The largest of Vietnam's islands, Phu Quoc sits in the tropical waters of the Gulf of Thailand and boasts some of the best beaches in the country. Just a short flight from Ho Chi Minh City, it is one of the easiest islands to reach in Vietnam. Many choose to end a trip here, at one of the island's beautiful beachside resorts, after a busy sightseeing journey through mainland Vietnam. Duong Dong is the main town, with plenty of accommodation options and restaurants perfectly positioned alongside stunning Long Beach. Much of the rest of the island is a national park with one long road cutting around it to reach the island's more remote beaches. You can also take a boat hopping tour to a handful of uninhabited islands off the southern coast.

For a true island escape, Con Dao cannot be beaten. More than 62 miles (100 km) off the coast of southern Vietnam, this remote island archipelago is as far as you can get from the crowded streets of Vietnam's cities. As well as peace and quietude, Con Dao is all white-sand, swaying palms, and gently lapping waves. Once a place of nightmares and home to Vietnam's most dangerous prisoners, these stunning islands are now a dream island destination boasting the most luxurious resorts in the country. Don't let the history put you off, Con Dao today is all about showing off its pristine natural beauty both on and off the land!

One of only a handful of inhabited islands among the thousands scattered across the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, Cat Ba Island is a great base for exploring the area. While traditional junk boat trips to Halong Bay are all about discovery by water, Cat Ba allows for more in-depth land exploration. Here, you can take a hike through Cat Ba National Park and marvel at the seemingly endless layers of jungle-clad hills. You can wander through small fishing and farming villages for a taste of island life and you can admire the smaller karst islands of Halong from the comfort of soft white-sand beaches. If you desire more time to soak in the wonder of the bay, Cat Ba offers all that and more.