While Ha Long Bay is Vietnam’s global celebrity with its breathtaking seascape featuring limestone karsts erupting from emerald waters, the country’s best beaches are actually located in the central and southern regions. From vibrant beach cities to secluded island hideaways, Vietnam’s coastline offers something for every type of traveler, leisure seekers and golfers alike, at any time of year.
Central Vietnam
Da Nang
How to get here: By domestic and international flights to DAD, by train, road, and sea.
Type of travel: Leisure, golf, business
Recommended golf courses nearby: 6
Photo Credit: Pexels
We like to think Da Nang is the Hawaii of Vietnam. It is where the sea and mountains converge and perfect for leisure, golf, wellness, as well as business travelers. Da Nang beaches strike a balance between urban convenience and natural beauty.
The city features 60km of coastline with My Khe Beach being the most popular beach among locals and visitors. The public beach stretches 6km and is ideal for swimming, surfing, and distant walking. For the early risers, this beach is perfect to watch the sun rise. If you’re lucky, you might even find fishermen selling freshly caught seafood in the early morning.
For our golfers, Da Nang has the highest number of world-class golf courses that are easily accessible from your accommodation. Courses like Hoiana Shores, BRG Da Nang, and Laguna Lang Co offer stunning views of the ocean while playing your rounds while.
For those seeking more privacy and luxury, head south towards Hoian where you can find numerous five-star resorts offering private beaches like Furama, Pullman Da Nang, TIA Wellness Resort, or The Naman Retreat.
Our favorite four-star, Vanda Hotel is a great city hotel option with walking distance to bars, pubs, restaurants, and the Han River. This is the perfect accommodation for those wanting to experience the vibrant city feels with nightlife.
Looking for less developments and more peace and nature? Spend a day trip to Cham Island, an easy speedboat ride from Da Nang.
Hoi An
Best way to get here: By road from Da Nang
Type of travel: Leisure, golf, wellness, culture
Recommended golf courses nearby: 6
Photo Credit: Palm Garden Resort
Located about 30km south of Da Nang (or 45 minutes by private car), Hoi An is undeniably one of Vietnam’s best of the best. The UNESCO World Heritage town was once a trading port between the 15th and 19th century making it a melting pot of different cultures including Japanese, Chinese, and Portuguese then and later on French during the country’s colonial era.
Staying in Hoian still gives our golfers the same access to the world-class golf courses in Danang. So, what makes Hoi An different from its neighboring city? The answer is Hoi An offers more of a small town quietness, history, and culture while Da Nang has a much more modern, city feel.
An Bang and Cua Dai are Hoian’s two main beaches. Most hotels in Hoian offer free bicycles or shuttles that take their guests there. We recommend staying at Boutique Hoian Resort. This 4-star luxury option is perfect for those seeking to unplug from the outside world on their private beach. Those wanting to be closer to Old Town can’t go wrong when staying at Almanity Wellness Resort, Palm Garden Resort, Anatara Hoian, all wonderful 5-star options.
The Old Town does get very busy with tourists doing day trips so we suggest going to town very early in the morning before most things. After that head to the beach. That way you can fully absorb the peace and quiet of Hoian while avoiding the crowds and enjoying a cold, fresh coconut (or Aperol Spritz) on An Bang beach.
While in Hoi An, don’t forget to visit Reaching Out cafe and tea house for a ‘mini silent retreat’ while supporting disabled staff who are local residents; or learn more about the diverse Vietnamese cultures at the Precious Heritage Museum, Teh Dah Show, and Hoian Memory Show.
Cham Island is also reachable from Hoian. Another day trip option from the ancient town is My Son Sanctuary.
Nha Trang
Best way to get here: By road or train from Da Nang, by flight from many domestic destinations including HAN, DAD, SGN, and PQC
Type of travel: Leisure, golf, wellness, business
Recommended golf courses nearby: 3
Photo Credit: The Anam Cam Ranh
Before Da Nang became popular to international tourists, Nha Trang had been one of Vietnam’s most popular beaches to both locals and foreigners. While we recommend flying to Nha Trang, it is still easy to reach this beach city by train or by road, especially from Da Nang. Cam Ranh International Airport (CRX) is a growing domestic hub while also serving a number of international flights from Asian destinations. Thanks to its historical developments, the city offers hotel options that span the full spectrum from budget guesthouses to five-star resorts.
Nha Trang houses some of Vietnam’s most luxury wellness resorts including Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Amanoi, An Lam Retreat, Mia Resort, Ana Mandara Cam Ranh, or Fusion Resort Cam Ranh. TTC Hotel – Michelia and Novotel Nha Trang are our recommended four star options.
For travelers seeking a proper wellness experience, visit Thanh Son Buddhist Meditation Institute (TSBMI). Here you can find a blend of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism, unlike most Buddhist temples in Vietnam. Make sure your clients request a visit to this temple in advance so we can make arrangements as it only opens to the public for Buddhist holidays.
Nha Trang is also home to Vietnam’s very first private island where the VIAS Resort is located. This exclusive resort and island make an ideal choice for corporates looking to host luxury company retreats or private events like weddings
When golfing in Da Nang is not accessible, Nha Trang makes a good alternative. KN Golf Links, Diamond Bay Golf & Villas, and Diamond Bay Resort Golf Course are ITS’ top pick for golf travelers.
This coastal city also offers many day trip experiences including island boat excursions, snorkeling, visiting Po Nagar Cham Temple, or spending a day at a mud bath spa.
If your clients have the luxury of time and want to switch up their trip with cooler weather and mountain views, let Da Lat be the next stop from Nha Trang.
Southern Vietnam
Phan Thiet
Best way to get here: By road or train from Ho Chi Minh City
Type of travel: Leisure
Recommended golf courses nearby: 2
Photo Credit: Pexels
For travelers whose base is in Saigon without the luxury of time yet still wanting beach access, Phan Thiet is a good option. Located in one of the driest areas of Vietnam, travelers don’t often have to worry about its rainy season.
Only 20km from the center of Phan Thiet, along one of the most beautiful southeastern coastlines in Vietnam, Mui Ne appears with long white sandy beaches and clear seawater. Mui Ne’s beach resorts range from four-star to luxury options. Four star resorts include Sailing Club Boutique, Bamboo Village Resort, and Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & Spa. Luxury travelers can opt for The Anam, Movenpick Mui Ne, Radisson Resort Phan Thiet, or Anantara Mui Ne Resort for an upgraded stay.
One of the popular day trip options of Mui Ne is visiting the sand dunes. You can visit white dunes early in the morning to catch the sunrise, and red dunes later in the afternoon for the sunset. Let your footprints mark the dunes that seem to go on forever.
Golf travelers can have their fairway fix by playing at NovaWorld Phan Thiet Golf Club and Sea Links Golf Country Club. Why not check out this itinerary that includes Phan Thiet and add an extra round at The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram on your way back to Saigon?
Con Dao
Best way to get here: By flight from HAN and SGN
Type of travel: Leisure, wellness
Recommended golf courses nearby: 0
Photo Credit: Poulo Con Dao
Con Dao is the perfect destination for leisure and wellness travelers. Its dry season is between November and May. The island is thankfully less exploited by mass tourism allowing travelers to enjoy much peace and quiet while visiting. Lucky visitors going to Con Dao during the May-September period are likely to catch glimpses of sea turtles laying their eggs.
The Secret is a lovely four-star hotel conveniently located in the town center of Con Dao. The island’s main streets remain mostly quiet all day long as its population is only less than 15,000. Hence, guests staying at The Secret can still enjoy their retreat while being centrally located within the island.
For a bit of a splurge, the Poulo Condor Boutique Resort & Spa is a good choice. This gem is based on Vong Beach, near Con Dao Airport. Travelers can spend their trip relaxing in the spa, lounging around the gorgeous pool, cruising around on complimentary bicycles, or just chilling in the ultra-stylish French colonial-inspired rooms.
Looking for more luxury? Con Dao’s Six Senses Resort is the ultimate answer. Each of the 50 luxury villas offers private infinity pools, outdoor bathrooms, and stunning ocean views. Plus, you can take advantage of all of the resort’s 5-star amenities, as well as the private beach (which is one of the best in Con Son).
Day trips from Con Dao vary from island boat trips to forest trekking. Enthusiastic hikers can explore the Con Dao National Park by themselves or through the Park’s office. Otherwise, our team can handle all of said admin on behalf of your clients. One of our favorites is to hire a motorbike and explore the island at your own leisure.
Phu Quoc
Best way to get here: By flight from HAN and SGN (most frequent) or DAD, CXR, and Can Tho (VCA)
Type of travel: Leisure, golf, wellness
Recommended golf courses nearby: 2
Photo Credit: Grand Ocean Beach
Phu Quoc is a unique combination of tropical scenery, relaxed island life, fresh seafood, nature, city, and modern resorts.
Flights from Ho Chi Minh City take just one hour, and are probably the most convenient way to reach the island. Additionally most Vietnam air carriers also operate direct flights from Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Can Tho to the island. We recommend full-service carriers like Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Sun Phu Quoc Airways to ensure the quality of your client’s trip.
There are also regular ferries from Ha Tien (one hour by speedboat or three hours by ferry) or Rach Gia (around 2 hours and 30 minutes by ferry) in the Mekong Delta.
While beaches like Bai Sao, Long Beach, and Khem Beach are famous for white sand, calm turquoise water, sunset views, the southern islands around An Thoi are known for coral reefs and clear water. Many travelers opt for snorkeling, diving, kayaking, or take boat tours among small islands.
If you’re visiting Phu Quoc for the first time and would like the facility of a city, stay a couple of nights in Duong Dong Town. Along this stunning stretch of beach one can find restaurants, spas, and shops within walking distance.
ITS’ recommended hotels in Phu Quoc include Dusit Princess Moonrise, Chen Sea Resort (four-star), La Veranda Resort Mgallery, or Salinda Resort Phu Quoc (five-star). The island is also home to two golf courses Vinpearl Golf Phu Quoc and Eschuri Vung Bau Golf.
Did you know Phu Quoc is the only destination in Vietnam where tourists of all nationalities can visit for up to 30 days visa-free? Do note that if your clients plan to visit other cities in Vietnam from Phu Quoc, they will need to acquire a tourist visa to continue their trip. Visit our 2026 Vietnam visa guide for more information.
For day trip options from the abovementioned destinations, check out this guide or contact us at info@itsvietam.com!