Co To Island
One of the most beautiful places to visit in the north of Vietnam, Co To Island is popular with local tourists but as yet, is relatively undiscovered by foreigners. With stunning beaches bordered by pristine, turquoise waters, the island is home to some distinctive rock formations at Cay My, which are well worth visiting. While Van Chai beach is particularly lovely to kick back and relax on, more adventurous holidaymakers may prefer to go rock climbing or hiking in the interior of the island. With lots of accommodation and dining options on offer catering to every budget, Co To island is an easy and attractive place to visit with a range of incredible vistas.
Binh Ba Island
Lying just twenty kilometers off the mainland, Binh Ba Island is absolutely gorgeous and well worth heading to if you have the chance. Relatively easy to get to, it is also known as Lobster Island because of the large, tasty crustaceans that you can find here. While the residential part of Binh Ba is a tightly packed mess of houses, there are still lots of secluded and peaceful areas of the island that aren’t too far away. Its two main beaches are lovely to lounge upon, and the beautiful waters that border them are picture-perfect. The reefs around the island make for some great diving spots.
Con Dao Islands
Made up of sixteen islands that lie far from the mainland, the Con Dao Islands are of immense beauty and the archipelago is, in fact, a national park as the Vietnamese government tries to protect the pristine environment. While the islands once housed political prisoners, it is tourists who now flock here to enjoy the beautiful scenery, stunning beaches and untouched coral reefs. With tropical jungle covering much of the islands, there are lots of great hikes and trails and the laidback island way of life is perfect for people looking to kick back and relax. There are quite a few interesting historical sites to visit and some great pagodas and temples on offer, as well as lots of brilliant wildlife-watching spots. With fantastic snorkeling and scuba diving conditions in the coastal waters, Con Dao really does have it all.
Phu Quoc
When you picture the most idyllic island imaginable, it is highly likely that an image of Phu Quoc springs to mind. With pristine turquoise waters surrounding the palm tree-lined perfect white sands of the beaches, it really is paradise on earth. Lying off the coast of Cambodia, the island is very mountainous and beautifully cloaked in dense jungle. It is quite large, so there is loads for you to see and do. Because it is becoming increasingly popular, it is a good idea to book ahead and reserve a place at one of the numerous resorts dotting the island.
Renting a motorbike is a fun way to get around Phu Quoc and perfect if you want to enjoy all that is going on at Long Beach while staying somewhere a bit quieter. Sao Beach is ideal for relaxing on and there are some smaller beaches around, where you will almost certainly be the only person for kilometers – although rubbish does, unfortunately, wash up from time to time. Whether it’s snorkeling the coral reefs, kayaking around the island’s small inlets or delighting in the local cuisine, Phu Quoc is an absolute joy of a place to visit.