Thuan An Beach

Local beach east of Hue where the Huong River meets Tam Giang Lagoon and the sea.

Thuan An Beach lies just 15 kilometres east of Hue, where the Huong River flows into the Tam Giang Lagoon and out to the South China Sea. The drive is pleasant — the road follows the river past temples, pagodas and rice fields.

This is Hue's local beach, busy with Vietnamese families on weekends and largely empty during the week. The sand is wide, the water warm, and there are simple seafood restaurants along the shore. It is not a resort beach and all the better for it. Come for an afternoon, eat grilled fish, and watch the fishing boats heading out as the sun drops. The lagoon behind the beach is Southeast Asia's largest and well worth exploring by boat.

Guide

Getting There

Thuan An Beach is 15 kilometres east of Hue, an easy drive or motorbike ride along the road that follows the Huong River. The journey takes around 30 minutes.

By motorbike or bicycle

The most pleasant way to get there. The road from Hue follows the southern bank of the Huong River, passing temples and rice paddies, and is flat and well-surfaced throughout. Bicycles can make the journey in about an hour.

By car or taxi

Taxis from Hue take around 30 minutes. Agree a price before you leave, or use a ride-hailing app. A return trip with waiting time costs a reasonable sum by Western standards.

By xe om (motorbike taxi)

Xe om drivers in Hue are familiar with the beach and the trip. Negotiate the price at the start — a return with an hour of waiting time is the standard arrangement.

Guide

Things to Do

Thuan An Beach is best enjoyed at its simplest: swimming, eating fresh seafood, and watching the fishing boats. The nearby Tam Giang Lagoon offers boat trips and a glimpse of the floating fishing communities that have worked these waters for generations.