LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION
Itinerary: Beach Bliss
Beach lovers should start in the south, as just a short drive from HCMC are some unexpected beach retreats, including the busy bars of Vung Tau, and the quieter hideaways of Loc An Beach, Ho Coc Beach and Long Hai. Or jump on a plane or helicopter and leave the mainland behind with a trip to the remote Con Dao Islands or perfect Phu Quoc Island.
Make for Mui Ne Beach, the prettiest of Vietnam's beach resorts. Windsurf, sandboard, kite sail or just chill out before heading to Ca Na, where the boulder formations are the perfect backdrop. Further north is Nha Trang, Vietnam's honky-tonk beach capital. There are peaceful paradises near here, including Doc Let Beach, Jungle Beach, Whale Island and Dai Lanh Beach.
Central Vietnam has a 30km beach running from Danang to Hoi An. Call it China Beach to the north, Cua Dai Beach to the south - either way it's paradise. And running hundreds of kilometres north and south are hidden coves and secluded bays, suggesting a bright beach future for Vietnam.
There are some fine beaches around Cat Ba Island and Bai Tu Long Bay.
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