What it is
Long Thuy Beach ("Bai Bien Long Thuy") stretches about 4 km along the coast north of Tuy Hoa city in the Phu Yen coastal area, now part of the expanded Dak Lak province. Unlike the resort-heavy strips further south, Long Thuy remains a working fishing village with a beach attached. Casuarina trees line the dunes, fishing boats crowd the northern end, and the sand is coarse but clean — a pale gold that darkens near the waterline.
The beach has been a local swimming spot for decades but only started appearing on traveler radars around 2018 when a few guesthouses opened along the coastal road. It still doesn't have the infrastructure of Da Nang or Mui Ne, which is precisely the draw.
Why travelers go
Three reasons people end up at Long Thuy:
- It's empty. Even on weekends, you can walk 500 meters without passing another person. During weekdays in low season, you might have the entire southern stretch to yourself.
- Cheap seafood. The fishing boats land catches daily. Restaurants along the beach road sell grilled "ca thu" (mackerel) for 60,000-80,000 VND per plate and steamed clams for 40,000 VND.
- It connects well to a Phu Yen coastal loop. Travelers doing the Quy Nhon-to-Nha Trang (냐짱 / 芽庄 / ニャチャン) route along the coast use Long Thuy as a base to explore Ganh Da Dia (the basalt columns, 25 km north), Bai Xep, and the Eo Gio cliffs.
This isn't a party beach or a luxury resort destination. If you want cocktail bars and beach clubs, head to Da Nang (다낭 / 岘港 / ダナン) or Phu Quoc. Long Thuy is for people who want to sit in a plastic chair, eat grilled fish, and watch fishing boats come in at dusk.
Best time to visit
The dry season runs from January through August, with March to June being the sweet spot — warm water, minimal rain, and temperatures hovering around 30-33°C. The sea is calm enough for swimming most mornings.
Avoid October through December. The central coast monsoon hits hard here: grey skies, rough surf, and several restaurants shut down. September is transitional — you might get lucky with a few clear days, or you might get rained out for a week.
How to get there
By air: Tuy Hoa Airport (TBB) receives flights from Hanoi and Saigon (Vietnam Airlines, about 1.5 hours). From the airport, Long Thuy Beach is 12 km north — a 25-minute taxi ride costing around 150,000 VND.
By train: Tuy Hoa railway station sits on the Reunification Express line. Trains from Saigon (사이공 / 西贡 / サイゴン) take roughly 9 hours; from Da Nang, about 5.5 hours. From the station, grab a Grab bike (35,000 VND) or taxi north.
By motorbike: If you're riding the coastal QL1D from Quy Nhon, Long Thuy is about 100 km south — a scenic 2.5-hour ride through fishing villages and rice paddies. The road is paved and in decent condition, though watch for sand drifts near the beach turnoffs.
Local transport: Once at Long Thuy, everything is walkable or a short motorbike ride. Rent a manual scooter from most guesthouses for 120,000-150,000 VND/day.
Photo by Ngân Dương on Pexels
What to do
Swim and lounge
The southern end of the beach has the gentlest slope and clearest water. Arrive before 9 AM for flat conditions. By afternoon, wind picks up and the surf gets choppy — still swimmable but less pleasant.
Walk to the fishing village
Head north along the beach about 1.5 km to reach the cluster of wooden boats. Fishermen sort catches between 5:30-7:00 AM. Nobody minds you watching or photographing, though buying a bag of fresh shrimp (50,000 VND/kg) earns goodwill.
Day trip to Ganh Da Dia
The hexagonal basalt columns at Ganh Da Dia sit 25 km north along the coast road. Entry is free. Go early — tour buses arrive by 10 AM. Combine it with a stop at Bai Bang, a tiny cove 3 km south of Ganh Da Dia that has no facilities but excellent snorkeling when the water is calm.
Ride to Bai Mon and Mui Dien Lighthouse
About 30 km southeast, Mui Dien is Vietnam's easternmost point. The lighthouse requires a 20-minute hike up from the parking area. Bai Mon beach below has turquoise water and dramatic rock formations. Budget half a day for the round trip.
Where to eat
There's no foodie scene here — just honest coastal cooking.
- Quan Hai San Ba Tam — on the beach road, 2 km from the main intersection. Grilled squid, steamed razor clams, and "canh chua ca" (sour fish soup). Two people eat well for 200,000-250,000 VND.
- Com Ga Phu Yen stalls — in the small market cluster near the guesthouse strip. "Com ga" (chicken rice) is Phu Yen's regional specialty — shredded chicken over turmeric rice, 35,000 VND per plate.
- Banh xeo stands — several pop up in late afternoon along the village road. The central coast version uses smaller crepes than the Saigon style, stuffed with shrimp and bean sprouts.
For vietnamese coffee, look for the small cafe with blue plastic chairs at the T-junction near the beach entrance. They do a strong "ca phe sua da (연유커피 / 越南冰咖啡 / ベトナムアイスコーヒー)" for 15,000 VND.
Where to stay
Accommodation is basic. No international hotels, no pool villas.
- Nha nghi (guesthouses): Several line the road parallel to the beach. Expect air-con rooms with hot water for 250,000-400,000 VND/night. Clean but no-frills — tiled floors, thin mattress, basic WiFi.
- Homestays: A few families rent rooms with breakfast included for around 350,000 VND. These are the better option if you want local recommendations.
- Tuy Hoa hotels: If you need a proper hotel with an elevator and breakfast buffet, stay in Tuy Hoa city (12 km south) and ride up to the beach. Rooms in the 500,000-800,000 VND range are easy to find.
Book directly or via booking apps — most places are listed on Booking.com or Agoda now.
Photo by Alexis Ricardo Alaurin on Pexels
Practical tips
- ATMs: None at Long Thuy. Withdraw cash in Tuy Hoa before coming. Some guesthouses accept bank transfers but most seafood restaurants are cash only.
- Sunscreen and shade: The casuarina trees provide some shade, but there are no beach umbrellas for rent. Bring your own or accept the tan lines.
- Language: Very little English spoken. Download Vietnamese phrases or use Google Translate's camera mode for menus.
- Phone signal: Viettel and Mobifone both have 4G coverage here, though it drops occasionally near the northern fishing village.
Common mistakes
- Coming in monsoon season and finding everything closed. Check weather before booking.
- Not bringing cash. You'll be stuck if you arrive without VND.
- Expecting Hoi An (호이안 / 会安 / ホイアン)-level infrastructure. There's no laundry service, no tour desk, no Western breakfast. Pack accordingly.
- Skipping the early morning. The beach is best at sunrise. By midday the wind and sun are both harsh.
Practical notes
Long Thuy works best as a 2-night stop on a longer central coast route — pair it with Quy Nhon to the north or Nha Trang to the south. It rewards travelers who like quiet, cheap seafood, and the feeling of finding a place before everyone else does.
Last updated · May 21, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
