Ho Chi Minh City, still widely called Saigon, is Vietnam's largest city and commercial engine, a dense, motorbike-driven metropolis on the Saigon River where French colonial landmarks, war-era history and a fast-growing skyline stand within a few kilometres of each other. Most visitors base themselves in District 1 and District 3, and the city is also the usual gateway to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Ho Chi Minh City.
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- loud domestic resort beach, family-oriented with seafood stalls
- Sun loungers and umbrellas for hire
- Freshwater showers and changing rooms
- Seafood restaurants and cafes
- Lifeguards in marked zones in the swimming season
Vung Tau Back Beach (Bai Sau)
Vung Tau's long sandy city beach and the easiest weekend sea escape from Ho Chi Minh City, with seafood restaurants and hotels along Thuy Van Street.
Editor’s tip. Visit on a weekday; weekends from May to August bring heavy traffic and doubled room rates.
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- quiet fishing town with a local feel
- Guesthouses and small resorts
- Seafood restaurants
- Sun loungers for hire
- Dockside fish market
Long Hai Beach
A quieter fishing-town beach below the Minh Dam hills, with a more local feel than Vung Tau.
Editor’s tip. Bring cash, as ATMs in town are limited.
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- wide, quiet beach with upmarket resorts
- Resort hotels
- Quiet undeveloped sections
- Seafood restaurants
- Car parking
Ho Tram Beach
A wide, quiet sandy beach with resort hotels, reached by expressway and the coastal road.
Editor’s tip. Plan an overnight stay; the journey is long for a day trip.
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- simple local seaside with cafes and seafood stalls
- Beach cafes and huts
- Seafood stalls
- Public toilets
- Mangrove park nearby
Can Gio Beach (30/4 Beach)
The city's own coast: a muddy-sand beach beside the Can Gio mangrove biosphere reserve, best treated as a seafood and mangrove day.
Editor’s tip. Visit on a weekday; holidays bring local families by the thousand.
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- windy resort strip with kitesurfing schools and bars
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing schools
- Resorts and guesthouses
- Restaurants and bars
- Sun loungers
Mui Ne Beach
Vietnam's kitesurfing capital and the nearest resort beach with real tourist infrastructure, best as a one- or two-night trip.
Editor’s tip. Plan one or two nights; limousine vans take four to five hours from Pham Ngu Lao.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Ho Chi Minh City memorable.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Ho Chi Minh City’s coast.
How far is Vung Tau Back Beach from Ho Chi Minh City?
It is about 100 km southeast of central Ho Chi Minh City. The trip takes roughly two hours by coach or car outside peak periods, or 1.5 to 2 hours by hydrofoil from Bach Dang Wharf plus a short taxi.
From the Vung Tau Back Beach (Bai Sau) editorial.
Is the water clear at Back Beach?
The water is often tinted by sediment and the sand is coarse and grey-gold. It is a domestic resort beach rather than a clear-water tropical beach.
From the Vung Tau Back Beach (Bai Sau) editorial.
How long does it take to reach Long Hai from Ho Chi Minh City?
It is about 120 km away and takes 2.5 to 3 hours by road, longer at weekends. Coaches run from Mien Dong, or visitors can use a private car via the Long Thanh-Dau Giay expressway.
From the Long Hai Beach editorial.
Is Long Hai better than Vung Tau?
Long Hai is quieter and more local in feel, with a narrow, gently sloping beach. Vung Tau has more facilities and is easier to reach.
From the Long Hai Beach editorial.
How far is Ho Tram from Ho Chi Minh City?
It is about 125 km east of central Ho Chi Minh City and takes 2.5 to 3 hours by road. A private car is the easiest option, or a coach to Xuyen Moc plus a local taxi.
From the Ho Tram Beach editorial.
Is Ho Tram good for children?
The beach shelves gently, so it suits children when waves are low. Water clarity is moderate.
From the Ho Tram Beach editorial.
How far is Can Gio Beach from central Ho Chi Minh City?
It is about 50 km southeast and takes 1.5 to 2 hours by road, including the Binh Khanh ferry or the Can Gio bridge. Grab cars and private cars go through District 7 and Nha Be.
From the Can Gio Beach (30/4 Beach) editorial.
Is the water good for swimming?
The water is brown with river sediment, so the draw is a cheap seaside lunch rather than clear-water swimming.
From the Can Gio Beach (30/4 Beach) editorial.