surfing trip vietnam

[manbearpig]

HI,
I'm planning to get my mate tickets to Vietnam for a surfing trip. I'd like to find a surfing resort/hostel in a location that's not crowded, has good intermediate waves (a range if possible) and has a good surfing community.

Essentially looking for a top deck trip - but instead of meusems,clubs and bars it's waves, beers and beach.

Hoping someone can make some recommendations, keen for all options and advice.

[jaffa1949]

The Vietnam surf surf scene is centered around Danang and Vungtau, and are basically long sand beaches with surf ranging to adequate, with occasional better days, but not rating as consistent ar epic. The Typhoon season in the south China seas ca give some bigger swell and there are board rentals and ex pat community of surfers. Beers and beach yes, but a top trip, probably comes in as a plan B .
Nah Trang has a hotel resort on the beach an Bai Dai might just work for you. Board rental and a surf school there.
Consider September to April as the time!

[mg100]

Great advise from Jaffa.
I have been a few times surfing in Vietnam but this is only because I visit for work, I wouldn't recommended it solely for a surf holiday if thats your idea.
I have been to Da Nang four times in the hope of good waves but spent most of it sipping a beer on the beach, your going to have to get really lucky to have a half decent surf, I was last there in February and couldn't surf at all.
There is a great secret spot though in Qui Nhon called Dragon Head, its about 7 hours on an overnight coach from Da Nang, I took a trip there with a Da Dang shop shop one time, there is F all else to do around there though, no beach bars.
I will be there most of June which is totally the wrong season but I am going to try this place on a weekend vungtaubeachclub.com because its close to HCM, although I am 99.9% sure it will be another weekend in the bar, which is not so bad.

[manbearpig]

Where would you two recommend if Vietnam is not too crash hot?
Originally I had planned to send him to the Phillipines but recently there's been a bit of turmoil so thought best to go somewhere a little safer. I figured Vietnam would have alot of people to network with so if it's a bad day he would have enough company to still make a good trip.

[jaffa1949]

Nice thought sending a friend Nona surf trip!.
It would help to know where you are sending him from!
The sort of budget you consider, and a few more rough details.
Intermediate level, not too risky, but travel insurance would be absolutely vital,
Things like visa and stuff too, your homecountry may be a difficult visa status!
Is he a comfortable third world traveller, because that’s where he could be.
Another thing , what would your friend like or is it a complete surprise?

[manbearpig]

From Australia, as for budget he can work out his spending. he's not short on money. I'll be covering the flights and accommodation for 1 week to 2 weeks and have a budget of about $2000 AUS so keen on a location with plenty of ranges of breaks and easy transit. Realistically so long as the accommodation is under 150$ per night we're in the scope of things.

he's a beginner to intermediate. Not quite at intermediate yet but not far from it. This will be a heavy training session for him so wanting to get him to challenge himself on bigger waves.

Thanks again.

[jaffa1949]

Realistically I would suggest Lombok, Kuta Beach Lombok and east to Gerupuk a daily Nemo ride or surf school ride to varied breaks.
Around the $150 mark a fair amount of choice with lots on offer below that.
You could also head further east to Heaven on the Planet, a place I stay at often that offers, a good intermediate wave Inside Ekas or if he want to challenge himself Outside Ekas but I would suggest he stay well away from Outside.
Inside Ekas has a left and right and on smaller days a a long winding left, there is also a less difficult sand beach break.
No Bali hassle, the resort has all you need meals included and Airport pick up and boat transport,( tide dependent) or walk to the break.
Swimming pool, beer and after surf talk and hangout sessions and massages available.
No museums or visits to endure , check out their website see if it fits comes in near your budget.
One thing safety wise, is your friend self sufficient in the surf, the further away from Australia you get the more you have to be able to sort out your own safety.

Get Peter Neelies book “Indo Surf and Lingo” well,worth it for a starting point of reference.

Get there thoughts, fly Garuda both from Oz and from Bali to Lombok, easiest way, ferries are the other way but involve more challenges.

What is you friends current intermediate wave, good Indo surf will be a genuine jump up in quality and the crowds can be avoided.

[ducpham]

Hi friends,

I recommend you to spend your surfing trip in Mui Ne (Phan Thiet) in Vietnam, because this place receives good reviews and responses. I'm not sure whether the wave is satisfactory to you or not, but I'm confident that it meets your requirement "not-crowded". In contrast, your request about bars and surfing community, I'm a little doubt. In this field, Vung Tau is more suitable than ever. So you may want to consider carefully, of all criterias, both positive and negative side.

[stevensorama]

Hey guys,
I know this thread is old now, but I wanted to add that there is a small community of expats here in south VN (HCMC, Vung Tau) who can help with future inquiries if any.
Also, sorry Ducpham, but Mui Ne is not an option for surfing as the beach is blown out 99% of the year and in most places shoreline is too steep entering the water anyway resulting in nothing but shorebreak. The town receives good reviews from tourists, but anything related to surfing when it comes to reviews will only be for kitesurfing as Mui Ne is one of the most famous spots in Asia for that.

Surf spots in VN where you are most likely to find waves, although still very fickle:
Vung Tau - Long Hai - Phuoc Hai - Ho Tram
Qui Nhon (secret dragon head location)
Hoi An - Da Nang

Hit me up sometime.

[stevensorama]

Here is a clip of my buddy on the "secret" dragon head left hander

[mg100]

Here is a clip of my buddy on the "secret" dragon head left hander

I have been to dragon head took flipping forever to get there but it was very fun, would never guess it is in Vietnam.

[Bedheadedness]

Hi all,
Bumping this thread as I’ll be in Vietnam mid December and hoping to chase some waves. Anyone have updated info on where to go?

I was planning to head straight to Da Nang since it has an airport with cheap flights from Cambodia, where I’ll be coming from. It sounds like there’s surf further south, however, and I’m just not sure what direction to head in.

I’m backpacking in Thailand atm and this don’t have any gear. I’ll probably need to find somewhere that has a shop that will rent out boards for the day or even for longer. I’m all ears, thanks!

[jaffa1949]

Bed head, I think most of the information that might help you is in the previous posts in the thread.
Have adventure and fun

[Bedheadedness]

Hah thanks Jaffa, you’re probably right. Just hoping to catch lightning in a bottle and see if any of those expats in south vietnam might be able to meet up!