Vietnam’s coastline stretches 2,000 miles, offering countless hidden gems beyond the iconic Ha Long Bay. These lesser-known coastal havens boast the same stunning limestone formations, crystal-clear waters, and rich cultural experiences—but without the overwhelming crowds.
Many travelers miss these spectacular destinations while focusing solely on Vietnam’s more famous attractions. Here is a list of 20 undiscovered coastal towns in Vietnam that offer experiences rivaling the beauty of Ha Long Bay but with authentic charm and fewer tourists.
Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is a teardrop-shaped island in the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by some of Vietnam’s most pristine beaches. The island’s northern reaches remain largely untouched, with dense jungle and secluded coves waiting to be explored.
Local fishing villages dot the coastline, offering fresh seafood prepared using traditional methods passed down through generations.
Con Dao Islands
Once a brutal French prison complex, the Con Dao archipelago is 110 miles from Ho Chi Minh City and has transformed into a serene marine paradise. The main island’s beaches feature powdery white sand against a backdrop of granite cliffs and lush tropical forest.
Marine life thrives in the surrounding waters, making it a prime spot for snorkeling and diving among vibrant coral reefs.
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Ly Son Island
Formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, Ly Son Island features dramatic rock formations and crystal-clear waters that are ideal for underwater exploration. The island is famous for its garlic farms, where the violet-tinged crops grow in volcanic soil, producing a uniquely potent flavor.
Towering cliffs offer panoramic views of the East Sea, which is particularly stunning during sunrise when fishing boats return with their overnight catches.
Mui Ne
Mui Ne’s coastal landscape transitions from golden beaches to striking red and white dunes resembling a desert by the sea. The steady ocean breezes have made this former fishing village a world-renowned destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing enthusiasts.
Local markets sell fresh dragon fruit grown in the surrounding countryside, harvested from cacti farms that create patches of vibrant pink against the arid landscape.
Quy Nhon
Quy Nhon remains refreshingly authentic with its working fishing harbor and seafood-focused culinary scene. The city sits between two headlands, creating a sweeping bay with beaches that remain surprisingly uncrowded even during peak season.
Ancient Cham towers rise from nearby hills, a testament to the region’s importance during the kingdom that once controlled central Vietnam.
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Lang Co
Lang Co features a perfect crescent beach connecting a peaceful lagoon to the South China Sea, creating a unique dual-water ecosystem. The nearby Hai Van Pass, made famous by Top Gear, offers one of Vietnam’s most spectacular coastal drives with panoramic views.
Fresh seafood is harvested daily from floating restaurants in the lagoon, where families have raised fish and shellfish for generations.
Nam Du Islands
The Nam Du archipelago consists of 21 islands scattered across the Gulf of Thailand, just 50 miles from the Cambodian border. Most islands remain uninhabited, offering pristine beaches and fishing spots accessible only by local boats.
The main island’s small community continues traditional fishing practices, with colorful wooden boats bobbing offshore as fishermen cast nets by hand.
Cu Lao Cham
Cu Lao Cham’s UNESCO-protected marine park encompasses eight small islands with remarkably clear waters and diverse marine ecosystems. The main island features verdant forests covering dramatic peaks that plunge directly into the sea.
Local conservation efforts have preserved the natural environment and the traditional lifestyle of the fishing communities that inhabited these islands for centuries.
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Vung Tau
Just 60 miles from Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau offers an accessible coastal retreat with French colonial architecture and broad boulevards with seafood restaurants. The distinctive twin beaches—Front Beach for swimming and Back Beach for surfing—provide different oceanfront experiences within walking distance.
A giant Christ statue overlooking the sea, reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro’s famous landmark, offers panoramic views from its base on Small Mountain.
Quan Lan Island
Quan Lan Island features 18 miles of pristine beaches with powdery white sand and almost no development, offering a glimpse of what Ha Long Bay was like decades ago. Traditional wooden boats shuttle between small fishing villages where life continues much as it has for centuries.
The island’s interior contains dense forests hiding small temples and shrines dedicated to whale worship—a tradition among Vietnam’s coastal communities.
Co To Island
Co To Island’s remote location near the Chinese border has kept it largely undiscovered, requiring special permits for foreign visitors until recently. The island’s Hong Van beach stretches for miles and features fine white sand and turquoise waters.
It is often empty on weekdays. Freshly caught seafood costs a fraction of mainland prices, and local specialties include sea urchin and horseshoe crab prepared according to island recipes.
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Sam Son
Sam Son’s wide beaches extend miles along a bay framed by forested hills and traditional fishing communities. Local fishermen still use thung chai—round bamboo boats—to navigate the surf and bring in daily catches of squid, mackerel, and shellfish.
The town transforms during summer when domestic tourists arrive, creating a lively atmosphere with night markets and beachside entertainment uniquely Vietnamese in character.
Cua Lo
Cua Lo Beach stretches over six miles and features fine golden sand and shallow waters, perfect for families looking for safe swimming conditions. The town serves as a gateway to several offshore islands, including Hon Mat—’ Eye Island’—with its distinctive rock formation resembling an eye gazing toward the mainland.
Local delicacies include nem chua (fermented pork), caught fresh from the surrounding waters each morning.
Phan Rang
Phan Rang combines ancient Cham culture with ideal conditions for water sports, particularly kitesurfing, in reliable cross-shore winds. The area’s microclimate creates the driest region in Vietnam, with desert-like landscapes that dramatically meet the sea.
Nearby vineyards take advantage of the sunny conditions to produce surprisingly good Vietnamese wines, offering tastings with ocean views.
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Van Don
Van Don served as Vietnam’s first international commercial port nearly 1,000 years ago, when merchants across Asia arrived to trade exotic goods. The island district features dozens of beaches scattered across its archipelago, connected by newly constructed bridges and roads.
Ancient temples dot the hillsides, including Cai Bau Pagoda, where locals still make offerings for safe sea journeys.
Vinh Hy Bay
Vinh Hy Bay nestles between Nui Chua National Park and the East Sea, creating a stunning landscape where mountains meet crystal-clear waters. The small fishing village maintains traditional boat-building techniques, constructing the colorful wooden vessels that bob in the harbor.
The surrounding waters contain Vietnam’s most diverse coral reef ecosystems, protected within the country’s first marine conservation zone.
Binh Tien
Binh Tien Beach remains hidden behind dunes covered in scrubby vegetation, keeping it secluded despite being just minutes from Highway 1. The crescent-shaped cove features dramatic boulders at each end, creating natural boundaries that frame the pristine beach.
Local fishermen offer boat tours to nearby dive spots where submerged rock formations create natural aquariums teeming with tropical fish.
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Ho Coc
Ho Coc’s golden sands extend for miles, punctuated by natural rock formations that create private coves perfect for secluded swimming. At the beach’s eastern end, natural hot springs bubble up through the sand, creating warm pools during low tide.
The nearby rainforest of Binh Chau Nature Reserve contains centuries-old trees and rare wildlife, including the endangered black-shanked douc langur.
Bai Xep
Bai Xep transformed from a sleepy fishing village into a community-based tourism success story while maintaining its authentic charm and working harbor. The village is divided between two small beaches and a rocky headland that offers sunset views across the bay.
Homestays in converted fishing houses allow visitors to experience daily life in a traditional Vietnamese coastal community.
Nhon Ly
The Nhon Ly peninsula sits just offshore from Quy Nhon, connected by a causeway that disappears during the highest tides. The village became famous recently for Ky Co beach—nicknamed the ‘Maldives of Vietnam’—with its unique combination of white sand, turquoise water, and red rock formations.
Local fishermen supplement their income by offering boat tours to nearby Eo Gio (Windy Pass), where centuries of sea winds have sculpted coastal cliffs into fantastic shapes.
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Vietnam’s Living Coastline
The true magic of Vietnam’s coast lies in its natural beauty and the centuries-old communities that maintain traditional relationships with the sea. These undiscovered towns offer a glimpse into Vietnamese coastal life that increasingly disappears in more developed regions.
As infrastructure improves, making these hidden gems more accessible, travelers have a rare opportunity to experience these authentic coastal communities before they inevitably transform.
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