Vietnam has no shortage of beautiful beaches. From north to south, its coastline stretches for more than 3,000 kilometres, with each destination offering something different.
At Chôm Chôm Travel, we don’t choose places simply because they’re famous or picture-perfect. We look for destinations where families can slow down, avoid the crowds and connect with the people and stories that make each place unique. To us, a memorable beach holiday isn’t about ticking off landmarks. It’s waking up in a fishing village, sharing the freshest seafood with locals, cycling through quiet countryside or watching your children kayak while grandparents take in the view from the deck of a boat.
These are the four coastal destinations we return to time and again when designing private family journeys across Vietnam. Each one offers its own way to experience Vietnam’s coastline, beyond the obvious.
- Cát Bà & Lan Hạ Bay
- Quy Nhơn
- Phú Yên
- Côn Đảo
Relaxing on the deck of an overnight cruise in Lan Ha Bay
1. cát bà & lan Hạ Bay
Located in northern Vietnam, around a three-hour drive from Hanoi, Cat Ba Island is the gateway to the quieter Lan Ha Bay. It’s an ideal stop for families looking to combine a visit to northern Vietnam with a relaxing coastal escape.
Why Cát Bà & Lan Hạ Bay made our list
When people think about northern Vietnam’s coastline, Ha Long Bay is often the first place that comes to mind. We often recommend Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay instead.
The scenery is just as breathtaking, but the experience feels different. There are fewer boats, a slower pace and more space to simply enjoy being on the water.
One of our favourite ways to explore the area is on an overnight cruise through Lan Ha Bay. While grandparents can relax on the deck and take in the limestone karsts, children can kayak through quiet lagoons, swim in calm bays or cycle through a local village. It’s one of the few experiences where every generation can enjoy the day in their own way, without feeling like they’re missing out.
Back on Cat Ba island, a trek through Cat Ba National Park reveals another side of the destination. Surrounded by lush green mountains and fresh air, it’s a chance to slow down and appreciate the island beyond its beaches.
We keep coming back to Cat Ba because it offers the best of both worlds. Families can enjoy a little adventure, plenty of time to unwind and a quieter side of northern Vietnam that’s becoming harder to find.
Best time to visit
April to June and September to early November offer pleasant temperatures, calm waters and ideal conditions for cruising, kayaking and hiking.
Highlights
- Overnight cruise through the quieter waters of Lan Ha Bay
- Trekking in Cat Ba National Park
- A slower alternative to northern Vietnam’s busier coastal destinations
“If you have a day in Cat Ba, I’d really recommend hiking in Cat Ba National Park. It’s a great way to get some fresh air and stretch your legs. Once you reach the top, you’re surrounded by green mountains and complete quiet. It’s one of those places where you naturally slow down.”
2. quy nhơn
Situated along Vietnam’s south-central coast in Bình Định Province, Quy Nhơn is a laid-back coastal city where fishing villages, quiet beaches and centuries-old craft traditions come together.
Why Quy Nhơn made out list
Quy Nhon reminds us that the most memorable moments don’t always happen on the beach.
As the sun begins to set, your family climbs into a traditional basket boat and heads towards a floating raft. As the lights come one, squid start gathering benetah the water while dinner is prepared nearly. Everyone takes turns trying to catch one, and before long, the children are turning it into a friendly competition. Whether anyone catches a squid hardly matters. It’s the laughter and time spent together that everyone remembers.
Before the evening even begins, you’ll have wandered through the fishing village, watching colourful boats return with the day’s catch and seeing local life unfold at its own pace.
The next day offers a different side of Quy Nhơn. Start with breakfast and coconut coffee by the sea, then head inland to discover Bình Định’s rich cultural heritage. Visit the Twin Towers, where Cham architecture has stood for more than 800 years, before meeting artisans who continue traditions that have been passed down through generations.
In one craft village, you’ll meet one of the oldest horse conical hat makers and learn about a craft that has been preserved for more than 300 years. In another, the sound of hammers fills the air as blacksmiths continue to forge knives and farming tools entirely by hand.
Many travellers arrive expecting beautiful beaches. They leave talking about the people they met.
Best time to visit
March to September offers warm weather, calm seas and beautiful evenings for squid fishing and exploring the coastline.
Don’t leave without trying
Gỏi Cá Mai is one of Quy Nhon’s signature dishes. Fresh slices of Mai fish are wrapped in rice paper with herbs, cucumber, green mango and star fruit before being dipped into a rich peanut sauce. It’s light, fresh and best shared around the table.
Highlights:
- Sunset squid fishing on a floating raft
- Staying in a local beachfront homestay
- Exploring the Con Chim mangrove ecosystem
- Meeting artisans preserving 300-year-old traditions
- Twin Towers and Cham cultural heritage
“Visiting the craft villages made me realise how much care goes into preserving skills that have been passed down for generations. In a world that’s changing quickly, it’s inspiring to see local communities protecting their heritage while continuing to make a living from it.”
3. Phú Yên
Just south of Quy Nhơn, Phú Yên is one of Vietnam’s lesser-known coastal provinces. Its uncrowded beaches, fresh seafood and slower pace make it perfect for travellers looking to experience local life by the sea.
Why Phý Yên made our list
Phú Yên feels refreshingly untouched. The beaches are clean, the pace is slow, and most of the people you’ll meet are locals enjoying their own coastline. It’s the kind of place where you can spend hours by the sea without feeling the need to rush off to the next attraction.
One morning might begin with snorkelling around Hòn Yến, followed by bánh xèo hải sản (crispy seafood pancakes) at a local eatery. Another could be spent kayaking beneath a secluded waterfall or simply wandering along a quiet stretch of beach, with little more than the sound of the waves for company. Add some of the freshest seafood in Vietnam, from bánh canh hẹ (rice noodle soup with chives) to the local speciality of stewed tuna eyes, and it’s easy to see why this is one of our favourite coastal escapes.
We recommend Phú Yên because it still feels like a place that’s lived in, not built for mass tourism. And that’s exactly what makes it so special.
Best time to visit
February to August brings dry weather and calm seas, making it ideal for snorkelling, kayaking and exploring the coastline.
Highlights:
- Snorkelling around Hòn Yến
- Fresh seafood enjoyed alongside local families
- Overnight train journey from Ho Chi Minh City
- Waterfalls, kayaking and uncrowded beaches
- A relaxed pace that encourages families to slow down
“What I love most about Phú Yên is its people. They’re incredibly kind, gentle and welcoming. The beaches are some of my favourites in Vietnam because they’re still peaceful and mostly shared with locals. And every time I’m here, I can’t resist the seafood. It’s some of the freshest you’ll find anywhere along the coast.”
4. Côn Đảo
Located off Vietnam’s southern coast, Côn Đảo is a protected archipelago known for its untouched nature, rich history and peaceful beaches. It’s one of the country’s best destinations for families who enjoy wildlife, outdoor adventures and quiet island life.
Why Côn Đảo made our list
Some places capture your attention straight away. Côn Đảo is a place that grows on you.
One afternoon, you might be riding along a quiet coastal road, with the sea on one side and the national park on the other. There are very few vehicles, jus the sound of birds, the waves and the breeze. It’s a simple moment, but it’s one that many travellers remember long after they’ve left.
Côn Đảo is also a place of contrasts. It has a moving history, beautiful beaches and one of Vietnam’s most important national parks, all within easy reach. Families can spend the morning learning about the island’s past before heading out on a gentle to Lò Vôi Peak for panoramic views across the coastline.
Between May and October, visitors can also join conservation programmes , where baby sea turtles are released into the ocean. Watching them make their way towards the sea is a special experience for both children and adults.
We recommend Côn Đảo because it’s more than a beach destination. It’s a place where nature, history and quiet moments come together in a way that’s hard to find elsewhere in Vietnam
Best time to visit
March to September generally offers calm seas for exploring the island. Turtle release experiences take place between May and October.
Highlights:
- Scenic coastal motorbike rides
- Easy family-friendly hikes in the national park
- Turtle conservation experiences
- A unique combination of history and nature
- Quiet beaches and uncrowded viewpoints
“Exploring Côn Đảo by motorbike is one of my favourite experiences in Vietnam. The roads are smooth, the traffic is minimal and every few kilometres you’ll want to stop for another viewpoint. It’s a wonderful way to see the island at your own pace, especially if you enjoy scenic drives and quiet places.”
which destination is right for your family?
There’s no single “best” beach destination in Vietnam. It all depends on the kind of holiday your family is looking for.
If you enjoy a mix of cruising, kayaking and easy outdoor adventures, Cat Ba is a great place to start. For families who love discovering local culture through food, fishing communities and traditional crafts, Quy Nhơn offers experiences that go far beyond the beach.
If your ideal holiday is about slowing down, Phú Yên invites you to do just that, with peaceful beaches, incredibly fresh seafood and a slower pace of life. And if your family enjoys nature, wildlife and exploring places with fascinating stories, Côn Đảo is a destination that stays with you long after you leave.
The best part is that each of these destinations works beautifully as a 2 to 3-day trip, making them easy to include wherever you’re travelling in Vietnam. Or, if you have more time, we can combine several of them into one seamless journey, creating a coastal adventure that feels varied, unhurried and uniquely yours.
Phú Yên in the early morning is calm and quiet
discover vietnam’s coast beyond the ordinary
At Chôm Chôm Travel, we believe the best beach holidays aren’t about ticking off famous destinations. They’re about discovering places that feel genuine, where you can slow down, connect with local people and experience a different side of Vietnam.
Whether it’s sharing freshly caught seafood with a fishing family in Quy Nhơn, waking up to the quiet beauty of Lan Ha Bay, taking the overnight train to Phú Yên or riding along the peaceful coastal roads of Côn Đảo, these are the moments that stay with you long after the trip ends.
If this sounds like the kind of journey you’re looking for, we’d love to help you create a private itinerary that reflects your family’s interests, travel style and pace.
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