An Bang Beach

An Bang Beach is the cooler, more characterful alternative to Hoi An's better-known Cua Dai Beach. Located 5 km north-east of the ancient town and accessible by bicycle through picturesque rice paddies and fishing villages, An Bang has built a loyal following among travellers seeking a more authentic and relaxed beach experience. The shoreline is lined with a mix of beach bars, small restaurants, and boutique rental shops operating out of converted bamboo huts and wooden pavilions.

The sand here is clean and wide, and the South China Sea is warm and swimmable from February through August. The beach community has a genuine creative energy — yoga sessions take place on the sand at dawn, hammock bars string between palm trees, and international DJs occasionally perform sunset sets. It is the kind of place where you come for an afternoon and find yourself still there at dusk watching the sky turn brilliant orange over the fishing boats.

What sets An Bang apart is the quality of its food scene for such a small beach. Restaurants serve everything from freshly grilled Vietnamese seafood and pho to wood-fired pizza and smoothie bowls, all at very considerable prices compared to the tourist restaurants of the ancient town. The beach is also a base for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking excursions to the surrounding coastline.