Guide to the Best Beaches in Hoi An | An Bang | Cua Dai

Hoi An has two things that tourists love: the Old Town for its cultural charm and its beaches for relaxation.

There are five beaches in Hoi An:

• An Bang Beach
• Cua Dai Beach
• Tan Thanh Beach
• Hidden Beach
• Ha My Beach

Hoi An’s beaches are technically one continuous coastline, divided into several distinct areas. Whether you’re looking for thrilling activities like parasailing or jet skiing, cocktails and a sun lounger, or a quiet spot away from the crowds, there’s something for everyone.

If you’d like to explore more places in Hoi An, check out my article on the 25 must-see things to do in Hoi An.

So, which is the best beach in Hoi An? Follow the guide, and I’ll tell you everything in this article.

The Beaches of Hoi An

In this article, I’ll introduce you to the 5 beaches of Hoi An with plenty of details, including the best restaurants, activities to do, and prices. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments.

An Bang, the Beach of Expatriates

Located 4km from the city center, An Bang is the most popular beach in Hoi An.

Once a small beach known only to a handful of expats, it has become the beach of Hoi An after Cua Dai Beach suffered from erosion (which I’ll discuss later in this article).

The beach is frequented by both tourists and locals, but it becomes especially lively in the late afternoon when Vietnamese families flock here after a day at school or work.

If you want to relax on the beach, it’s best to rent a sun lounger. As soon as you step onto the beach, you’ll see them lined up in front of various bars and restaurants. Depending on where you go, the price for a sun lounger ranges from 10,000 to 50,000 VND, or you can purchase a drink or food, in which case the sun lounger is usually free.

The road leading to An Bang Beach is stunning, lined with endless rice fields. Photography enthusiasts often stop here to capture the scenery, as well as to snap a picture of the local star: a Vietnamese man posing while lying on his buffalo. Don’t be fooled—this is just for tourists, and he’ll ask for a small fee in exchange for the photo. A stop at Tra Que Village, famous for its vegetable gardens, is also a must.

Scooter Parking

An Bang Beach has parking areas for tourists arriving by scooter. The parking fee is officially 5,000 VND, but attendants often try to charge you 10,000 VND. The parking attendants can sometimes be quite aggressive.

Here’s a tip I recommend: every restaurant has free parking for customers arriving by scooter. So, if you plan to visit one of the restaurants like Soul Kitchen or DeckHouse An Bang Beach, don’t leave your scooter in the public parking lots. Instead, park directly at the restaurant.

Water Sports at An Bang

An Bang beach offers several water sports such as parasailing or jet-skiing. There are different stands along the beach (just look for where the parachute lands), and you can book on the beach or visit Sea Rainbow Hoi An.

On average, jet ski prices are 500,000 VND for 10 minutes and 700,000 VND for 15 minutes.

Parasailing can be done with one or two people and costs 800,000 VND solo and 1,000,000 VND for two people. These prices are open to negotiation, especially if you book as a group.

For surfing, you can go to Go Surfing (https://www.gosurfing.vn/) which offers boards for rent from bodyboards to SUPs and surfboards. They also offer a surf course for beginners and more experienced surfers.

Service	Duration	Price
Surfing course 90 mins	Public/Private Class	900k/1500k
Beginner surfing course 60 mins	Public/Private Class	700k/1300k
Rent a Soft board & SUP	1 hour / 2 hours / All day	200k / 300k / 600k
Rent a surfboard	1 hour / 2 hours / All day	300k / 450k / 750k
Body board	1 hour / 2 hours / All day	100k / 150k / 300k

Best Restaurants at An Bang Beach

Soul Kitchen

Address: An Bang Beach, Hoi An – Hours: Daily from 7 AM to 11 PM

Soul Kitchen was one of the first establishments to set up directly on An Bang Beach, combining a restaurant and bar. Since then, it has become a go-to meeting spot for expats and locals alike. And guess what? This project was founded by a Frenchman!

If you’re looking for a place to unwind by the sea while enjoying a great atmosphere and delicious food, Soul Kitchen is a must-visit on An Bang Beach. This restaurant-bar combines comfort, simplicity, and conviviality, offering a perfect beachside experience.

When it comes to the menu, the dishes are varied and cater to all tastes. A special mention goes to the Soul Burger, which tastes like a good homemade burger, and the penne pasta, surprisingly delicious for a beach restaurant. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, their fresh juices or banh mi are also excellent choices. While the prices are slightly higher than average in Vietnam, they are justified by the quality of service and the prime location.

The standout feature of Soul Kitchen? The live music concerts, held from Wednesday to Sunday in the summer and Thursday to Sunday in the winter.

The Fisherman

Address: An Bang Beach Lot 8B, Hoi An – Hours: Daily from 8 AM to 9 PM

If you’re looking for vegan food or just a fresh fruit juice, head to The Fisherman. They serve delicious vegan dishes with a menu from around the world as well as delicious smoothies, fruit juices, and treats. While there’s a more relaxed vibe here, they still have occasional events and parties.

Tan Thanh Beach, My Favorite

Between An Bang Beach and Cua Dai Beach lies Tan Thanh Beach, which expats often refer to as South An Bang. It is separated from An Bang Beach by a construction site.

Tan Thanh Beach is quieter and more relaxed simply because fewer tourists make the effort to walk there. This makes it an easy escape from the crowds at An Bang, and Tan Thanh Beach is steadily growing in popularity.

What I love about this beach is that it offers all the advantages of An Bang Beach—great restaurants—without the drawbacks, like the crowds. More and more expats are starting to come here.

Best Restaurants at Tan Thanh Beach

Sound of Silence

Adress: 40, Nguyen Phan Vinh, Hoi An – Hours: Daily from 7 AM to 7 PM

ooking for a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of Hoi An’s center? The Sound of Silence café is a hidden gem on the beach, perfect for a day of relaxation. This spot offers a tropical ambiance, free sun loungers, and breathtaking ocean views.

Everything here is designed to help you slow down: the well-arranged terrace invites you to linger for hours with a coffee or freshly pressed juice in hand. The menu, both varied and affordable, features drinks priced between 30,000 and 100,000 VND (€1.20 to €4) and delicious breakfast options. The little extra? A complimentary bottle of water with your order—a thoughtful touch that shows customer experience is a priority.

Sound of Silence is also a great place to fully enjoy the beach. Settle into a sun lounger, admire the waves, or relax in the shade of the outdoor garden. Whether you’re soaking up the sun, having breakfast on the terrace, or simply listening to the sound of the waves, this café ticks all the boxes for a relaxing getaway in Hoi An. A must-try!

Cua Dai, Hoi An Beach

After losing much of its charm due to erosion in 2014, which washed away kilometers of sand, the beach regained its vibrancy in 2022 with currently a vast expanse of fine sand after major preservation efforts.

The most popular part of the beach for tourists is the southern end. Most of the restaurants, resorts, water sports, and spas are located here.

There is also a line of shops selling colorful inflatable structures next to the road leading to the beach. The southern end of Cua Dai Beach also hosts an abundance of five-star hotel complexes, the most well-known being the Victoria Resort.

Cua Dai Beach is more local than An Bang Beach and will appeal to those who enjoy authenticity. Personally, I like it, but it lacks activities and quality restaurants.

Where to Eat on Cua Dai Beach?

Although it’s back on the Hoi An beach map, it has suffered from 8 years of erosion and many restaurants closed during this period. Currently, there are only a handful of restaurants that have survived.

Hon Restaurant

Hon Restaurant is a charming little restaurant directly on the beach, between the bustle of the southern end and the quieter northern part of the beach. The best of both worlds in terms of location!, Hon Restaurant is famous for its fresh and live seafood. The seafood options offered range from crab and oyster to sweet snail and lobster.

Hon offers something for everyone with prices between 150,000 and 800,000 VND. If you’re not a big fan of seafood, don’t worry – Hon also offers vegetarian options, with prices ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 VND. Grab a cocktail and seafood and watch the beautiful waves at the end of the day.

Beachside Restaurants

Entering Cua Dai Beach at the northern end near the Beachside Seafood Cafe, there is a family-run evening barbecue on the beach every day. They primarily sell fried shrimp, scallops, and other local seafood from the region.

Beer is only 20,000 VND (less than 1 €). Sitting on the beach, eating seafood, drinking beer, and chatting is a great way to spend the evening.

Hidden Beach in Hoi An

Located right next to Tan Thanh Beach, Hidden Beach is no longer a secret to anyone. It was highlighted and popularized exclusively by the restaurant of the same name, Hidden Restaurant. It’s like if I opened a restaurant called Good Morning Hoi An and claimed that the beach had the same name.

Despite significant erosion in 2022, there is still a strip of beach with sun loungers and umbrellas, which is sufficient for most tourists. I just regret the lack of variety in dining options, as only two restaurants remain, including Hidden Restaurant.

The bustling atmosphere it once had before the erosion is long gone.

In the morning, the beach remains calm. Note that parking is free.

Several activities are available here including parasailing (800,000 VND per person), jet skiing (500,000 VND for 10 minutes – 700,000 VND for 15 minutes), or banana boating (1,000,000 VND for 10 minutes).

To find the beach, there is just a sign indicating this beach just after the Hoi An Boutique Resort when coming from Cua Dai Beach.

Ha My Beach

Located just next to An Bang on the road to Da Nang, this is the farthest beach from Hoi An’s center. It is not the most well-known of Hoi An’s beaches and is relatively deserted (for now, at least).

If you don’t enjoy noisy and crowded places, Ha My Beach is the best choice for you. You can relax all day with a fresh coconut in hand, admire the peaceful scenery, and swim in the clear blue sea.

The main downside is that the beach is not well-maintained and is relatively dirty. Personally, I rarely visit.

Restaurants at Ha My Beach

Papa Shark Beach Restaurant Hoi An

Adress: Ha My Beach, Điện Bàn | Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 8 PM

Tucked away from the tourist hustle, Papa Shark is the perfect spot for those seeking a moment of calm and serenity.

As for the food, their spring rolls are a must-try: fresh, flavorful, and served with a smile. The smoothies, like the mango-coconut one, are a treat for the taste buds, as are the cocktails and ice creams. Wine lovers will also appreciate a generously poured glass at an unbeatable price. While the wait time can sometimes be a bit long, the quality of the dishes more than makes up for it.

Whether you’re stopping by for a light snack, a full meal, or simply to relax on the beachside sun loungers, Papa Shark is a true local gem.

My Opinion

In Hoi An, An Bang Beach is by far the most interesting beach. It has everything a tourist could want: great Vietnamese and international restaurants, live music, and plenty of beach activities.

Tan Thanh Beach has become a favorite spot for many expats looking to avoid the crowds at An Bang. At the moment, it’s my personal favorite.

Cua Dai Beach made a comeback in 2022 after major restoration work. Unfortunately, many great restaurants have closed. I’ve always loved Cua Dai because it’s more local, but for now, it’s no longer in my top choices.

Hidden Beach is no longer appealing unless you’re interested in seeing the effects of erosion.

Ha My Beach is interesting, but most of the time, it’s not well-maintained despite the efforts.