Travel & PlacesJuly 30, 20267 min read

Top 5 Most Beautiful Islands in Vietnam: Inspiration Through Landscape Photography

Vietnam possesses over 3,000 islands of all sizes, but if you ask me — from the perspective of someone always seeking the perfection of light and shapes — which beaches are worth bringing a tripod and the heaviest lenses to, the list narrows down significantly.

This article doesn't list ferry ticket prices or seafood restaurants. Below are the 5 most beautiful islands in Vietnam that provide the highest visual value, where grand topography and the most brilliant "golden hours" converge.

Why These 5 Islands?

I evaluate an island based on 3 core photography factors:

Water Clarity: Crucial for Drone photography.
Geological Diversity: A flat sandy beach is not enough. A strong landscape photo needs sedimentary rocks, cliffs, or coral reefs as a foreground.
Lighting Direction: Is the island optimal for sunrise (East coast) or sunset (West coast)?

1. Phu Quy Island (Binh Thuan) – A touch of tranquility amidst a turquoise band

Phu Quy Island(CLICK TO EXPAND)

EDITORIAL ARCHIVE // SOURCE: PEXELS

Located about 120km from Phan Thiet, Phu Quy is a true rough gem. With no 5-star resorts to distract, this island retains the integrity of nature.

Valuable Angle: Doc Phuot and Trieu Duong Bay. The curve of the coastal road at Doc Phuot creates a perfect "leading line" pointing straight out to the deep blue ocean.
Shooting Time: The light at Phu Quy is most beautiful around 5:00 - 6:00 AM. The sky here is usually very clear, providing ideal conditions for long exposure shots with an ND filter, softening the waves crashing against the black rocky shore.

2. Con Dao (Ba Ria - Vung Tau) – Pristine Majesty

Con Dao(CLICK TO EXPAND)

EDITORIAL ARCHIVE // SOURCE: PEXELS

Con Dao is not just about history. Visually, this is one of the few islands in Vietnam where the primary forest extends right to the water's edge.

Valuable Angle: Dam Trau Beach and Shark Cape. Especially at Dam Trau Beach, you can catch the moment propeller planes land closely right over your head — an incredibly impressive street/travel photography shot.
Visual Insight: Con Dao's seawater has a very characteristic emerald green band. To capture this actual color, a polarizing filter (CPL) is mandatory to eliminate glare on the water surface.

3. Ly Son Island (Quang Ngai) – A geological masterpiece from volcanic sediment

Ly Son Island(CLICK TO EXPAND)

EDITORIAL ARCHIVE // SOURCE: VIETNAM TRAVEL ARCHIVE

If you are passionate about taking "Dramatic" landscape photos, Ly Son is the number one priority. This is the remnant of an extinct volcano from millions of years ago.

Valuable Angle: To Vo Gate (Cong To Vo) and Thoi Loi Peak. Standing from Thoi Loi Peak (the volcanic crater freshwater lake) looking down at the lush green garlic fields divided into a checkerboard pattern, you will get a photo with excellent geometric blocks.
Shooting Time: To Vo Gate at sunset. When the sun sets right through the stone arch, that is when you need to narrow the aperture (f/11 - f/16) to create a brilliant sunstar effect.

4. Nam Du Archipelago (Kien Giang) – The rustic beauty of the Southwest sea and sky

Nam Du Archipelago(CLICK TO EXPAND)

EDITORIAL ARCHIVE // SOURCE: INTERNET ARCHIVE

Consisting of 21 large and small islands, Nam Du is like a green maze for those who love shooting with Drones.

Valuable Angle: Men Beach (Bai Men) and Nam Du Lighthouse. Men Beach possesses leaning coconut trees and the finest white sand in the archipelago.
Visual Insight: The contrast between old wooden fishing boats and crystal clear seawater creates a highly documentary photographic material.

5. Phu Quoc Pearl Island (Kien Giang) – The privilege of late afternoons

Phu Quoc Island(CLICK TO EXPAND)

EDITORIAL ARCHIVE // SOURCE: INTERNET ARCHIVE

Phu Quoc is the largest, most bustling island, and also the only place in Vietnam where you can watch the sun set fully into the horizon over the sea.

Valuable Angle: Truong Beach (Bai Truong), Rach Vem fishing village, or the South Island areas.
Shooting Time: Sunset in Phu Quoc is not just orange. On clear days, you will catch a gradient color band shifting from dreamy purple to burnt orange flooding the entire frame. From 17:30 to 18:15 is the time you are not allowed to put your camera away.

3 Crucial Equipment Notes When Shooting on Islands

Issue	Risk	Equipment Solution
Sea Wind & Sand	Sand particles getting into the mount, salt rusting circuits.	Only use weather-sealed lenses, absolutely do not change lenses on a windy beach.
Harsh Light	Overexposed sky, losing cloud details.	Use a GND (Graduated Neutral Density) Filter or shoot Bracketing.
Water Glare	Cannot clearly see coral reefs or seabed texture.	Always attach a CPL Filter on a wide-angle lens.

What equipment are you using for travel photography? If you are still struggling with framing composition, read on to the article [Guide to Choosing Lenses for Seascape Photography] to optimize your gear before your next trip.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which island in Vietnam is best for Drone photography? Nam Du Archipelago and South Phu Quoc Island are the two most ideal locations because the seawater is extremely clear, revealing the coral reefs at the bottom, combined with a fragmented terrain creating spectacular top-down angles.

What time of year should I visit these islands for the clearest light? For Phu Quy, Con Dao, and Phu Quoc, from November to April of the following year is the dry season, the sky has few clouds, and the sun is harsh but clear. For Ly Son specifically, you should go around April to August (avoiding the Central region's sea storm season).