Nha Trang vs. Phu Quoc vs. Mui Ne: Best Vietnam Beach?

Vietnam is a good seashore nation, however all of its seashores are positively not created equal. After all, Vietnam has an extremely lengthy shoreline in comparison with its measurement, due to its tall and thin geography that stretches from the deep and tranquil Gulf of Tonkin within the north to the shallower and hotter Gulf of Thailand within the south.

The hottest of Vietnam’s seashore locations are Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Mui Ne, and people three locations would be the focus of this information.

I’ve lived in Vietnam for over a decade, and I’ve spent months of my life in these seashore cities. Still, keep in mind that the rankings on this information are my private opinions. Be certain to learn the descriptions to determine which seashore vacation spot sounds best for you primarily based on what areas it excels in.

 

Note: Sadly, a lot of Vietnam’s seashores – I would even enterprise to say the majority of them – usually are not very good due to littering. The nation has an enormous downside with dumping trash in nature and never selecting it up, which normally ruins common seashores after some time except they’re well-maintained. So, except you do thorough analysis, visiting Vietnamese seashores not talked about here’s a dangerous endeavor.

Nha Trang: The “Capital City” of Vietnam’s Beaches

Nha Trang is essentially the most touristy of those three seashore cities and has the longest legacy of welcoming each home and worldwide vacation makers.

But, not like plenty of first-wave vacationer locations in Vietnam, the tourism infrastructure is completed in a tasteful manner that makes the city really feel thrilling and vibrant reasonably than sleazy.

Nha Trang seashores

The pure fantastic thing about Nha Trang’s seashore is unparalleled in Vietnam. It’s the one seashore within the nation that has the golden sands (that are geologically totally different than white sands) and turquoise waters that you simply see in an commercial for a tropical trip.

The surroundings below the water is the nation’s greatest, too, and a number of skilled scuba diving guides have instructed me Nha Trang is the one place in Vietnam that has coral reefs not bleached into submission by air pollution, excellent for scuba or snorkelling.

The cause I don’t give Nha Trang’s seashore an ideal 10 ranking is due to the large quantity of improvement. The major seashore runs for six kilometres, and yearly town’s vacationer facilities encroach on the sands increasingly more.

The seashore continues to be fairly, however I’d extremely advocate additionally visiting different, extra peaceable seashores close to Nha Trang, like Doc Let Beach and Jungle Beach to the north or Bai Dai Beach to the south.

 

Nha Trang beachfront points of interest

The 6km stretch of seafood eating places, bars, and different facilities working alongside Nha Trang Beach might detract from the seashore itself, however it’s top-of-the-line seaside hangout spots I’ve ever been to.

In the evenings, the beachfront comes alive with a celebration vibe that’s actually a bit intense for me, however that many vacationers will most likely get pleasure from – the epicenter might be the pulse-pounding Sailing Club Nha Trang bar.

Some of my favourite locations on the Nha Trang beachfront are:

• The beachfront sculpture park, which is free and presents a uncommon glimpse into Vietnam’s artwork world
• Ana Marina Yacht Club, an up-and-coming marina with quiet cafes and an upscale vibe
• Tram Huong Tower, Nha Trang’s premier selfie spot
• Nha Trang Night Market
• Louisiane Brewhouse, residence to a number of the greatest craft beer in Vietnam

Nha Trang non-beach points of interest

Like Nha Trang’s beachfront, its actions on the town are principally fairly built-up and commercialized. That’s to not say they’re not enjoyable; just a few of my favorites embrace:

• VinWonders amusement park, which features a water park and an aquarium, is principally Vietnam’s Disney World. It’s essentially the most family-friendly place within the metropolis. The entrance is about 710,000 VND – $27 USD
• Thap Ba Hot Springs & Mud Baths, a uniquely Vietnamese spa expertise with sizzling mineral swimming pools and hydrotherapy. Basic admission is 350,000 VND–$13 USD
• Skylight Rooftop Beach Club, an upscale skybar with the very best views of town skyline. Go earlier than 6 pm for a reduction

All of those points of interest (and lots of others in Nha Trang) are developed on a stage you received’t discover in different Vietnamese seashore cities.

Nha Trang meals

Nha Trang might be the very best meals metropolis in Vietnam exterior of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, with a number of nationally well-known Vietnamese dishes like bún cá and bánh căn having originated there. A couple of prime suggestions to check out genuine Nha Trang meals are:

• Bún Cá Sứa Dốc Lết
• Nem Nướng Đặng Vạn Quyên
• Bánh Căn 51
• Quán Cơm Gà Trâm Anh

Unsurprisingly, the seafood in Nha Trang can also be extremely recent, identical to each city on this information. I’d advocate Quán Hải Sản Bình Dân.

Nha Trang Culture

Sadly, Nha Trang’s genuine tradition is just about gone after a long time of booming tourism. There are just a few spots like Po Nagar Cham Towers, Long Son Pagoda, and Nha Trang Cathedral which might be fairly cool to go to, however the tradition there feels about as genuine because the dancing villagers on the Small World journey at Disneyland. Which is a disgrace, as a result of Nha Trang has a reasonably fascinating historical past involving Cham, Buddhist, and colonial influences.

 

Nha Trang Walkability

Let’s discuss some extra about the principle strip of Nha Trang alongside the seashore, which is among the most walkable stretches in Vietnam.

Almost your complete strip is about on a large, paved promenade working parallel to the road. It’s glorious for a motorbike journey or an extended stroll, particularly as a result of the entire thing has nice views of the seashore and town skyline. Beachside parks, cafes, and road meals shopfronts give a “carnival midway” vibe to any tour there.

Outside the principle strip, although, Nha Trang isn’t very walkable. The residential areas, the market district, and even most elements of downtown have busy streets and little or no sidewalks.

Nha Trang Prices

This class is extremely variable as a result of it is dependent upon your finances, which is particularly relevant in Nha Trang as a result of it presents a higher number of worth choices than another seashore city in Vietnam.

I’ve observed that inns appear to be cheaper in Nha Trang than in most locations, with even a 4- or 5-star lodge typically coming in at solely $25 to $40.

 

I’ve discovered meals to be barely costlier than in different Vietnamese seashore cities, although, with a bowl of phở (this information’s model of the Big Mac Index) most likely costing 50k versus 45k in Phu Quoc or 30k in Mui Ne.

Prices exterior the vacationer middle are positively a bit decrease, too. Explore the alleyways simply inland from the principle vacationer strip or head to much less touristy market areas like Chợ Xóm Mới or Chợ Đầm for higher offers on meals and free cultural immersion.

Nha Trang Hotels

I’ve by no means been the kind to splurge on inns, so I actually recognize that I can persist with my snug $25–40 worth vary and stay like a KING in Nha Trang. It’s very evident that every one the competitors for vacationer {dollars} has pushed down lodging costs, as a result of the worth for cash within the lodge division is unmatched.

 Some of my favourite inns in that worth vary embrace:

I’d additionally prefer to shout out Ba Ho Eco-Lodge ($33/evening), a stunning Swiss Family Robinson-esque property I plan to remain at after I go to Nha Trang later this 12 months.

Phu Quoc: Vietnam’s Largest Island Paradise

Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island, and you may positively really feel the island vibes when staying there. The tempo of life is slower, it feels a bit extra remoted, and it makes it a bit simpler to neglect concerning the stressors of your exterior life and calm down totally.

If you wish to examine it past this publish, I lately revealed a full information to exploring Phu Quoc.

Phu Quoc Beaches

Phu Quoc has the nicest seashores in Vietnam. The waters aren’t fairly as clear as these of Nha Trang, and the snorkeling within the space is terrible (opposite to what native tour corporations would possibly let you know), however the seashores are extra expansive, and I favor the white sand of Phu Quoc to the golden sand of Nha Trang.

Plus, the most important benefit Phu Quoc seashores have over Nha Trang the truth that most of them are untouched by huge quantities of vacationer infrastructure.

Of course, there are just a few seashores in Phu Quoc which have been harm by overtourism, together with Long Beach, Sao Beach, Ong Lang Beach, and Starfish Beach, all crowded with Instagram photographers.

But there are additionally lots of lesser-known seashores like Ganh Dau Beach, Khem Beach, and Vung Bau Beach that provide you with house to breathe within the island air and aren’t removed from the principle city. If you lease a motorbike and wander the undeveloped elements of the island, just like the north shore, there are additionally numerous backroads resulting in untouched, hidden seashores not marked on any map.

 

Phu Quoc Beachfront Attractions

Since Phu Quoc is an enormous island with a number of seashores on each aspect, it doesn’t have a centralized beachfront.

On one hand, that gives a higher selection when it comes to what sort of beachfront you wish to go to – Sunset Town for a romantic stroll by fascinating structure, Dinh Cau Night Market for a bustling night of people-watching, the Intercontinental Promenade for a resort backyard environment, or Rach Vem Floating Dock for a country and pure stroll.

But, then again, the shortage of a centralized beachfront implies that there aren’t any super-developed and well-maintained strips of strolling road on Phu Quoc like the principle drag in Nha Trang.

Phu Quoc Non-Beach Attractions

I’m not going to dwell on this level since I cowl it in-depth in my Phu Quoc journey information, however I’ll say that the island has so much to do so long as you’re keen to journey round a bit. Some of my favourite Phu Quoc actions are:

Phu Quoc Food

Since Phu Quoc is geographically nearer to Cambodia than mainland Vietnam, its meals is totally different from most Vietnamese meals.

Unique Phu Quoc dishes like bún quậy (a fish patty noodle soup), gỏi cá trích (aka herring salad), and bún kèn (noodles with coconut milk, my private favourite) have extra of the earthy, muted, fermented flavors of Cambodian delicacies than the standard daring, spicy, herb-based flavors of Vietnamese delicacies. If you’re a foodie travelling in Vietnam, Phu Quoc is an enchanting vacation spot.

Although distinctive, I’d say the meals is common when it comes to high quality. I haven’t had many memorable meals there, and the seafood, for some cause, doesn’t style as recent as in most Vietnamese seashore cities.

 

Phu Quoc Culture

Even although Phu Quoc has a really developed vacationer space, the island is so huge that it has massive sections (particularly the North Shore of the island) which might be completely undeveloped.

That means there are many fishing villages and Buddhist temples that stay of their “natural” state. Exploring these undeveloped areas of the island to immerse myself of their quaint native tradition is my favourite exercise on Phu Quoc.

That being mentioned, the extra populated elements of Phu Quoc, the place most vacationers spend their whole journey, are basically devoid of genuine tradition.

The native evening markets have some regional road meals and distributors promoting conventional Phu Quoc crafts, and there are some tourist-friendly temples like Hung Son and Sung Duc, however their affiliation with the island’s true tradition is minimal.

Phu Quoc Walkability

This is one more ranking that may be attributed to Phu Quoc’s huge measurement. There are a number of issues to see on the island, however they’re typically separated by huge stretches of large roads which might be troublesome to get round on foot. On the opposite hand, the roads are my choose for the very best place for learners to journey a motorcycle in Vietnam.

The major city (Duong Dong) is walkable, however it’s not very good. The nicer elements of the island are unfold out and usually are not very walkable.

The closing verdict: lease a motorbike or use ride-hailing apps.

 

Phu Quoc Prices

Phu Quoc’s costs are simply barely greater than common for Vietnam. It positively isn’t as expensive as Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, and meals isn’t costly like in Nha Trang, however it’s not fairly a finances vacation spot by Vietnamese requirements.

Phu Quoc Hotels

Phu Quoc is greatest recognized for its resorts, which have a tendency to incorporate non-public seashores and are set on massive properties containing bungalows and bigger lodge buildings linked by stepping stone pathways.

I’m not the kind to spend $100/evening on a resort, so I can’t give firsthand accounts, however I’ve heard from an alarming variety of vacationers I’ve talked to that their resort expertise on Phu Quoc felt generic and never well worth the cash they spent.

 

I have stayed at Kim Hoa Resort ($40), which is a cheap different that looks like a less expensive, smaller, way-toned-down model of The White Lotus.

Phu Quoc has a lesser-known however different (and, I’d say, higher) lodge scene aside from resorts, too. I encourage you to examine it within the “where to stay” part of my Phu Quoc journey information.

Mui Ne (aka Phan Thiet): A More Rugged Beach Town

Even although Mui Ne has been a well-liked seashore vacation spot in Vietnam for a very long time, it has much less improvement than Nha Trang or Phu Quoc, giving it a extra rugged, adventurous, and unspoilt really feel.

Mui Ne Beaches

Mui Ne’s public seashores are actually sort of unattractive for 3 major causes:

• They’re not as costly. A wide range of components trigger extra erosion on seashores in Mui Ne than wherever else, which has led to smaller seashores over time.
• The sand is coarser. Some of the rocky runoff from all of the close by geological options (extra on them under) has blown onto the seashore due to the robust winds within the space, giving the sand a coarser really feel and a stonier look.
• The water is murkier due to all of the close by geological runoff.

The upside of the seashores, although, is that their windy circumstances and heat waters make them basically excellent for water sports activities, particularly kitesurfing.

Mui Ne Beachfront Attractions

The two or three-kilometre stretch on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street is basically the one beachfront hangout space in Mui Ne. It’s obtained some good eating places, cafes, and bars, a lot of them with seating proper on the sand.

Unfortunately, the city is so small that each different sort of enterprise – therapeutic massage parlors, resorts, and cheesy memento outlets – crowds the beachfront strip as properly, giving it an overdeveloped and sleazy really feel.

 

Mui Ne Non-Beach Attractions

Mui Ne has extra geographical range packed right into a small space than wherever I’ve ever visited. Beach, desert, mountains, crimson rock formations, sand dunes, and flat farmland converge to create a sort of pure amusement park. 

Because of all of the geodiversity, Mui Ne leans virtually solely on its pure options as its points of interest, offering minimal artifical points of interest. Some of the extra notable ones are:

• The Fairy Stream, my favourite attraction in Vietnam
• The sand dunes (each crimson and white), greatest explored on an ATV you may lease there
• Bau Trang Lotus Lake, Vietnam’s preeminent desert oasis

There’s not that a lot to do in inland Mui Ne aside from these few pure points of interest. They’re so superb, although, that I couldn’t give them lower than a 6 ranking.

Mui Ne Food

The meals in Mui Ne is, for essentially the most half, unremarkable. I had some terrible meals on Nguyen Dinh Chieu (the vacationer middle), however I had some barely above-average Vietnamese meals within the less-touristed elements of city.

The seafood in Mui Ne, then again, is outstanding. I believe it’s as a result of the city is a lot smaller than Nha Trang or Phu Quoc, and the fishermen can deal with catching high quality reasonably than amount since they don’t have to provide as many markets and eating places.

Mui Ne Culture

Since Mui Ne is far much less developed than, say, Nha Trang, it has been capable of dangle on to a lot of its genuine small-town tradition. The fishing village on the west shore, the colourful picket boats dotting the harbor, and the morning fish markets on the seashore are just a few examples of old-world tradition you received’t discover in greater cities.

The close by Po Sah Inu Cham Towers are extra undisturbed than items of historic historical past close to different vacationer spots, too, and the fairy stream and sand dunes are tied to native myths and legends.

An enormous a part of why I gave Mui Ne’s tradition an ideal 10, although, is due to the no-worries feeling of serenity that characterises the place.

When evening falls, the world will get utterly quiet, your complete sky fills up with stars, and it’s straightforward to discover a clearing away from outlets or homes to drink within the stillness of the world. It’s a sensation I’ve not often discovered within the crowded nation of Vietnam, and positively not within the different vacationer spots on this listing.

Mui Ne Walkability

Mui Ne is a small city made up principally of small streets and alleys, with just a few bigger avenues. Setting out out of your lodge on foot and exploring the sleepy provincial city on foot is among the greatest experiences you may have there when you’re nice with experiencing the tradition in a really native, non-flashy manner.

That being mentioned, there’s not all that a lot to see or do whereas strolling round. Observing native on a regular basis life is cool, however it may also be sizzling and tiring to stroll round with out a vacation spot, particularly for these not used to humid climate.

 

Mui Ne Prices

Rating: 9/10

Mui Ne is a good finances vacation spot, even by Vietnamese requirements. Since it’s so small and the native purchasing choices (like “wet markets”) are in the identical areas because the inns and resorts, it’s additionally straightforward to stay to non-touristy sellers and get even decrease costs.

Mui Ne is totally my choose for the very best seashore city for low-budget backpackers in Vietnam.

Mui Ne Hotels

Mui Ne can also be well-known for its resorts. They’re not fairly as luxurious because the choices in Phu Quoc or Nha Trang, however they’ve a extra native vibe – suppose thatched roofs and backyard paths. I’d advocate Muine Bay Resort ($41/evening), which is in an excellent location and presents unimaginable worth for cash.

Some different highly-rated resorts in Mui Ne are:

All of the resorts listed above have entry to non-public seashores which might be better-maintained and nicer than any of the general public seashores in Mui Ne.

Mui Ne additionally has a number of the best-quality ultra-cheap hostels I’ve seen in Vietnam, just like the iHome Backpacker Resort ($10/evening), EVA Hut Mui Ne Homestay ($8/evening), and Nostress Guest House ($10/evening).

Final Verdict: Comparing Nha Trang vs Phu Quoc vs Mui Ne

The desk under summarizes my rankings for every metropolis throughout the mentioned metrics. It might enable you to determine which one to spend time in, relying on what kind of exercise you’re on the lookout for throughout your journey.

Criterion	Nha Trang	Phu Quoc	Mui Ne
Beaches	8	10	3
Beachfront	9	4	2
Non-Beach Attractions	7	8	6
Food	8	6	5
Culture	2	5	10
Walkability	7	2	4
Prices	5	6	9
Hotels	8	9	7
Avg. Rating (1-10)	6.75	6.225	5.75

If you desire a definitive verdict from me on which I feel is the very best, I’ll let you know that I get pleasure from Phu Quoc essentially the most. Even although I really feel Nha Trang’s facilities are higher typically, I actually worth the island environment and boundless nature of Phu Quoc in comparison with Nha Trang. Mui Ne’s nature and tradition are even higher, however its facilities fall too brief.

 

Honorable mentions: different seashore locations in Vietnam

Vietnam has much more seashore cities than simply these three, and a few of them are fairly nice. A couple of of the very best, listed from north to south, are:

Cat Ba

The solely illustration of Northern Vietnam on this listing. The seashores themselves aren’t notably good and the principle vacationer city there’s an abomination, however the rural elements of the island are lovely and the karst formations on the island and within the surrounding ocean are superb.

You can learn my Cat Ba journey information for more information.

Da Nang

Da Nang isn’t actually a seashore vacation spot; it’s extra of an enormous metropolis that occurs to have just a few superior seashores downtown. My Khe Beach, particularly, is world-class.

Since Da Nang enters the dialog virtually each time the very best seashores in Vietnam are talked about, although, I really feel I’ve to incorporate it.

Quy Nhon

Quy Nhon is probably the most laid-back seashore metropolis in Vietnam. In different phrases, it’s achieved an excellent job of sustaining its chilled-out vibes and wealthy seaside tradition regardless of rising to just about 500,000 folks.

It’s nice for individuals who wish to keep in an city setting that’s nonetheless closely influenced by seashore tradition.

Thap Cham

Thap Cham is among the greatest locations in Vietnam to discover the nation’s pre-colonial tradition. It was the final capital of the Hindu Cham Empire in Vietnam, so it has some ruined temples which might be extra spectacular than any others in Vietnam, aside from My Son Sanctuary. It’s additionally properly off the vacationer observe, so it’s essentially the most authentically Vietnamese vacation spot on this listing.

Vung Tau

Vung Tau is my private favourite seashore city in Vietnam. It’s solely a two hour drive from Saigon, so I’m going there for the weekend each few months. It’s additionally clear, walkable, and has superb meals and nightlife. It’s highly regarded with home vacationers, however most worldwide vacationers have by no means heard of it.

Can Gio

I like taking day journeys to Can Gio. It’s technically a district of Ho Chi Minh City, though it certain doesn’t really feel prefer it. You have to take a ferry to get there, and as quickly as you do you not really feel such as you’re within the metropolis.

You then have to drive one other 90 minutes to get to the seashore, and by the point you’re there you are feeling such as you’re out within the deep countryside. The sleepy and rustic space has mangrove forests, a monkey sanctuary, and a market promoting the very best grilled fish I’ve ever eaten.

Unfortunately, the seashore itself is usually heaped with rubbish. Can Gio can also be very undeveloped and doesn’t have a lot to do, so I wouldn’t advocate staying there for longer than a weekend.

Con Dao

Con Dao is an island with some good facilities and world-class resorts, however it’s much more remoted and undeveloped than Phu Quoc. It even has a deep historical past of spooky myths and ghost tales, which provides to the desolate, unique really feel of the place. That is perhaps a disadvantage for some, however I adore it.

It’s unbelievable for exploration by way of motorcycle, like Phu Quoc however with extra undiscovered seashores you received’t discover on a map.