Beach vacation in Vietnam: things to do & best itinerary

With more than 3,000 kilometres of coastline, Vietnam has something to appeal to fans of Edenic beaches and relaxation. During or to conclude your trip in Vietnam, give in to the temptation of the beach by choosing from our selection of the best sites to enjoy a wonderful seaside stay in Vietnam.

1. Where to spend your seaside vacation in Vietnam?

In the North of Vietnam, on one of the beaches of Halong Bay

Under the generic term Halong Bay, we include the islands of Cat Ba and Quan Lan as well as the superb Lan Ha Bay. Is there no better place to spend a seaside stay in Vietnam than in this majestic mineral universe listed as a UNESCO heritage site?

On Cat Ba Island, you can combine seaside pleasures with sporting and cultural activities. You can explore the island by bike and discover its fabulous national park whose subtropical vegetation is home to more than 50 animal species including a rare species of endemic monkey: the golden-headed langur.

On Quan Lan Island, wild but hospitable, you will enjoy long, pristine white sand beaches in complete peace and quiet. Lan Ha Bay offers you the opportunity to spend one of the most spectacular seaside stays in Vietnam on one of the coves nestled at the foot of the limestone islands and islets covered in jungle.

>> Read more: Halong, Bai Tu Long or Lan Ha, which bay should we choose for a cruise?

On the central coast of Vietnam

- Thuan An Beach in Hue. Better known for its invaluable cultural heritage, the ancient imperial city of Hue is nevertheless home to some beautiful beaches including that of Thuan An. The latter offers an endless stretch of golden sand where you can relax during your trip to Vietnam.

- The Lang Co Peninsula, located between Hue and Danang, at the foot of the famous Cloud Pass, is a very popular site for enjoying a seaside stay in Vietnam. This peninsula reveals sumptuous white sand beaches framed by jungle-covered mountains. It’s a magnificent natural setting, popular with Vietnamese royalty who established their vacation quarters there.

- The beaches of Danang, each more beautiful than the last, offer one of the best options for a seaside stay in Vietnam. A seaside stay which can be enhanced by cultural visits including a visit to the museum dedicated to Cham art, the discovery of the marble mountains, a major place of Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage, or the astonishing mountain resort of Ba Na Hills.

- In Hoi An, there too, seaside pleasures and cultural discoveries combine perfectly. The beaches of An Bang and Cua Dai are only a few kilometres from the charming little museum town listed as a UNESCO heritage site. Off the coast of Hoi An, the Cham Islands offer you a unique seaside stay in Vietnam by staying with a fishing family.

- Further South, the quiet and discreet seaside resort of Quy Nhon offers its visitors a superb stretch of coastline where lovely beaches, fishing villages and small rocky coves follow one another. A typically Vietnamese seaside getaway punctuated by beautiful cultural discoveries such as the Cham archaeological remains, the Nguyen Hue museum, the Long Khanh pagoda built in 1715, where a large 17-meter Buddha sits, or the Qui Hoa leper colony located on a charming beach.

- Whale Island, one of Vietnam's best-kept secrets, is a truly enchanted place where you can spend a wonderful seaside stay as a couple or family. This small island covered in vegetation, which can only be explored on foot, is home to around thirty thatched bungalows of exquisite simplicity. End-of-the-world atmosphere guaranteed!

- Popular with many travellers for its climate and its superb bay dotted with islands and islets, Nha Trang is one of the most popular sites for a seaside stay in Vietnam. You will appreciate its divine beaches, its incredible hotel offering, its numerous activities and its gastronomy which brings pride in flavour to this place. South of Nha Trang, be sure to discover the magnificent Cam Ranh Bay and the Nui Chua National Park, a real beauty spot lapped by a crystal-clear sea.

>> Read more: Top 10 things to do in Nha Trang

In the South of Vietnam

- Mui Ne seaside resort offers magnificent beaches fringed with coconut trees to the delight of travellers looking for a beach break during their trip to Vietnam. A kitesurfing mecca in Southeast Asia, Mui Ne seduces with its spectacular white and red dunes, its dazzling canyon and its Cham ruins.

- The Con Dao archipelago is an earthly paradise located nearly 10,000 nautical miles from the coast of southern Vietnam. Classified as a national park, the archipelago is a true nature sanctuary. From May to September, you can watch green turtles lay their eggs and all year round you can observe dugongs, manta rays, reef sharks and the whole range of tropical fish with a mask and snorkel.

- Located in the far South of Vietnam, Phu Quoc Island is one of the best destinations for a seaside stay in Vietnam. Bordered by heavenly beaches, the island has at its heart a national park sheltering an abundance of flora and fauna. A fine selection of luxury and charming hotels will make your stay on the “Emerald Isle” quite exceptional.

2. When to go to Vietnam for a seaside vacation?

The particular shape of Vietnam is at the origin of climatic variations from North to South. Choosing the best time to travel to Vietnam is never easy. Below we present a seasonal guide putting useful information about Vietnam's climate, month-by-month weather and seasons in different regions of the country. You will easily find an idea of the most favourable departure time for a seaside holiday in Vietnam.

The North is characterized by a tropical monsoon climate with 4 seasons:

- Spring, is a little cold and humid, from March to the end of April

- Summer, hot and humid, from June to the end of September

- Autumn, from October to the end of November

- Winter, cold and wet, from December to March

The two best times to visit Northern Vietnam: are between March and April and between September and November. During these periods, you can visit the cities, discover the villages and have an ideal cruise to Halong Bay with pleasant and sunny weather.

The Center is distinguished by 2 seasons:

- Wet season, from October to February

- Dry season, from March to September

To explore the Center, you just need to avoid the period between October and December when it rains a lot. Between February and the end of May, the weather is often good and the temperatures are very pleasant. Between June and September, it is warm and sunny and the sea is crystal clear. It is undoubtedly an ideal time to spend a memorable seaside stay in Hue, in Hoi An.

The South has a subtropical climate with 2 seasons:

- The dry season from November to the end of April, which is characterized by dry and sunny weather. This is the most favourable time to discover the South. It is also the most ideal time to have moments of relaxation at the beach of Mui Ne, Vung Tau or on the dream islands of the South such as Con Dao, and Phu Quoc...

- The rainy season from May to October where it is hot, intermittent but brief rains.

3. Ideas for tours in Vietnam + beach extension depending on the period

Let yourself be guided by our ideas to find the best time and avoid rainy areas for a dream seaside stay, lots of sun in Vietnam.

3.1. BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND APRIL

For the period between November and April, nothing is more wonderful than ending your trip to Vietnam by spending time on the magnificent beaches of the South. Find below the ideas for a circuit from the North to the South of the country with an extension to the beach at the end.

Option 1: Beach stay in Phu Quoc

This 3-week tour in Vietnam invites you to discover the main attractions from North to South with a real immersion in its historical and cultural richness. Depart from Hanoi, the thousand-year-old capital, heading towards the land of the Thais in Mai Chau, Pu Luong. Make a stop in Ninh Binh to admire the karst mountains of Ninh Binh. Then go for a magical cruise on Halong Bay. Discover marvellous caves at Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park, the peaceful town of Hoi An and Hue's ancient citadel before taking a flight to a modern and dynamic Saigon. Continue the journey with an excursion to the Mekong Delta and be amazed by its vibrant floating markets.

End your tour with a seaside stay on a sublime tropical beach on Phu Quoc Island. With heavenly beaches, a wild natural setting, great biodiversity as well as historical remains, Phu Quoc has everything to appeal to lovers of nature and history.

Option 2: Beach stay in Con Dao

In this tour, we offer a discovery of the main attractions of the country, similar to the tour above, the difference is the seaside extension to Con Dao instead of Phu Quoc.

Just a 1-hour flight from Ho Chi Minh, Con Dao is among the best choices for dry season seaside holidays in Southern Vietnam. Long white sandy beaches, clear water and fresh air will capture the attention of visitors from the first visit. This island of rare beauty also has something to surprise nature lovers with its wild nature and especially its moving history.

Day 1: Hanoi – arrival: Welcome to Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi – Discovery of the city: Visit the Temple of Literature and the Museum of Ethnography, explore the French Quarter, experience the water puppet show
Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Mai Hich: Depart to Mai Chau. Walking tour to discover the Thai villages in the Mai Chau and Mai Hich valley
Day 4: Mai Hich – Pu Luong: Discovery of authentic Thai culture in Pu Luong
Day 5: Pu Luong – Ninh Binh: Road to Ninh Binh, discovery of Tam Coc by taking a rowing boat excursion and a beautiful bike ride in the village, visit the Bich Dong pagoda and Thai Vi temple
Day 6: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay: Transfer to Halong. Cruise on Lan Ha and Halong Bay
Day 7: Halong – Hanoi – night train to Dong Hoi: Disembarkation then return to Hanoi. Night train to Dong Hoi
Day 8: Dong Hoi – Phong Nha- Thien Duong: Explore some caves at Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
Day 9: Phong Nha – Vinh Moc – Hue: Visit the Vinh Moc tunnel and the Hien Luong bridge, then drive to Hue
Day 10: Hue – city tour: In-depth discovery of the city of Hue and its villages
Day 11: Hue – Hoi An: Visit the tomb of Khai Dinh, and depart to Hoi An. Old Town Tour
Day 12: Hoi An – Bike ride in the villages of Kim Bong – Tra Nhieu – Cam Thanh
Day 13: Hoi An – flight to Ho Chi Minh: Free time before flight to Saigon
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh - city tour: Independence Palace, Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market...
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre – Cai Lay: Boat trip on the Ben Tre river, a bike ride in Nhon Thanh village, meeting with the locals. Night at homestay in Cai Lay
Day 16: Cai Lay – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen: Bike ride before transfer to Sa Dec. Depart to Long Xuyen. Visit Kien An Cung Pagoda, Huynh Thuy Le House and Cao Dai Temple
Day 17: Long Xuyen – Ho Chi Minh: Discovery of the Long Xuyen floating market, return to Ho Chi Minh
Day 18: Ho Chi Minh – flight to Con Dao
Day 19: Con Dao – free time at the beach
Day 20: Con Dao – free time at the beach
Day 21: Con Dao – free time at the beach
Day 22: Con Dao – flight to Ho Chi Minh – departure flight

Option 3: Beach stay in Nha Trang

In this tour, we will introduce you to the ethnic richness and incredible landscapes of the North-East. In addition, this 3-week trip includes essential sites from North to South not to be missed: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh, and Mekong Delta. Then it ends with a seaside stay which will offer you moments of rest on the beautiful beaches of Nha Trang.

Day 1: Hanoi – arrival: visit the old quarter of Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi – visit the city’s famous sites
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Giang: Road to Ha Giang, hiking to the villages at the foot of the Tay Con Linh mountain. Night at homestay
Day 4: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh - Dong Van: Discovering the Dong Van karst plateau geopark, visiting the Hmong & Bo Y ethnic villages
Day 5: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Bao Lac: Road from Dong Van to Bao Lac, stop at Ma Pi Leng pass, exploration of the life of the Lo Lo and Hmong minorities
Day 6: Bao Lac – Ba Be: Continuation of the discovery of the hidden villages on the hill, road to Ba Be, visit the Hua Ma cave, night at the Tay homestay
Day 7: Ba Be – Hanoi: Boat trip on Ba Be Lake, visit Dau Dang waterfall and Puong cave, return to Hanoi
Day 9: Hanoi - Halong Bay: Transfer to Halong. Cruise alongside the junk
Day 10: Halong Bay – Hanoi – flight to Hue: Continuation of the cruise, return route to Hanoi. Flight to Hue
Day 11: Hue – city tour: Visit Minh Mang Tomb. Boat trip on the Perfume River, bike ride in traditional craft villages, visit the imperial city
Day 12: Hue – Hoi An: Road to Hoi An, visit the old town of Hoi An
Day 13: Hoi An – Bike ride to discover the surrounding villages
Day 14: Hoi An – flight to Ho Chi Minh - city tour: Discovery of Saigon: Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, central post office, Chinatown, Quan Am pagoda, FITO museum
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre – Cai Lay: Boat trip on the Ben Tre river, bike ride to Nhon Thanh village, discovery of local life, meeting with the locals. Night in Cai Lay
Day 16: Cai Lay – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen: Bike ride in the surrounding area, depart to Long Xuyen, on the way, visit Kien An Cung Pagoda, Huynh Thuy Le House and Cao Dai Temple
Day 17: Long Xuyen – Ho Chi Minh – flight to Nha Trang: Visit the Long Xuyen floating market, and return to Ho Chi Minh. Flight to Nha Trang
Day 18: Nha Trang – seaside stay
Day 19: Nha Trang – seaside stay
Day 20: Nha Trang – seaside stay
Day 21: Nha Trang – flight to Ho Chi Minh
Day 22: Nha Trang – departure flight

3.2. BETWEEN MAY AND SEPTEMBER

At this time, a seaside stay in Hue, Hoi An is most suitable. The beaches in the Center are sunny, while it rains in the South. Note that you should avoid the months of November to the end of January in the Center, as your seaside stay would be spoiled by the rain at this time of year.

We also offer you a discovery of the North-West during this period when the weather is sunny and the rice terraces are resplendent in Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, especially just before the harvest in September. It is worth it during your trip to Vietnam. This tour still invites you to have exceptional experiences in Halong Bay, Hanoi, Phong Nha Ke Bang and the Mekong Delta.

Day 1: Hanoi – arrival
Day 2: Hanoi – city tour
Day 3: Hanoi – Nghia Lo: Drive to Nghia Lo visit tea plantations in Thanh Son, discover of the ethnic villages of Muong and Thai
Day 4: Nghia Lo – Tu Le – Mu Cang Chai: Trek through the best rice terraces in Tu Le - Mu Cang Chai - La Pan Tan, immersion in the culture of the Dao, Dzay, Thai and Hmong
Day 5: Mu Cang Chai – Sapa: Gentle hike in Na Tam, interaction with the Lao & Lu, transfer to Sapa
Day 6: Sapa – Bac Ha: Journey through the rice terraces and villages in the Muong Hoa valley, discovery of the life of the Hmong and Dzay, transfer to Bac Ha
Day 7: Bac Ha – Hanoi: Visit a typical market in Bac Ha and transfer to Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi – Halong Bay: Road to Halong, cruise and kayaking in the heart of the bay
Day 9: Halong Bay – Hanoi – night train to Dong Hoi: Disembarkation around noon, return to Hanoi. Night train to Dong Hoi
Day 10: Dong Hoi – Phong Nha – Thien Duong: Exploring Phong Nha Cave and Thien Duong at Phong Nha – Ke Bang Park
Day 11: Phong Nha – Vinh Moc – Hue: Departure from Hue, visit the famous 17th parallel and the Vinh Moc tunnel
Day 12: Hue – city tour: Boat trip on the Perfume River, bike ride in the villages, visit Thien Mu Pagoda and Hue Citadel
Day 13: Hue – Hoi An: Visit Khai Dinh Tomb, and depart to Hoi An. Visit Hoi An old town
Day 14: Hoi An – discovery of the villages: Boat trip on the Thu Bon river, bike ride in the rural villages of Hoi An
Day 15: Hoi An – seaside stay
Day 16: Hoi An – seaside stay
Day 17: Hoi An – seaside stay
Day 18: Hoi An – flight to Ho Chi Minh – city tour
Day 19: Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre – Tra Vinh: Boat and bicycle excursion, visit an artisanal workshop, meeting with the local population at the coconut land. Night at homestay in Tra Vinh
Day 20: Tra Vinh – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen: Bike ride in Khmer villages, road to Long Xuyen visiting Kien An Cung pagoda, Huynh Thuy Le house and Cao Dai temple
Day 21: Long Xuyen – Ho Chi Minh: Visit the Long Xuyen floating market, return to Saigon
Day 22: Ho Chi Minh – departure flight

4. How to pack your suitcase to enjoy a seaside stay in Vietnam?

- It is not necessary to take too many clothes, it is very easy to buy on-site or have your clothes washed at your hotel quickly and at a very reasonable price.

- In winter/spring (November to April), for exploring Northern Vietnam, bring warm clothing, rain capes and raincoats for bad weather days. Generally, it is cold, foggy and humid and temperatures drop in the mountains to around 10°C. If you are visiting South Vietnam where temperatures are high almost all year round with an average of 25°-28°C, cooler clothing is required.

- In summer/autumn (June to October), it is hot, and light clothing is essential throughout the country. In addition to shorts, light pants and T-shirts to be comfortable in your movements, the days are very sunny. Remember to wear another outfit when visiting public monuments or sacred places.

- For your seaside stay, among the accessories to bring, sun protection will be essential: sun cream for adults and children, sunglasses, a cap or hat. The Vietnamese sun can be quite aggressive for certain skin types. If you are going on vacation with your children, don't forget to bring their beach toys, their buoys, the first aid kit and products against insect bites.

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