5 Days in Vietnam's Southern Beach Towns: Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Con Dao

Overview

Five days hits the main southern beach destinations without feeling rushed. You'll see why Nha Trang pulls the dive crowd, why Phu Quoc became the package-holiday hub, and why Con Dao—despite its darker history—attracts people seeking something less manicured. Flights are short, ferries run regularly, and the food is fresh and cheap.

Day 1 — Nha Trang: Arrival and City Center

If you're flying in from Saigon (200 km north), the flight takes 45 minutes; from Hanoi, about 2.5 hours. Buses from Saigon take 5–6 hours and cost 120,000–200,000 VND depending on the operator.

Arrive early and settle into the beachfront neighborhood around Tran Phu Street. Grab "banh mi" from a stall for lunch (25,000–35,000 VND) and walk the 6 km shoreline. The beach itself is brown-sand, crowded with local families on weekends, and backed by mid-range hotels and tourist shops. It's not Instagram-worthy, but it's lived-in.

For dinner, head to Louisiane Brewhouse (29–32 Tran Phu) for fresh seafood and a cold draught beer (cost around 50,000–100,000 VND per person). Alternatively, hunt the night market near Cho Nha Trang (Ben Market) for grilled squid, "banh hoai" (a Nha Trang specialty—crispy, caramelized, 20,000 VND), and fresh "com tam" stalls.

Stay near the beachfront; walk-in rates at mid-range hotels (2-star) run 300,000–600,000 VND/night.

Day 2 — Nha Trang: Island Hopping and Diving

Book an island tour the night before or through your hotel (prices 300,000–600,000 VND/person for a full day, including lunch and snorkeling gear). Most tours hit Hon Mun, Hon Tre, and smaller snorkel spots.

Hon Mun (Ebony Island) is the main dive site—coral is recovering, visibility 10–20 meters depending on season. If you're not certified, snorkeling is still worth it; the reef near the jetty is shallow and colorful. Bring reef-safe sunscreen.

Hon Tre (Bamboo Island) is the bigger tourist draw—white sand, calm water, basic bungalow resort. Most tours include 2–3 hours here and lunch (usually grilled fish, vegetables, rice). The island itself is cramped with day-trippers, but the water is warm and clear.

If you're a scuba diver, book a 2-dive trip with Rainbow Divers or Sailing Club beforehand; expect 1,500,000–2,000,000 VND for two dives with equipment.

Return to Nha Trang by late afternoon. Eat "bun rieu" (a rich crab-and-tomato noodle soup) for dinner at a local shop (35,000–50,000 VND).

Image by kenner116 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)

Day 3 — Phu Quoc: Fly and Settle In

Catch a morning flight from Nha Trang to Phu Quoc (50 mins, around 1,500,000–2,500,000 VND return with budget carriers like Vietjet or Bamboo Airways). Flights leave Cam Ranh Airport, 30 km south of Nha Trang city center (taxi 300,000–400,000 VND).

Phu Quoc's Phu Quoc International Airport is 30 km from Duong Dong town (the main hub). Grab a taxi or book a hotel transfer (200,000–400,000 VND).

Phu Quoc is a resort island now—expect higher prices and more infrastructure than Nha Trang. Check in and relax at Long Beach, the main public strand. It's 20 km of tan sand, cleaner water than Nha Trang, backed by resorts and beach bars. A beer costs 50,000–80,000 VND here (more than Hanoi).

For dinner, walk into Duong Dong town (if your hotel is near) and find "hu tieu" or "banh canh" at a small restaurant (40,000–60,000 VND). Fish curry ("ca ri ca") is a local specialty, especially at Crab House or similar beachside spots (150,000–250,000 VND).

Hotels here range 400,000–1,500,000 VND/night for mid-range comfort.

Day 4 — Phu Quoc: An Thoi Islands and Marine Life

Book an An Thoi Islands tour (500,000–800,000 VND/person, full day including lunch). The An Thoi archipelago lies off Phu Quoc's southern coast—a cluster of 16 small islands with shallow reefs, calm bays, and almost no permanent settlement.

Tours typically visit 3–4 islands: you'll snorkel, sunbathe, and often eat grilled fish on a boat or floating platform. Visibility is better than Nha Trang (15–25 meters), and the reefs are less crowded. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard.

Return by late afternoon and walk Duong Dong's night market (near the harbor) for street food: fried squid, shrimp cakes, fresh rolls (goi cuon). Most dishes 20,000–40,000 VND. The town is small, touristy, but genuine—locals still shop here.

Image by Jpham23 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)

Day 5 — Phu Quoc Beach Time or Con Dao Detour

Option A: Stay in Phu Quoc

Spend your final morning at Sao Beach (on the east coast, 20 km from Duong Dong; taxi 150,000–200,000 VND). It's less crowded than Long Beach, white sand, clear shallow water. Bring snorkeling gear and explore the small reef 200 meters offshore. Grab "com tam" or grilled fish at a beachside shack for lunch (50,000–80,000 VND).

Fly out in the late afternoon or next morning.

Option B: Ferry to Con Dao

If you have time, a morning ferry runs from Phu Quoc (An Thoi Port) to Con Dao (3 hours, 300,000–500,000 VND). Con Dao is quieter, more remote, and historically significant (it was a French penal colony; the Prison Museum is sobering but worth visiting if you have extra time).

The beaches here—Dat Doc, Con Tre—are isolated and unspoiled. Accommodation is sparse (mostly homestays and one resort). If you add Con Dao, plan 2 nights minimum; otherwise, it's a logistics gamble.

For this 5-day frame, Con Dao works better as a 2–3 day add-on rather than a rushed half-day. Skip it unless you're returning to Phu Quoc or flying direct from Con Dao (limited flights).

Practical Notes

Best time: October to April (dry, calm seas). May–September is monsoon season—waves are rough, visibility drops, and ferries run less frequently. Book flights and island tours 1–2 days ahead; resorts in Phu Quoc fill up on weekends. Budget 2,500,000–4,000,000 VND/day for mid-range travel (mid-range hotel, meals, one tour per day). ATMs are plentiful in Nha Trang and Duong Dong; Con Dao has one ATM and limited card acceptance. Bring cash, reef-safe sunscreen, and a light rain jacket.