Top 5 Golden Beaches in Indochina/Southeast Asia: All Worth Visiting

The Indochina region of Southeast Asia is blessed with beautiful coastlines, and the top 5 beaches can be found in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

In Thailand, Phuket is the biggest and most popular island, while Pattaya is a lively seaside resort not far from Bangkok. In Vietnam, there’s Nha Trang as a vibrant beach city, and Phu Quoc, the country’s largest island with long coastlines. Koh Rong, a peaceful island for full relaxation in Cambodia.

In this blog, we’ll talk you through the five must-visit golden sand beaches in detail, and show you what makes each one so unique. Let’s dive in and get that ideal beach escape!

Top 1: Phuket - the Largest and Most Visited Destination in Thailand

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, and also the highlight of Southeast Asia's beaches - often a key stop on a Thailand tour. It has a 90 kilometers coastline with over 30 beaches, some of the best known of which are Patong, Kata, and Karon.

The nightlife hot spot in Phuket is Patong Beach, where you will find nightclubs, bars and street performances. During the day, you can rent a lounge chair to relax, and the waves here are mellow and appeal to swimmers and beginner surfers; at night, you can join the beach party.

Kata Beach is located south of Patong Beach, and is the ideal place for family vacation and relaxation. Karon Beach is close by, the vibe is much the same as Kata Beach, usually attracting couples and small groups.

In addition to these beaches, Phuket has many hidden gems. For example, Freedom Beach is tucked between cliffs, and the water is clear and calm, just like a paradise.

You can go jet skiing, snorkeling and scuba diving in the Similan Islands. Or, if you prefer land activities, you might want to wander through Phuket Old Town, with its pretty pastel Sino-Portuguese buildings and cool cafes.

It is popular and may be crowded, but there are beaches and views you won’t want to miss. Moreover, from hostels to luxury resorts, it is easy to find accommodation to suit your budget.

A 3-5 day trip here is a good length to fully experience these beaches. The best time to visit Phuket is from November to April, when the skies are clear and the seas are calm, perfect for snorkeling and island hopping.

The sunset in Phuket is very beautiful and worth a visit

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Top 2: Pattaya - One of the Most Popular Beach in Thailand

Just 1.5 hours from Bangkok, Pattaya is known as a vibrant Thai seaside city. Pattaya Beach is its main beach area, located on the east coast of Thailand, stretching 2.8 kilometers along the beach road, lined with hotels, restaurants and water sports stalls.

Water activities are abundant, you can try jet skiing, windsurfing, parasailing or banana boating. You can also take a boat to the nearby Coral Island (Koh Larn) for snorkeling, where there are more peaceful bays and colorful coral reefs.

Jomtien Beach is the sister of Pattaya Beach, located south of Pattaya City Center. It is quieter and cleaner than the main beach, and is usually preferred by families and couples. Under the palm trees, with only the sound of waves and birds singing in your ears, this peaceful atmosphere makes Pattaya the first choice of beach in Southeast Asia.

Pattaya tour is not just about beach fun. Also nearby is the Sanctuary of Truth, a massive wooden temple carved with mythological figures, and Walking Street, where neon lights flicker until dawn, live music and street food stalls are lined up for night owls. The underwater aquarium at Pattaya SeaWorld is also worth a visit, home to sharks, rays and colorful tropical fish.

Staying in Pattaya for 2-3 days is ideal for exploring its wonderful attractions. The best time to visit is from November to February, when the weather is cool and dry, making it a pleasant experience.

Pattaya is very popular and has a very colorful nightlife

Top 3: Nha Trang - the Most Famous and has Many Top Beaches in Vietnam

Nha Trang is always considered the most famous seaside resort town in Vietnam, often featured in a Vietnam tour for its many top beaches and dive sites. The picturesque mountain, together with the crescent-shaped beach, creates a beautiful view of the town.

As one of the most well-known Vietnam beach towns, Nha Trang has many prime beaches, such as “Bãi Dài”, “Bãi Hòn Chồng” or “Bãi Dương”. Moreover, there are many amazing hotels and guesthouses enhancing the role of Nha Trang as a tropical paradise for everyone.

Nha Trang is certainly an exotic hideaway from the bustling city, with its peaceful scenic gardens, dazzling white sand, and the blue of the clear water and the vast high sky. Besides the attractive sands, Nha Trang also has a shoreline filled with promenades and sculpture gardens with lines of pruned trees, which are thought of as an alternative idea for a romantic long walk.

There are many other things to do in Nha Trang, diving, snorkeling, and scuba diving are the three most popular activities attracting millions of foreign travelers every year. Tourists can also enjoy a pleasant and relaxing dip because the water offshore is very clean; however, being careful of the ocean currents is important.

Plan a 3-4 day trip to Nha Trang to enjoy the beach. The comfortable time to visit is from February to May, when the sun is shining and rainfall is minimal, making it a great choice for beach lovers and sightseeing tourists.

Nha Trang Beach is a famous coastal city, close to the urban area

Top 4: Phu Quoc Island - the Largest Beach Destination in Vietnam

Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, has 150 kilometers of the coast, each with its own distinct face, offering a beautiful experience of Vietnam’s beaches and a perfect highlight of any Phu Quoc tour.

The most popular beach on the island is Long Beach, which is 20 km long with white, fine sand. The island’s laid-back vibe makes it ideal for honeymoons and solo travelers. The island’s relaxed vibe also makes it perfect for honeymoons and people traveling alone. You might go kayaking, hit the beach at sunset or just relax with a coconut in hand.

For a more peaceful day, go north to Bai Thom Beach. Here, the dunes are rolling and the slopes gentle, and best of all, there are none of those ghastly tourists, so you can sunbathe in peace.

Also on the west coast is Ganh Dau Beach, which sits on the border of Phu Quoc National Park and has relatively clear, shallow waters. The An Thoi Islands, off the southern end of the main island, consist of dozens of tiny islands that are perfect for snorkeling or exploring with a boat ride to the coral reefs.

To explore inland, you can rent a motorbike and explore pepper farms and tropical forests. Don’t miss Phu Quoc National Park, which covers more than half of the island and protects wildlife such as hornbills and leaf monkeys. Phu Quoc is also known for producing the best fish sauce in Vietnam, and you can visit the factory to learn about its production process.

For a local experience, head to Phu Quoc Night Market in Duong Dong. Here you can eat freshly barbecued seafood, local favourite grilled pork on sticks, and hand-squeezed tropical fruit juices and smoothies.

Travel to Phu Quoc for 4-5 day is a great way to completely relax. The best time to visit is from November to March, when the island has a dry climate and calm seas, making it a great place to relax and explore.

Phu Quoc Island's beaches are adjacent to lush national park forests

Top 5: Koh Rong Island Beach - Known for Its Peaceful Atmosphere in Cambodia

Koh Rong is easily one of Cambodia’s most gorgeous islands, often featured in a Cambodia tour for its stunning beaches, with 43 kilometers of beach. From Sihanoukville, catch a boat to Koh Rong with any of the guesthouses on the island. The trip takes between two to three hours.

On the southwestern side of Koh Rong, the beach stretches for nearly five kilometers - 5,000 meters of untouched white sand fringed with palm trees and dazzling turquoise waters. At the southernmost end of this beach are rocks where snorkelers can watch schools of colorful rabbitfish, sergeant fish and parrotfish.

The southernmost cove of Koh Rong hosts a beach that the locals call Long Set, after the farmer who lives there growing coconuts, mangoes and cashews. With nearly empty white sand beaches and placid aquamarine waters, Long Set Beach is just a short walk away from the accommodations on the main part of southeast Koh Rong and is an ideal place for sunning, collecting shells and crabbing.

All of the beaches on the Koh Rong Island tour will have you gaping in awe, and Lazy Beach is particularly beautiful. Shaded by pine trees, the golden sands of Lazy Beach make for excellent daytime sunning. The waters around the beach have many snorkeling options and other parts of Koh Rong are a favorite of divers and fishing enthusiasts. Evenings, you can watch the deep pink sunsets from the beach with a tropical cocktail in hand.

Spend 3-4 days here, and you can relax and explore as much as you want. The best time to visit Koh Rong Island is from December to April, during the dry season, when the weather is clear and the seas are calm, perfect for beach activities.

The peaceful and beautiful Koh Rong Island.

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Conclusion

The 5 golden beaches in Indochina all with their own unique features. With the bustling coast of Phuket and the serene sands of Koh Rong Island, Southeast Asia’s beaches have something for everyone. The buzzing beaches of Thailand, the intersection of culture and natural beauty in Vietnam and the untouched beauty of Cambodia make this a paradise for beach lovers.

Whether your trip to Indochina is for a family vacation, a honeymoon or a solo adventure, these five Southeast Asian beaches are worth adding to your dream list. Have your swimsuit and sunscreen ready, and plan to explore these beautiful golden beaches! If you have any other questions or information you want to know, just contact us.