Bai Khem (Kem Beach)
Bai Khem — its name literally means 'cream beach' — is the kind of shore that travel writers run out of adjectives for: powdery white sand that stays cool underfoot, emerald water so clear you can read the seabed, and a crescent bay framed by dense tropical forest. It was a military exclusion zone until 2009, which is precisely why it survived so perfectly.
A Crescent Bay Straight from a Daydream
Bai Khem is located about 2 km east of An Thoi town and roughly 25 km south of Duong Dong, nestled between lush forested slopes that shield it from wind and keep the water calm year-round — making it safe for swimming even during the rainy season.
In 2018, Flight Network named Bai Khem one of the 50 most beautiful beaches in the world, and the accolade is entirely deserved: the crescent shape concentrates the emerald-green water into a single perfect frame, with the tree line as a natural backdrop.
The beach is about 3.5 km long and significantly quieter than the more famous Bai Sao nearby — arrive on a weekday morning and you may have entire stretches to yourself.
Water Sports, Pearl Farms & the Fairy Well
Gentle waves make Bai Khem ideal for beginners trying kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding; equipment rental is available directly from vendors on the sand, and paddling out gives you a panoramic view of the whole bay.
A short trip from the beach brings you to Gieng Tien (the Fairy Well), a freshwater well near the shoreline whose water stays completely fresh even at high tide — a natural phenomenon tied to an underground spring and wrapped in legend about Prince Nguyen Anh (later Emperor Gia Long) striking his sword into the ground during the 18th-century Tay Son wars.
Nearby pearl farms at Ngoc Hien offer short tours where you can watch oysters being tended and purchase high-quality pearl jewellery at source prices — a satisfying half-hour detour before or after your beach time.
Bai Khem (Kem Beach) on video
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