Kayaking in Vietnam

Best time by region

Each cell counts the places in this list marked as worth visiting in that month (the best months on each location page). Darker means more of the region's places agree.

Kayaking by region23 places

North Vietnam (9)

Destination guides Cat Ba, Ha Giang, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh · North Vietnam guide →

Cave

Am Tiên Cave

Ninh Bình

Am Tiên Cave - nicknamed 'Tuyệt Tình Cốc' after its wuxia-film-like scenery - is a dragon-mouth-shaped grotto above a jade-green lake in the Hoa Lư valley, reached by around 200-250 stone steps, with a dark history as an execution ground under Đinh Tiên Hoàng and a later connection to Queen Dương Vân Nga's Buddhist retreat.

Jan - Apr, Sep - Nov→

Lake

Ba Be Lake

Bac Kan

Ba Be Lake is Vietnam's largest natural freshwater lake - three connected bodies of water (Pé Lèng, Pé Lù, Pé Lầm) stretching 8km through karst mountains in Bắc Kạn. Ramsar Wetland site, Tày homestays, boat through Puong Cave, and some of the most intact lowland forest in the northern highlands.

Mar - May, Sep - Nov→

Bay

Bai Tu Long Bay

Quang Ninh

Bái Tử Long Bay - Ha Long's quieter neighbour to the northeast - shares the same UNESCO karst landscape with 600+ islands but far fewer cruise boats. Named for the legend of dragon children landing to protect Vietnam. Ha Long Bay the way it was before mass tourism.

Mar - May, Sep - Oct→

Beach

Cát Cò Beach

Hải Phòng

Cát Cò is a series of three beaches on the southern edge of Cát Bà town - the island's most accessible swimming spots, set against karst peaks with forested cliffs dropping to the sand, a short walk from the town centre.

Apr - Oct→

Island

Cô Tô Island

Quang Ninh

Cô Tô Island in Quảng Ninh province is one of northern Vietnam's most pristine island destinations - an archipelago of nearly 50 islands in the Gulf of Tonkin with white sand beaches, clear turquoise water, coral snorkeling, and an unhurried fishing village atmosphere far removed from the crowds of Hạ Long Bay. Accessible by fast catamaran ferry from Ao Tiên port in around 60-90 minutes.

Apr - Oct→

Bay

Ha Long Bay

Quang Ninh

Ha Long Bay - Vietnam's most iconic landscape and a UNESCO World Heritage Site - is 1,553 square kilometres of emerald water, nearly 2,000 limestone karst islands, sea caves, and floating villages in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Mar - Apr, Sep - Nov→

Bay

Lan Hạ Bay

Hải Phòng

Lan Hạ Bay is the southern section of the Ha Long karst system - 400 limestone islands, hidden beaches, floating fishing villages, and some of the clearest water in the Gulf of Tonkin, with a fraction of Ha Long's boat traffic and far better kayaking conditions. The bioluminescence night kayaking tour is an experience Ha Long Bay doesn't offer.

Apr - Jun, Sep - Nov→

River

Nho Quế River

Hà Giang

Nho Quế River - a ribbon of impossible turquoise threading through Tu Sản Canyon, one of the deepest and most dramatic gorges in Southeast Asia - seen from above at Mã Pí Lèng Pass and explored by boat from one of two piers near Đồng Văn and Mèo Vạc.

Sep - Apr→

Beach

Sunworld Beach Cat Ba

Hải Phòng

Sunworld Beach on Cat Ba Island is a recently developed artificial beach in the town centre - nearly 1km of white sand and clear water with palm trees, a beach club, bar, and a growing complex of nightlife venues including a ticketed jet-ski and fireworks show, positioned as the main beach attraction directly accessible from Cat Ba Town accommodation.

Apr - Sep→

Central Vietnam (10)

Destination guides Da Lat, Hoi An, Ly Son, Nha Trang, Phong Nha - Ke Bang · Central Vietnam guide →

Beach

An Bang Beach

Quang Nam

An Bang Beach is Hội An's most accessible beach - a wide stretch of white sand 3-5km east of the Ancient Town, reachable by bicycle through rice paddies in 20-30 minutes. Calmer and less developed than Đà Nẵng's city beaches, with beach bars, watersports, and good sunrise views.

Mar - Sep→

Waterfall

Ba Hồ Waterfall

Khánh Hòa

Ba Hồ Waterfall is Nha Trang's best jungle adventure - three tiered pools fed by a 10km stream running off 660m Hòn Sơn peak, 25km north of the city. The trail between pools stays genuinely rugged and undeveloped even though basic facilities exist near the entrance, so this rewards visitors prepared for real rock scrambling rather than a casual walk.

Dec - Aug→

Island

Đảo Bé (An Bình Island)

Quảng Ngãi

Đảo Bé - also known as An Bình Island or Cù Lao Bờ Bãi - is a small outer island 3 nautical miles northwest of Lý Sơn's main island, reachable by a 10-15 minute boat ride. With clearer water, more intact coral reefs, and a fraction of the crowds of the main island, it's the best snorkeling location in the Lý Sơn archipelago and a quieter alternative for a half-day by the sea.

Apr - Aug→

Photo coming soon

Cave

Dark Cave

Quảng Bình

Dark Cave is Phong Nha's most adventurous experience - a zip line over the Chày River, kayaking into a pitch-black cave, swimming through underground passages, and a mineral mud bath inside the cave chamber, all packaged into one of Vietnam's best adventure activities.

Mar - Jul→

Island

Điệp Sơn Island

Khánh Hòa

Điệp Sơn is a remote island cluster in Vân Phong Bay, northern Khánh Hòa, where a narrow tidal sandbar - close to a kilometre long - connects three islands at low tide, one of Vietnam's most photogenic natural phenomena, reached by a short boat ride from Vạn Giã fishing port.

Dec - Sep→

Beach

Hang Câu

Quảng Ngãi

Hang Câu is Lý Sơn's most dramatic coastal spot - a beach at the base of Núi Thới Lới, on the island's northeastern shore, where vertical basalt cliffs meet turquoise water and coral reefs. The combination of volcanic cliff faces, clear water, and accessible snorkeling makes it one of the island's top swimming and photography destinations.

Apr - Aug→

Island

Hòn Tằm Island

Khánh Hòa

Hòn Tằm is Nha Trang Bay's most developed private island - a resort island a short speedboat ride offshore with white sand beaches, water sports, and Vietnam's largest island-based hot mineral mud bath complex, though at a real cost in crowding, gated resort access, and inflated food prices.

Feb - Sep→

Photo coming soon

Stream

Mooc Spring

Quảng Bình

Mooc Spring is Phong Nha's most beautiful swimming spot - a natural spring emerging from the karst limestone in a jungle clearing, forming a series of turquoise pools across two zones (Ghềnh Moọc and Ghềnh Chụm), 7km from Sơn Trạch and one of the most scenic outdoor swimming areas in central Vietnam.

Feb - Aug→

Lake

Tà Đùng Lake

Đắk Nông

Tà Đùng Lake in Đắk Nông is called the 'Hạ Long Bay of the Central Highlands' - a reservoir with 47+ forested islands that are actually the hilltops of submerged terrain, formed by the Đồng Nai 3 hydroelectric dam. Sea of clouds visible at 5-6 AM during rainy season. 250km from Saigon.

Jul - Apr→

Lake

Tuyền Lâm Lake

Lâm Đồng

Tuyền Lâm Lake is Đà Lạt's largest reservoir - one of the largest bodies of water in the area, surrounded by pine forests, accessible by cable car, kayak, or bicycle, with Trúc Lâm Thiền Monastery perched on Phụng Hoàng Mountain above the northern shore.

Nov - Jun→

South Vietnam (4)

Destination guides Con Dao, Phu Quoc · South Vietnam guide →

Beach

Bãi Sao Beach

Kien Giang

Bãi Sao Beach on Phú Quốc's southeastern coast - over 2km of fine white sand in a sheltered bay with calm turquoise water. Unlike most Phú Quốc beaches, Bãi Sao is at its best June-October when the southwest monsoon keeps the bay sheltered and the water crystal clear.

Jun - Oct→

Photo coming soon

National Park

Con Dao National Park

Ba Ria - Vung Tau

Con Dao National Park - Vietnam's premier wildlife and marine conservation area. 19,883 hectares, Ramsar Wetland since 2013. Vietnam's most important sea turtle site: 400+ turtles nest annually. Three endemic species found nowhere else on earth. Rainforest trekking, coral reefs, dugong, and sea turtles in one protected area.

May - Sep→

Island

Pirate Islands

Kien Giang

The Hai Tac Islands (Quần đảo Hải Tặc) are a 16-island archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand about 28km from Hà Tiên, historically known as the Pirate Islands. Reachable by a regular, roughly 30-minute speedboat service, they remain one of the least-developed island groups in Vietnam, with coral reefs, quiet beaches, and a small fishing community.

Nov - Apr→

Lake

Tri An Lake

Đồng Nai

Tri An Lake is a large reservoir in Dong Nai province, 65-70km from Ho Chi Minh City, formed by the Tri An hydroelectric dam on the Dong Nai River. A popular weekend camping and kayaking destination for city residents, with 76 forested islands, calm water, and dramatic sunset views.

Year-round→

Browse other experiences

• Beaches55 places→
• Trekking74 places→
• Camping45 places→
• Caving15 places→
• Snorkeling21 places→
• Food32 places→
• Culture57 places→
• History82 places→
• Photography181 places→
• Markets11 places→
• Nightlife9 places→
• Walking Tours29 places→
• Cycling31 places→
• Boat Tours42 places→
• Cable Cars9 places→
• Homestays11 places→
• Wildlife33 places→
• Motorcycling32 places→
• Shopping5 places→