Coco Beach Resort

Coco Beach Resort is surprisingly quiet given its location in the heart of the action in Ham Tien. While the road outside buzzes with motorcycles, tour buses, taxis, and restaurant staff calling out to tourists, the vibe past this boutique’s main entrance is relaxing and laid-back. Although small compared to other beachfront resorts in the area, the hotel grounds are tranquil and beautiful, with manicured lawns criss-crossed by paths, and rope hammocks tied to palm trees throughout. The hotel’s 34 bungalows are built in the traditional Vietnamese style: on stilts and with thatched roofs and wooden walls and floors. Interiors have a simple but cute beachy style that goes well with the general atmosphere, with clean lines and natural wood finishes combined with nautical-inspired accents such as blue-and-white life preservers and big shade sails. 

The hotel is still run by the same Franco-German couple that opened it back in 1995, when the area was years away from being a major tourism hub. It has a string of loyal regular clients, including many expats who come to Coco Beach year after year fleeing the noise and dust of Ho Chi Minh City. During our visit, the majority of guests were European couples seeking some quiet, relaxing days after weeks of exploring the country. However, the hotel also draws plenty of families (mostly Vietnamese in the summer months) thanks to its wide array of kid-friendly perks -- including a kiddy pool, cribs, babysitting services, loaner beach toys, a playground, and kids’ menus in the restaurants -- and pet-friendly policies, which is a rarity in the region. 

Coco Beach is one of the most charming mid-range properties in the area, but rates are not much lower than at more upscale hotels with a wider range of features. Mia Resort Mui Ne is one of the most similar direct competitors, with a stylish beachy design, an excellent restaurant, a great spa, and direct access to the same beautiful stretch of sand as the Coco Beach. In that same price range, Cham Villas is another great pick. Its rooms are spacious and elegant, and the palm-fringed pool is one of the most charming in the area. Those seeking something a little cheaper may want to compare rates at the Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa, complete with a full spa, spacious rooms and bungalows, and a big beach.

Coco Beach Resort is located right on Ham Tien’s main drag, a two-way road lined with bars, restaurants, shops, and travel agencies. There is plenty of traffic right outside the hotel, but the sidewalks are better-maintained and wider than in other areas farther away from the city center. This location is not only convenient for those looking to eat and drink out but also for travelers interested in exploring the area’s main sights. The Fairy Stream, a creek famous for its red and white walls, can be reached in about 10 minutes by car, while Mui Ne -- known for its quaint fishing harbor and seafood restaurants -- is about a 20-minute drive away. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from the historic Cham Towers. The nearest airports are in Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat, each about a five-hour bus ride away. The hotel offers transfers to Ho Chi Minh City, Dalat, and Nha Trang for a fee. 

The hotel has 34 one- and two-bedroom bungalows, each housed in a stand-alone wooden structure with thatched roofs and built on stilts. Decor is simple but cute, with beachy touches such as life preserves on walls, and a blue and yellow color scheme that stands out against the natural wood surfaces and white linens. Bungalows are cozy, but white IKEA-style furniture with clean and minimalist lines add visual space, and several windows on different walls make rooms light and airy. One-bedroom bungalows come with either one queen-size bed or two twins (all with storage space underneath), a couch, and a desk; two-bedroom bungalows (known as Villas here) feature a separate living area and two bathrooms. Each unit also has a spacious terrace with at least partial sea views and equipped with a wooden couch, a rope hammock (in most), and a small coffee table.

The lack of TVs in rooms may not be convenient to some, but free Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort, allowing guests to watch movies and shows on computers, phones, and tablets. Other standard amenities include air-conditioning, safes, minibars, and electric kettles with free tea and coffee. All bungalows feature small bathrooms with rain showers, lemongrass-scented toiletries, and hairdryers; villas feature shower/tub combos in the second bathroom. There have been some complaints of frayed towels and other minor upkeep issues in rooms, but the hotel closes every year for a month to carry out maintenance works, allowing for rooms to stay in good shape overall. 

Coco Beach Resort offers direct access to one of the best beaches in the area: It is wide, sandy, and less windy than those in the Mui Ne area. The hotel has a number of padded loungers on the sand along with a few umbrellas, and a partner water sports center offers stand-up paddleboards, boogie boards, and kite surfing for a fee. A cute bar serves snacks and drinks during the day. Set in the gardens, the saltwater pool is cute and relaxing, with umbrellas, cushioned loungers, a couple of large bean bags, and a small whirlpool. A shallow area separated from the deeper end by a small wall is suitable for children. 

Dining options at Coco Beach range from casual to elegant, with a beachfront eatery serving Vietnamese and international meals in a relaxed atmosphere, and a more formal restaurant offering tapas-style fine regional cuisine for dinner in a tastefully decorated dining room with pool views. The sports bar has two large TVs and is a popular spot in the afternoon and during major sports events.