The 5 Most Beautiful Bays in Vietnam: Your Trip Won’t Be Complete Without Them!

Vietnam has a long coastline that stretches over 3000 km along the pacific ocean. This stretch is dotted with numerous attractive bays, which include some that are recognised as natural wonders of the earth. For a complete exploration of the coastal scenery in Vietnam and for your trip planning, below are five must-visit bays in Vietnam.

Written by Huong NGUYEN

Updated on Nov 06, 2024

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Table of contents

1. Halong Bay, one of the wonders of the world
2. Lan Ha, Ha Long's Unsung Little Sister
3. Lang Co, The Most Beautiful Bay in Central Vietnam
4. Nha Trang, The Bay Home To Thousands Of Salangan Birds
5. Vinh Hy: Raw Beauty in the South
6. When Are the Best Times to Visit Vietnam's Bays?
Our last words

1. Halong Bay, one of the wonders of the world

Ranked 4th among the 10 most visited natural wonders in the world. Halong Bay lies on East Sea of North Vietnam. Being about two or three hours away from Hanoi which is considered as a capital city for one thousand years; it is one of the most primary holiday destinations.

For being one of destination not to miss according to Tripadvisor travelers, this global miracle looks like an endless stretch of twinkling emeralds water where thousands limestone summits rise up magnificently from sea such an atmosphere.

To thoroughly explore Halong Bay, boat cruise along its waters is essential because they also offer spectacular views and lots of water activities including kayaking, cave exploration that are marked with thousands year history or just cruising around using small boats.

Another place to go is a village called Cua Van that lives calmness and background peace if one like them. It’s very close to Hanoi making it quite accessible too hence you should include it in your itinerary! For more details visit page about Halong Bay.

>>> What does the tourist say about Ha Long:

"We loved our cruise in Halong Bay! The landscapes are incredible, with these limestone islets emerging from the turquoise waters. It was easy to understand why the legend speaks of a dragon descended to Earth! The ecosystem is green and preserved, which adds a magical side. We feasted on fresh seafood on board the boat and enjoyed the magical atmosphere at sunset. It really is a great destination for a romantic getaway in Vietnam." - Marie Lefevre, a French tourist reviewed on Tripadvisor.

2. Lan Ha, Ha Long's Unsung Little Sister

Southern Halong Bay is where one can find the charming Lan Ha Bay surrounded by the beautiful Cat Ba Islands. More than 100 small islands and beaches that are isolated by nature have made it similar to ''blue sea channels.''

While Halong is mesmerising and majestic, Lan Ha is more fragile, shy and not often visited by tourists, which makes it suitable for those who want to escape from the beaten track.

There are various kinds of boats that tourists can choose from to visit Lan Ha Bay. Their first stopover was Cat Ba Island. If you are visiting Lan Ha Bay for the first time, start with Cat Ba National Park. After that, uncover Viet Hai village, which is known for its peacefulness and cultural values.

3. Lang Co, The Most Beautiful Bay in Central Vietnam

Coming down from northern Vietnam to southern amidst major cities in the central region one will find a magnificent bay located at the foot of a majestic pass: Lang Co Bay.

The landscapes surrounding Lang Co include things like Hai Van Pass bach ma national park and lap an Lagoon which have been mentioned in ancient vietnamese poetry.

Within an hour drive or so you can also visit some other famous spots near lang co such as beautiful coastal city Da nang (the capital of central region) about 45 minutes away by car or the ancient citadel (Hue) and the historical town (Hoi An) within 1h30.

>>> Learn more about our excursion contains it: Central Vietnam: Da Nang, Hoi An & Ba Na Hills 5 days

>>>Good to know: Currently, a new train route runs between Hue and Da Nang. This ride allows passengers to take in the coastal scenery and Lang Co Bay.

For more information, see: Train travel in Vietnam

4. Nha Trang, The Bay Home To Thousands Of Salangan Birds

The southern part of Vietnam is home to Nha Trang Bay, which is known for its amazing beaches, blue oceans, and abundant marine life. Island tourism is well developed in Nha Trang Bay, distinguishing it from other places. All these islands and islets are beautiful and accessible; they are also picturesque and, in general, unforgettable destinations.

The bay comprises 19 islets, with Hon Tre being the largest among them, while Hon Noi Island is notable for its famous edible bird's nests, a precious product of Vietnam’s food processing industry. Hon Mun has excellent diving grounds with unique corals and diverse marine life. Moreover, the Nha Trang area, together with its bay, carries Cham heritage, providing a unique glimpse into a very ancient society.

>>> To learn more about the city of Nha Trang: Nha Trang: 7 essential questions before leaving for a complete trip

5. Vinh Hy: Raw Beauty in the South

Vinh Hy, a small bay in South Vietnam located about more than a 2-hour drive from Nha Trang, is renowned for its wild and unspoiled beauty. Surrounded by mountains, its crystal-clear waters and untouched landscape offer a unique tranquility, evoking a work of art shaped by nature.

What particularly distinguishes Vinh Hy from other bays is its proximity to authentic local life. The buzzing fishing village and morning fish market by the sea provide a unique glimpse into Vietnamese daily life.

Even for those unable to swim, a glass-bottom boat cruise allows them to see colorful coral reefs and seascapes such as Cap Dauphin and Turtle Island, so there’s no need to worry about being stuck on shore! Moreover, visitors can sunbathe on sandy beaches, engage in delicious squid fishing at night, or simply trek across soft ground during the daytime in search of rare lobster by taking shortcuts through small fishing villages surrounding Vinh Hy Bay.

6. When Are the Best Times to Visit Vietnam's Bays?

Visiting Vietnam’s bays in between April to September is mostly the right time. For it is the months when the weather is consistent and bright in the northern and central parts of the country with little rain, perfect for swimming, diving and sightseeing.

July- September is characterized by its peak tourist season even though it could be more crowded than ever. This period means cooler but may miss your desired times due to tropical depressions and typhoons occurring around October through December especially in central Vietnam.

Bays should be visited during May and June if you want to have a pleasant weather without any crowding. Therefore, you will have an experience that appears peaceful along with some other perfect conditions.

>>> See more about things to do in Vietnam by month:

Our last words

With all things considered, the magnificent beauty of Ha Long, the lively vibe of Nha Trang, the calmness of Lan Ha, the uniqueness of Lang Co and the wild nature of Vinh Hy are Vietnam’s five places that must be seen. They are a soothing and enchanting experience that you must not miss out on so feel free to reach out to us for more information on how to make your journey smoother.