Vietnam Beach: China Beach (Non Nuoc), Danang

Second in a series of short descriptions about different beach destinations in Vietnam. China Beach in Danang, Vietnam, is a famous, much heralded beach and well worth a visit.

Also see:
Vietnam Beach: Lang Co Beach, Lang Co
Vietnam Beach: China Beach (Non Nuoc), Danang
Vietnam Beach: Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An
Vietnam Beach: Nhat Le Beaches, Dong Hoi
Vietnam Beach: Quy Nhon Beaches, Binh Dinh
Vietnam Beach: Nha Trang Beach, Khanh Hoa
for other Vietnam Beach destinations.

Why visit China Beach, Vietnam
Long, broad, sun-drenched beach in Vietnam lapped by the South China Sea and famous as an in-country R&R for American GIs during the Vietnam War.

What is China Beach
The central Vietnam China Beach of US wartime folklore and TV fame is just one section (My Khe Beach) of a beach in central Vietnam which stretches uninterruped for over 35km. Starting from the Son Tra peninsular northeast of Danang City down to Cua Dai beach adjacent to the ancient World Heritage Town of Hoi An in central Vietnam.

Some consider My Khe and Non Nuoc to be the same beach. Others regard them as entirely separate entities with their own water quality, wave and tidal actions. One could think of them as the names for different sections of the same beach. With My Khe adjacent to Danang city and Non Nuoc opposite Marble Mountain.

Close proximity to Danang city makes both of these beaches extremely popular, especially on weekends. However, thanks to the size of both beaches there is always a spot available. Because of their popularity, these beaches attract almost as many vendors, touts, peddlers, hawkers and panhandlers as they do swimming beach goers. A distraction for some, this also means convenience - you can buy whatever you want without leaving your beach towel!

Both beaches are located within very convenient distances from Danang city and are anything but secluded. The waters are generally crystal clear, but can be disturbed when there are storms out in the South China Sea. The beaches along this stretch of Vietnam's central coast have some of the most powdery white sand anywhere on the planet.

Where is China Beach
Danang city is 965km north of HCMC and 759km south of Hanoi. Both beaches are approximately 6-10km east-southeast of Danang city center.

When to visit China Beach
June to August is the best time to visit the beaches around Danang. August-September also heralds the beginning of the typhoon season, so some pounding surf and stormy weather can be experienced.

How to get to China Beach
By Air
Vietnam Airlines flies to/from HCMC (Tan Son Nhat), Hanoi (Noi Bai) and Danang several times daily. Return tickets, before taxes and charges, are approximately VND 476,000 (US$26.75) from both of thos cities. Several regional international airlines also fly directly into Danang International Airport.

By Rail
All express and non-express trains stop at Danang station. Ticket costs for the 17-odd hour journey from HCMC to Danang start at VND 388,000 (US$21.80). VND 328,000 (US$18.43) will get you the cheapest ticket for the 14 or so hour journey down from Hanoi.

By Road
Easily reached by taxi from anywhere in Danang. Road travel to Danang is not recommended, unless you live in Vietnam and have the time to spare.