WAVES AND WINDS: VIETNAM’S BEST SURF AND KITEBOARDING SPOTS
Catching the perfect wave is a thrill like none other. If you’re hooked on water sports, particularly surfing and kiteboarding, you already know how fulfilling, therapeutic, and even soothing it can be to spend the day on the water.
With a diverse range of beaches, consistent winds, warm water, and beautiful scenery, Vietnam should be on every surfer’s bucket list. Depending on where you are in the country, you’ll find conditions that suit a variety of skill levels. You’ll also find plenty of easily accessible spots for rentals and lessons.
Check out the list below for some of the best water sports areas in Vietnam. Not only are these places beautiful and culturally rich, but you’re also sure to find something that suits your skill and ambition level out on the waves. Let’s dive in!
Mui Ne
This one is at the top of the list for good reason. Considered to be the surf and kiteboard capital of Vietnam, Mui Ne is a must-surf spot for anyone in the area.
It’s a beach resort town, a popular weekend getaway from the city of Ho Chi Minh, and most importantly, it offers steady wind conditions in the dry season. Because of this, you won’t just join a large community of surfing and kiteboarding enthusiasts; you’ll also find everything you could possibly need to get up on the board yourself.
If you’re new to these sports, you might want to try starting out at one of the many surf and kiteboard schools nearby. Jibes Beach Club, for example, has been working on refining their kitesurfing education program for 17 years now (they also offer surfing lessons, a bar & restaurant, and accommodations).
Vietnam Surf Soul is another excellent option, boasting a team of certified surfing and kite-surfing instructors. And if you’re a total beginner, Windchimes International Kitesurfing School is known to have the best beginner courses. So don’t be shy, get out there and see what you’ve got!
Nha Trang
Nha Trang has a little something for everyone. The long main beach follows the curve of Tran Phu Street, where you can find hotels, seafood restaurants, and shops.
But the real appeal here is the water sports. From November to March, it’s typhoon season in Southeast Asia. Immense winds blowing in from the Philippines cause storms on the Nha Trang coast. This makes for some excellent surfing!
If you’re just starting out, try Bai Dai Beach. The water is warm and shallow and the swells are suitable for beginners (although there can be a strong current). The beach is quite long, so you’ll have plenty of room to surf in private if you want some space or time to get comfortable out there.
There are a handful of great surf & kiteboard schools in Nha Trang as well. At the Nha Trang Surf School, for example, you can find reasonable prices for board rentals and lessons. They also offer pickup and drop-off services to get you to your beach with your board.
If you’re angling more towards kiteboarding, Kiterabbit Kitesurf & Surf School has great, professional instructors and solid gear to rent.
These are only two options, however; plenty of well-reviewed, professional surf & kiteboard schools are available to you in Nha Trang. Get out there and see what you can learn!
Da Nang
Boasting perfect wave conditions for beginners, as well as the occasional big ripper for thrill-seekers, it’s clear why Da Nang is one of the top surfing locations in Vietnam. Warm waters, long stretches of beach, and year-round waves are the big draws here.
Be sure to explore the beaches while you’re in Da Nang. My Khe Beach, Nam O Point, and Non Nuoc Beach are popular with tourists, and are becoming more and more popular with locals, too.
Vung Tau
For serious surfers, this is bound to be a fun one: Vung Tau’s entire 2-mile stretch of beach is surfable, and there are still unnamed/unsurfed breaks.
The surfing and kiteboarding will be enjoyable all over this beach. However, it’s recommended that you head for the back beach area for the best swells. Here is where you’ll encounter some of the best surfing in the country, especially during the winter months.
The wind has been known to pick up a bit in the afternoons. So, if you’re focused on kiteboarding, the best conditions of the day usually begin around lunchtime and carry on to the evening.
Binh An, Hue
Hue is simply a wonder to behold. A city on the banks of the Perfume River, it was built into the Forbidden Purple City of the Nguyen dynasty. The countryside around it is covered with temples and tombs, scented gardens, and birds & other wildlife.
If you’re looking to surf, head to Binh An, which is a fishing village region of Hue. The gentle waves here are perfect for anybody still struggling to find their feet. Those with a bit more experience will find this a great warm-up spot for the more serious waves at Mui Ne or Da Nang (Da Nang is only about 40 minutes away, so this is totally possible!).
The water is pretty warm here too, so at least in the summers you can forget about the wetsuit. What’s more, the beach reportedly doesn’t get as busy as the rest on this list do. So if you came to this article in the hopes of taking up surfing or kiteboarding, Binh An just might be the perfect place to start!
Final Word
When planning your trip, factor in the season, weather, and desired locations. After that, it’s easy to immerse yourself deeply in Vietnam's vibrant water-sports scene. From novices to experts, Vietnam offers surfing and kiteboarding experiences for everyone.
Dive into these emerging surf spots, hone your techniques, and connect with the enthusiastic water-sports community. An exhilarating adventure awaits!