| Beach | Region | Best time to swim | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phu Quoc (Long Beach, southern beaches) | South, Gulf of Thailand | November to April (dry season) | Relaxing, islands, couples and families |
| Da Nang (My Khe) | Centre | February to August | City and beach, Hoi An 30 km away |
| Nha Trang | Centre-south | January or March to August/September | Diving, islands, long city beach |
| Quy Nhon (Ky Co) | Centre-south | March to September (March-May to avoid crowds) | Wild coves, travellers seeking calm |
| Cat Ba (Cat Co 1, 2 and 3) | North, Lan Ha Bay | May to September | Combining a beach with Ha Long Bay |
Phu Quoc: the dry-season beach
Phu Quoc is the big beach island of the south, best from November to April; from May to October it rains more and the sea is rougher, but prices drop. West-coast beaches can be windy. See the Phu Quoc guide for the southern islands and the Hon Thom cable car.
Da Nang and My Khe: the beach city
My Khe beach is a few minutes from central Da Nang and the airport, with Hoi An about 30 km away. February to August is the safest period; the sea gets rough during the northeast monsoon, and from September to December rain and typhoons can disrupt a stay. See the Da Nang guide and from Hanoi to Hoi An and Da Nang.
Nha Trang and Quy Nhon: the centre-south
Nha Trang offers a long city beach and islands to visit by boat, with clearer, calmer water from March to August according to guides. Quy Nhon is quieter: Ky Co is a cove ringed by cliffs that can be packed during the summer holidays (late May to August); March to May is a good compromise.
Cat Ba: the northern beach
Cat Ba has three small sandy beaches (Cat Co 1, 2 and 3). The water is too cold for swimming in winter and early spring; count on May to September, with many Vietnamese visitors in June, July and August. Combine it with a Lan Ha Bay cruise.
How to choose
- Trip in February-April: Da Nang and Nha Trang.
- Trip from November to March: Phu Quoc.
- Summer trip: Cat Ba, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Da Nang.
- To plan the whole trip, see when to go to Vietnam, the rainy season and typhoons and floods.
FAQ
What is the most beautiful beach in Vietnam? Lists mostly cite My Khe, Long Beach on Phu Quoc, Nha Trang and Ky Co at Quy Nhon; the most beautiful is the one in season on your dates.
When to go to the beach in Vietnam? Phu Quoc from November to April, the centre from February to August, the north from May to September.
Can you combine several beaches in one trip? Yes: Da Nang and Nha Trang in March-June, or Phu Quoc in winter.
The Hanoi Authority editorial team, 30 October 2026
