8 Stunning Islands in Vietnam to Visit in 2025 – 2026
From sun-soaked Phu Quoc to the laid-back vibes of Phu Quy, here are 8 Vietnam’s islands that foreign travellers are allowed to visit. If paradise had a map, Vietnam’s islands would be glowing pins scattered along 3,260 km of coastline. Each island tells its own story, some loud with laughter, others whispering peace through waves. Which one fits your dream? Join My Vietnam Tours as we explore the top most beautiful islands in Vietnam, where visitors can immerse themselves in stunning surroundings and create unforgettable memories.
Phu Quoc – The Radiant Pearl Island (Kien Giang)
A name that cannot be missed on this list, Phu Quoc Island (aka Pearl Island) is Vietnam’s largest island and a tropical dream come true. Think white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and jungles thick with adventure.
Here, you can hop onto the world’s longest sea-crossing cable car to Hon Thom, taste legendary fish sauce (yep, it’s a local specialty), and end your day squid fishing under starlight. If you’re into barefoot luxury, this place is your vibe.
Enjoy the experience of night squid fishing when traveling to the sea. Photo by: kiengiangtravel
Fun Fact: Phu Quoc produces some of the world’s finest fish sauce, a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine!
Best time to visit: November–April is sunny and ideal but also peak season. For fewer crowds and good weather, try May–June. Avoid July–October due to rain.
Attraction Highlights:
- Sao Beach and Khem Beach: Two of the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc, featuring creamy white sand and emerald blue waters.
- VinWonders Phu Quoc & Vinpearl Safari: A world-class amusement park and wildlife conservation park.
- Hon Thom: Home to the longest sea-crossing cable car in the world, taking you to a pristine island with an exciting water park.
- Phu Quoc Prison: A historical site marking a painful chapter in the nation’s history.
- Pepper Gardens and Fish Sauce Factories: Unique experiences of local culture.
Book the Phu Quoc 4D3N Tour Now: Beach Break at Phu Quoc Island
Con Dao – Where Nature Meets History (Ba Ria – Vung Tau)
Con Son Island, or Con Dao, is not only a sacred historical site but also an archipelago boasting breathtaking, wild natural beauty off the southern coast. Stepping onto this island, visitors are amazed by its picturesque landscapes, clear blue beaches, fine white sand, and fresh air.
Discover green tourism in Con Dao Photo by: vnexpress
When visiting Con Dao, don’t forget to visit Con Dao Prison and Hang Duong Cemetery to light incense for the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the war.
Visiting Con Dao Prison – Evidence of “hell on earth”. Photo by: vietnamplus
Fun fact: Between July-September, you can watch turtles lay eggs right on the beach.
Best time to visit: March to September is the ideal season, with sunny skies and calm seas. The rainy season typically lasts from October to February.
Attraction Highlights:
- Dam Trau Beach: A beautiful crescent-shaped beach with golden sand and unique rocky formations.
- Shark Cape and Chim Chim Cape: Impressive check-in spots with vast sea and sky views.
- Con Dao Prison: An important historical site commemorating heroic martyrs.
- Bay Canh Island: A small island with a diverse ecosystem where sea turtles come to lay eggs.
- Con Dao National Park: A sanctuary protecting many rare animal and plant species.
Explore Con Dao in your way: Slow Journey – Con Dao Unveiled Six Senses Luxury & Island Discovery
Ly Son – The Island of Volcanic Relics (Quang Ngai)
A small island formed from five volcanic craters, Ly Son looks like it was painted by nature with bold brushstrokes, lava cliffs, black rocks, emerald-clear beaches, and ancient temples hidden deep within the mountains.
Gieng Tien volcano on Ly Son Island. Photo by: petrotimes
Ly Son Island is the most attractive tourist destination in Vietnam. Photo by: vietnamtravel
Small Island in Ly Son Photo by: vntravellive
Climb Thoi Loi Peak for sweeping views, walk through the naturally formed To Vo arch, or visit Hang Pagoda, carved directly into a cave. Every corner here feels like it belongs in a fantasy novel.
Fun fact: Its garlic is so prized it’s nicknamed “white gold” by locals.
Best time to visit: April to August is the ideal time for beach lovers, but April-June is peak season. While September to November brings rain, don’t overlook December to April: it’s moss season, when green velvet coats the coastal rocks, turning the island into a hidden photographer’s dream.
Attraction Highlights:
- To Vo Gate: A natural stone arch formed by volcanic lava, symbolizing Ly Son.
- Hang Pagoda: An ancient temple built inside a volcanic lava cave, exuding a sacred and mysterious aura.
- Thoi Loi Peak: The highest mountain on Ly Son, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the island and the vast sea.
- Hang Cau: A large cave carved deep into the mountain, creating a magical landscape.
- Be Island (An Binh): A pristine island with pure white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters revealing the seabed.
Diep Son – Walk Across the Sea (Khanh Hoa)
Yes, you read that right! Diep Son has a sand path that connects three islands, and you can literally walk across the sea when the tide is low. It’s one of those surreal experiences in Vietnam you don’t believe until you’re doing it.
This island is part of a small archipelago in Van Phong Bay, made up of exactly six emerged islands and two submerged coral islets. Among them, the three most iconic are Hon Phat (also known as Hon Duoc or Hon O), Hon Giua (also called Hon Qua), and Hon Bip.
What makes Diep Son even more special? It’s one of the earliest places to catch the sunrise and one of the latest to see the sunset in all of Vietnam. No wonder many travelers call it the “Maldives of Vietnam.”
Diep Son Island – The place with the unique sea walking path in Vietnam Photo by: Crystalbay
Fun fact: The sand path only appears a few hours a day, so bring your timing A-game or you’ll be swimming instead of walking.
Best time to visit: From December to June, Ly Son enjoys clear skies, gentle sunshine, and low rainfall. The sea stays calm during this period, making it easy for ferries and boats to reach the island.
Attraction Highlights:
- Walking Path Across the Sea: The special highlight of Diep Son, allowing you to walk on a natural sand path linking Hon Bip, Hon Giua, and Hon Duoc islands.
- Diep Son Fishing Village: A peaceful fishing community where you can experience local culture.
- Tu Hai Beach: experience swimming between two hot and cold ocean currents
- Diep Son Pier: A charming boat docking point with a romantic atmosphere.
Co To – The Tonkin Gulf Beauty (Quang Ninh)
Up in the northeast lies Co To, an island so dreamy with lush greenery, red-brick roads, whispering casuarina trees, and beaches where you’ll often be the only one in sight. It’s great for slow travel, cycling, reading, watching waves roll in.
Immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery on Co To Island. Photo by: thanhlamresort
Co To Con Beach. Photo by: Trung Jones.
Fun fact: Co To is one of the first Vietnamese islands to ban plastic bags and single-used plastics entirely.
Best time to visit: Co To shines brightest in summer, especially from April to May, clear skies, warm sun, and no storms in sight. September to October offers a quieter escape, with mild rain and a refreshing chill in the air. While some travelers still head there in June and July for a summer getaway, be warned: it’s storm season, and the weather can be unpredictable.
Attraction Highlights:
- Hong Van Beach and Van Chay Beach: Two favorite beaches with soft white sand, clear water, and rustling casuarina trees.
- Co To Con Island: A small, untouched island with stunning beaches, perfect for camping and snorkeling.
- Co To Lighthouse: The highest point on the island, offering panoramic views of Co To and nearby islands.
- Mong Rong Rock Beach: has a sedimentary rock system eroded over tens of thousands of years by sea water.
- Co To Primary Forest: Habitat for many rare animal and plant species.
Cat Ba Island – Adventure Meets Biodiversity (Hai Phong)
Cat Ba is a stunning island in Hai Phong province, bordering Quang Ninh, known for its two large beaches: Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2, featuring soft white sand and surrounded by hundreds of small islands. Cat Ba charms visitors with its pristine beauty, white sandy beaches, and crystal-clear waters, making it the perfect place for a true “escape from the city.”
The charming landscape of Cat Ba Island Photo by: cucdulichquocgiavietnam
A coastal route on Cat Ba Island Photo by: Catbafreedom
Additionally, Cat Ba National Park is a must-visit, boasting a diverse ecosystem and many majestic caves. Visitors should not miss the Sun World Cat Ba cable car journey across the sea to admire breathtaking panoramic views of the bay from above.
Tourist visit Cat Ba national park. Photo by: goodmorningcatba
Experience an impressive journey by cable car to Cat Ba Island. Photo by: sinhtour
Fun fact: It’s a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Best time to visit: April to October is great for swimming and relaxing, with peak season from May to July. If traveling in July or August, check the forecast for storms. From November to March, it’s quieter, perfect for nature lovers seeking a peaceful escape.
Attraction Highlights:
- Lan Ha Bay: One of the most beautiful bays in the world, with hundreds of limestone islands, emerald waters, and many untouched beaches.
- Cai Beo ancient fishing village: get to know the fisherman lifestyles from a thousand years ago. Stepping onto the raft houses, rowing boats between the floating rafts, buying seafood… are experiences not to be missed.
- Cat Ba National Park: A biodiversity sanctuary home to many rare species, especially the Cat Ba langur.
- Trung Trang Cave and Military Hospital Cave: Majestic caves with unique stalactite formations.
- Than Cong Fortress (Peak 177): A historic site offering panoramic views of Cat Ba Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
- Beaches: Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2, Cat Co 3 with clear water and picturesque scenery.
Explore Cat Ba Island Full-Day Scenic Bay & Hidden Beaches Tour
Cu Lao Cham – Island with a Conscience (Quang Nam)
Cu Lao Cham is a beautiful archipelago consisting of eight nearby islands. Just a quick boat ride from Hoi An, this island is where nature rules and tourists follow. It’s part of a UNESCO Marine Reserve with its rich ecosystem, preserving more than 950 aquatic species and proudly plastic – free.
A corner of Ong beach, Cu Lao Cham island. Cre: Cu Lao Cham Marine Conservation Management Board
Peaceful beauty at Cu Lao Cham. Photo by: ivivu
Cu Lao Cham is a popular destination for international tourists. Photo by: mytour
At Cu Lao Cham, visitors can experience traditional rural life, participate in activities like fishing, snorkeling, and even learn how to cook delicious local dishes.
Fun fact: Locals banned plastic here way before it was trendy.
Best time to visit: March to August offers clear skies, calm seas, and little rain, ideal for travel. From September onward, rough seas and storms often halt tourist boats.
Attraction Highlights:
- Chong Beach, Ong Beach, Xep Beach: Beautiful beaches with fine white sand and clear waters, ideal for swimming and relaxation.
- Eo Gio: the perfect place to watch the sunrise. Formed with cliffs surrounding two mountain ranges, creating a saddle-like shape, the locals often call this place Eo Gio.
- Hon Lao: The main inhabited island, where you can explore a traditional fishing village.
- Ancient Cham Well: A historic site over 200 years old, linked to the legend of a magical water well.
- Hai Tang Pagoda: An ancient temple with unique architecture offering a peaceful atmosphere.
- Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area: Home to hundreds of species of coral, fish, and rare marine creatures.
Ky Co – The “Maldives” of Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh)
Ky Co is known as the “Maldives of Vietnam,” a stunning beach located at the foot of Phuong Mai Mountain in Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh. Visitors will be amazed by the two-tone blue waters, soft golden sand, and dramatic rocky cliffs. This is the kind of place where you can kick off your shoes and dive straight into nature, literally.
The majestic beauty of the sea, sky and mountains blend together Photo by: tendatravel
Eo Gio Ky Co Quy Nhon is one of the extremely “virtual” check-in locations that attracts thousands of tourists Photo by: eholidaytravel
Coming to Ky Co Island, Binh Dinh, you can swim, participate in outdoor activities such as diving to see coral and fishing.
Tourists will experience exciting activities at Ky Co Island Photo by: quynhontourist
Fun fact: Ky Co’s water appears in two distinct shades: bright turquoise near the shore and deep blue further out, creating a stunning visual contrast.
Best time to visit: March to September for calm seas and the best weather.
Attraction Highlights:
- Ky Co Beach: With a curved shape, the water shows two distinct shades of blue – one side crystal clear, revealing the seabed, the other side a deep, alluring blue.
- Eo Gio: The best spot to watch sunsets in Quy Nhon, featuring magnificent cliffs sculpted by wind and sea.
- Freshwater Pools by the Sea: Natural “pools” formed by rock crevices, unique and fun for swimming.
- Love Bridge: A wooden bridge standing out in the sea, an ideal check-in spot for visitors.
So, Which Island’s Calling Your Name?
Vietnam’s islands aren’t just a beach getaway. They’re full of surprises, legends, flavors, and wild beauty you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re in it for luxury, raw nature, culture, or a little bit of all three, there’s an island here with your name on it.
Connect with us through Whatsapp or visit My Vietnam Tours to plan your trip and enjoy unforgettable moments in Vietnam’s stunning island paradises! Which island are you ready to explore first?
