While North Vietnam has fewer popular beaches than the central and southern parts of the country, there are several that deserve your time and one of those is Cua Lo in Nghe An Province. The beach is just 18 kilometres from the centre of Vinh City and has become popular with locals and overseas tourists alike.

If you want a Vietnam beach holiday, then this 10 kilometre stretch of sand is worth considering seriously. The setting is idyllic. Imagine a pine forest, a coconut palm fringe to white sand and clear blue sea and you have Cua Lo Beach. There are three small islands offshore, Hon Ngu, Hon Chu and Hon Mat. There are others more distant and all shelter the beach from the worst of the winds during the monsoon season. Incidentally, you can visit each of these islands with the boat trip just a few minutes ride.

The cuisine here is excellent. The seafood ranges from crabs, oystersand shrimps to squid, cuttlefish and local white fish. When it comes to things to do at Cua Lo, you may get the opportunity to go fishing with a local villager at nigh time. You can expect to go out between 50 and 100 metres where you will fish. Some of the catch may even be cooked onboard.

The infrastructure of Cua Lo is developing all the time because the word has spread about the lovely setting. When it comes to the best time to visit Cua Lo, winters are warm and summers mild. You will enjoy swimming all year round and it is worth exploring the surrounding area as well, whether hiking, climbing or hiring a motor bike.

There are several religious and historical places to visit as well; temples, pagodas and national monuments which are particularly popular during one of the many festivals that take place right round the year. If your time is limited, go to Van Loc and Su Hoi Temple and Lo Son Pagoda.  

If you have booked a Vietnam tour package, all your transport and accommodation will be arranged in advance.There is plenty of choice with something like 7,000 rooms available within the area. You are unlikely to be alone if you visit Cua Lo. The infrastructure has developed enormously in recent years and as tourist numbers to Vietnam are increasing year on year, Cua Lo seems certain to benefit even further.