Hello Fodorites,

I'll be in Vietnam from March 8 to March 23, and I've scheduled in there a good four or five days of being a beach bum. The thing is, I'm not sure where to do it. I'm starting in Saigon and ending in Hanoi, so I've got pretty much the whole length of the country to choose from.

What I need is a nice, clean, palm-lined beach with:

-A laid-back atmosphere
-Few or no aggressive touts patrolling the beaches
-Good weather in March
-A couple of tasteful, "Midrange" beachside bungalow resorts to choose from -- my budget is about $50 per night (double)
-Youngish clientele
-A few decent beachside bars and restaurants
-One or two things to do nearby, like swimming or renting a scooter
-Hammocks!

Does such a place exist along the Vietnamese coastline? Or am I dreaming here?

Thanks for your help!

JVM.

We were in Nha Trang last year. But it's a city. However, beach is great...loads to do, plenty of good food and you can stay on the beach for a min. amount of money and not be bothered in a private place. We may/may not return there this year so I'll be looking for replies to your post.

Thanks for your suggestion. Nha Trang is on my list, and I hear there's a sort of party boat ride you can go on, complete with beers and more!

That being said I have read that the beach can be filthy, the weather might not be so good in March, and that you're constantly hassled by people selling stuff. Are there any decent semi-secluded resort areas on the south end of Nha Trang's beach? I largely just want to chill out in peace and quiet for a couple of days. I'm willing to pay up to 50 bucks a night for a beachside place with a decent bed and an ensuite bathroom with hot water.

Hi Jim:

We went on the boat thing for the day and it's touristy but lots of fun. Mostly young people (and we're not, only in spirit). We did enjoy it all...5 stops, drinks in the sea, snorkeling and some beach time. Once is enough but we met a lovely couple from Italy and still correspond.

Fish in Nha Trang is GREAT! Lots of rest. too. BUT the bean is not pristine...it's a city afterall. AND you must go to the private areas to not be disturbed. It's non-stop on the public beaches and plenty of poor people who can only earn a living by walking the beaches loaded with fruits, food and pedicures, etc.

Google Mui Ne only 200 KM north of HCMC. Near Phan Thiet. You can get a driver from HCMC to get there.

We are heading for Dalat....and if you want outdoorsy stuff there are raves about this place. We can't do what we could when we were younger, but it sounds like a fun place and even better if you can traverse waterfalls, etc.

JVM,

I was curious to see whether any Fodorites could come up with a beach that met all those criteria! I was in Nha Trang in early November and the weather was great, but maybe we were just lucky because I did hear that a typhoon had rolled through before we arrived. Not sure about the weather in March. Touts and beggars are prevalent at the beach in Nha Trang, but I read that in the area around the Ana Mandara the beach is more peaceful. I've heard about the Vinpearl resort which is on Hon Tre island, 5 minutes by boat from Nha Trang. That might be one way to get your undisturbed beach time, while having all the amenities of Nha Trang at your disposal. I think you can get "last minute" rates of around $90 at Vinpearl. I haven't been there, but read some good things about Phu Quoc island (off the SW coast of Vietnam) and also the Furama hotel at China Beach, near Danang. You might look into those possibilities if you don't get any other recommendations. Good luck in finding that Perfect Beach, and be sure to let us know if you do!!!

i have traveled extensively in vietnam, far and away, the best the beaches i have found are in phu quoc, island south of hcm, the next best for my money is in the danang area, miles and miles of empty golden sand beaches, stretching from danang to hoi an.....nha trang, unless you go off shore doesn't compare, mui ne is nice, but heavily touristed. i am a photographer, stewartsayyah.com, have traversed the country many times via moto...fell free to contact me for any more information.
stewart

I am amazed at the prices you guys pay in Vietnam. The pleasure of Vietnam (and Cambodia too in Sianoukville) is that you can find that wonderful modest place and hang and feel part of the country instead of a "tourist" with bucks.

We had good weather in Nha Trang last year, but the sea is quite rough this time of year. Maybe some of the places north and south of the city are good.
It can also be very windy.

The food there is fabulous.

It's looking like Thailand in general is much more expensive. Friends have said the beaching is better. We're going first time and trying to figure our where. We are used to layed back places and I see those high hotels in the distance...not too inviting.

However, considering Meu Ni Duong Doc orPPhu Quoc Island in the Mekong Delta....aybody out there know of these spots.