See & Do – Hoi An’s Beaches
Hoi An has something for everybody including sandy beaches. So you can enjoy the culture and shops of the Old Town, the calm beauty of the countryside, and relaxing white sand beaches packed with great bars and restaurants.
Vietnam may not be the first place many people think of when looking for white sandy tropical beaches. But it does have a stunning coastline. Hoi An’s beaches are technically one line of coast, split up into some distinct areas. Whether you’re looking for a thrill from parasailing, cocktails and a sun lounger, or to get away from the crowd, there is something for you.
An Bang Beach
An Bang is the most popular beach in Hoi An, and because of this is, it is also the busiest. Located right at the end of the main road out of Hoi An, Hai Ba Trung, it has a huge range of restaurants and bars all vying for your attention. The beach is frequented by both tourists and locals, and it gets particularly busy in the late afternoon, an experience in itself as it can be hard to move amongst the hordes of people cooling off after a day at school or work.
If you want to relax on the beach, then your best bet is to hire a lounger. As soon as you walk onto the beach, you will see them lined up in front of their respective bar or restaurant. Depending on where you go, prices for a lounger range from 10,000 to 50,000 VND (0.50 to 2 USD) or you can buy a drink or food in which case the lounger is usually complimentary. You can, of course, bring your own chair and towel and sit wherever you like, but the bonus of the loungers is that they also have an umbrella to stop you frying in the sun.
An Bang South
A five-minute walk South of the main entrance to An Bang beach is another, slightly quieter section of beach we call An Bang South. Separated from the main area by what is currently a building site and with a slightly narrower beach, An Bang South is more relaxed simply because fewer people make an effort to walk there. This makes it an easy escape from the crowds in An Bang, and there are still plenty of restaurants and bars and lots of sun loungers to use.
To get to An Bang South simply take a stroll down the beach to the right of the main entrance to An Bang. Once you have passed a section of empty beachfront, you are in An Bang South.
Hidden Beach
Hidden Beach is Hoi An’s worst kept secret. Located in between the crowded tourist hotspot of An Bang and the quieter but still busy Cua Dai. Hidden beach is a calmer, more relaxed place with fewer people. However, it is becoming more and more popular as an escape from the crowded main beaches. So can still get a little busy depending on the time of day. If you want a tranquil environment with as few people as possible, then come in the morning. You might even have the beach to yourself, bar the occasional fisherman in his traditional boat.
The spot was originally popularised by Hidden Beach Restaurant, which now also has a clothing shop and a day spa. They offer free parking and free sun loungers when you buy a drink or some food. They also have a toilet and a changing room which are free to use. There are one other beachside restaurant and bar and a couple of other restaurants further along the road. Meaning the food options are limited, but Hidden Beach Restaurant has a good range of Vietnamese and Western food.
To get to Hidden Beach, you can walk along the water’s edge. Either south from An Bang or north from Cua Dai, until you spot Hidden Beach Restaurant. The road can be quite hard to spot, and the Hidden Beach sign is incredibly faded, but it is there. If you have to ride over a small concrete lip at the entrance to the road, then you know you are in the right place.
Cua Dai Beach
Cua Dai Beach used to to the most popular beach in Hoi An. But coastal erosion has slowly made the beach narrower and narrower. The solution was to put sandbags along the water’s edge to stop further erosion. They are the same colour as the sand, so the beach now looks like it has a line of humps along it. Because of this a lot of business has shifted away from here and up to An Bang. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth going to. There is still plenty of space on the sand and more than a few restaurants and bars. If you want to escape the crowds of An Bang but still want the social vibe and choice of restaurants, then Cua Dai is the place.
The best patch of sand we found in Cua Dai is near the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa. They maintain the area and the fine, golden sand is lined with palm trees, perfect for a hammock set up. Along this part of the beach, there are still plenty of beachside restaurants. Many of which offer local cuisine at very affordable prices. There are even a couple of great French restaurants and bakeries. Cua Dai has a much more local vibe to it and fewer travellers.
Source: hiddenhoian
