1. Overview of Long Hai Beach
1.1. Where is Long Hai Beach?
Long Hai Beach , located in Vung Tau ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Long Hai Beach boasts a convenient geographical location for visitors from many places. From the center of Ho Chi Minh City, just travel about 100 km on National Highway 1A and QL51 to reach this beach. From the center of Vung Tau city, Long Hai is located about 20 - 25 km to the Northeast, making it a suitable destination for those who wish to find a quiet space.
Long Hai Beach retains its charm thanks to the combination of peaceful natural beauty and tourist facilities. The travel time from the center of Ho Chi Minh City is only about 2.5 - 3 hours, which is extremely convenient for weekend trips. Unlike many other beaches, Long Hai still retains the tranquility of an ancient fishing village, creating a relaxing atmosphere for every visitor who sets foot here.
Long Hai Beach is famous for its clear blue water, fine sandy shore, and peaceful scenery. (Source: Collection)
This coastal area is also notable for its rich coastal ecosystem, lush casuarina forests, and unique natural rock formations. The harmony between mountains, forests, and the sea creates an ideal resort space suitable for families or groups of young people who love exploration.
1.2. Natural Characteristics
The first impression for visitors arriving at Long Hai Beach is the fine white sandy shore stretching about 3 km, with crystal clear, deep blue sea water. The beach has a gentle slope and calm waves, making it very suitable for safe swimming, especially for children. Thanks to its proximity to Minh Dam mountain and the coastal primeval forests, the air in Long Hai is always fresh and pleasant in the early morning or late afternoon.
2. Outstanding Experiences and Activities at Long Hai Beach
2.1. Swimming, Strolling, and Photo Opportunities
Along Provincial Road 44A, Long Hai Beach boasts wide sandy stretches, clear blue water, and gentle waves. The main beaches have lifeguard teams on duty on weekends and holidays, ensuring everyone's safety. The areas near Dinh Co and the stretch near the casuarina forest are particularly attractive to young people due to their open spaces and beautiful scenery.
The natural rocky shores near Minh Dam mountain and towards Nuoc Ngot Pass offer many unique photo opportunities. The rocks with diverse shapes, combined with the blue sea and sky backdrop, help create impressive pictures. Many professional photographers also choose Long Hai as a setting for wedding photos and artistic shoots.
The sunrise moment at Long Hai Beach typically occurs between 5:15 and 5:45 AM, as the sun gradually rises and changes the colors of the sky and water. Sunset casts an orange-gold hue over the sea and the casuarina rows, contributing to a romantic atmosphere. This is also an ideal time to capture memorable moments of your trip.
2.2. Camping, BBQ Parties, Team Building
The areas along the casuarina forests or near the sea in Long Hai are very suitable for camping for nature lovers. The spacious area is enough to set up tents overnight, organize team-building games, or gather to light a fire and enjoy a BBQ party. The gentle sound of waves throughout the night and the moonlight reflecting on the water will create a memorable atmosphere.
BBQ is an attractive outdoor culinary experience, where visitors and friends enjoy fragrant grilled fresh seafood. (Source: Collected)
Camping support services are increasingly diverse with tent rental packages ranging from 300,000 - 2,000,000 VND/tent/night. Many local units and homestays offer all-inclusive packages, including grills, tables, chairs, charcoal, and necessary equipment. Visitors only need to prepare additional food and enjoy the fresh sea air.
When camping at Long Hai beach, pay attention to safety, such as not pitching tents too close to the water to prevent high tides, and be aware that strong winds at night can cause tents to shift. After finishing, clean up all trash to protect the beach landscape. Large groups should notify management or local authorities in advance when organizing major events.
3. Nearby tourist attractions you should visit
3.1. Nuoc Ngot Pass
The Nuoc Ngot Pass, with its arc shape about 5 km long, connecting Long Hai and Phuoc Hai, is a prominent destination in the southern region. One side of the pass is a cliff covered with green trees, and the other is the vast blue sea, creating a landscape that is both majestic and poetic. This route not only serves as a passage but also attracts young people for photos.
Nuoc Ngot Pass connects Long Hai - Phuoc Hai, famous for its poetic, winding mountain and sea scenery. (Source: Collected)
Moving from the center of Long Hai beach along provincial road 44A to the pass is very convenient, suitable for both motorbikes and cars. The top of the pass is an ideal stop to admire the panoramic view of the sea and flower forests. Early morning or late afternoon are the most suitable times for sightseeing and photography thanks to the beautiful, gentle light.
3.2. Phuoc Hai Beach
Phuoc Hai Beach offers a different experience as it retains its pristine nature, with many traditional fishing villages. While Long Hai beach has developed tourism with many services, Phuoc Hai stands out with its fine golden sand, peaceful fishing village, and abundant seafood.
The route from Long Hai to Phuoc Hai passes through Nuoc Ngot Pass, bringing a sense of excitement to explorers. You can combine visits to both beaches to fully appreciate the beauty of the Long Dien coastal area. The road is convenient for both motorbikes and cars, making it very suitable for a day trip.
The cuisine in Phuoc Hai is attractive with many seafood dishes cooked in traditional recipes. Phuoc Hai fish market in the morning is a place to supply fresh seafood at reasonable prices. Tourists can buy seafood to take home or ask the seaside eateries to prepare it according to their preferences, creating a meal full of sea flavor.
4. Delicious dishes to try when visiting Long Hai beach
4.1. Long Hai Seafood Specialties
Mantis shrimp (also known as stomatopod) is one of the outstanding specialties of Long Hai with its natural sweetness and firm, chewy meat. Fresh mantis shrimp are caught daily and simply prepared, such as salt and chili stir-fried or grilled with scallion oil, to preserve their full flavor. The price of mantis shrimp is about 180,000 - 350,000 VND/kg depending on size, season, and quality, always satisfying diners.
Stone crabs in Long Hai are also very popular for their firm meat and rich roe, often prepared as tamarind stir-fried crab, steamed crab with ginger, or grilled crab. The price per crab ranges from 120,000 - 200,000 VND for large ones, suitable for enjoying with family. Additionally, various types of snails like conch snails, mud snails, clams, and bloody clams priced at 50,000 - 120,000 VND/plate are also very appealing.
Vung Tau seafood is fresh, diverse, and rich with the taste of the sea, an unmissable culinary experience for tourists. (Source: Collected)
Some popular dining spots include Quan Ganh Hao Long Hai and Lang Chai Long Hai, which offer spacious seaside settings and serve fresh seafood. You can also buy seafood at the morning fish market for the best prices, then ask a restaurant or guesthouse owner to prepare it into dishes as you wish.
4.2. Notable seaside dining spots
Quan Ganh Hao is famous for its location right by Long Hai beach and its diverse seafood menu. The restaurant's signature dishes are salt-baked mantis shrimp and spicy and sour seafood hot pot, made with carefully selected fresh ingredients. The spacious setting allows guests to enjoy seafood while admiring the sea view.
Lang Chai Long Hai attracts visitors with its traditional fishing village style and a rich menu of seafood dishes prepared using traditional family recipes. Dishes like steamed stone crab and grilled snails with green onions consistently receive positive reviews. Huong Bien Restaurant and Ngoc Thuy Seafood Restaurant are also reliable choices, known for their distinctive flavors and professional service.
Dining services in Long Hai offer many innovations, with diverse menus ranging from family meal sets to individual dishes for solo diners. Many restaurants support banquets for large groups or prepare seafood brought by customers, providing flexibility and cost optimization. Booking a table in advance by phone helps you secure a preferred seat, especially on weekends or holidays.
Long Hai beach is the "national" resort paradise of the South, gathering all the elements that captivate tourists: blue sea, white sand, delicious fresh food, and a peaceful pace of life. From swimming, camping, and taking photos to exploring the fishing village and enjoying seafood, Long Hai offers a journey that is both relaxing and inspiring.