Vietnam is a great beach country, but all of its beaches are definitely not created equal. After all, Vietnam has an incredibly long coastline compared to its size, thanks to its tall and skinny geography that stretches from the deep and tranquil Gulf of Tonkin in the north to the shallower and warmer Gulf of Thailand in the south.

The most popular of Vietnam’s beach destinations are Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Mui Ne, and those three destinations will be the focus of this guide.

I’ve lived in Vietnam for over a decade, and I’ve spent months of my life in these beach towns. Still, remember that the ratings in this guide are my personal opinions. Be sure to read the descriptions to decide which beach destination sounds right for you based on what areas it excels in.

 

Note: Sadly, many of Vietnam’s beaches – I might even venture to say the majority of them – are not very nice because of littering. The country has a big problem with dumping trash in nature and not picking it up, which usually ruins popular beaches after a while unless they’re well-maintained. So, unless you do thorough research, visiting Vietnamese beaches not mentioned here is a risky endeavor.

• Mui Ne is best for budget travel and backpackers and has compelling cultural attractions, but the beaches are lacking
• Nha Trang is the best seaside resort city focused around a single walkable beachfront destination, though it’s lacking cultural attractions
• Phu Quoc island has some of the best beaches along with national parks, leisure attractions, and some culture as well, but it’s very spread out and has low walkability

Nha Trang: The “Capital City” of Vietnam’s Beaches

Nha Trang is the most touristy of these three beach cities and has the longest legacy of welcoming both domestic and international holiday makers.

But, unlike a lot of first-wave tourist destinations in Vietnam, the tourism infrastructure is done in a tasteful way that makes the town feel exciting and vibrant rather than sleazy.

Nha Trang beaches

The natural beauty of Nha Trang’s beach is unparalleled in Vietnam. It’s the only beach in the country that has the golden sands (which are geologically different than white sands) and turquoise waters that you see in an advertisement for a tropical vacation.

The scenery under the water is the country’s best, too, and multiple professional scuba diving guides have told me Nha Trang is the only place in Vietnam that has coral reefs not bleached into submission by pollution, perfect for scuba or snorkelling.

The reason I don’t give Nha Trang’s beach a perfect 10 rating is because of the massive amount of development. The main beach runs for 6 kilometres, and every year the city’s tourist amenities encroach on the sands more and more.

The beach is still pretty, but I’d highly recommend also visiting other, more peaceful beaches near Nha Trang, like Doc Let Beach and Jungle Beach to the north or Bai Dai Beach to the south.

 

Nha Trang beachfront attractions

The 6km stretch of seafood restaurants, bars, and other amenities running along Nha Trang Beach may detract from the beach itself, but it’s one of the best seaside hangout spots I’ve ever been to.

In the evenings, the beachfront comes alive with a party vibe that’s honestly a bit intense for me, but that many travelers will probably enjoy – the epicenter is probably the pulse-pounding Sailing Club Nha Trang bar.

Some of my favorite destinations on the Nha Trang beachfront are:

• The beachfront sculpture park, which is free and offers a rare glimpse into Vietnam’s art world
• Ana Marina Yacht Club, an up-and-coming marina with quiet cafes and an upscale vibe
• Tram Huong Tower, Nha Trang’s premier selfie spot
• Nha Trang Night Market
• Louisiane Brewhouse, home to some of the best craft beer in Vietnam

Nha Trang’s coastal line from above Tram Huong Tower

Nha Trang non-beach attractions

Like Nha Trang’s beachfront, its activities in town are mostly pretty built-up and commercialized. That’s not to say they’re not fun; a few of my favorites include:

• VinWonders amusement park, which includes a water park and an aquarium, is basically Vietnam’s Disney World. It’s the most family-friendly place in the city. The entrance is about 710,000 VND – $27 USD
• Thap Ba Hot Springs & Mud Baths, a uniquely Vietnamese spa experience with hot mineral pools and hydrotherapy. Basic admission is 350,000 VND–$13 USD
• Skylight Rooftop Beach Club, an upscale skybar with the best views of the city skyline. Go before 6 pm for a discount

All of these attractions (and many others in Nha Trang) are developed on a level you won’t find in other Vietnamese beach towns.

Nha Trang food

Nha Trang is probably the best food city in Vietnam outside of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, with lots of nationally famous Vietnamese dishes like bún cá and bánh căn having originated there. A few top recommendations to try out authentic Nha Trang foods are:

• Bún Cá Sứa Dốc Lết
• Nem Nướng Đặng Vạn Quyên
• Bánh Căn 51
• Quán Cơm Gà Trâm Anh

Unsurprisingly, the seafood in Nha Trang is also incredibly fresh, just like every town in this guide. I’d recommend Quán Hải Sản Bình Dân.

(iStock/teamtime)

Nha Trang Culture

Sadly, Nha Trang’s authentic culture is pretty much gone after decades of booming tourism. There are a few spots like Po Nagar Cham Towers, Long Son Pagoda, and Nha Trang Cathedral that are pretty cool to visit, but the culture there feels about as authentic as the dancing villagers on the Small World ride at Disneyland. Which is a shame, because Nha Trang has a pretty interesting history involving Cham, Buddhist, and colonial influences.

 

Nha Trang Walkability

Let’s talk some more about the main strip of Nha Trang along the beach, which is one of the most walkable stretches in Vietnam.

Almost the entire strip is set on a wide, paved promenade running parallel to the street. It’s excellent for a bike ride or a long stroll, especially because the whole thing has great views of the beach and the city skyline. Beachside parks, cafes, and street food shopfronts give a “carnival midway” vibe to any excursion there.

(DepositPhotos.com/Elenaferns-photo)

Outside the main strip, though, Nha Trang isn’t very walkable. The residential areas, the market district, and even most parts of downtown have busy streets and little or no sidewalks.

Nha Trang Prices

This category is highly variable because it depends on your budget, which is especially applicable in Nha Trang because it presents a greater variety of price options than any other beach town in Vietnam.

I have noticed that hotels seem to be cheaper in Nha Trang than in most places, with even a 4- or 5-star hotel often coming in at only $25 to $40.

 

I’ve found food to be slightly more expensive than in other Vietnamese beach towns, though, with a bowl of phở (this guide’s version of the Big Mac Index) probably costing 50k as opposed to 45k in Phu Quoc or 30k in Mui Ne.

Prices outside the tourist center are definitely a bit lower, too. Explore the alleyways just inland from the main tourist strip or head to less touristy market areas like Chợ Xóm Mới or Chợ Đầm for better deals on food and free cultural immersion.

Nha Trang Hotels

I’ve never been the type to splurge on hotels, so I really appreciate that I can stick to my comfortable $25–40 price range and live like a KING in Nha Trang. It’s very evident that all the competition for tourist dollars has driven down accommodation prices, because the value for money in the hotel department is unmatched.

 Some of my favorite hotels in that price range include:

I’d also like to shout out Ba Ho Eco-Lodge ($33/night), a gorgeous Swiss Family Robinson-esque property I plan to stay at when I go to Nha Trang later this year.

Phu Quoc: Vietnam’s Largest Island Paradise

Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island, and you can definitely feel the island vibes when staying there. The pace of life is slower, it feels a bit more isolated, and it makes it a bit easier to forget about the stressors of your outside life and relax fully.

If you want to read about it beyond this post, I recently published a full guide to exploring Phu Quoc.

Phu Quoc Beaches

Phu Quoc has the nicest beaches in Vietnam. The waters aren’t quite as clear as those of Nha Trang, and the snorkeling in the area is awful (contrary to what local tour companies might tell you), but the beaches are more expansive, and I prefer the white sand of Phu Quoc to the golden sand of Nha Trang.

Plus, the biggest advantage Phu Quoc beaches have over Nha Trang the fact that most of them are untouched by massive amounts of tourist infrastructure.

(DepositPhotos/KURLIN_CAfE) (DepositPhotos/KURLIN_CAfE)

Of course, there are a few beaches in Phu Quoc that have been hurt by overtourism, including Long Beach, Sao Beach, Ong Lang Beach, and Starfish Beach, all crowded with Instagram photographers.

But there are also plenty of lesser-known beaches like Ganh Dau Beach, Khem Beach, and Vung Bau Beach that give you space to breathe in the island air and aren’t far from the main town. If you rent a bike and wander the undeveloped parts of the island, like the north shore, there are also countless backroads leading to untouched, hidden beaches not marked on any map.

 

Phu Quoc Beachfront Attractions

Since Phu Quoc is a massive island with lots of beaches on every side, it doesn’t have a centralized beachfront.

On one hand, that provides a greater variety in terms of what kind of beachfront you want to visit – Sunset Town for a romantic walk through interesting architecture, Dinh Cau Night Market for a bustling evening of people-watching, the Intercontinental Promenade for a resort garden atmosphere, or Rach Vem Floating Dock for a rustic and natural stroll.

But, on the other hand, the lack of a centralized beachfront means that there are no super-developed and well-maintained strips of walking street on Phu Quoc like the main drag in Nha Trang.

(DepositPhotos/KURLIN_CAfE)

Phu Quoc Non-Beach Attractions

I’m not going to dwell on this point since I cover it in-depth in my Phu Quoc travel guide, but I will say that the island has a lot to do as long as you’re willing to travel around a bit. Some of my favorite Phu Quoc activities are:

Phu Quoc Food

Since Phu Quoc is geographically closer to Cambodia than mainland Vietnam, its food is different from most Vietnamese food.

Unique Phu Quoc dishes like bún quậy (a fish patty noodle soup), gỏi cá trích (aka herring salad), and bún kèn (noodles with coconut milk, my personal favorite) have more of the earthy, muted, fermented flavors of Cambodian cuisine than the usual bold, spicy, herb-based flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. If you’re a foodie travelling in Vietnam, Phu Quoc is a fascinating destination.

Phu Quoc Night Market in Duong Dong town (depositphotos.com/Al.geba)

Although unique, I’d say the food is average in terms of quality. I haven’t had many memorable meals there, and the seafood, for some reason, doesn’t taste as fresh as in most Vietnamese beach towns.

 

Phu Quoc Culture

Even though Phu Quoc has a very developed tourist area, the island is so big that it has large sections (especially the North Shore of the island) that are totally undeveloped.

That means there are plenty of fishing villages and Buddhist temples that remain in their “natural” state. Exploring those undeveloped areas of the island to immerse myself in their quaint local culture is my favorite activity on Phu Quoc.

Ho Quoc pagoda in Phu Quoc Island

That being said, the more populated parts of Phu Quoc, where most tourists spend their entire trip, are essentially devoid of authentic culture.

The local night markets have some regional street food and vendors selling traditional Phu Quoc crafts, and there are some tourist-friendly temples like Hung Son and Sung Duc, but their affiliation with the island’s true culture is minimal.

Phu Quoc Walkability

This is yet another rating that can be attributed to Phu Quoc’s massive size. There are lots of things to see on the island, but they are generally separated by vast stretches of wide roads that are difficult to get around on foot. On the other hand, the roads are my pick for the best place for beginners to ride a motorbike in Vietnam.

The main town (Duong Dong) is walkable, but it’s not very nice. The nicer parts of the island are spread out and are not very walkable.

The final verdict: rent a bike or use ride-hailing apps.

 

Phu Quoc Prices

Phu Quoc’s prices are just slightly higher than average for Vietnam. It definitely isn’t as pricey as Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, and food isn’t expensive like in Nha Trang, but it’s not quite a budget destination by Vietnamese standards.

Phu Quoc Hotels

Phu Quoc is best known for its resorts, which tend to include private beaches and are set on large properties containing bungalows and larger hotel buildings connected by stepping stone pathways.

I’m not the type to spend $100/night on a resort, so I can’t give firsthand accounts, but I’ve heard from an alarming number of travelers I’ve talked to that their resort experience on Phu Quoc felt generic and not worth the money they spent.

 

I have stayed at Kim Hoa Resort ($40), which is a cost-effective alternative that feels like a cheaper, smaller, way-toned-down version of The White Lotus.

Phu Quoc has a lesser-known but varied (and, I would say, better) hotel scene apart from resorts, too. I encourage you to read about it in the “where to stay” section of my Phu Quoc travel guide.

Mui Ne (aka Phan Thiet): A More Rugged Beach Town

Even though Mui Ne has been a popular beach destination in Vietnam for a long time, it has less development than Nha Trang or Phu Quoc, giving it a more rugged, adventurous, and unspoilt feel.

Mui Ne Beaches

Mui Ne’s public beaches are honestly kind of unattractive for three main reasons:

• They’re not as expensive. A variety of factors cause more erosion on beaches in Mui Ne than anywhere else, which has led to smaller beaches over the years.
• The sand is coarser. Some of the rocky runoff from all the nearby geological features (more on them below) has blown onto the beach because of the strong winds in the area, giving the sand a coarser feel and a stonier appearance.
• The water is murkier because of all the nearby geological runoff.

The upside of the beaches, though, is that their windy conditions and warm waters make them essentially perfect for water sports, especially kitesurfing.

(DespositPhotos.com/salajean)

Mui Ne Beachfront Attractions

The two or three-kilometre stretch on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street is really the only beachfront hangout area in Mui Ne. It’s got some nice restaurants, cafes, and bars, many of them with seating right on the sand.

Unfortunately, the town is so small that every other kind of business – massage parlors, resorts, and tacky souvenir shops – crowds the beachfront strip as well, giving it an overdeveloped and sleazy feel.

 

Mui Ne Non-Beach Attractions

Mui Ne has more geographical diversity packed into a small area than anywhere I’ve ever visited. Beach, desert, mountains, red rock formations, sand dunes, and flat farmland converge to create a kind of natural amusement park. 

Because of all the geodiversity, Mui Ne leans almost entirely on its natural features as its attractions, providing minimal manmade attractions. Some of the more notable ones are:

• The Fairy Stream, my favorite attraction in Vietnam
• The sand dunes (both red and white), best explored on an ATV you can rent there
• Bau Trang Lotus Lake, Vietnam’s preeminent desert oasis

There’s not that much to do in inland Mui Ne apart from these few natural attractions. They’re so amazing, though, that I couldn’t give them less than a 6 rating.

Fairy Stream Red river between rocks and jungle in Mui Ne Mui Ne’s unique geography, blending coastal scenery with dramatic dunes (iStock/Jakub Specjalski) Sandboarding in Mui Ne’s almost Sahara-like sand dunes

Mui Ne Food

The food in Mui Ne is, for the most part, unremarkable. I had some awful meals on Nguyen Dinh Chieu (the tourist center), but I had some slightly above-average Vietnamese food in the less-touristed parts of town.

The seafood in Mui Ne, on the other hand, is exceptional. I suspect it’s because the town is so much smaller than Nha Trang or Phu Quoc, and the fishermen can focus on catching quality rather than quantity since they don’t have to supply as many markets and restaurants.

(DepositPhotos.com/halen_hoie)

Mui Ne Culture

Since Mui Ne is much less developed than, say, Nha Trang, it has been able to hang on to much of its authentic small-town culture. The fishing village on the west shore, the colorful wooden boats dotting the harbor, and the morning fish markets on the beach are a few examples of old-world culture you won’t find in bigger towns.

The nearby Po Sah Inu Cham Towers are more undisturbed than pieces of ancient history near other tourist spots, too, and the fairy stream and sand dunes are tied to local myths and legends.

A big part of why I gave Mui Ne’s culture a perfect 10, though, is because of the no-worries feeling of serenity that characterises the place.

When night falls, the area gets completely quiet, the entire sky fills up with stars, and it’s easy to find a clearing away from shops or houses to drink in the stillness of the area. It’s a sensation I’ve rarely found in the crowded country of Vietnam, and certainly not in the other tourist spots on this list.

Mui Ne Walkability

Mui Ne is a small town made up mostly of small streets and alleys, with only a few larger avenues. Setting out from your hotel on foot and exploring the sleepy provincial town on foot is one of the best experiences you can have there if you’re fine with experiencing the culture in a very local, non-flashy way.

That being said, there’s not all that much to see or do while walking around. Observing local everyday life is cool, but it can also be hot and tiring to walk around without a destination, especially for those not used to humid weather.

 

Mui Ne Prices

Rating: 9/10

Mui Ne is a great budget destination, even by Vietnamese standards. Since it’s so small and the local shopping options (like “wet markets”) are in the same areas as the hotels and resorts, it’s also easy to stick to non-touristy sellers and get even lower prices.

Mui Ne is absolutely my pick for the best beach town for low-budget backpackers in Vietnam.

Mui Ne Hotels

Mui Ne is also famous for its resorts. They’re not quite as luxurious as the options in Phu Quoc or Nha Trang, but they have a more local vibe – think thatched roofs and garden paths. I’d recommend Muine Bay Resort ($41/night), which is in a great location and offers incredible value for money.

Some other highly-rated resorts in Mui Ne are:

All of the resorts listed above have access to private beaches that are better-maintained and nicer than any of the public beaches in Mui Ne.

Mui Ne also has some of the best-quality ultra-cheap hostels I’ve seen in Vietnam, like the iHome Backpacker Resort ($10/night), EVA Hut Mui Ne Homestay ($8/night), and Nostress Guest House ($10/night).

Final Verdict: Comparing Nha Trang vs Phu Quoc vs Mui Ne

The table below summarizes my ratings for each city across the discussed metrics. It may help you decide which one to spend time in, depending on what type of activity you’re looking for during your trip.

Criterion	Nha Trang	Phu Quoc	Mui Ne
Beaches	8	10	3
Beachfront	9	4	2
Non-Beach Attractions	7	8	6
Food	8	6	5
Culture	2	5	10
Walkability	7	2	4
Prices	5	6	9
Hotels	8	9	7
Avg. Rating (1-10)	6.75	6.225	5.75

If you want a definitive verdict from me on which I think is the best, I’ll tell you that I enjoy Phu Quoc the most. Even though I feel Nha Trang’s amenities are better in general, I really value the island atmosphere and boundless nature of Phu Quoc compared to Nha Trang. Mui Ne’s nature and culture are even better, but its amenities fall too short.

 

Honorable mentions: other beach destinations in Vietnam

Vietnam has a lot more beach towns than just these three, and some of them are pretty great. A few of the best, listed from north to south, are:

Cat Ba

The only representation of Northern Vietnam on this list. The beaches themselves aren’t particularly nice and the main tourist town there is an abomination, but the rural parts of the island are beautiful and the karst formations on the island and in the surrounding ocean are amazing.

You can read my Cat Ba travel guide for more info.

Da Nang

Da Nang isn’t really a beach destination; it’s more of a huge city that happens to have a few awesome beaches downtown. My Khe Beach, in particular, is world-class.

Since Da Nang enters the conversation almost every time the best beaches in Vietnam are mentioned, though, I feel I have to include it.

Quy Nhon

Quy Nhon is perhaps the most laid-back beach city in Vietnam. In other words, it’s done a great job of maintaining its chilled-out vibes and rich seaside culture despite growing to nearly 500,000 people.

It’s great for those who want to stay in an urban environment that’s still heavily influenced by beach culture.

Thap Cham

Thap Cham is one of the best places in Vietnam to explore the country’s pre-colonial culture. It was the last capital of the Hindu Cham Empire in Vietnam, so it has some ruined temples that are more impressive than any others in Vietnam, except for My Son Sanctuary. It’s also well off the tourist track, so it’s the most authentically Vietnamese destination on this list.

Vung Tau

Vung Tau is my personal favorite beach town in Vietnam. It’s only a two hour drive from Saigon, so I go there for the weekend every few months. It’s also clean, walkable, and has amazing food and nightlife. It’s very popular with domestic tourists, but most international tourists have never heard of it.

Can Gio

I love taking day trips to Can Gio. It’s technically a district of Ho Chi Minh City, although it sure doesn’t feel like it. You need to take a ferry to get there, and as soon as you do you no longer feel like you’re in the city.

You then need to drive another 90 minutes to get to the beach, and by the time you’re there you feel like you’re out in the deep countryside. The sleepy and rustic area has mangrove forests, a monkey sanctuary, and a market selling the best grilled fish I’ve ever eaten.

Unfortunately, the beach itself is mostly heaped with garbage. Can Gio is also very undeveloped and doesn’t have much to do, so I wouldn’t recommend staying there for longer than a weekend.

Con Dao

Con Dao is an island with some nice amenities and world-class resorts, but it’s a lot more isolated and undeveloped than Phu Quoc. It even has a deep history of spooky myths and ghost stories, which adds to the desolate, exotic feel of the place. That might be a drawback for some, but I love it.

It’s fantastic for exploration via motorbike, like Phu Quoc but with more undiscovered beaches you won’t find on a map.

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