Vietnam forum

On our way up North - which beach?

Hemsi

backpacker
Posts: 16

Hi, I'm new here would love to here your opinions on our itinary.

My husband and I are planning our first trip to Vietnam (3 weeks, end of May). We're doing the "standard route" but from HCMC up North via Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, Halong Bay). Now we're looking for a nice beach towards the end of our journey ... which is not that easy since (as I understand) the nicest places in Nha Trang/Hoi An. Is Cat Ba Island an alternative? Or should we rather plan a longer beach stay in the middle of our tour - if yes, any advice where? (We're thinking of Whale Island, Cua Dai or Doc Let?)

Thanx a lot and happy travels :-)

Cheers,
Hemsi

#1 Posted: 13/3/2010 - 01:13

------------------------------
Without a beginning, there is nothing to worry about the end.
somtam2000

admin
mahout
Posts: 5862
Located in:

Private message

The northern stretches of Vietnam are not renowned for their beaches. If you want creature comforts, then the beaches out from Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue (Lang Co) are your best bet. There are beach areas out from Thanh Hoa and Vinh from memory, but they're not a lot to get excited about.

Cat Ba has some beach strips, but the water is cold and the real attraction up there is Ha Long Bay.

Hope that helps

#2 Posted: 13/3/2010 - 09:02

------------------------------
iPhone Apps for Southeast Asia
daawgon

adventurer
Posts: 500

I agree - your best bet is Cua Dai beach at Hoi An for an excellent beach. Most people prefer to stay in Hoi An town and cycle out to the beach, but there are hotels right at the beach front too - Cua Dai is a rather isolated area. Danang also has China Beach, but it lacks the charm and good restaurants that Hoi An has. Hoi An is where everyone has custom made clothes done - a major industry in that town.

#3 Posted: 14/3/2010 - 13:36
LaureneCao

longtail driver
Posts: 9

Posted from within Vietnam.

Hi, Hemsi
My name ‘s Van. I’m working for local travel agency in Vietnam.
Cat Ba Island is very beautiful beaches but not compare with Cua Dai(Hoi An), Nha Trang .
And If you go there in end of May, there are a lot of domestic tourists, services wouldn’t be best.
Some clients have the similar idea with you. I recommend them to have a tour from North to South instead as in the South there has a lot of ambiance beaches.
For example:
- Phu Quoc Island: is called the Emerald Island because of its natural treasures and less touristy. It is the largest island in Vietnam and also part of an archipelago consisting of 22 islands and islets. It’s wonderful place for picnics, paddling, snorkeling or fishing, lying on beaches.
- Mui Ne with swaying palm trees, clean and blue sea as well as the amazing enormous Sand Hill. Like a gift from nature. Popular activities in Mui Ne include relaxing on the beach, golfing at the Ocean Dunes Golf Club, visiting the spectacular sand dunes of Hon Rom or exploring Cham architecture. Other interesting water sport available are kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Below is the popular itinerary that people with your same idea had done and have good feedback :
• May 10th: Hanoi Arrival , free
• May 11th Hanoi City tour
• May 12th -14th: Halong Bay Overnight on Wooden Junkle
• May 15 th: Flight to Hue: at 6:30 PM
• May 15th: Hue City Tour (ancient citadel, pagoda…)
• May 16th: Hue –Hoian (150km appx 4 hours drive), City Tour
• May 17th - 18th : Free days in Hoian (Beach, explore old town, tailor
made suite..)

• May 19th Flight to Nha Trang
• May 20th – 23rd Nha Trang Vacation ( Explore amazing islands, join sea sport : snorkling, swimming, fishing, …)
• May 24 Flight to Saigon, Free
• May 25 : Saigon City tour
• May26th- 30 Phu Quoc Vacation
• May 31st: Departure to your home country
Hope information can help you
Van Cao
Indochina Travel Service

#4 Posted: 15/3/2010 - 17:00
Pablot

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 102

Posted from within Vietnam.

I have been to beachs up North and frankly after Hue Than Anh they are really not much to talk about! Best in Vietnam to me is the unbroken 30 km stretch of beach from Danang to Hoi An and then crossing over the river south from Hoi An unbroken for about 100 km to Chu Lai! alternative is Cham Islands offshore from Hoi An and because not so easy to get to the beachs are quieter.

#5 Posted: 16/3/2010 - 17:24
Hemsi

backpacker
Posts: 16

Thanks you all for your helpful answers! Travelfish is great :-) So, I guess we will go for Cua Dai. Any advise on places to stay there? For just a couple of days we would just like to relax ...

Cheers, Hemsi

#6 Posted: 17/3/2010 - 02:43

------------------------------
Without a beginning, there is nothing to worry about the end.