- Updated: 25th May 2023
So what are the top islands and resorts in Vietnam for beach lovers looking for a slice of paradise? When planning a great vacation, Vietnam is often overlooked in favor of more popular island destinations like Bali or Phuket.
It’s no surprise that Vietnam have so many stunning coastlines that extend for nearly 3260 kilometers from Northern Mong Cai to south-west Ha Tien district.
Hoi An, an UNESCO World Heritage Site regarded as one of Vietnam’s most picturesque and historic old towns, is just 20 minutes away to Danang beach.
Some of them are volcanic, others stretch for miles. The best island resorts in Vietnam offers spectacular sea view as well as idyllic islands to visit for sun, sea and sand.
Here’re are our best 6 Vietnam islands and resorts that’re worth exploring for its crystal clear waters, and fascinating lagoons and secluded bays, mostly in southern Vietnam.
- Nha Trang Islands
- Cat Ba Island
- Con Dao Islands
- Phu Quoc Island
- Mui Ne Resorts
- Hoi An Resorts
Vietnam Weather
Vietnam goes through different seasons; from the chill winter sea to the hot summer months. However, summer is the time when the islands are at their prime with clearer water and cooler breezes.
South Vietnam beaches have a tropical climate, so yeah, it’s warm with low humidity due to heavy and short rainfall. The areas temperatures ranging from 21 – 33 degrees and best visited in the dry months.
The dry season runs from November – April with little rainfall, sometimes days and weeks. This is the best time to visit the most beautiful islands and beaches in Vietnam without getting caught in rainy days.
Best Islands In Vietnam
Nha Trang Islands
Nha Trang islands offers the ultimate fun in the sun tropical vacations. It’s known as a coastal city including nearby Hon Tre and Hon Mun islands, and the top family-friendly island resorts in Vietnam.
Nha Trang’s beautiful coastline and range of beach activities make it a great vacation spot to experience the best of Vietnam’s islands and resorts.
Some of the best Vietnam beach resorts can be found here as well as attractions like water parks and amusement center, both in the city and on offshore islands.
The Vinpearl Cable Car, the longest cable transfer system with a height of 40m connects the mainland to Hon Tre Island’s (Bamboo Island) five-star resort and theme park.
Just like Disneyland, Vinpearl Nha Trang Resort water and entertainment parks provides a slew of seafood restaurants, skilled massage therapists and tons of bars and clubs.
This Vietnamese islands is a tropical paradise. Beach volleyball, table tennis, archery, billiards, jogging, cycling tracks are just a few of the sports and indoor games available.
Another top attraction is the contemporary Tuktuk cars which transport tourists to resorts, and interesting sights along winding road through beautiful mountain scenery.
How to get there:
Hon Tre Island is only 5 to 12 minutes distant by high-speed ferry or the cable-car system. Visitors can take in a breathtaking sight of the East Sea shoreline and the gorgeous Nha Trang beach.
- Rent A Bike: Beautiful scenery along the way and safe too. It costs around 100-250 000 vnd ($6) each day. Beware of heavy vehicles.
- Taxi: Local taxi costs about 400-500K vnd ($17-22) from Nha Trang city. Depending of the car type, best to negotiate for a fix price instead by meter.
- There are also motorbike-taxi which cost cheaper at 300K vnd ($13) but the trip is pretty much uncomfortable compare to taxi.
- Public Bus: The air-con bus service ( Nbr 3) runs from 5.30am to 6pm and it cost super cheap at 24K vnd ($1) Estimate travel time is 1 and 1/2 hr.
Best Beach In Nha Trang
Doc Let or Zok Let Beach is located 50km from Nha Trang, but without the crowds. The beach is somewhat narrow with a 10-kilometer stretch shoreline of brilliant blue waters flanked by palm trees.
Aside from being home to Vietnam’s first certified diving center (Rainbow Divers) and a plethora of soft coral reefs and caverns to explore underwater, beachgoers can try wakeboarding, kite surfing and banana boat excursions as well.
Meanwhile, for those who like to stay on land, there are plenty of resorts and restaurants around beach city that serve up chill out beach drinks of your liking.
Nha Trang to Doc Let beach by road is approximately 1hr 5mins. 3 affordable ways to visit Doc Let. Make a slight detour enroute to the beach to visit the Baho Falls.
Try not to board the last bus as schedule can be changed without notice. This is mode of transport is perfect for budget-friendly tourists.
Where To Stay In Nha Trang
Liberty Central Hotel, Nha Trang: The huge bright suites with magnificent ocean views offers its own piece of private beach, rooftop bar, and open-air swimming pool are among the hotel most appealing amenities. It comes with a beach-view bathtub too.
The location is excellent and the services are outstanding. Clean and modern rooms from where you can watch the sunrise and sunset from the comfort of your own room.
Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island, located in northern Vietnam, is the largest island in the stunning Ha Long Bay archipelago. Renowned for its natural beauty and captivating landscapes, Cat Ba Island has become a popular island destination for visitors seeking a blend of relaxation and adventure.
This fascinating island is located around 30 kilometers east of Hai Phong City, and covers an area of about 260 square kilometers. The island boasts a diverse topography, characterized by lush forests, limestone karsts, pristine beaches, and picturesque bays.
Best Beaches In Cat Ba Island
All three of the Cat Co 1-3 beaches offer stunning coastal scenery with their clear turquoise waters, soft golden sands, and picturesque surroundings.
Cat Co 1 is the largest and most popular beach among the three. It features a wide sandy shoreline and calm waters, making it ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
The beach is lined with several beachfront restaurants and bars, providing convenience and options for refreshments or meals.
Cat Co 2, located adjacent to Cat Co 1, is a smaller and more secluded beach. It offers a quieter atmosphere and is perfect for those seeking a more peaceful and tranquil beach experience. The beach is surrounded by lush greenery, adding to its natural beauty.
Cat Co 3, situated a short walk away from Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2, is the smallest of the three beaches. It’s known for the rocky outcrops and offers a more rugged and adventurous environment.
This beach is popular among snorkelers and those in search of the ultimate underwater world for scuba diving, as it features some interesting marine life and colorful coral reefs.
Hanoi To Cat Ba
If you are a savvy traveler, there are several bus stations in Hanoi, such as Nuoc Ngam Bus Station or Gia Lam Bus Station. The journey takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Once in Hai Phong, head to the Binh Port (Ben Binh) to catch a ferry to Cat Ba Island. The ferry ride takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Alternatively, if you are traveling in a small group of friends or family, hire a private transfer from Hanoi to Hai Phong, and then board a ferry to Cat Ba Island is the best thing to do.
Where To Stay In Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Beach Resort is located near Cat Co Beach, this mid-range resort offers beachfront bungalows and rooms, along with a restaurant, bar, and recreational activities such as kayaking and beach volleyball.
Con Dao Islands
The Con Dao archipelago, 230 kilometers south of Ho Chi Minh City and approximately 45 mins away by air. This stunning island getaways in Vietnam is totally shielded from the locals.
The archipelago comprised of 16 hilly islands and islets, the biggest is Con Son island, which is pretty amazingly inhabited. This dream beach destination conceals some of Vietnam’s most quiet and unspoiled resorts.
One of the most luxurious 5 star Vietnam beach resorts, Six Senses Con Dao, offers sensational beach villas with its own private infinity pool, including a stretch of private beach and stunning ocean views.
You can expect to discover a number of ultra-private, absolutely gorgeous beachfront resorts here to enjoy an ultimate tropical hidden islands vacation in Vietnam.
Best Beach In Con Dao Island
Although some of the most tranquil and quiet beaches can be found on the Croatia Islands, Dat Doc beach has all the making of a peaceful island getaway in Vietnam.
Dat Doc Beach, where guests of Six Senses Con Dao can totally enjoy a secluded and uncrowded length of the beach is one of the best beach escapes in Asia.
The bay is pretty wide to spend a day swimming, strolling along its long coastline with breathtaking views of nearby offshore islands. It’s so super isolated that there are no beach umbrellas or shady trees.
Nevertheless, a sunset stroll along the shoreline is extremely calming and serene, making this Vietnamese island the best vacation spot for couples, and those looking to spend a totally relaxing time.
Phú Quốc Island
Phú Quốc is largest island in southern Vietnam known for its white sandy beaches and clear waters, and located in the Gulf of Thailand, off the country’s southwest coast closer to Cambodia.
The island state consists of the main island and 21 minor islands. There are a number of five-star hotels and resorts here.
Phu Quoc International Airport was built in 2012 serving top domestic and International airlines.
It is definitely one of the best Vietnam islands, said to have the whitest snow-white powdery sand in the nation and some of the finest sunsets for a super great beach vacation.
Given that its name translates to Star Beach (because of tons of starfish you’ll encounter while snorkeling). Sao beach is still a lovely stretch of sandy shoreline to take a stroll.
Forest and villages that were previously impossible to reach have now become accessible, thanks to newly built roads. There are many beautiful beaches and surrounding islands to choose from, each with its own personality.
So because Phu Quoc’s north and east shores see less visitors than the south and west coasts, it’s pretty much cheaper to spend your dream Vietnam beach holidays at this locale.
The best time to travel to Phu Quoc’s north-east coast is from March to April, where the weather is usually ideal: dry, sunny, bright and pretty hot.
It’s wiser to travel from October to May (low season), with some rain but still plenty of sunshine. At this period, tourist arrivals are low and room rates are cheaper.
The high season months from June to September can be extremely wet with turbulent seas and muddy water.
Ho Chi Minh To Phú Quốc
Gettng from Ho Chi Minh To Phu Quoc island is pretty easy. There are regular flights from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc International Airport.
The flight duration is about an hour. There are several airlines operate on this route, offering both direct and connecting flights.
Another option is traveling by sea. There are ferry services available from Ha Tien and Rach Gia in the Mekong Delta region to Phu Quoc Island. The ferry journey takes around two to three hours, depending on the departure point.
Best Beach In Phú Quốc
Ganh Dau beach, a rocky outcropping with a 500 meter stretch of powdery sand and crystal clear waters on Phu Quoc’s east coast is another hidden gem.
There are various seafood restaurants as well as a quant fishing village and fantastic views of the Cambodian islands, making this beach the top places for couples to go.
The water is calm and turquoise, and coconut trees grow tall over sandy pits of white powdery sand. You may also find a secluded beach for your liking and just relax without any crowd.
Where To Stay In Phú Quốc
Close to the end of the route heading east of Ganh Dau beach town along the coast lies bungalow style budget-friendly beach resorts which is great for a weeklong stay.
Cay Sao Beach Resort is a charming tiny beach bungalow with only a few charming wooden cabins placed on stilts in a lovely garden with swaying palm trees by the sea.
The bungalows are modest in size yet enough in comfort, with mosquito nets, air conditioning, and standard conveniences.
Choose a bungalow away from the restaurant as it might get noisy at night. The resort is a little far to visit the village restaurants so renting a bike is pretty handy.
Also View
Vietnam Island resorts
Mui Ne Resorts
Mui Ne, located 220 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City, is a beautiful fishing village, and one of the popular resorts in Vietnam.
Many consider this to be Vietnam’s most beautiful coastal town because of its undulating sand dunes, calm sea, swaying palm trees, and pleasant weather for most of the year.
It’s a great spot for beach activities such as windsurfing and kitesurfing, and also a pretty cool spot for beachside massages available along the long stretch of beach.
Mui Ne is not only the perfect destination for sunseekers, but also offers a range of water sports for adventure enthusiasts as well as restaurants, boutique stores, and beach resorts.
Where To Stay In Mui Ne
Victoria Resort & Spa, Phan Thiet: Most of its competitors lack the space and tranquility that this remarkable Vietnamese resort offers.
The beach resort offers more than 50 beautiful brick and thatch bungalows set amid lush tropical gardens on a long stretch of palm-fringed beach.
The concept features traditional Vietnamese architectural traits, combined with accents of French colonialism and modern conveniences. All rooms have own patio and an outdoor shower.
Hoi An Resorts
There are plenty of things to do in Hoi An such as walking the narrow alleyways in the old town, biking through green rice farms in the countryside, taking exquisite cooking class or simply savoring Vietnamese food while relaxing on the lovely beach.
Hoi Ann is a vacation destination that you always hear about and also hear good things about its people. It has been voted UNESCO World Heritage Site and on the list of the most beautiful beach resort in Asia as well.
Where To Stay In Hoi Ann
Stay at the Four Seasons Resort (The Nam Hai) on the fringes of the World Heritage-listed harbor town of Hoi An for a touch of luxury.
The exclusive resort is located on a kilometer-long private stretch of Ha My Beach, a prominent beach on Vietnam’s culturally rich central coast. Forbes magazine named it one of the top beaches in the world.
With its rich foliage, big cascading swimming pools, azure waters and white sand beach, the Nam Hai is totally stunning. Relax at your ocean-front villa while watching the sea shimmer or get active on the beach by kayaking.
Take advantage of the opportunity to see the ancient port town of Hoi An with its centuries-old merchant shops, renowned lantern-lit streets and busy promenades along the Thu Bon River.