Top 5 Water Adventures for Summer Vacation in Vietnam
Water adventures and sports are perfect ways to enjoy sunbathing as well as a cool summer vacation in Vietnam! Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or as a family, these activities promise pure joy and laughter all summer long.
There are some water activities we highly recommend you below, close to nature and culture. Let’s dive deeper into them and find your destiny!
Hit the Beach in Vietnam’s Hidden Coastal Gems
With over 3,260km of coastline, it’s no surprise that Vietnam boasts countless turquoise beaches with soft white sands. These aren’t just swimming spots—they’re sanctuaries where families connect, relax, and admire nature’s raw beauty. Here are a few lesser-known but worth bookmarking beaches:
Cat Co Beach (Cat Ba): Where you can escape the crowds of Ha Long Bay without missing its UNESCO-listed scenery. Ideal for a quieter retreat.
Quat Lam Beach (Nam Dinh): A tranquil beach intertwined with local life. Swim, feast on fresh seafood, and explore charming old churches and pagodas built during the French colonial era.
Quan Lan Beach (Quang Ninh): Nestled in Bai Tu Long Bay – Ha Long’s sister but far from tourist radar – this untouched beach offers serene beauty.
Bai Rang (Quang Nam): Just 15km south of Hoi An, this hidden gem features golden sands, crystal-clear waters, and dramatic rock formations. Pair your beach day with delicious seafood from the nearby fishing village.
Ham Rong Beach (Hue): Surrounded by thick forest curves, this scenic 6km stretch offers solitude and lush natural vibes.
Bai Bau (Quang Binh): Nestled inside Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, it’s known for its clear waters, soft white sands, and limestone mountains.
Bai Nhat (Con Dao): A rare beach that only appears when the tide is low. Calm, clear, and peaceful—perfect for coral viewing and quiet water adventures.
| Sustainable Travel Tip: Bring your own reusable bags and water bottles to reduce plastic waste – an alarming concern in Vietnam’s beaches. Many beaches run community clean-up programs you can join. Plus, let your kids hunt seashells and learn to make crafts with local artisans
Kayaking & Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) in Vietnam
With a vast network of lakes and rivers, it’s available for kayaking and SUP everywhere in Vietnam – that will be funny and unforgettable water adventures. Here are top picks:
Trang An Scenic Landscape: Glide through limestone cliffs and emerald rice fields, weaving through caves and stopping at ancient temples. Unmissable trip in UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ninh Binh for you all!
Lan Ha Bay: Paddle through this UNESCO-listed bay in Cat Ba – sister of Ha Long Bay – filled with dramatic limestone formations and emerald waters.
Hoa Binh Lake: Vietnam’s largest manmade lake promises epic paddling adventures amid mountains and ethnic Thai and Muong villages. From this lake in Hoa Binh, it’s easy for you to reach out on other mountainous areas.
Serepok River: a major river in Central Highlands through Yok Don National Park (Dak Lak). It’s ideal for you to paddle through gentle rivers or challenge yourself with strong waterfall parts.
Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere: Just 1.5 hours from Saigon, awaiting you is a kayaking trip through winding mangrove channels and spot wildlife like long-tailed monkeys, egrets, and more.
| Tip for you: Book with eco-certified kayaking tours that avoid single-use plastics and give back to the local community.
Surfing in Vietnam
Vietnam’s beaches are making wonderful waves in the surfing world. Many water sport centers offer beginner-friendly lessons with trained instructors—so it’s safe and fun for the whole family. Bonus: surfing teaches patience and teamwork, especially for kids.
Mui Ne: Long sandy stretches, steady winds, and consistent waves make this a surfer’s paradise in Phan Thiet. Especially, kitesurfing is also sought-after here!
Hoi An: Check-out Hoi An Flow, a surf school that welcomes all levels and promotes sustainable surf culture.
Bai Dai: A 20km drive from Nha Trang town takes you to this uncrowded beach – great for beginners.
Bai Xep: A rising star in Quy Nhon for surf scene, especially from September to March. Surf with Life’s A Beach, offering lessons and surf trips to nearby beaches.
Con Son Beach: Off-the-radar in Con Dao – but amazing from June to September, especially at Dam Trau and An Hai beaches.
| Family Tip: Most surf centers offer special programs for kids aged 6–12, using smaller boards and certified child-friendly instructors. Just make sure your little one can swim safely for these water adventures!
Snorkeling to dive into a world of color
Ever dream of exploring a colorful marine world? Snorkeling in Vietnam is an unforgettable adventure in waters to connect with nature!
Con Dao island: considered as the most beautiful snorkeling spot in Vietnam with a diverse coral reef ecosystem. It’s good to snorkel in Hon Tai, Hon Bay Canh or Dam Trau, home to more than 1300 species of fish and 340 species of coral reefs. April – September is a once-in-a-year chance for you to hands-on explore the bleeding season of sea turtles.
Cu Lao Cham or Cham Islands: A UNESCO biosphere in Quang Nam, just 30 minutes from Hoi An. Dive into the vibrant coral reefs at Hon Dai and Bai Xep is great experience!
Phu Quy Island: A hidden gem 120 km off Phan Thiet, home to stunning coral gardens at Hon Tranh, Ganh Hang, and Hon Den.
Ly Son Island: Snorkel at “coral fields” around Big Island’s northeast and Little Island—breathtaking view in Quang Ngai!
Vinh Hy Bay: like Vietnam’s version of the Maldives, but in Ninh Thuan. Explore Hang Rai and Bai Kinh for stunning staghorn corals and colorful fish.
| Eco-tip: For this water sport, please choose responsible operators—no coral touching, no feeding fish, and always use reef-safe sunscreen.
Vietnam’s waterfalls & streams for cooling down among wilderness
Actually you can find waterfalls and streams everywhere in Vietnam – especially Northern mountains – and they’re perfect for you to beat the heat! These aren’t just tourist attractions; waterfalls and streams are the lifeblood of local communities. They nourish rice terraces, provide daily sustenance to mountain villages, and create natural playgrounds where local children splash and laugh during sweltering summer afternoons. We believe they will connect you well to Vietnam’s soul!
Here are our favorite places to cool off:
Ban Gioc Waterfall (Cao Bang): The largest waterfall in Southeast Asia mesmerizes with its three-tiered cascade dropping 30 meters over limestone formations. This is the breathtaking scenery everyone wants to capture, and if you yearn to get closer, don’t hesitate to hop on a bamboo raft guided by local villagers who know every current and eddy.
Nam Chan Waterfall (Yen Bai): A hidden gem in our community-based tourism project. Hike with local Tay guides into the jungle and discover its magical turquoise pools.
Hang Te Cho (Mu Cang Chai): hidden among H’Mông villages, the trail to get there is challenging, with steep mountain slopes—but the reward is worth it: a stunning and powerful fall among jungle.
Anor Waterfall (Hue): Hike with Co Tu villagers through Luoi mountain to find a stunning hidden waterfall and enjoy a delicious lunch in Hue’s nature.
K50 and the waterfalls system (Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve): ancient waterfall hidden deep in Central Highlands, bringing you through primary forest with a rich ecosystem of flora and fauna. One of the most magical sights is thousands of wild swallows that seems to connect you to local legends of forest gods.
Pongour Waterfall (Lam Dong): Known as “The Seven-tiered fall”, this one is about 50 kilometers south of the city center of Dalat, standing over 40 meters tall and spanning a width of up to 100 meters.
Dray Nur Waterfall (Dak Lak): The most powerful falls of the Serepok River that embraces rich cultural stories waiting to be told.
Da Han Waterfall (Dong Nai): A lesser-known Southern spot—combine your visit with kayaking on nearby Tri An Lake.
| Tip for positive impacts: These experiences bring you close to local life. Book tours, meals, and guides operated by local communities to create meaningful impact and lasting memories.
Plan your summer vacation with Vietnam’s water experiences!
Don’t worry about the summer heat in Vietnam — we’re here to bring you cool escapes, and that always includes refreshing water sports with unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re traveling alone or with loved ones, we’re confident these moments will be filled with joy and laughter.
But don’t just stop at a dip in the water – dive deeper into the destination: explore local life through bustling fish markets, floating markets, traditional coastal villages, or ethnic communities hidden behind majestic waterfalls and forest streams in Vietnam’s highlands. By doing so, you’re not only enjoying your journey — you’re also making positive impacts on local livelihoods and supporting sustainable tourism.
Now, feel free to contact us for further consultation!
