Best Beaches in North Vietnam (+ Map) ⛱️

Best Beaches in North Vietnam – Hidden Gems, Islands & Coastal Escapes

Northern Vietnam is not typically known for its beaches—but that is exactly why it can surprise you. Instead of crowded resort towns, this region offers a mix of scenic bays, limestone islands, and long coastal stretches with a more local and authentic atmosphere.

The most notable beach areas are located in Quảng Ninh, Thanh Hóa, and Nghệ An provinces. Alongside these mainland destinations, you will also find smaller and quieter beaches scattered across island areas such as Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay.

• Long sandy beaches → mainly in Thanh Hóa and Nghệ An
• Island beaches → Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay
• Less touristy spots → more common outside major hubs

Tourism, Crowds & When to Visit

With nearly 100 million inhabitants and millions of international visitors each year, some beaches in northern Vietnam can get busy—especially around Ha Long Bay and nearby islands like Cat Ba Island.

That said, many coastal areas are still primarily visited by locals, which gives them a more relaxed and less commercial feel. If you want to avoid crowds, timing and location matter more here than anywhere else in Vietnam.

• Peak crowds → weekends, Vietnamese holidays, summer months
• Quieter experience → weekdays and less-known areas
• Best travel season → May to September (warm sea, occasional rain)

Choosing the right place—and the right time—can turn a good trip into a great one when exploring the beaches of northern Vietnam.

📍 Beaches in the north of Vietnam – Map:

1. Beaches on Cat Ba Island, Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay:

Northern Vietnam’s most famous coastal area offers a mix of well-known beaches and hidden spots scattered across limestone islands. In places like Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and nearby island groups, many beaches are only accessible by boat, making them quieter and more scenic.

Some of the more accessible beaches can be reached directly, while others require a boat trip or organized tour—especially those located on smaller islands.

Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba Island > Bãi Cháy, Tuần Châu (developed tourist beaches), Cát Cò 1–3, Tùng Thu (Cat Ba Island), Ti Top Island, Monkey Island, Nam Cát Island

Quan Lạn Island > Sơn Hào, Minh Châu, Quan Lạn (Thiên Hoa)

Cô Tô Island > Vàn Chảy, Tình Yêu, Hồng Vàn, Bắc Vàn

Other coastal areas > Đồ Sơn (Hải Phòng), Vân Đồn (Cái Rồng), Trà Cổ (Móng Cái)

• Most popular → Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba Island
• Best island beaches → Quan Lạn, Cô Tô
• Less visited mainland → Trà Cổ, Đồ Sơn

How to get to Ha Long from Hanoi?

How to get to Cat Ba from Hanoi?

Book hotel / stay in Ha Long Bay ➜

2. Beaches in the Thanh Hóa Province:

Thanh Hóa Province lies about 170 km south of Hanoi and offers some of the largest and most accessible beaches in northern Vietnam. These coastal areas are popular mainly with Vietnamese visitors, while still remaining less known among international tourists.

You can easily reach Thanh Hoa City from Hanoi by train in around 3–4 hours.

Thanh Hóa City > Sầm Sơn (most popular and developed beach), Hải Tiến, Vinh Sơn, Quảng Nham

Other beaches > Hải Hòa, Hải Hà (approx. 45 km from Thanh Hóa City), Bãi Đông, Quỳnh Phương (Hoàng Mai)

• Most visited → Sầm Sơn Beach
• Quieter options → Hải Tiến, Hải Hòa
• More remote spots → Bãi Đông, Quỳnh Phương

How to get to Thanh Hoa from Hanoi?

Book hotel / stay in Thanh Hoa ➜

3. Beaches in the Nghệ An Province:

Nghệ An Province, located in north-central Vietnam, offers a mix of wide sandy beaches and less-visited coastal areas with a strong local atmosphere. Compared to more famous destinations in the north, beaches here tend to be quieter, more spacious, and less affected by mass tourism.

The coastline stretches for dozens of kilometers, with several accessible beach towns as well as smaller, lesser-known spots that are ideal for a more relaxed visit.

Hoàng Mai City > Quỳnh Phương, Quỳnh Lương and nearby beaches are typically less crowded and mostly visited by locals. These areas offer a more authentic experience, with simple facilities, fresh seafood, and a calm seaside environment.

Vinh > Bãi Lữ and Cửa Lò are among the most developed and popular beaches in the province. Cửa Lò Beach is well-known for its long sandy shoreline, hotels, and tourist services, while Bãi Lữ offers a quieter setting surrounded by green hills and a more scenic landscape.

• Best for quiet beaches → Hoàng Mai coastal area
• Most popular destination → Cửa Lò Beach
• Scenic and less crowded → Bãi Lữ Beach

Overall, Nghệ An is a good choice if you want to explore beaches that are less touristy than Ha Long Bay or Cat Ba Island, while still having access to basic infrastructure and local culture.

4. Beaches in the Hà Tĩnh Province:

Hà Tĩnh Province offers a quieter coastline with long sandy beaches and a mostly local atmosphere. It is a good choice if you are looking for less crowded places compared to more popular destinations in northern Vietnam.

North of the province (near Vinh) > Vân Hải, Xuân Thành, and Xuân Yên are calm, less-visited beaches with a simple and relaxed setting.

South of Hà Tĩnh City > Thiên Cầm is the main beach destination in the area, known for its long shoreline and scenic surroundings, while still remaining relatively peaceful.

• Quiet beaches → Vân Hải, Xuân Thành, Xuân Yên
• Main beach → Thiên Cầm

A common problem of beaches in southeast Asia:

1. Pollution of beaches > The relatively a big problem of beaches in Southeast Asia is the latest pollution and waste on the public beaches. This problem has affected also Vietnam, and here you will see some beaches polluted or clogged mainly by plastic rubbish. However, it does not apply everywhere and all the time, some beaches are regularly cleaned, especially beaches at the hotel resorts.

2. Overcrowded beaches > Many popular beaches in Vietnam experience overcrowding, especially during peak tourist seasons. Large numbers of visitors can strain the beach’s infrastructure, including waste disposal systems and limited resources like water and sanitation facilities.

3. Coral Reef Degradation > Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that support marine biodiversity and provide protection for coastal areas. However, coral reef degradation due to factors like pollution, overfishing, and climate change is a pressing issue in Southeast Asia. Damage to coral reefs not only impacts marine life but also reduces the attractiveness of beaches for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.

4. Coastal Erosion > Coastal erosion is a common problem in Southeast Asia, particularly in areas with extensive development and insufficient measures to mitigate erosion. Factors such as rising sea levels, increased storm intensity, and inappropriate coastal engineering can lead to the loss of beach sand, jeopardizing the natural beauty and stability of the coastline.

5. Unsustainable Tourism Practices > Tourism is a significant industry in Vietnam, and improper or unsustainable practices can harm the environment and local communities. Issues such as excessive construction, unregulated water activities, and inadequate waste management can degrade beach ecosystems and disrupt the delicate balance of coastal areas.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Beaches in Northern Vietnam

Beach Beach Destinations in Northern Vietnam:

Updated: May 2026

Interesting places ➔