Just 4 to 5 hours from Hanoi by car, several pristine beaches offer calm, turquoise waters, golden sands, and tranquil surroundings - perfect for a short summer getaway without the crowds.

Dong Beach (Thanh Hoa)
Sunrise and sunset views at Dong Beach are especially beloved by visitors. Photo: Quoc Duy

Located on Nghi Son Peninsula, Dong Beach is about 60 km south of Thanh Hoa City and just over 200 km from Hanoi. In recent years, it has become a favorite among travelers for its raw beauty, peaceful ambiance, crystal-clear sea, convenient access, fresh seafood, and affordable prices.

Surrounded by mountains and rugged coastal cliffs, Dong Beach features a long stretch of sandy shoreline. From the rocky outcrops along the coast, visitors can take in stunning views of sunrise and sunset - often compared to the scenery in Ly Son or Phu Quoc.

Tourists can explore the quiet fishing village, visit a local church and lighthouse, try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), go night squid fishing, or join a two-day, one-night tour to Me Island. From Hanoi, travel time is about 3.5 to 4 hours by private car or limousine bus.

Quynh Lap Beach (Nghe An)

Approximately 230 km from Hanoi (about 3.5 hours by car), Quynh Lap Beach is located in Quynh Lap Commune, Hoang Mai Town, Nghe An Province. It is cherished for its wild, natural landscape.

The 12-kilometer-long shoreline curves gently, with emerald waters and gentle waves during summer. Soft golden sand lines the coast, framed by towering casuarina trees and rolling hills.

Many compare the area's scenery to Nha Trang. Visitors often wake early to catch the sunrise, visit Quynh Lap fishing port, trek through forest trails to secluded beaches, or paddle SUP. Since tourism is still underdeveloped here, the beach remains peaceful and uncrowded.

Lu Beach (Nghe An)
A favorite photo spot along Lu Beach’s coastal road. Photo: Hai Dua Minh Vui Ghe

bãi lữ Phan Hoài Thu.jpg
This beach is increasingly popular among young travelers. Photo: Phan Hoai Thu

Lu Beach is in Nghi Loc District, Nghe An Province, more than 260 km from Hanoi - about a 4.5 to 5-hour drive.

Unlike the bustling Cua Lo, Lu Beach offers serene natural beauty. It is often called “Da Lat by the sea” for its endless pine forests stretching toward the coast.

Its shoreline curves like a crescent moon, with clear, aquamarine water year-round and silky golden sands. Waves are gentle, making it ideal for a relaxing retreat.

Visitors with time to spare can hike to Mount Lu for panoramic views of Song Ngu Island, Mat Island, and other nearby peaks like Rong, Lo, Co, and Kiem Mountains.

Ky Xuan Beach (Ha Tinh)

Ky Xuan Beach stretches about 13 km in a crescent shape across the villages of Thang Loi, Nguyen Hue, and Xuan Phu in Ky Xuan Commune, Ky Anh District, Ha Tinh Province. Located around 5.5 hours from Hanoi, it is known for its pristine beauty, clear turquoise waters, white sandy shores, and unique natural rock formations.

Still relatively untouched by tourism, Ky Xuan remains peaceful even during holidays and peak summer seasons. Often dubbed the “sleeping paradise” or “emerald gem of Ha Tinh,” it offers serenity that’s hard to find elsewhere.

The beach is perfect for camping and outdoor activities, with lush green trees providing shade and a refreshing environment. Wake up early to stroll the shoreline, watch the sunrise, and observe fishing boats returning from sea in the quiet coastal village.

Linh Trang