One of Hoi An’s main added draws is without doubt its beaches. Although Vietnam in general isn’t the best country in Southeast Asia to go looking for idyllic beaches, the beaches of Hoi An are a good place to spend a few relaxed days on the coast, and a perfect plan for escaping the intense Vietnamese heat.
Because in Vietnam the sun can get scorching, especially during the summer months, so try to avoid the middle of the day.
Here’s a complete guide to the best beaches you’ll find in Hoi An and how to make the most of them.
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Cua Dai beach
Long the most popular beach in Hoi An, it’s now thoroughly eroded by the sea, which has left it increasingly narrow and neglected — reduced to a succession of sandbags along the shoreline.
These days Cua Dai is a stretch of sand and sandbags lined with a wide variety of resorts and sun loungers, most of them luxury.
It’s a great spot if you want very few people around, but remember to bring what you need unless you fancy paying the prices at the local restaurants.
How to get to Cua Dai beach
Here’s the map and exact location of the beach.
Hidden Beach, Hoi An’s worst-kept secret
What was once probably a hidden beach known to just a handful of people has little or nothing secret about its sands these days. It’s true that Hidden Beach is generally quieter and less crowded than others like An Bang, but more and more travelers come here looking to escape the busy main beaches.
If you want this beach all to yourself, come at sunrise, when — apart from the odd fisherman you might find around — you’ll have it practically empty.
How to get to Hidden Beach
The easiest way to find Hidden Beach is to head for its best-known restaurant, Hidden Beach Restaurant.
An Bang beach
An Bang is by far the most popular beach in Hoi An, so don’t expect to have it to yourself — especially if you come for a swim late in the afternoon, when crowds of people (both locals and visitors) head down to enjoy the last hours of the day.
If you’re the type who enjoys grilling yourself in the sun, your best bet is renting a sun lounger. Prices run between 20,000 and 50,000 VND, though certain bars and restaurants will let you have one for free if you order something and spend a bit, obviously.
If you’re going to order something you can skip the parking fee, since most restaurants have their own free parking for customers.
What to do at An Bang beach
At An Bang you can do both surfing and paddle surfing. You generally won’t find big waves, but you can scratch the itch or take the chance to learn.
At An Bang’s main entrance you’ll find some of the restaurants that rent boards by the hour, or if you’d like something more guided you can ask at SUP Monkey, who run a sunrise paddle surf tour.
An Bang beach doesn’t only have atmosphere by day: as night falls, more and more people come down to have dinner, grab a drink and even go out partying, since this place is popular mainly with expats, tourists and locals alike.
How to get to An Bang beach
Here’s the map and location of the beach.
The verdict on Hoi An’s beaches
Overall, Hoi An’s beaches are nothing to write home about, so don’t expect anything out of this world, or the backpacker vibe and crystal-clear waters of places like the Philippines. If you have time, you can head out to the Cham Islands, only a few kilometers away, and spend a couple of days properly disconnecting.
That said, they are a good place to slip away and spend a day out of the city and the crowds, or as an excursion to round out your visit.
