Catch a flight to An Bang Beach Hoi An Vietnam and explore the traditional city with its lantern-lit streets. Walk along the shoreline with me to get recommendations on what to do, where you can rent rides, where and what to eat, what you should be aware of, and more.
When every day feels repetitive that’s when you know you’ve sunken deep into your comfort zones, and to get out of this taking a walk along the calming shores of a beach is the best remedy. To get out of this comfort zone, I planned on exploring various places and nothing stood out to me, an introvert, as An Bang Beach in Hoi An, Vietnam.
Hoi An is a city located in central Vietnam which still holds on to the old vibes with its lantern-lit streets at night, old architecture, traditional restaurants, and beaches. It is a beautiful city that has attracted many tourists over the years but one space that stands out the most is its vast beaches.
Although there are many quickly accessible beach spots that attract tourists like Da Nang’s My Khe Beach or Nha Trang Beach in Nha Trang City which are reviewed here at 123dzovietnam.com, An Bang Beach Hoi An, Vietnam has many quiet spots that appealed to me in many ways.
Surprisingly, getting there is extremely simple especially for someone who dislikes the thought of booking flights or any sort of appointment as an adult. So, if you are someone like me, here is a short and quick guide to how to catch a flight to Hoi An, what to do when you land in Hoi An, and what else can you do outside your hotel room in Hoi An.
How to get to An Bang Beach Hoi an Vietnam?
#1. Catching a Flight to Hoi An
The first thing that you must do to make things easier is to simply pre-book your rides. I found it easy to book a flight from Google Flights with the best prices. Since I planned to visit Hoi An directly, the nearest airport is Da Nang International Airport, which is about a 40-minute taxi ride to Hoi An costing roughly 400,000–500,000 VND.
The plane ride to the city is a smooth one depending on your choice of aircraft company, but I would suggest keeping a budget and looking out for online flight ticket offers.
Another thing worth mentioning is that it is best to book a ride to the city beforehand because although there are taxis available right outside the airport, I found it best to pre-book mine since as an introvert who is gullible, I fall easily for tourist scams. Be aware of those whenever travelling and if possible you could book a taxi through the hotel you are lodging in.
#2. When you reach Hoi An
When you reach Hoi An, you will need to find a stay to rest for a while. This is because although An Bang Beach is at a walkable distance it would be too much to do so in the afternoon, as afternoons are hot in the streets of Vietnam. Although there are many rentals in Hoi An, you can book rentals like a 5 Star Hotel in Da Nang or other areas close by.
As stated, pre-booking a space is a good idea so I rented a room in An Bang Beach Dolphin Homestay Hoi An. This accommodation has about a 2-minute walk to the beach and the best part is that it has a private beach area of its own! However, if you are lodging elsewhere then it is best for you to rent a bicycle or motorbike to the beach as I do not recommend walking in the sun.
There are designated bike parking areas as you reach closer to the beach but I’d suggest parking your bikes close to the beach for easy access. The average parking charges should cost around 2,000-5,000 VND only for a couple of hours, but if you wish to drive around the area then rent it for an entire day.
Luckily enough, An Bang Beach Dolphin Homestay Hoi An offers free bicycles for its customers that you can borrow but since the beach was only a two-minute walk away I decided to walk towards it.
Entering An Bang Beach
At the beach there are many things to do but sitting down under one of the rentable sun loungers is an experience you must take on. The sun loungers here are available on rent but again, be aware of who you are renting it from as they could up the price when offering it to you. The average cost of renting a sun lounger from local vendors costs around 10,000 – 50,000 VND.
As you enter the beach you will find many people lounging in their chairs, some renting out those chairs, some eating light delicacies, while others preparing to get into the water. So, the main entrance of the beach, Hai Ba Trung Street, has a good amount of people walking in and out, but if you wish to get on the beach from a quieter entrance then I’d suggest walking along the long stretch of sand at the entrance of the beach.
As you walk further you will begin to see fewer people and more restaurants and food areas that are also part of the attraction of An Bang Beach Hoi an, Vietnam. Another tip I would like to add is that instead of paying for a bike parking at the designated area, you could usually park it for free in front of a restaurant or coffee shop if you’d like.
On the An Bang Beach Hoi An Vietnam
The water at An Bang Beach is bright, warm, and calm, perfect for a good swim that many people seemed to enjoy. Although I did not get a swimming suit, I watched how the designated areas for swimming were maintained perfectly. There were areas roped for safe swimming spots as well as lifeguards on stand by.
There were all kinds of sounds on the beach, from the chatter of people to the crash of the waves. Moreover, the more you walk into the beach area you’ll find that this beach isn’t a developed beach making it a perfect spot for tourists looking for a calm area.
As you walk further into the beach you will still find vendors selling chairs and some selling food with freely accessible chairs. And the further you go the noises will fade till you hear the shore more loudly than the people. Here you can enjoy a long walk or simply order a drink at one of the stalls to lounge in their chair. I spent about nearly 2 hours on the beach, first walking in the quiet areas then spending time sipping on a watermelon drink.
In the quieter areas while the sun is almost setting, the sand turns bearable. So, don’t forget to take off your shoes and feel the sand beneath your feet. Going towards the end of the beach, where you watch people fade into tiny dots, you can get a good place to sit down in the sand and relax. Although I must warn you to not go to spots where there aren’t many people around.
Food and Coffee – Second Home of Comfort
When it was almost evening I decided to check out the restaurants and cafes along the beach. There were many kinds of food I could try and was pretty much confused, so I just decided to let the names of the restaurants guide me. Here is a list of the restaurants I visited at An Bang Beach Hoi An, Vietnam which cost me around 695,000 VND.
#1. Bikini Bottom Express
As a child who has grown up watching SpongeBob SquarePants, I was immediately attracted to the name as well as the ambience of this restaurant. Here, I’d recommend getting the signature burgers along with some starters.
#2. Thom’s Sourdough Bakery and Coffee
After finishing my burger, I craved for something sweet and Thom’s Sourdough Bakery and Coffee caught my eye. However, to get to this cafe you might have to walk to the main entrance of the beach. Here I bought myself a Coconut Coffee which I highly recommend.
#3. Purple Lantern Restaurant
As time passed I rode around the area and went back to the beach till it was dark enough to eat dinner. This is when I landed at the Purple Lantern Restaurant because like a moth to the flame, their lanterns attracted me. This family-run restaurant has a warm vibe to it that is very welcoming. Here, I feasted on Wontons, Seafood Fried Rice, and took some more Wontons and Vietnamese Pancakes which I recommend as well.
By the time I was done eating, I rode the rented bike along the streets for around 10 to 15 minutes till I came across the lantern-lit streets. The lantern festivals usually occur in the evenings wherein you can rent out a boat and watch the lights slowly rise towards the sky and fade away from view.
This is a very romantic site I think everyone should experience. They say making a wish while you let go of the lanterns is a tradition many tourists carry out. Although I couldn’t take a boat to enjoy the lanterns, I watched in awe as so many wishes went up towards the sky. Hoi An is not only a city but a city with a traditional soul. It not only is a tourist spot but a welcoming home that you must visit.
Overall Costs and what you should look out for
There are many things you can do at the An Bang Beach Hoi An Vietnaman but I found walking along the shoreline and trying out different snacks from stalls the best. Thanks to the fact that my accommodation, An Bang Beach Dolphin Homestay Hoi An, was close to the beach, I could stick around till the lanterns were turned on the streets. So, I highly recommend this beach to you, and give it a 4.6/5. So, if you wish to visit, then here is a quick table on the overall average costs and also the dos and don’ts.
| Category | Cost |
| Flight Tickets | Domestic: 1,321,650 − 5,286,600 VND International (Round-Trip): 7,929,900 − 21,146,400 VND |
| Housing/Rental Stays | 396,495 − 1,057,320 VND per night |
| Renting Rides | 132,165 − 396,495 VND for full day |
| Renting Chairs | Around 50,000 VND for full day |
| Food Costs | Around 695,000 VND |
| Extra Money | 200,000 VND – 500,000 VND |
Dos and Don’ts:
- Book your flight tickets beforehand: International tickets to Vietnam can be heavy on your pockets based on the season. Since visiting in Summer is a must, you can book tickets online prior to the season. This will help you get cheaper flights and good discounts.
- Book accommodation online: Pre-booking where you will be staying is the best decision you can make using apps like Agoda or AirBNB, as these offer discounts, contact you with owners, and even offer free rides.
- Make use of free accessible bikes or seats: If you are visiting the An Bang Beach Hoi An, Vietnam then you can get free sets at a stall on the beach. However, here you also need to buy drinks for the stalls for the seat. If you wish to rent a chair for the entire day, then I would suggest that you do not purchase from the first vendor, walk along the beach till you find a suitable price.
- Explore the city at night: The night time on the streets in An Bang is beautiful as you can get to see the lantern-lit street. I highly recommend staying on the beach till it gets darker. This is also why I recommend renting a bike for an entire day so that you can drive around Hoi An and even get to enjoy sending a lantern off into the sky.
- Be aware of scammers: Lastly, it is best to be affirmative and not sway with anything anyone is offering you. It is best to politely decline the offers put in your way from vendors rather than just buy whatever was being sold to you. I would suggest walking off till you find a better deal in the area.
Summing it up!
A long walk along the An Bang Beach Hoi An Vietnam, with a coconut drink followed with warm traditional food served at restaurants around is a medicine you need to take when life feels mundane. If I am being honest, it is difficult travelling outside because I am not very good at dealing with different aspects of travelling itself. But this trip wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It is one that I could blindly carry out again.
All it takes is to hop on a flight, get a cab, stroll along the beach, get some comforting food, and head back to your accommodation for some rest. This was a very memorable journey for me and so it is now on my list of places I would like to visit again. Although there are many more beautiful places in Hoi An and Vietnam that are bustling with tourists, An Bang Beach stood out for me. To know more about the restaurants, cuisines you must try, and when is the best time to visit Hoi An to enjoy the lantern-lit skies, keep visiting our website.
