Tam Thanh, Binh Minh and Cham Islands: Quiet Beaches Near Hoi An in 2026

Tam Thanh sits 35 km south of Hoi An, a 45-minute taxi ride that costs roughly 400,000–500,000 VND one way in 2026. Taxis make the run, but agree on a return pickup or keep the driver if you plan to stay for sunset; drivers are scarce after dark in the fishing village.

Binh Minh is about 40 km from Hoi An, just beyond Tam Thanh. Renting a scooter or hiring a car for the day gives you the flexibility to visit both beaches in a single loop without backtracking to town.

For the Cham Islands, speedboats leave from Cua Dai harbor. The crossing takes 20–30 minutes, and 2026 round-trip fares run 300,000–500,000 VND per person. Boats are weather-dependent: from September through January, rough seas frequently cancel departures, so confirm with the operator the day before. Permit and guide requirements for Cu Lao Cham change from year to year; ask your boat operator before buying tickets whether a guide or separate conservation fee is required.

February through August is the window to target for these quiet beaches. Average daytime temperatures sit at 29°C, rain is infrequent, and the sea clears up enough for decent snorkelling around the Cham Islands. That reliable weather is also what keeps the speedboats from Cua Dai running on schedule; outside this period, cancellations become common.

From September to January, the northeast monsoon brings storms, high waves, and sediment that turns the water murky. Many speedboat operators suspend trips to Cu Lao Cham when the sea state deteriorates, sometimes for several days at a time. If you're planning a day trip, call your boat operator the evening before.

Even within the dry season, May through August can bring jellyfish close to shore. They're not present every day, but local fishers and homestay owners know the current conditions — ask before entering the water, especially at unpatrolled stretches of Tam Thanh and Binh Minh. Note that weekends and Vietnamese public holidays see more domestic visitors at these beaches; if you want the sand to yourself, go on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning.

Tam Thanh’s family-run homestays cost $15–25 a night in 2026, roughly 350,000–600,000 VND. Most are family-run houses right by the sand; book by phone or Facebook message, because few list on major booking platforms.

Binh Minh guesthouses run $20–35 a night, but supply is thin — a handful of places, often simple rooms set back from the beach. Almost none take online reservations; book by phone or Facebook message and be prepared to pay a small deposit by bank transfer. The lower price comes with fewer amenities and a short walk to the sand.

Cham Islands eco-lodges start at $50 and top out around $100 for a bamboo bungalow with sea view and hot water. Some lodges bundle two-way speedboat transfers and two meals into the nightly rate; if yours doesn’t, add another 300,000–500,000 VND for the round trip from Cua Dai. That bundling can make the islands competitive with staying in Hoi An, where mid-range hotels with pools begin around $40 a night. If you prefer one base for all three beaches, Hoi An’s $40–60 hotels work well for day trips: Tam Thanh is 35 km south (45-minute taxi), Binh Minh 40 km, and the Cham Islands are 20–30 minutes by speedboat.

The Cham Islands marine protected area charges a 70,000 VND reef entry fee, paid in cash at the island's visitor station before you snorkel. That fee supports the coral gardens you'll swim over, and it's collected once per visit, even if you join a day tour from Cua Dai. Bring your own mask and fins if you have them, as rental gear on the islands is basic.

To reach quieter sand at Tam Thanh and Binh Minh, you often walk through working fishing villages. At Tam Thanh, the path passes the mural village, where painted house exteriors line narrow lanes just behind the beach. The murals are free to view; the beach itself has no lifeguards, and rip currents near the river mouth are strongest from September to January.

Kayak and paddleboard rentals along these two beaches are sporadic in 2026. In July and August you might find a local family renting sit-on-top kayaks for 100,000–150,000 VND per hour, but outside peak season there is often nothing available. If you plan to paddle, arrange equipment through a Hoi An operator before heading out, and carry reef-safe sunscreen and drinking water.

At Tam Thanh beach, the river mouth just south of the main swimming area creates rip currents that strengthen after heavy rain from September through January. If you're caught, don't fight the current—swim parallel to the shoreline for 20–30 meters until you're out of the pull, then angle back to shore. From June through August, small jellyfish and sea lice appear in shallow water; carry a small bottle of vinegar (5,000–10,000 VND at any pharmacy in Hoi An) and ask for 'thuốc trị sứa' if stung. Lifeguards are limited or absent at Tam Thanh, Binh Minh, and on the Cham Islands; swim with a buddy and stay within 30 meters of shore. Bring cash in small denominations: homestays and food stalls at Tam Thanh and Binh Minh rarely accept cards, and the nearest ATM to Tam Thanh is about 6 km away in Tam Ky. Use reef-safe sunscreen without oxybenzone, and buy a 1.5-liter bottle of water in Hoi An before heading out, since beach vendors are sparse. Wear reef shoes or old sneakers—the southern end of Tam Thanh has sharp coral fragments, and Binh Minh's river mouth has rocky patches.

A return taxi from Hoi An to Tam Thanh beach costs 800,000–1,000,000 VND, which splits four ways roughly to 200,000–250,000 VND each. If you're comfortable on two wheels, renting a semi-automatic scooter runs 150,000–200,000 VND per day, and you'll burn less than 100,000 VND in fuel for the round trip. Binh Minh is a similar distance; guesthouses there start at $20 per night, but a day trip works fine.

Cham Islands require a speedboat from Cua Dai pier; round-trip tickets in 2026 are 300,000–500,000 VND depending on the operator, and the marine park fee is a flat 70,000 VND. Most boats depart by 8am and return around 2pm. A beach-shack seafood lunch — grilled squid, clams, rice, and a coconut — costs 80,000–150,000 VND per person. Add basic snorkelling gear rental (50,000–100,000 VND) and a guide if you want one.

For a Cham Islands day trip with lunch and snorkelling, budget 1,500,000–2,000,000 VND per person, excluding your Hoi An accommodation. Tam Thanh and Binh Minh are cheaper: with lunch and fuel, a scooter day trip often stays under 600,000 VND per person.