The former American G.I. hangout during the Vietnam War, Nha Trang maintains the partying, nightlife vibe that put it on the tourist map decades ago. Locals and foreigners alike blanket more than four miles of powdery white coastline. Resorts and high-rise hotels fight for space surrounding the beach, industrializing and modernizing this strip of land. But none of the tourists seem to mind. Once the sun sets, the party moves from the beach to the bars and restaurants in town. Break for a luxurious mud bath and a relaxing soak in the Thap Ba Hot Springs.
Recover from the frenetic energy of Ho Chi Minh City in the gentle seaside town of Mui Ne, roughly 135 miles up the coast, where time passes slowly. A lazy main drag of bungalows and resorts caters to the beach bum community that lounges on the clean, white sand. Catch an early morning sunrise of pink and purple. A youthful kite surfer community spends the days riding the winds over the sea and the nights partying in the bars and resort lounges. Visit the enormous rolling sand dunes just outside of town for an enthralling sand surfing session.
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Hoi An glimmers with lights and lanterns strewn across tiny alleyways crammed with custom-clothing tailors. Such an enthralling city center makes it challenging to leave and find the beach, but you will be rewarded with a palm-tree heaven when you do. Hoi An's sand is so expansive and wide that you probably won't absorb the extent to which it is packed with people. Rent a hut or chair and gaze out at the rolling hills in the horizon, taking a break to swim in the jade-colored sea. Devour fresh seafood for dinner from the edge of the beach before heading back to town.
Dotted with sleeper boats and sailing day-trippers, Halong Bay impresses travelers with its limestone pillars and lush islands. Hordes of boats sail the vibrant, emerald waters, with options to bring you a bit farther from the main tourist path. Hop throughout the undeveloped islands sprinkled across the bay, where you can laze the afternoon in peace from the crowded waters. Rest on deserted beaches beneath palm trees and enjoy your own private slice of Halong Bay's heaven.
