Tra Co Beach

Introducing Tra Co Beach

Tra Co’s claim to fame is that it is the northernmost beach resort in Vietnam. The downside is that it’s also the closest to China. A fine beach of hard-packed sand with shallow water at 17km in length it’s one of the longest stretches of sandy beachfront real estate in Vietnam. Sadly it’s succumbing to dodgy developments.

It’s still a small-scale resort, but there’s a high season between May and August, with many Vietnamese and Chinese tourists and the usual swathe of karaoke bars and massage parlours. Out of season it’s worth the detour (from Mong Cai, not Hanoi). It’s peaceful, clean and beautiful. It’s a more tranquil option for an overnight stay than Mong Cai.

There are plenty of hotels and guesthouses; those described here have direct beach frontage. Low-season rates are given; expect inflation in high season.

Tra Co Beach Hotel (881 264; r 100, 000-150, 000d; ) A rambling old government hotel, it has a prime location on the beach. Rooms are pretty run down, but there is a certain raffish charm about the place.

Hotel Gio Bien (881 635; r 120, 000-150, 000d; ) This is a family-run minihotel, located just off the main road as you enter town from Mong Cai. Rooms on the upper floors have shared balconies and a bird’s-eye panorama over the beach.

Opposite the Tra Co Beach Hotel, on the edge of the beach, are some great little restaurants (dishes 15, 000-50, 000d) knocking out fresh seafood.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009