Water Activities
In total, Vietnam has 3260km (2021 miles) of
coastline. The most popular beaches are Vung Tau, just north of the Mekong
Delta; and Nha Trang, near Da Lat, where the clear, turquoise waters offer good
snorkeling and scuba diving. Snorkeling and diving equipment can be hired at
most beach resorts. Other good beaches can be found at Phan Thiet
(south-central coast); Mui Ne (noted for its large sand dunes); and the
magnificent Ha Long Bay, where some 3000 islands, covered in lush vegetation
and dotted with beaches and grottoes, rise out of the Gulf of Tonkin. Access to
the islands is by boats, which can be hired in Ha Long City.
Kite surfing: With beautiful beaches, strong and
steady winds, Mui Ne is quickly growing into one of the most popular kite
boarding and windsurfing sights in Asia. The windy season starts around
September/October and lasts until April/May. There are currently four certified
Kite-surfing schools in Mui Ne:
- Jibes at Jibes
and the Full Moon Resort
- Wind chimes at the Saigon Mui Ne
Resort
Surfing: Most Vietnamese beaches have fairly mild
waves. The best place to surf in Vietnam is China Beach, Da Nang, near the
North End. There are no waves during the summer but waves start to pick up from
late September/October and may last until May. Vietnam doesn’t have any real
surf shops that sell equipment or provide lessons yet, but a board can be
rented in Da Nang from Tam’s Pub 43 Ho Xuan Huong Street or by asking around in
local hotels.
Softer waves suitable for beginners can be found in
Mui Ne, Phan Thiet with rentals available around the area. While the waves may
not be world-class, one advantage is that you can have them to yourself!
Kayaking is one of the best ways to explore the
beautiful waters and various limestone islands in Ha Long bay. Tours are
available from 2 days to 2 weeks, with excellent guide and food. Many tours are
a combination of kayaking and trekking, cycling. Kayak rentals and tours are
provided by various centers:
Marco Polo travel: http://www.kayakingvietnam.com
Diving and snorkeling
Most popular destination for diving and snorkeling
activities in Vietnam is Nha Trang. The coral reefs on the nearby islands in
Nha Trang Bay, as well on Whale Island host a variety of tropical fish species
and provide two dozens of excellent diving locations. However other resort
destinations in South Vietnam are quickly catching up with Nha Trang in
popularity. In addition to Nha Trang, there are organized diving tours in Cham
Island (next to Hoi An), Phu Quoc and Co Dao islands.
Windsurfing and Kite surfing
Mui Ne is by far the most popular place in Vietnam
for those travelers who enjoy windsurfing activities. The resort also hosts an
annual kite surfing competition. Some beaches in the area have more than 200
days of strong wind a year. There are many equipment rental shops in Mui Ne,
as well as surfing schools. The best time to enjoy windsurfing in Mui Ne
is November to March.
Surfing
Although Vietnam does not have any world-famous
surfing destinations, there are several places in Vietnam that are popular
among surfers. The most popular place to enjoy this activity is China Beach in
Da Nang, Central Vietnam. Other popular places include Mui Ne and Vung Tau,
both in South Central Coast region. November to March is the best time to
enjoy surfing in Vietnam, when the weather on the coast is dry and windy.
