Take time to coast: 9 must-visit beaches in Danang
Being called the most “worth-living” city in Vietnam, Danang has allured thousands of tourists by its friendly locals, exceptional cuisine and of course, gorgeous sandy beaches. There is lots more than one option for you to choose, though it might not be so easy because all of them are just beyond stunning. Check out Danang’s top 9 famous beaches right below for a quick reference.
1. My Khe Beach
Speaking for its reputation, My Khe was selected by The Forbes as one of the most attractive six beaches on earth. It is a nine-kilometer stretch of smooth sand from the base of Son Tra Peninsula to the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son), located only 5km from Danang city center. This huge beach always captures people’s hearts with its blue sky, white sand, gentle slope and beautiful areas surrounded by a green poplar forest. Water is clear and warm all year around, without such thing as big waves or pollution, making My Khe an ideally safe place for everyone. Tourist can experience various entertainment and relaxation activities including fishing, surfing, coral diving, and on-cruise sightseeing.
You may or may not be a morning person, but trust me, it would be a perfect way to start your day by waking up early to catch the stunning, spectacular sunrise scenery on My Khe beach. The sky looks like a sea of cotton candy, with a mixture of yellow and orange on the horizon beneath the deep blue ocean, as the sun slowly ascends.
Tips from Inspitrip: Stay close to the beach so you can enjoy the magnificent view right from your room. Alongside the stretch of golden sand are luxurious hotels and world-class beach front resorts that literally takes you one step from your bed to the sea.
2. Non Nuoc Beach
Lying right at the foot of Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) in Hoa Hai Ward, Non Nuoc beach is famous for its impressive pristine beauty. It offers everything you need for an ideal vacation – white soft sand, slight slope, mild waves, and turquoise blue water.
In Non Nuoc Beach, you will find yourself embraced in the warmth of sunlight at any time of the year. You can walk barefoot on the sand, admire the spectacular landscape and listen to the gentle, soothing sound of the ocean. Or you can just chill under those palm leaf umbrellas, indulge the exotic taste of Vietnamese seafood while having a good time with families and friends. Either way, you will be filled with joy and peace, as for the moment, you’re escaping the hustle and bustle of city life.
Long for more activities? It takes only 5 minutes to walk from the beach to Marble Mountains where you can explore ancient pagodas, stone handicraft villages and experience a boat trip on Co Co river as well. At Non Nuoc beach, the things you can do are endless.
3. Xuan Thieu Beach
It’s quiet, it’s pristine, it’s a haven for people who want to temporarily get away from the urban environment and immerse themselves in a natural habitat. Xuan Thieu Beach is not only an ideal destination for vacation, but also a place associated with the history of Danang, where the US Marine Corp landed in March 1965 during the Vietnam War. The beach was once called the “Red Beach” and you may be wondering why. At dawn and dusk times, the water turns into red color reflected by the sunlight which creates one of the most gorgeous sights on earth.
In Xuan Thieu Beach, you can experience some kind of activities such as walking along the beach, enjoying the cool ocean breeze while admiring the two most famous landscapes of Danang, Hai Van Pass and Son Tra Peninsula. In comparison with other beaches, the water here is cleaner and waves are calmer as it flows directly from the Han river to the sea. However, since the beach is quite sloping, you should pay attention when playing around in order to keep you safe.
4. Bac My An Beach
With a four-kilometer coastal line, Bac My An Beach is well beloved by many tourists for its clear water, white sand and least temperature difference throughout the year. When the sun goes down, the sky consists of an assortment of shades, a blend of reds, oranges and yellows, while the waters below mirror this effect, creating a mixture of peace, serenity and contentment.
But what actually makes Bac My An the most unique of them all? The beach is home to various world-class resorts and hotels such as Furama Resort, Lifestyle Resort, Crowne Plaza Danang… which offers full-service package including entertainment, relaxation and meeting conferences. However, if you’re looking for some cheaper options, there are plenty of affordable accommodations closed to the beach for budget and adventurous travelers, so it’s all up to you.
5. Nam O Beach
In case you long for a beach vacation that offers not only clear blue water, gentle waves and white sand, but also activities to immerse yourself in local culture, there would be no other destination more perfect than Nam O Beach. It is a residential area of fishermen who make the best fish sauce in the world and other types of fish products, including the famous Nam O raw fish salad! Happiness is a full belly, and you will have opportunities to meet with many kind, warm-hearted Danang people as well, who’s gonna show you step-by-step progress in making delicious fish sauce from bay anchovy.
Along Nam O shoreline, you can see rocks covered in green moss circling around small pools of water. This has become an attraction to young visitors who crave for tons of Instagram-worthy photos. Don’t forget to prepare a camera or smartphone to capture a memorable time with families and beloved ones on your trip to this beach. In addition to its attractive landscape, Nam O beach also has amazing diving tours for adventure ones to explore the undersea world with colorful corals.
6. Thanh Binh Beach
We all know that Danang has lots of beautiful beaches, however, still people can’t help omitting Thanh Binh Beach. It is the closest one to Danang city center, making it a popular hang out spot for both tourists and locals to relax in the evenings and weekends. Stretching approximately one kilometer in length, the beach houses mostly mid-range hotels and seafood restaurants. As with most beaches in Danang city, you can enjoy a day of windsurfing, diving, swimming and yachting on Thanh Binh beach. Or if you want to stay still sunbathing, there are also plenty of beach chairs ready for rental.
7. Tien Sa Beach
Another pristine beach it is, with bleached white sand and crystal clear blue water, Tien Sa Beach is known as Danang’s hidden paradise. The name Tien Sa actually means “Fairy Descendant” as the place itself is associated with a Vietnamese folktale. Allured by the charming beauty of the mundane world from above, these fairies decided to sightsee around and this beach was where they landed.
Located on the northside of Son Tra Peninsula and close to Danang airport, Tien Sa beach offers a stunning coastline with practically no tourist and mainly local fishermen. It will be an amazing choice if you’d love to go on retreat to read some books or work on your suntan. An entrance fee of 10,000 VND (~$0.5) is applied for the public, but in case you’re staying in one of nearby resorts, there’s no need to worry anymore. Also, the beach settled in Son Tra natural conservation area, is home to diverse vegetations and rare animal species.
8. Lang Van Beach
Lang Van used to be a traditional fishing village located far away from the city and for that reason, the beach here invokes a feeling of calmness and antique. It consists of three main beaches, Bai Dua, Bai Chinh, and Bai Xoan. The first two beaches basically have everything you are looking for: clean, unspoiled sea with pristine water. You can swim all day long and start your campfire with your friends after sunset. The third beach, however, has a lot of whirlpools and is too dangerous to swim. But with its picturesque landscape, Bai Xoan is truly a perfect place for people to go sightseeing and play team building games.
9. Son Tra Peninsula
They say, “Save the best for the last” and here is Son Tra Peninsula on our list with three famous beaches, North Beach, South Beach and But Beach. Fun fact: This is the only place in Vietnam where there is forest ecosystem lying nearby the ocean. These beaches take turns to embrace the giant primitive jungle, which houses as many as thousands of precious plants and animals. Under the surface layer of the cool, refreshing seawater live a variety of fascinating coral reefs, which enable scuba diving services to develop in a steady, fast rate in the last few years.
If you ever have a chance to visit Son Tra Peninsula, don't forget to stay at one of the villages built on the mountains; those comfortable villages not only overlook the beautiful beaches and jungles but also provide you a fresh and invigorating atmosphere. Besides, you can always enjoy fishing and get to know the lives of the inhabitants whenever you want. There’s no traveling to Danang if you haven’t been to Son Tra Peninsula, so come and get the real feeling of a different Vietnam!