6 Beaches Near Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City has several beaches near to the city just waiting to be explored. While not as famous as the historical landmarks, modern architecture or vibrant nightlife of Vietnam’s largest city, southern Vietnam is home to pristine beaches where you can escape the bustling crowds found in the city. These beaches are most busy during weekends and public vacations, so try to head on weekdays for more relaxed scenes.

Offering tranquil atmospheres and breathtaking views, these beaches also host a wide range of accommodations options, making them popular getaways for travelers looking to soak up the sun after they’ve finished exploring Saigon. Read on to discover some of the best beaches within close proximity to Ho Chi Minh City, most of which are reachable between 2 and 4 hours from downtown Saigon through picturesque countryside and along tropical coastlines.

1. Vung Tau

2 hours 10 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City

Good for: Families, Budget

Vung Tau is a seaside town about 2 hours away from Ho Chi Minh City by automobile, making it a popular weekend getaway from Vietnam’s largest city. Called Cap Saint-Jacques by French colonists, it features a long coastal promenade connecting 2 beaches, colonial-era architecture, bars and restaurants, as well as beach umbrellas, chairs, loungers, and kayak rental kiosks. While Vung Tau can be visited all year long, we highly recommend making your way here during the week if you prefer a more relaxed setting.

Location: Ba Ria, Vung Tau Province, Vietnam

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2. Ho Streetcar Beach

2 hours 30 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City

Good for: Families, Budget

Ho Streetcar Beach, set within the Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, boasts 10 kilometers of unspoiled waters, fine, white sand, and palm trees. There’s also a wide range of accommodations options with expansive views of the East Sea, while thatched seafood restaurants close to the Ho Streetcar fishing village offers deck chairs and camping facilities at affordable rates. Thanks to its rather accessible location, Ho Streetcar Beach attracts locals and tourists looking to soak up some sun and ocean views while vacationing in Ho Chi Minh City.

Location: Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, Vietnam

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3. Ho Coc Beach

2 hours 30 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City

Good for: Families, Budget

Ho Coc Beach, located north of Ho Streetcar Hamlet, is home to mostly mid-range and high-end resorts but it remains one of the most pristine beaches in Vietnam. Accessible within a 3-hour leisurely drive from central Ho Chi Minh City, the beach is 5 kilometers of white sands where you can enjoy a day of sunbathing, bathing, and beach games as well as sampling fresh seafood and Vietnamese cuisine. Do note that the waters at Ho Coc Beach can get too rough or unpredictable to swim depending on the season, so if you’re visiting with weak swimmers, consider checking out Binh Chau Hot Springs instead, located 18 kilometers north of the beach.

Location: Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, Vietnam

4. Long Hai

2 hours 15 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City

Good for: Families, Budget

Long Hai Beach is mostly frequented by the local Vietnamese during the weekends, offering plenty of hippy bars, seafood eateries, and water sports facilities at affordable prices. Located almost 100 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the beach also houses a wide range of expansive resorts with stylish rooms and villas overlooking the East Sea. The more high-end establishments tend to offer shuttle services for guests departing from Ho Chi Minh City, whether via private automobile or ferry from District 1.

Location: Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, Vietnam

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5. Doi Duong

3 hours 55 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City

Good for: Families, Budget

Doi Duong Beach can be found just outside Phan Thiet, a prominent coastal town about 4 hours away from Ho Chi Minh City by automobile. This wide sandbar houses plenty of beachfront resorts and hotels, where travelers can relax on sunbeds, enjoy a wide range of water sports or pampering spa sessions during their vacation. Ocean Dunes Golf Club is a 20-minute walk from the beach while the iconic Sand Dunes of Mui Ne are within an hour’s drive.

Location: Le Loi, Hung Long, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Vietnam

6. Con Dao Islands

1 hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City

Good for: Families, Budget

Con Dao Islands aren’t close to Ho Chi Minh in terms of distance, but they are just incredible – quite possibly home to the nicest beaches in southern Vietnam. Consisting of 16 mostly uninhabited islets just off the southern coast of Vietnam, each offers expansive beaches shaded with evergreen trees. Accessible within an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City, the main island was once the site of a French-run penitentiary for Vietnamese involved in the independence movement, but today it’s a popular spot for snorkeling, bathing, and diving. The more remote islets are known for hosting turtle breeding sites, so if you’re visiting between June and September, you may even get a chance to watch turtles laying their eggs.

Location: Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, Vietnam

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