Vietnam has no shortage of beautiful beaches. From north to south, its coastline stretches for more than 3,000 kilometres, with each destination has its own character.
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 local people. For us, a great beach holiday isn’t about seeing as many places as possible. It’s waking up in a fishing village, sharing fresh seafood with locals, cycling through quiet countryside or watching your children kayak while grandparents relax on the deck of the boat.
These are the four coastal destinations we come back to when designing private family journeys across Vietnam. Each one offers a different way to experience Vietnam’s coastline, with more space to slow down and enjoy the journey.
- Côn Đảo
- Quy Nhơn
- Phú Yên
- Cát Bà & Lan Hạ Bay
1. Côn Đảo
Located off Vietnam’s southern coast, Côn Đảo is a protected archipelago known for its natural beauty, rich history and peaceful beach.
Why Côn Đảo made our list
Côn Đảo isn’t a place that tries to impress you. Its charm reveals itself quietly
One afternoon, you might be riding along a peaceful coastal road, with the sea on one side and the national park on the other. There are very few vehicles, just the sound of birds, the waves and the breeze.
Beyond the beaches, families can spend a day exploring Côn Đảo National Park. Walk through lush forest to Hang Đức Mẹ, the Holy Grotto of the Virgin Mary, learn about the island’s unique plants and wildlife, and visit the 400-year-old National Heritage Tree. It’s a gentle hike that offers a different way to experience the island.
Between May and October, visitors can also join the sea turtle conservation programme, where baby turtles are released into the ocean. Watching them begin their journey to the sea is a special experience for children and adults alike.
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 becoming harder to find.
⛅ Best time to visit
March to September generally offers calm seas and pleasant weather for exploring the island.
✈️ How to get there
- Flight from Ho Chi Minh City (45 mintues)
- High-speed ferry from Ho Chi Minh City (5-6 hours)
🏨Accommodation
Choose from local homestays, boutique stays and luxury beachfront resort
⭐Highlights:
- Scenic coastal motorbike rides
- Family-friendly hikes in the Côn Đảo national park
- Sea turtle conservation programme (May to October)
- A unique blend 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.”
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.
One of our favourite experiences is heading out on a traditional basket boat at sunset for an evening of squid fishing. Everyone takes turns trying to catch squid under the lights, and before long, the children turn it into a friendly competition. Whether anyone catches one hardly matters. It’s the time spent together that everyone remembers.
The next day offers a different side of Quy Nhơn. Join a motorbike adventure along the coast before visiting a community-run recycling garden, where people with disabilities transform plastic and fabric into creative toys, bags and clothing. It’s a chance to meet the local community and see how creativity can create opportunities and make a positive impact.
Continue your journey by exploring Bình Định’s rich cultural heritage. Visit the Twin Towers, where Cham architecture has stood for more than 800 years, then meet local artisans who continue traditions passed down through generations. You’ll visit one of the oldest horse conical hat makers, where the craft has been preserved for more than 300 years, and a traditional forge, where blacksmiths still make knives and farming tools by hand.
The journey also includes a visit to An Nhơn, where you’ll stop by a well-known sesame rice paper maker and one of the region’s traditional rice wine producers. These family-run businesses offer a glimpse into everyday life and the flavours that have shaped Bình Định for generations.
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 ideal conditions for squid fishing, beach time and exploring the coastline.
✈️ How to get there
- Flight from Ho Chi Minh City (1 hour) or Hanoi (1.5 hours) to Phu Cat Airport.
- Overnight train from Ho Chi Minh City (12 to 14 hours).
🏨 Accommodation
Quy Nhơn offers a range of accommodation, from family-run hotels and boutique stays to luxury beachfront resorts.
⭐ Highlights:
- Sunset squid fishing on a floating raft
- Visiting traditional craft village
- Meeting local artisans preserving centuries-old traditions
- Exploring Twin Towers and Cham heritage
- Visiting a community-run recycling garden
“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.
Why Phú Yên made our list
Phú Yên is one of those places where life moves at a slower pace. The beaches are clean, peaceful and mostly shared with local families. It’s easy to spend hours by the sea without feeling the need to rush from one attraction to the next.
One morning might begin with snorkelling, followed by a fresh seafood lunch on one of the nearby islands, overlooking the deep blue sea. Another could be spent kayaking beneath a secluded waterfall or taking a walk along a quiet stretch of beach. 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, bánh xèo hải sản (seafood sizzling pancake), and it’s easy to see why we keep coming back to Phú Yên.
We recommend Phú Yên because it still feels like a place where local life comes first, not tourism.
Want to discover more? Read our 4 Days, 3 Nights in Phú Yên blog for more local tips, itinerary ideas and inspiration for your trip.
⛅ Best time to visit
February to August brings dry weather and calm seas, making it ideal for snorkelling, SUP and exploring the coastline.
✈️ How to get there
- Flight from Ho Chi Minh City (1 hour) or Ha Noi (1.5 hours) to Tuy Hoa Airport
- Overnight train from Ho Chi Minh City (9-10 hours)
🏨Accommodation
Boutique homestays in local fishing villages
⭐ Highlights:
- Snorkelling around islands
- Riding SUP and swimming near a secluded waterfall
- Visiting Hòn Yến community
- Quiet, uncrowded beaches
“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. cát bà & lan Hạ Bay
Located around three hours from Hanoi, Cat Ba Island is the gateway to the quieter Lan Ha Bay. It’s an ideal destination for families who want to combine northern Vietnam with time by the sea.
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 stunning, but the experience feels different. There are fewer boats, less noise and more space to simply enjoy being on the water.
One of our favourite ways to experience the area is on an overnight cruise through Lan Ha Bay. While grandparents can relax on 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.
Back on Cat Ba Island, a trek through Cat Ba National Park offers a different side of the island. Surrounded by green mountains and fresh air, it’s a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy nature before returning to the coast.
We keep coming back to Cat Ba because it offers the best of both worlds. Families can enjoy a little adventure and plenty of time to relax.
⛅ Best time to visit
April to June and September to early November offer pleasant temperatures, calm waters, making it ideal for cruising, kayaking and hiking.
✈️ How to get there
- From Ha Noi: 3-hour drive
- From Ho Chi Minh City: combining 2-hour flight to Hai Phong (Cat Bi International Airport) with 90-minute road and ferry transfer
🏨 Accommodation
A range of local hotels and boutique stays on Cát Bà Island
⭐ Highlights
- Overnight cruise through the quieter waters of Lan Ha Bay
- Kayaking, swimming and cycling during the cruise
- 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.”
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 your family enjoys cruising, kayaking and easy outdoor adventures, Cat Ba is a great place to start. If you’re looking to experience local life through food, fishing communities and traditional crafts, Quy Nhơn offers much more than beautiful beaches.
For families who simply want to slow down, Phú Yên offers peaceful beaches, incredibly fresh seafood and a quieter pace of life. If nature, wildlife and meaningful experiences are high on your list, Côn Đảo is a place you’ll still be talking about long after the trip is over.
Each destination works well as a 2 to 3-day trip, making it easy to include in your Vietnam itinerary. If you’re planning a longer holiday, we can also combine two or more destinations into one private journey, designed around your family’s interests, pace and the experiences you’d most like to have.
TRAVEL VIETNAM’S COAST AT YOUR OWN PACE
At Chôm Chôm Travel, we believe the best beach holidays aren’t about visiting the most famous places. They’re about finding places where you can slow down, connect with local people and experience a different side of Vietnam.
If this sounds like the kind of holiday you’re looking for, we’d love to help you plan a private journey that reflects your family’s interests, pace and the way you like to travel.
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