Stretching in a narrow strip (3 thousand km) along the shores of the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam is a country of beaches and bays. More and more beach lovers tend to plunge into the turquoise waters and soak up the velvet sand. It is difficult to describe in words the aesthetic pleasure experienced by tourists at the sight of the unique monuments of antiquity and the incredible beauty of nature reserves. But those who discovered the islands of Vietnam have found truly heavenly corners of the earth’s land.
Phu Quoc
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc Island is a combination of modern infrastructure with pristine tropical nature. An international airport, luxury hotels of various levels, restaurants and cafes, diving schools are symbols of modern life in Fukuoka. Literally hundreds of meters from the objects of the tourism industry – wild beaches captivating with their authenticity, virgin jungle and villages lost in them.
There are practically no typhoons and tsunamis here – massive mountains protect Phu Quoc from the winds. You don’t have to worry about the safety of your children. Compared to other regions, the island has a milder climate, no intense heat. The abundance of inexpensive seafood allows you to enjoy the delicacies in abundance. Friendly, smiling locals sell exotic fruits at bargain prices.
Fans of secluded relaxation should pay attention to the wild beaches in the northern part of Fukuoka. Snow-white sand, crystal clear water, gentle bottom, low population, stunning surrounding landscapes will decorate your stay here. At the service of fans of parties – the infrastructure beaches of Long Beach, Bai Sao with all the delights of civilization.
Honey Tam
One of the most beautiful of the 29 islands in the world, Hon Tam (silkworm island) is located 7 km from the center of the resort of Nha Trang. From the city pier, Hon Tam, every hour from 8 am, boats with tourists leave there and back (the last flight from the island at 16.20) 20 minutes by sea – and the enthusiastic passengers find themselves in a real fairy tale. Green caps of mountains, unrealistically bright turquoise of the sea, gold deposits of sand framed by palm trees enchant the imagination. The marine environs are literally teeming with fantastically colored fish, and the nooks are filled with hundreds of different tropical bird species.
Swimming with flippers and snorkeling around the coral reefs is an immense pleasure. Walking around the island is a wonderful immersion in the bright world of local flora and fauna. The highlight of staying here is a visit to the authentic Hoang Hoa village with 150 years of history. Visitors find themselves in the atmosphere of a rural idyll, where they can personally observe the process of making clay products and other crafts.
The main thing they come here for is an amazing beach, very comfortable and beautiful, surrounded by palm trees, with thatched-roof gazebos, canopies and sun loungers. Guests can enjoy kayaking, jet skiing, and parachuting. The beautiful nature is successfully complemented by a comfortable infrastructure in the form of cascading pools, restaurants, etc.
Hon Mun
In the bay of Kouda, in the vicinity of Nha Trang, there is an uninhabited island of Hon Mun, covered with greenery. 450 hectares of picturesque territory are protected by the World Wildlife Fund as a nature reserve. Hundreds of tourists come to see the amazing natural attractions, despite the rather high rental fee ($ 120-200) of the ship and the 11-kilometer journey.
An independent trip to Hon Mun starts from the South port of Nha Trang, on a small speed boat (5-6 people). Excursion groups carry on a diesel launch (20-30 people, $ 20) An environmental fee is paid for visiting the island. We live here only a beach covered with white sand, washed by clear water. There is a diving school where even an inexperienced beginner can dive with scuba diving to see the stunningly beautiful underwater world. Starfish, corals, exotic fish are amazing.
Hon Mieu
A mini-island off the southern coast, not far from Nha Trang, although it does not have convenient beaches, enjoys the attention of tourists. They are not embarrassed by the shores dotted with large cobblestones. It is not customary to swim and sunbathe here, but you can take unique pictures with seascapes. The breathtaking views are mind-boggling. Walking in a local park – penetration into the exotic world of amazing flora.
The main activity on Hon Mieu is a visit to the original aquarium, decorated in the style of a pirate ship. Observing rare sea dwellers is a great pleasure. Sharks and moray eels, enchanting flocks of unusual tropical fish, giant turtles – you can’t just see them in nature. Therefore, the aquarium receives crowds of inquisitive guests every day. There are especially many who wish to feed during the hours when sea inhabitants are allowed to feed.
Monkey Island Hon Lao
Among the northern islands of Vietnam, Hon Lao stands out, where a monkey sanctuary is organized. You can get here as part of a group, having previously submitted an application to the guide. From the Northern pier, a boat runs, delivering travelers to the reserve. Usually the guide gives advice on how to behave correctly when meeting with nimble macaques.
Those can drag off a bag, glasses or something from their clothes, so in order not to draw too much attention to themselves, it is better to leave things in the storage room on the ship. Undoubtedly, communication with nimble, funny macaques causes a lot of positive emotions, especially among children. It is allowed to feed them only on the territory of the nursery, so as not to teach the monkeys to go outside the reserve. Before the trip, you should stock up on goodies: cookies, nuts, chips.
Hon Heo Orchid Island
The combination of natural exoticism and man-made beauty make Hon Heo a very attractive tourist destination in Nafu Bay. In fact, this picturesque piece of land is a part of the peninsula that can only be reached by water. The journey from Nha Trang lasts 40 minutes, and during this time you can often see local wonders – floating farms for breeding various shellfish. Almost the entire territory of Hon Heo has been turned into an orchid garden: royal flowers of kaleidoscopic colors grow everywhere. They line paths and paths, decorate flower beds and lawns, blaze under palm trees, causing admiration.
Streams with openwork bridges, intricate stone installations, mini-waterfalls among giant boulders are also impressive. The appropriate infrastructure has been created here: a comfortable civilized beach, a good market, rental of various water equipment. In the presence of visitors, local cafes prepare seafood and fish dishes, and serve freshly squeezed juice. Visiting the zoo, tourists can closely communicate with its tame inhabitants. Snorkeling lovers have a lot to turn around here – the absence of waves allows you to dive with masks.
Hon Thi ostrich island
In the vicinity of the Monkey and Orchid Islands is the Hon Thi Island, nicknamed the ostrich. On a local farm, ostriches are bred here, which have become one of the local attractions. Tourists are happy to feed the birds; if they wish, they can ride them. Communication with these good-natured giants is a great pleasure. On another farm, sika deer live, which awarded Hon Thi with the second name “Deer”. With affection, travelers watch harmless animals, they also feed them, pet them, children ride them.
The exotic flora of the island gives tourists a lot of joy. Where else can you walk along the rows of grapefruit and mango trees? See the extraordinary fruit of the dragon’s eyes? The landscape beauty of the surrounding landscapes evokes admiration. Perfectly clean wild beaches, charming coves, quaint cliffs, wooded cliffs. On one of the slopes, an authentic temple in honor of the God of the seas captivates the eye.
Lee Son
Numerous travelers aspire to the amazing island located in the Quang Ngai province. Li Sung, formed as a result of the eruption of volcanic lava, attracts everyone with its unique nature. The land is rich in red basalt, allowing lush tropical vegetation to thrive. 5 picturesque mountain peaks crown the territory of the island, which essentially consists of 2 parts – the Big and the Small islands. Green fragrant valleys, white stripes of sandy beaches, basalt-red fields with clear plots of garlic open up from above. Garlic and onions are the main crops here, which the peasants are working on growing.
The main occupation of local residents is fishing. Fishing boats of various sizes and shapes leave the pier in the early morning and return in the late evening with a rich catch. Li Sung is the focus of ancient pagodas, temples, memorials and monuments. Of particular interest is the Chua Hanq Pagoda, carved into the coastal rock. Some of them (more than 50 in total) are located on mountain peaks. After sightseeing, swimming in perfectly clear water in the company of crabs and scurrying fish will give you minutes of pleasure. A pleasant rest on the soft sand will bring back vigor and strength.
Winperl
The Vietnamese Pearl (as Winperl is translated) is a grand amusement park, similar to Hong Kong Disneyland. It was built on the bamboo island of Hon Che, although after the opening of the park it was also called Winperl. The entertainment complex impresses with its size and the number of all kinds of attractions. In addition to park facilities, there is a huge complex of luxury hotels ($ 100 per day). Those who live in them use all the park’s attractions free of charge.
A budget option for visiting Vinperl is to come from Nha Trang for 1 day. This can be done by sailing by boat on the sea or “fly” along the longest cable car in the world (3 km 320 m). A stay in Vinperl is an immersion in a man-made fairy tale, a world of paradise entertainment. Fantastic slides, a huge oceanarium, a modern play area, an extravaganza of water and the light of musical fountains, dizzying rides turn respectable adults into enthusiastic children.
A separate area with shallow pools, intricate fountains, and many slides with surprises is organized for children. Funny figures of elephants, hippos, penguins do not go unnoticed. Adrenaline is not boring for adults here either – extreme slides, artificial rivers, crazy descents and ascents – sheer adrenaline!
Thuan Tin
The rocky formation, protruding high above the water in an acute-angled triangle, was called island N 46 until 1962. After the visit of the Soviet cosmonaut German Titov, who swam in the cool sea near the island, he was named after the famous space explorer. Without delving into the linguistic subtleties, the authors of the inscription used the English transcription of the famous surname. The result was: T-Top.
An observation deck was built at the top of the “triangle”. To climb it, you need to walk up the 300 steps, which many tourists willingly do. The enchanting panorama from above justifies the effort – its view is breathtaking! But it is not only the intriguing name of the respected astronaut and the island beauty that attracts travelers here.
The enterprising residents of Thuan Tin (the 2nd name of the island) have invented a new way to attract guests by organizing special culinary tours with master classes in the preparation of national dishes. Under the strict guidance of venerable chefs, tourists (a group of up to 8 people) not only prepare popular Vietnamese dishes, but eat them themselves. Everyone is delighted with the beautiful backdrop against which the action takes place, with tasting exotic food, unusual passionfruit fruits and, in general, with the environment.
Namzu Archipelago
The complex of large and small islands (21), located southeast of Fukuoka – the Namzu archipelago is just beginning to be explored by travelers. But it is already clear to everyone that these pristine places will gain immense popularity. A clean sea of fantastic blue shades, little touched by civilization, slender rows of relict coconut palms, pristine beaches – this is the general picture of Namzu. The concentration of amazing beaches in a necklace of palm trees is Honlon Island (translated as “big island), which has already been chosen by numerous tourists.
The local lighthouse offers stunning views of the archipelago, an enchanting spectacle of sunsets and sunrises. The most densely populated and economically developed island of Hon-ngang is located in 30 minutes of sailing by sea. In its port, you can see countless fishing boats – almost all of the residents are engaged in fishing and fish farming in cages. Here tourists enjoy eating fresh seafood and admiring the fantastic scenery. No less attractive is Hon Mau Island with a wonderful coastal strip, sapphire sea and other exotic things. However, the entire Namzu archipelago is a place of complete fusion with pristine nature and a truly paradise holiday.
Bin Ba
Almost near the side of Nha Trang with overflowing life is the idyllic Binh Ba Island, almost untouched by civilization. Like a guard, it covers the most beautiful bay of the world, Cam Ranh. Virgin forests and groves, aquamarine waters of the bay, luxury of sandy beaches, generously bathed in the sun, enchant with their pristine nature. The local population is fishermen engaged in the catch of shellfish and fish. The boats of various sizes at the evening dock eloquently testify to this. Tourists arriving here have the opportunity to sample many seafood delicacies at very low prices.
Since there are no hotels, they stay overnight in private houses with the permission of the police. But this inconvenience is more than offset by excellent rest. In warm clean water you can swim and swim as much as you like. There is plenty of space for divers: the underwater world is fabulously beautiful and diverse. Those who love to soak up the velvet sand will experience incredible pleasure. Taking into account the increased demand for Binh Ba, the Vietnamese airline opened a direct flight from Domodedovo to Cam Ranh.
Con Dao Turtle Island
A hundred kilometers from the southern coast is a group of 16 islands that make up the country’s National Park. The name Kon Dao (1977) was assigned to the archipelago, thanks to the largest of the islands with an area of 51 sq. km. Unofficially, it is called the Turtle because of the large number of turtles crawling ashore to lay their eggs in May-November (rainy season). The remoteness from the coast makes Kon Dao a place of quiet intimate relaxation against the backdrop of luxurious nature. The surface and the underwater world are equally good here. Exotic trees, unique tropical plants and animals, a variety of birds turn your stay here into an educational excursion.
Explorers of the underwater depths get a real pleasure – fantastic sea inhabitants, algae, corals amaze the imagination with their beauty and quantity. There are cultural and historical monuments on the island. For example, the former prison for political prisoners, now turned into a museum, and the cemetery of dead slaves. The people of Kon Dao are aptly called “the castle of If”. The Museum of the Revolution and the local temple are interesting to visit. Despite the lack of an entertainment industry, unforgettable days can be spent at Kon Dao.
Hangray
Whoever sees in reality the fabulous beauty surrounding the small island of Khangrai will fall in love with them forever. One gets the impression that all the colors of nature are concentrated in these heavenly places. Even those who have never held a brush and canvas in their hands are ready to become artists to capture unreal landscapes. Crimson sunsets and pink sunrises, emerald blue ocean waves, gray and red rocks, white foam lace and vibrant tropical greens make you freeze with delight.
Many intricate caves along the coast arouses speleological interest among tourists who are ready to explore mysterious spaces. Huge coral reefs attract the attention of experienced and novice divers. Here everyone forgets about urban civilization and completely indulges in the feeling of being lost in the ocean and a secluded beach vacation.
Ku Lao Cham
The Cu Lao Cham archipelago, consisting of 8 islands, is located 15 kilometers from Hoi An. Almost the entire archipelago is generously endowed with natural wonders. High mountain peaks and forest-covered slopes, excellent sandy beaches, mesmerizing sea distances, a fantastic underwater world. A paradise vacation among incredible beauty has made Cu Lao Cham a popular tourist destination. According to UNESCO, the archipelago is recognized as a biosphere reserve. The largest islands Si Lao Cham and Hon Lao have excellent infrastructure for water sports enthusiasts.
Schools of diving, parasailing, water skiing are open here. A variety of water activities lure hundreds of kayaking, paragliding, kite and rowing tourists here. The magnificent coral reefs stimulate diving and photography enthusiasts. Those who do not swim or dive do not get bored here – boat trips and walking tours are organized for them. An abundance of fresh seafood dishes: shrimp, lobster, crabs and all kinds of shellfish – deliver gastronomic delight not only to gourmets.
Kat Ba in Halong Bay
The world famous for its enchanting beauty, Halong Bay contains the Cat Ba archipelago of 366 small islands. The largest of them is the eponymous Cat Ba island. The entire island complex is a biosphere reserve and a National Park that amazes with a variety of tropical flora and fauna. Interesting excursions to natural attractions, water tours with kayaking, hiking, diving and snorkeling are organized here.
Under the supervision of instructors, you can practice rock climbing, explore the caves. Riding on rented bikes in the picturesque surroundings is very popular on Cat Be. Today, a large-scale project for the development of ecotourism is starting to be implemented, the creation of a theme park, a casino, a yacht dock, and resort establishments. Cat Ba will become Vietnam’s tourist Mecca in the future.
Koto
Formed millions of years ago as a result of tectonic shifts, Koto Island in Quang Ninh province makes a vivid impression. Yellow coastal cliffs, lush greenery around, red ferralite fields create a picturesque backdrop. Tourists come here by speed boats from Vandon. For a 1.5-hour sea tour, you can admire the sea views and study the detailed price list for accommodation and food.
All travelers who have visited Koto note the extraordinary hospitality and friendliness of the local population. You can limit yourself to 1 day, or you can live on Koto for a week, staying at a hotel or with the family of a local resident. A special project has been launched here, when tourists not only live in the houses of the islanders, but also actively participate in the household chores of everyday life. Wonderful white beaches, endless blue of the sea, charming corners of nature give delightful emotions.
Weather on the islands
It seems that in a tropical country like Vietnam it is warm all year round, so you can go to the islands at any time. However, it must be remembered that the weather depends on the seasons, which are dry and rainy. Practically on all islands of the Gulf of Thailand (Phu Quoc, Namzu, etc.), the dry season is established from November to April. The water temperature reaches + 27- + 29 °, the air warms up to 30 °. The rainy season lasts from May to October, it gets hot, humidity rises, and typhoons begin to rage here and there. Especially rainy September, daytime temperatures + 30 °. In October, the heat subsides, but the winds increase.
When is the best time to rest
You can comfortably relax in January-February in Fukuoka, Koto. April is a wonderful holiday season in Halong Bay (Cat Ba). It is worth coming to the islands of Kon Dao, Koto, Cu Lao Cham, Hon Lao in March-April, when there is still no intense heat. But even in the rainy season, holidays on many islands will be unforgettable.
