An Bang Beach Guide

An Bang Beach is lined with an excellent collection of beach bars and restaurants that have made it one of the most enjoyable beach experiences in Vietnam. Soul Kitchen is a perennial favorite with its bohemian vibe, craft cocktails, live music on weekends, and excellent Vietnamese-Western fusion food — their grilled seafood platters are outstanding. Sound of Silence offers a more laid-back, romantic atmosphere with bean bags on the sand, sunset cocktails, and a menu featuring fresh seafood and healthy bowls. La Plage is the upscale option with French-Vietnamese cuisine, proper table service, and some of the best food on the beach. Shore Club brings a lively party atmosphere with DJs, premium sun loungers, and a swimming pool. Most beach bars offer free sun lounger use with a minimum food or drink order (typically 100,000-200,000₫). The beach bar scene is one of the things that makes An Bang special — it strikes the perfect balance between relaxation and having enough facilities for a comfortable day.

An Bang Beach faces east, making it one of the most spectacular sunrise locations in central Vietnam. The sun rises directly over the South China Sea, casting golden light across the wide sandy beach and the gentle morning waves. Sunrise at An Bang is a peaceful, almost meditative experience — the beach is nearly deserted in the early morning, with only a few local fishermen pulling in their nets and the occasional jogger or yoga practitioner. The best sunrise viewing is from the open sections of beach between the beach bars, where you have an unobstructed view of the horizon. During the dry season (February-August), sunrise is between 5:15-5:45 AM. The 20-minute bicycle ride from the Ancient Town in the cool pre-dawn air is beautiful in itself. Bring your camera — the colors are extraordinary, and the silhouettes of traditional round basket boats (thung chai) against the dawn sky make iconic photographs.

An Bang Beach offers a growing range of water sports and activities. Surfing and bodyboarding are possible during the winter months (October-March) when swells from the northeast bring consistent waves of 1-2 meters — board rentals are available from several operators on the beach for around 200,000-300,000₫ per hour. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is popular during calmer conditions and available for hire at most beach bars. Kayak rentals are available for exploring the coastline. Swimming is generally safe with a gentle sandy bottom, though there can be undertows during rougher conditions — swim between the flagged areas. From February to September, the Cham Islands are visible on the horizon and snorkeling/diving day trips depart from nearby Cua Dai pier. Several beach bars also offer beach volleyball courts and petanque sets for guests.

An Bang Beach retains much of its traditional fishing village character despite its growing popularity with tourists. Early morning visitors will see local fishermen launching their distinctive round basket boats (thung chai) through the surf to check overnight nets and traps. These circular bamboo boats, waterproofed with resin, have been used along this coast for centuries and are uniquely Vietnamese. In the late afternoon, fishermen return with their catch — fresh fish, squid, and crabs that are sold directly on the beach to restaurants and locals. The traditional fishing boats with their colorful painted hulls are often beached in the sand between the modern beach bars, creating a wonderful visual contrast between old and new. Watching the fishermen work is a reminder that An Bang is still a living fishing community, not just a tourist beach.