## Old Sea Tourism – The Origins of Vietnamese Beach Tourism Vietnam's sea tourism has a longer history than many realize — beginning in the French colonial era of the late 19th century, when the French discovered tropical beach beauty and built the first resorts. Through war, the subsidy era, and economic reform, Vietnamese sea tourism has had a long, eventful journey. - Vietnam sea tourism began in the French colonial era with the first coastal resorts - During the subsidy era, beach trips were a luxury — only a few beaches served domestic visitors - The 1990s marked the boom of international beach tourism Vietnam's sea tourism journey reflects the nation's history — from colony to independence, from war to peace, from subsidies to open markets. ## The French Colonial Era – The First Beach Resorts ### The French Discover Vietnam's Beaches The French arrived in Vietnam in the mid-19th century and quickly recognized the beauty of tropical beaches. With year-round warm, humid climate, Vietnam's beaches became ideal retreats for French colonists. Do Son (Hai Phong) was the first tourist beach developed by the French — from the late 19th century. The French built hilltop resort villas overlooking the sea, a golf course, and a coastal promenade. Do Son became the "Côte d'Azur of Indochina" — a summer retreat for French upper class. Sam Son (Thanh Hoa) was also developed by the French — with small hotels and beachside guesthouses. Less luxurious than Do Son but attracting many visitors with its long beach. ### Nha Trang – The French Era's Beach Jewel Nha Trang was the French's favorite beach in Central Vietnam. Dr. Alexandre Yersin (discoverer of the plague bacillus) lived and worked in Nha Trang from the late 19th century. He fell in love with Nha Trang's beach beauty and introduced it to the French scientific community. The Pasteur Institute Nha Trang (established 1895) and the Oceanographic Institute (established 1922) were scientific institutions linked to the sea. Nha Trang gradually became a famous beach resort — the French built villas and hotels along the beach. ### Vung Tau – Saigon's Beach Resort Vung Tau (Cap Saint-Jacques during French times) was the beach resort nearest to Saigon. The French built villas on Small Mountain and Big Mountain with distinctive Indochinese architecture. Front Beach (Plage Avant) was the main tourist swimming area. The Saigon-Vung Tau railway was built to serve tourism — allowing tourists from Saigon to reach Vung Tau in just hours. On weekends, French residents of Saigon flocked to Vung Tau for swimming and relaxation. ### Dalat and the Sea Though Dalat is not a coastal city, the French combined Dalat tourism (highland retreat) with Nha Trang beach tourism — creating Vietnam's first inter-regional tourism route. ## Wartime – Beach Tourism Paused War (1945-1975) virtually halted all beach tourism. Beaches became military zones — naval bases, military ports. Many French villas were abandoned or converted to military facilities. However, in South Vietnam during 1954-1975, beach tourism continued. Vung Tau remained a beach resort for Saigon residents and American military personnel. Nha Trang also had tourism activities — though limited. My Khe Beach (Da Nang) gained fame during the war — as an R&R (Rest and Recuperation) spot for American soldiers. Forbes magazine later voted My Khe "one of the 6 most attractive beaches on the planet." ## The Subsidy Era – Simple Beach Tourism ### Domestic Tourism After reunification (1975), beach tourism served almost exclusively domestic visitors — and very limitedly. During the subsidy era (1975-1986), beach trips were a luxury — requiring workplace introduction letters and trade union guesthouse reservations. Trade union guesthouses were the subsidy era's "resorts" — small rooms, simple beds, ceiling fans, shared bathrooms. But that was all workers had — and they were content. Sam Son, Do Son, and Cua Lo were the most popular Northern beaches during the subsidy era. In the South, Vung Tau remained the top choice. ### Subsidy-Era Tourism Style Subsidy-era beach tourism had its own character: - Collective trips organized by workplaces — trucks or buses carrying entire departments. - Bringing food — pressed rice, bread, boiled eggs. - Swimming in everyday clothes — no specialized swimwear. - Commemorative photos with rare film cameras — just a few shots per trip. - Souvenirs brought home: fish sauce, dried fish, seashells — simple ocean gifts. ## The 1990s – Beach Tourism Boom ### Reform and Opening Up After Doi Moi (1986), Vietnam opened its economy and tourism. The 1990s marked the beach tourism explosion — international tourists began arriving. Nha Trang, Vung Tau, and Da Nang became popular beach destinations. Hotels and resorts sprouted along beaches. Tourism services developed — tour boats, diving, water sports. ### Phu Quoc – From Deserted Island to Tourist Paradise Phu Quoc exemplifies Vietnam's sea tourism transformation. Before the 2000s, Phu Quoc was a remote island — only a few hundred fishermen living there. Dirt roads, no hotels, no stable electricity. From 2000 onward, Phu Quoc developed rapidly — international airport, cable car, casino, hundreds of resorts. The deserted island became an "island city" — attracting millions of visitors annually. ### Backpacker Tourism and Mui Ne Mui Ne (Phan Thiet) rose to fame in the 1990s thanks to backpacker tourists. Foreign visitors discovered Mui Ne's beautiful beach, strong winds (great for windsurfing), and low prices. Mui Ne became a famous backpacker destination — beach bars, budget guesthouses, kitesurfing. ## Old Beach Posters and Postcards Old beach tourism left behind valuable posters and postcards — visual documents of past sea and islands. French-era tourism posters depicted Vietnam's beaches like paintings — green palms, white sand, emerald water, ao dai-clad women by the sea. Inscribed: "Indochine – La perle de l'Extrême-Orient" (Indochina – The Pearl of the Far East). Old beach postcards recorded pristine beach images — French-era Do Son with hilltop villas, empty Nha Trang beaches, Vung Tau with its harbor. These postcards are now prized collectibles. ## Beach Tourism and Hotel Systems ### French-Era Beach Hotels French-era beach hotels featured Indochinese architecture — red-tiled roofs, wide windows, long corridors, wooden ceiling fans. Grand Hotel Vung Tau and Hotel Morin Nha Trang were among the first beach hotels. ### Trade Union Guesthouses During the subsidy era, trade union beachside guesthouses were domestic tourists' primary accommodation. Simple architecture, basic amenities — but that was everything. ### Modern Resorts From the 2000s, luxury beach resorts appeared everywhere — Vinpearl, InterContinental, Six Senses. Vietnamese beach tourism shifted from budget to premium. ## Conclusion Vietnamese beach tourism has traveled a long road — from French colonial resorts to trade union guesthouses, from Mui Ne backpackers to five-star Phu Quoc resorts. Each era had its own beauty and memories. But however tourism develops, the most important thing remains preserving the sea's natural beauty — because beautiful seas make beautiful tourism, and clean seas bring tourists. ## You might also want to explore: - Old Vung Tau Beach – The Shore Nearest to Saigon - Old Nha Trang Beach – Central Vietnam's Beach Jewel - Old Beach Resorts – Vietnamese Summer Memories by the Shore ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ### When did Vietnam beach tourism begin? In the French colonial era, late 19th century. The French developed Do Son, Sam Son, Nha Trang, and Vung Tau as the first beach resorts. ### What was subsidy-era beach tourism like? Very limited — collective trips by workplace, staying in trade union guesthouses, bringing packed meals. Sam Son, Do Son, Cua Lo were popular beaches. ### When did Vietnamese beach tourism boom? In the 1990s after Doi Moi (1986). International tourists began arriving, resorts appeared, services developed. ### When did Phu Quoc develop tourism? Before 2000 it was a deserted island. From 2000 onward it developed rapidly — international airport, cable car, casino, hundreds of resorts. ### When did Mui Ne become famous? From the 1990s thanks to backpacker tourists discovering beautiful beaches and strong winds for windsurfing. It became a famous international destination.