Ho Chi Minh City has several beaches nearby just waiting to be explored. Perhaps not as famous as the historical landmarks, modern architecture or vibrant nightlife of Vietnam’s largest city, sometimes you need to escape the bustling crowds to visit some of Vietnam’s most pristine beaches, where locals and savvy expats frequent during weekends and public holidays.
Offering tranquil atmospheres and breathtaking views, these beaches also host a wide range of accommodation options, making them the perfect getaway for travellers looking to soak up the sun after they’ve finished exploring Saigon. Read on to discover some of the best beaches within close proximity to Ho Chi Minh City, most of which are reachable between 2 and 4 hours from downtown Saigon through a picturesque countryside and coastline.
Vung Tau (2 hours 10 minutes)
Vung Tau is a seaside town about 2 hours away from Ho Chi Minh City by car, making it a popular weekend getaway for local and foreign city dwellers. Called Cap Saint-Jacques by French colonists, it features a long coastal promenade connecting two beaches, colonial-era architecture, bars and restaurants, as well as beach umbrellas, chairs, loungers, and kayak rental kiosks. While Vung Tau can be visited all year long, we highly recommend making your way here during the week if you prefer a more relaxed setting
Ho Tram Beach (2 hours 30 minutes)
Ho Tram Beach, set within the Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, boasts 10 kilometres of unspoiled waters, fine sand, and palm trees. There’s also a wide range of accommodation options with expansive views of the East Sea, while thatched seafood restaurants close to the Ho Tram fishing village offers deck chairs and camping facilities at affordable rates. Thanks to its rather accessible location, Ho Tram Beach attracts locals and tourists looking to soak up some sun whilst vacationing in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Coc Beach (2 hours 30 minutes)
Ho Coc Beach, located north of Ho Tram Hamlet, is home to mostly mid-range and high-end resorts but it remains as one of the most pristine beaches in Vietnam. Accessible within a three-hour leisurely drive from central Ho Chi Minh City, it spans five kilometres of white sands where you can enjoy a day of sunbathing, swimming, and beach games as well as sampling fresh seafood and Vietnamese cuisine. Do note that the waters at Ho Coc Beach can get too rough or unpredictable to swim depending on the season, so if you’re visiting with weak swimmers, consider checking out Binh Chau Hot Springs instead, located 18 kilometres north of the beach.
Long Hai (2 hours 15 minutes)
Long Hai Beach is mostly frequented by the local population during the weekends, offering plenty of hippy bars, seafood eateries, and water sports facilities at affordable prices. Located almost 100 kilometres southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the beach also houses a wide range of expansive resorts with stylish rooms and villas overlooking the East Sea. The more high-end establishments tend to offer shuttle services for guests departing from Ho Chi Minh City, whether via private car or ferry from District 1.
Doi Duong (3 hours 55 minutes)
Doi Duong Beach can be found just outside Phan Thiet, a prominent coastal town about 4 hours away from Ho Chi Minh City by car. This wide sandbar houses plenty of beachfront resorts and hotels, where travellers can relax on sunbeds, enjoy a wide range of water sports or pampering spa sessions during their holiday. Ocean Dunes Golf Club is a 20-minute walk from the beach while the iconic Sand Dunes of Mui Ne are within an hour’s drive.
Con Dao Islands (1 Hour by Air)
Okay, this one isn’t that close in terms of distance, but Con Dao Islands are just incredible. Consisting of 16 uninhabited islets just off the southern coast of Vietnam, each offers expansive beaches shaded with evergreen trees. Accessible within an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City, the main island was once the site of a French-run prison for Vietnamese involved in the independence movement, but today it’s a popular spot for snorkelling, swimming, and diving. The more remote islets are known for hosting turtle breeding sites, so if you’re visiting between June and September, you may even get a chance to watch turtles laying their eggs.