Beaches near HCMC?

My husband and I are travelling to HCMC and would like to take a few days to stay by the beach, maybe 3 to 4 hours away max. We're thinking of Phan Thiet or Mui Ne. Anybody have recommendations on good hotels there? Bungalows? Is it quiet or touristy? Any other beach towns you'd recommend, like somewhere south? Has to be close to HCMC, by public trans. Thanks!!!

Mui Nhe and Nha Trang are quite touristy - though I don't know how many tourists are there at the moment. No doubt with the improving weather the #s will start to climb.


I was checking out the beaches at Phan Rang a couple of weeks ago and there were only fishermen - I was the only "tourist" that I saw. The beaches there however leave a lot to be desired. VN friends there have not been swiming in recent times because of the cold and rough water - it was very calm when I was there though.


I was at Phu Quoc a couple of years ago. There are hotels/resorts in town as well as outside of town. Public transport is feasible - ferry/fly to the island. At the time it was a lot less crowded than Nha Trang, etc.


Close is a relative term. Public transport is time consuming - unless you fly. I think it is about 8 hours by bus from HCMC to Nha Trang. It is 2 hours by express bus from Nha Trang to Phan Rang so look at a map to get an idea of the possible time involved.