When you think of Vietnam, perhaps surfing isn’t the first thing that pops to your mind. But with an almost 3.000 km long coastline, you can bet they have nice surf spots here. There are in fact, plenty of places where you can surf and you don’t have to go far to find them if you’re close to the coastline. The best ones are found further south because of the waves and the warm climate that sticks around all year. Here are some of the best surfing spots in Vietnam.
1. My Khe Beach, Da Nang
A list of surfing spots in Vietnam would be incomplete without including My Khe Beach. If you’ve ever seen the movie Apocalypse Now, you’ll know that it all started here. It’s on this very beach where the American GIs first came and brought the surf culture with them. Nowadays, you can also see locals who enjoy this sporty activity and whom have become quite good at it as well. You can rent a surfboard for approximately 5 USD per hour only. You can also check out Da Nang Surf School if you’re a beginner or just want to refresh your memory. Once you’re tired of surfing, head over to the bars and restaurants where you can kick back and relax with a cold brew. Doesn’t that sound just lovely?
2. Back Beach, Vung Tau
Perhaps one of the best surfing spots in the entire Vietnam, Back Beach is certainly a place to go to if you like to surf. Not only is it a good surfing spot, it offers long stretches of golden sand beaches with several places where you can rent a board. Vung Tau lies just 90 kilometres southeast of Ho Chi Minh City which makes it a really popular destination for both locals and expats who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. The waves are great for all levels of surfers and the best period to surf is during winter, which is the dry period. Another thing that Vung Tau is good at is having great parties. So after your surf session, you can enjoy a beer… or more!
3. Mui Ne, Ham Tien
Mui Ne is famous for kitesurfers and windsurfers, and walking by the beach, it’ll be impossible for you to miss all the surfers in the water. The peak is during December and January when the winds are perfectly strong and there’s a minimum amount of rain. Although you never know when a storm can will pass by because… it’s Vietnam after all! If you want to do some alternative surfing, head over to the White Sand Dunes and go sand surfing. It’s especially beautiful during sunrise, when the colors change to orange, pink and yellow.
4. Nha Trang
This coastal city is a bit more on the luxurious side where you can find 5 star resorts along the beaches, expensive seafood and incredible diving spots. But if it’s surfing you’re looking for, you’ll also find it here. The best beach to go to in Nha Trang is Bai Dai Beach. It’s great for any levels so beginners can also surf there, although there are the occasional strong rip-currents here. You have several surfing schools to choose from as well as bars and restaurants, so you can spend all your day by the beach. What’s so good about Bai Dai is that it’s the longest stretch of beach in Vietnam, so you can count on having some spots all to yourself. It’s the ideal beach.
5. Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An
Not the most reliable surfing spot in Vietnam, but if you’re in Hoi An, you should certainly head off to Cue Dai beach. There are times when you’ll be surprised by the waves, and when they’re good, you’ll see other surfers heading straight there as well. The best months to go is May – October, when the winds are a bit stronger.
Once you’ve decided to head off to Vietnam for some surfing sessions, remember that you’re required to apply for a Vietnam visa before you enter the country. That is, if you’re not on the visa exempt list. You can either get a visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate or apply online and get either a Visa on Arrival or an E-Visa. Please note that the E-Visa is only available for certain countries in the world.
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