Quang Tri Province (Quảng Trị), located in central Vietnam, is drawing attention from travelers worldwide as a newpremium marine resort area.The "Cua Tung (Cửa Tùng),」「Cua Viet (Cửa Việt),」「and Con Co Island (Cồn Cỏ)""marine-tourism golden triangle" connecting these three baseshas started in earnest,and with Quang Tri Airport also slated to open in 2026, an access revolution is about to arrive.
The triangle's vertices: three distinctive marine spots
Cua Tung — a legendary sandy beach once called the "queen of beaches"
Located 35km north of Dong Ha (the former Quang Tri City), Cua Tung is a storied beach granted the title of the "queen of beaches"as a French-colonial-era summer retreat in the early 20th century. Characterized by fine white sand and a gentle slope, it was once known as one of the finest resort beaches on the Indochina Peninsula. In recent years it has been affected by coastal erosion, but a full-fledged revival is anticipated under the provincial authorities' redevelopment plan.
Cua Viet — a distinctive topography woven by river and sea
Located 15km south of Cua Tung, Cua Viet spreads across the mouth of the Thach Han River (Thạch Hãn). Its appeal is thesmooth sandy beachformed by the mixing of river and sea currents, and it also has good access as a gateway to the East-West Economic Corridor. Thanks to its location near the Dong Ha urban area, the development of tourism infrastructure is also progressing rapidly.
Con Co Island — a treasure trove of marine life and a special economic zone
Con Co Island has been designated by the Vietnamese government as aspecial economic zone,with tourism carryingover 70% of the island's economy.Known for its rich marine biodiversity and strict environmental conservation, it's valued as one of the few spots where you can dive coral reefs and observe rare sea turtles. Its development policy, excluding mass tourism entirely and centering on premium experiential tourism, is also drawing international attention.
The biggest topic of 2026: Quang Tri Airport is slated to open
Midway between Cua Tung and Cua Viet, about 30km from Con Co Island, theQuang Tri Airportunder construction, is slated to open within 2026. This will realize direct flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, bringing travel to Quang Tri Province — long an access challenge — much closer. From Japan, a visit via one or two connections through Vietnam's major cities is expected to become possible.
What you can experience here
| Experience category | Details |
|---|---|
| Marine activities | Managed coral-reef diving, sea-turtle observation tours, snorkeling |
| Wellness | Spa, yoga, and meditation (within eco-resorts) |
| History and culture | Vinh Moc Tunnels (Vietnam War site), folk-art spaces |
| Forest conservation tours | Participating in primeval-forest and mangrove conservation activities on Con Co Island |
| Sustainable transport | Touring the island by electric vehicle, bicycle, and walking routes |
Reasons Japanese travelers should pay attention
Avoiding the crowds of Da Nang and Hoi An,silence and nature,it's a destination that especially resonates with the repeat-traveler segment seeking them. The development concept specializes in "excluding mass tourism" and "high-value-added experiences," with premium boutique villas and eco-conscious bungalows set to open in stages. The Vinh Moc Tunnels, a historic Vietnam War heritage site, is also nearby, making it high in visit value for history lovers too.
For Vietnam's overall tourism boom,Vietnam welcomes a record 6.76 million foreign visitors in Q1 2026we also explain in detail. And as a travel destination in central Vietnam,Da Nang International Airport rises in the 2026 Skytrax ranking,an article like this is also worth referencing. Rapidly growing resort areas in Vietnam, such as Phu Quoc Island in Quang Ninh Province, can alsoPhu Quoc Island sees foreign visitors up 86% in 2026be checked out there.
Reactions on the ground in Vietnam
The Party Secretary of Quang Tri Province stated, "We will make maximum use of tourism in the Con Co special economic zone," and the whole province is putting effort into attracting tourists. A local expert stresses, "Not mass tourism, but premium experiences coexisting with the environment — that is Quang Tri tourism's differentiation strategy." Among domestic tourists, voices are also rising like "it's just like Phu Quoc Island 15 years ago," raising hopes for it as the epicenter of the next Vietnam resort boom.
Summary: to a premium Vietnamese beach "no one knows yet"
For repeat travelers tired of crowded Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, and for travelers oriented toward sustainable trips, Quang Tri Province is Vietnam's most noteworthy emerging destination in 2026. Now, before the airport opens, may be the chance to have a "genuine beach experience" where the quiet still remains.
Source:
Quang Tri seeks to unlock potential of marine tourism’s “golden triangle” | Vietnam News
Quang Tri marine tourism golden triangle | VietnamPlus
