limestone island, reached on a cruise stop. The water is warm and calm, and there is a 20-30 minute climb to a viewpoint over the bay. It is crowded in peak season, so arrive early on an overnight cruise. Water quality near Ha Long City itself is not good for swimming.
- Best months: April to October (winter is cool and misty)
- Nearest airport: Van Don (VDO), about 1 hour by road, or Hanoi (HAN), about 2.5-3 hours by road
- Full guide: Ha Long Bay beaches
- Stay: Hotels in Ha Long Bay
2. Cat Co 3, Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba has three bay beaches within 2 km of town. Cat Co 3 is the cleanest and least developed, about 25-30 minutes on foot from Cat Ba Town. The water is clearer than the main bay, and the clearest swimming in the area is out in Lan Ha Bay.
- Best months: May to September
- Nearest airport: Hai Phong (HPH), then a bus and ferry
- Full guide: Cat Ba beaches
- Stay: Hotels in Cat Ba
Central Vietnam
3. Lang Co Beach
A long, quiet sweep of sand between Hue and Da Nang, with a lagoon on the western side. It is much calmer than the Da Nang strip and a good base for families who want space.
- Best months: April to October
- Nearest airport: Da Nang (DAD), roughly 1 hour by road; Hue (HUI) is also close
- Full guide: Lang Co beaches
- Stay: Hotels in Lang Co
4. My Khe Beach, Da Nang
Around 10 km of city beach with a surf break, lifeguards in season, and sunbeds at roughly 30,000-60,000 VND per set. It is the easiest beach in Vietnam to combine with a city, and Non Nuoc to the south is quieter. Swimming is not advised from November to February.
- Best months: April to October (May to August is peak)
- Nearest airport: Da Nang (DAD), 15 minutes from the beach
- Full guide: Da Nang beaches
- Stay: Hotels in Da Nang
5. An Bang Beach, Hoi An
The relaxed beach for Hoi An, about 25-30 minutes by bicycle from the old town. Seafood shacks and beach bars line the sand. Rip currents are real in summer, so follow the flags. Boat trips to the Cham Islands run from Cua Dai in calm months. Browse Hoi An tours for island and snorkelling options.
- Best months: April to October
- Nearest airport: Da Nang (DAD), roughly 40 minutes by road
- Full guide: Hoi An beaches
- Stay: Hotels in Hoi An
6. Ky Co Beach, Quy Nhon
A boat-access cove with clear water and few crowds on weekdays. Bai Xep nearby suits backpackers and Quy Nhonβs main bay is calm and semi-protected. Weekends and Vietnamese holidays fill up with domestic visitors. See also our Quy Nhon tours.
- Best months: April to August
- Nearest airport: Phu Cat (UIH), about 30-35 km from Quy Nhon (30-50 minutes by taxi or bus)
- Full guide: Quy Nhon beaches
- Stay: Hotels in Quy Nhon
South-Central Vietnam
7. Doc Let Beach, Nha Trang
Nha Trangβs city beach is long and lively but the water quality varies, especially after rain. Doc Let, about 50 km north of the city (allow 1 to 1.5 hours each way), is the better swimming beach. The island beaches (Hon Mieu, Hon Tam, Hon Mot) are done as boat trips. Our island-hopping guide covers routes and prices, and Nha Trang tours lists current boat trips.
- Best months: January to August (October and November are wet)
- Nearest airport: Cam Ranh (CXR), about 40-60 minutes to Nha Trang city; see the Cam Ranh airport transfer guide
- Full guide: Nha Trang beaches
- Stay: Hotels in Nha Trang
8. Mui Ne Beach
A wind-driven coast famous for kitesurfing, plus the red and white sand dunes. Swimming is limited in kite season (November to April) because of shore break and kite gear, so go early in the morning. May to October is calmer and better for families. There is no train station in Mui Ne (the nearest is Muong Man, about 10 km out), so take a bus or transfer from Phan Thiet or Ho Chi Minh City.
- Best months: May to October for swimming; November to April for kitesurfing
- Nearest airport: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), about 3-4 hours by road
- Full guide: Mui Ne beaches, and Mui Ne vs Phu Quoc to choose between them
- Stay: Hotels in Mui Ne
South Vietnam
9. Back Beach (Bai Sau), Vung Tau
The closest sea to Ho Chi Minh City, roughly 2 to 3 hours by road, or by ferry, and a weekend favourite. The water is not clear because the city sits near the Saigon River outflow, so treat it as a day-out beach, not a tropical one. The south end is quieter.
- Best months: November to April
- Nearest airport: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
- Full guide: Vung Tau beaches
- Stay: Hotels in Vung Tau
10. Dat Doc Beach, Con Dao
Quiet sand with offshore reefs and some of the best water clarity in the country. Con Dao also has Lo Voi on the west side, which is more sheltered in winter, and Bay Canh Island for turtle nesting. Our Con Dao diving and snorkelling guide covers the reefs, and the Con Dao island hopping guide covers boat trips to Bay Canh, Hon Cau and Hon Tre.
- Best months: April to October (July to September is peak)
- Nearest airport: Con Dao (VCS), with short flights from Ho Chi Minh City
- Full guide: Con Dao beaches
- Stay: Hotels in Con Dao
11. Sao Beach (Bai Sao), Phu Quoc
The best sand in Vietnam: fine, white and powdery, facing southeast so it is protected from the southwest monsoon. Sunloungers cost roughly 200,000-400,000 VND including a drink, and it fills fast in high season, so arrive before 10:00. See Phu Quoc tours.
- Best months: November to April
- Nearest airport: Phu Quoc (PQC); see the Phu Quoc airport transfer guide
- Full guide: Phu Quoc beaches
- Stay: Hotels in South Phu Quoc
12. Long Beach (Bai Truong), Phu Quoc
The resort strip on the west coast, with sunset views and the most hotels and restaurants. It is calm and warm in the dry season, rough with some jellyfish from May to October. If you visit in shoulder months, use Sao Beach instead.
- Best months: November to April
- Nearest airport: Phu Quoc (PQC), 10-15 minutes
- Full guide: Phu Quoc beaches and North vs South Phu Quoc
- Stay: Hotels on Long Beach, Phu Quoc
13. Ong Lang and the north-west coast, Phu Quoc
Quieter west-coast beaches with boutique stays, away from the Long Beach strip. Best for travellers already based nearby, not worth a long trip from Long Beach.
- Best months: November to April
- Nearest airport: Phu Quoc (PQC), roughly 30-40 minutes by road
- Full guide: Phu Quoc beaches
- Stay: Hotels in Ong Lang, Phu Quoc
Beaches at a glance
| Beach | Region | Best months | Airport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ti Top, Ha Long Bay | North | Apr-Oct | VDO / HAN |
| Cat Co 3, Cat Ba | North | May-Sep | HPH |
| Lang Co | Central | Apr-Oct | DAD |
| My Khe, Da Nang | Central | Apr-Oct | DAD |
| An Bang, Hoi An | Central | Apr-Oct | DAD |
| Ky Co, Quy Nhon | Central | Apr-Aug | UIH |
| Doc Let, Nha Trang | South-central | Jan-Aug | CXR |
| Mui Ne | South-central | May-Oct (swim) | SGN |
| Back Beach, Vung Tau | South | Nov-Apr | SGN |
| Dat Doc, Con Dao | South | Apr-Oct | VCS |
| Sao Beach, Phu Quoc | Gulf of Thailand | Nov-Apr | PQC |
| Long Beach, Phu Quoc | Gulf of Thailand | Nov-Apr | PQC |
| Ong Lang, Phu Quoc | Gulf of Thailand | Nov-Apr | PQC |
Islands in Vietnam for beach trips
The main island options are Phu Quoc (easiest, biggest range of stays), Con Dao (quiet, reefs and turtles), Cat Ba (access to Lan Ha Bay) and the small islands off Nha Trang and Hoi An. We have dedicated pages for Phu Quoc island hopping and Nha Trang island hopping. To choose between the main islands, read Phu Quoc vs Con Dao and Phu Quoc vs Nha Trang.
How to pick
- One beach, best sand: Phu Quoc, November to April.
- Beach plus culture and food: Da Nang and Hoi An, April to October.
- Quiet and clear water: Con Dao, April to October.
- Kitesurfing: Mui Ne, November to April.
- Short break from Ho Chi Minh City: Vung Tau or Mui Ne.
- Two beaches in one trip: pair Da Nang or Hoi An (summer) with Phu Quoc (winter) only if you are travelling in the shoulder months; otherwise stay on one coast.
Prices are approximate and as of 2026. Browse all Vietnam tours or hotels across Vietnam to compare options before you book.