Summer vacations by the sea are cool, but it’s beautiful taking a holiday on a quiet stretch of coast that has untouched beaches and rocky headlands to explore.

Mui Ne in Binh Thuan Province and Nha Trang Beach have earned the reputation as the top destinations for lovers of sun, sea, sand and seafood. There are little known but more amazing beaches, however, along the coast of southern and central Vietnam that have more than these four Ss.

The beaches with more to offer than just four Ss stretch across the feet of hills and mountains. Boulders, cliffs and headlands soak up the heat of the burning sunlight at noon and reflect the pinks and yellows at sunrise and sunset, spicing holidays with more romantic moments to remember.

Strong coastal winds and the elements have carved the rocks into eye-catching wonders by the sea.

Con Dao Island off the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau as well as Ninh Hoa in Khanh Hoa, Nui Chua in Ninh Thuan, and Song Cau in Phu Yen in central Vietnam are just a few locations with lovely beaches and such fine rock formations.

Holiday-goers can see huge boulders beside the national highways they travel. But the further you travel from these highways the more amazing the geology becomes. Hire a motorcycle, ride along the coast and take a trek, the rewards are stunning.

Teambuilding and adventure travel firms in HCMC can help arrange tours to quiet beaches where travelers can lie or rest against a boulder. There is such a long coast and so many beaches to discover.