> > by Craig Tansley
It’s somewhat ironic that a beach best known as a playground for US troops during the Vietnam War is now considered by many to be one of the world’s most luxurious beaches. Old hangars that housed bombers can still be seen while the Vietcong used nearby Huyen Khong Cave as a base for guerrilla warfare, but this 30-kilometre stretch of pure white sand in its stunning bay is now one of Asia’s finest beaches. It’s easy to access, fly to Danang Airport, just 25 minutes away, from Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Best between the months of May and October, China Beach is Vietnam’s most unspoilt beach and has the country’s best surf (they’ve held numerous international surf contests here since 1993). Now ranked alongside South Beach Miami for its luxurious offerings, China Beach is home to some of Asia’s most prestigious beach accommodation, restaurant and activity options. Perfect for the couple who:
Love culture with their luxury – China Beach is at the hub of four World Heritage-listed sites: the ancient port of Hoi An ten minutes a way by shuttle bus with its perfectly preserved merchant’s houses,
the My Son Cham ruins of a lost civilisation, the imperial city of Hue and the Phong Nha caves in Dong Hoi.