The Best Urban Beaches: Nha Trang or Da Nang?
Are you looking to have the ultimate urban beach getaway in Vietnam? Most travelers who’ve been to Vietnam before will immediately opt for Nha Trang, though the central city of Danang is quickly coming up as one of the country’s coolest new destinations. So depending on what it is you’re looking for, either of the destinations may be the perfect fit for you. To make your decision a bit easier, we’ll run you through the plusses and minuses of visiting each destination!
Nha Trang
The most popular urban beach destination in the country, Nha Trang has long since been one of Vietnam’s biggest tourist attractions. Famous for its beaches, diving, on-shore attractions and off shore sites, Nha Trang is filled with ways to keep yourselves busy, regardless of age and interest!
Plusses:
Nha Trang is aimed to give tourists an amazing time. Bars, restaurants, excellent hotels, amusement parks, aquariums, secret secluded beaches and cultural sites (Long Son Pagoda, Po Nagar Cham Towers, Nha Trang Cathedral and various museums to name a few) will keep everyone interested… and Nha Trang is the diving/snorkeling center of the country, so there’s always that option to fall back upon as well! It’s one of Vietnam’s most vibrant, bustling visits, which is great... so long as that’s what you’re looking for with your beach vacation!
Drawbacks:
Nha Trang’s beaches are admittedly not the most pristine in the country. They are quite crowded in the high season, not the cleanest in the country and are often filled with vendors and hawkers. Also, if you’re looking for that secluded “paradise” getaway, the busy streets and sands of Nha Trang aren’t really going to give you that…
What was once a war-time hub has long since turned into one of Central Vietnam’s newest attractions. Nearing 1,000,000 inhabitants, Danang City has a long stretch of coastline that appears to be almost untouched.
Plusses:
If you’re looking for that destination in Vietnam where you feel like you have everything to yourself, Da Nang is it! Whether you’re staying at one of its brand new beachfront hotels/resorts (new ones seem to be popping up every week) or are just staying in the city and cab it to the beach- you’re going to be very pleased. For some reason, tourists haven’t overrun Da Nang’s beaches yet, so they’re clean, safe and best of all, empty! You can find some basic eateries along the water and a few bars, but most of the entertainment attractions are found around the riverside of the city (read up here on Da Nang’s best nightlife).
Da Nang is also very close to some of Central Vietnam’s best attractions including Hoi An, Hue, Marble Mountain, My Son and Lang Co.
Downsides:
Danang is still up and coming- it’s not as tourist-friendly (convenience-wise) as Nha Trang and you’re probably going to need a cab or motorbike to get around. While there are some awesome spots to visit in the city, it takes a bit of local knowledge to hit all the best spots.
So if you’re looking for entertainment and beaches with a side of convenience- Nha Trang is your best bet.
If you’re looking for entertainment and beaches with a side of solitude and a local vibe- head to Danang.
