Plan Your Trip Outdoor Adventures - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 74

Surfing
Unfortunately, that wave scene in Apocalypse Now was shot in the Philippines. The
Mekong region is hardly known for surfing, but if you need your fix you can find swell at
certain times of the year. Finding a board can be decidedly more problematic, however.
With a 3000km coastline, Vietnam is the obvious top candidate. Your best bet is Danang
( Click here ) , where there's a small scene and some surf shops with boards for hire. Board
hire costs US$5 to US$20 per day, while a two-hour surfing lesson will set you back about
US$25. The peak season is December to March, when the waves are small but steady. July
to November is fickle, but occasional typhoons passing offshore can produce clean peaks
over 2m; watch for pollution after heavy rains.
In Cambodia, we have heard of waves happening on Sihanoukville's Otres Beach during
the June-to-October wet season, when the southwest monsoon winds are raging, but it's a
choppy onshore break. There are a few surfboards and stand-up paddle boards available for
rent.