From the Hoi An Old Town to An Bang Beach: Settling Both Pickups and the Return

An Bang Beach lies in Cam An ward, about 4 to 5 km north-east of the Hoi An old town. It is one of the prettiest natural beaches in Central Vietnam, with fine white sand and a line of seafood restaurants and cafés along the shore. You can go by bicycle or by an electric scooter that Sun Travel delivers to your door, or book a private car if you travel as a group; what to settle first is the pickup point at both ends and the time of the ride back.

The route and travel time from the old town to An Bang Beach

The distance from the centre of the old town to the An Bang shoreline is fairly short, which suits a half-day outing or an evening watching the sunset:

• Main route: The most popular and flattest road is Hai Ba Trung. It runs straight from the Hai Ba Trung and Tran Hung Dao crossroads on the edge of the old town, past green rice fields and shrimp ponds, and ends at the main gate of An Bang Beach.
• Travel time in practice:
  • Private car with a driver: About 10 to 12 minutes in normal traffic.
  • Local electric shuttle: About 15 to 18 minutes, at an easy pace past the countryside.
  • Bicycle: About 25 to 35 minutes, a pleasant option for gentle exercise on a cool morning or a shady afternoon.

Pickup points and car parks at both ends of the trip

Choosing the pickup spot carefully keeps you out of the crowds of walkers and saves you hauling beach gear along narrow streets:

The start in the old town

During pedestrian hours (9:00 to 11:00 in the morning and 15:00 to about 21:30 or 22:00 in the evening), motor vehicles may not enter the core streets along the river. The best starting points are therefore on Hai Ba Trung itself, near the junction with Ly Thuong Kiet or Tran Hung Dao, or at the outer car parks such as Song Hoai car park and Do Dang Tuyen car park. For evening pickups in the old town, see where to catch your private car in Hoi An at night.

The An Bang end

The shore at An Bang has one main road and many small lanes leading to resorts and restaurants:

• Main beach gate: At the end of Hai Ba Trung road. There is a central car park for cars, motorbikes and electric shuttles, run by the local management, and all vehicles must park there; passengers walk about 30 to 50 metres over the sandy slope to reach the water’s edge.
• Restaurants and beach bars: Many well-known restaurants sit deep in narrow brick-paved lanes only wide enough for a single motorbike. Cars and large shuttles usually stop at the head of the lane, and you walk a short way into the restaurant.

Planning the ride back at sunset and in the evening

Sunset, from 16:30 to 18:30, is when An Bang is busiest and at its best. The trip back to the old town often turns awkward if you have not prepared:

1. Fix the pickup time before you leave the beach: From about 18:00 to 19:30, hundreds of visitors leave the beach at once to go back to the centre for dinner, and the shuttles or taxis waiting at the beach may not keep up with demand. If you use a hired car or a contracted shuttle, agree the pickup time with the driver in advance and get a direct phone number.
2. Pick a clear waiting spot: The area in front of the beach gate is crowded at dusk, with many vehicles turning round. Choose an easy landmark, such as the ticket gate of the car park or the entrance of a particular café, so the driver can find you.
3. Rinse and change before you get in: The beach has fresh-water rinse stalls, run for a fee by local households or restaurants. Rinse off and change into dry clothes before you get into the car, so you stay comfortable and the vehicle stays clean.

Ways to get to An Bang Beach compared

Depending on who is in your group and what you like, you have three main choices:

• Your own bicycle: Best for couples or young independent travellers who like cycling past quiet countryside along Hai Ba Trung. Some stretches of the road have no central divider and carry a lot of motor traffic, so keep a careful lookout.
• Local electric shuttle: Suits a group of friends who want a gentle ride on a cool afternoon. Agree in advance whether the fare is per trip or a package, and whether it includes waiting for the ride back.
• Private car with a driver: The most reassuring and comfortable choice for families with older people, young children, or lots of beach gear and strollers. A private car has air conditioning, shelters you from strong sun and sudden coastal showers, and collects you from the hotel lobby.

If you travel straight from Da Nang to Hoi An and want to stop at the beach on the way, see the private car from Da Nang to Hoi An page. On the way from the old town to An Bang you can also fit in the well-known organic vegetable village; see how to prepare for a visit to Tra Que vegetable village.

See the private car price list for sightseeing trips across Central Vietnam.