Cua Dai Beach is one of Hoi An’s favourite beaches. Loved by the Vietnamese and also attracting thousands of tourists each year. It is conveniently positioned south of most of the coastal line in Hoi An, making it the closest beach to Hoi An’s Ancient Town.

Sadly, over the past few years, the beach has suffered from erosion, resulting in Cua Dai beach having less sand. The community are trying hard to prevent it getting any worse, putting up large sand bags to keep the remaining beach from being washed away. Although erosion has limited the beach access to many restaurants and resorts, there is still plenty to do here and Cua Dai Beach continues to grow in tourist numbers every year.

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A girl watches as friends and family swim at Cua Dai Beach
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A swimmer enjoys the calm water at Cua Dai Beach

How to Find Cua Dai Beach

Cua Dai beach is quite long and appears very differently depending on which end you come in from.

To visit the busier end – head to Hoi An Beach Resort. Opposite is a large parking area and the main entrance to the beach. Parking here costs 5,000 VND (0.20 USD) for the whole day.

To visit the quieter end, head to Beachside Seafood Cafe. From here it takes you straight down to the beach and there’s the added bonus of free parking.

A taxi from Hoi An’s Ancient Town, costs you around 60,000 VND (2.60 USD)

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Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa

Address: Cua Dai

After something a little more high end? Head to Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa and their restaurant L’annam. They offer all-day dining serving Vietnamese dishes, Western style food and vegetarian options. The indoor decor is stunning, clean and comfortable. Especially on a hot day, escape the heat, under the restaurant’s ceiling fans which cool you right down the minute you walk in.

For the best deal in town Hidden recommends visiting on a Sunday at 12pm, when the restaurant hosts its delicious weekly brunch. Treat yourself to an amazing assortment of food with freeflow sparkling wine for 790,000 VND (34 USD) or free flow beer and soft drink for 590,000 VND (26 USD). When you finish your delicious brunch, enjoy the free access to their breathtaking private pool until 4pm.

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Hoi An Beach Resort

Address: 1 Cua Dai – Rate/Night: 2,045,000 to 3,800,000 VND (89 to 165 USD)

Hoi An Beach Resort is also situated down the southern, lively end of Cua Dai Beach. This glamorous hotel has two outdoor swimming pools, free WiFi, a two-way shuttle bus to Hoi An Ancient Town, private beach, fitness centre, spa, airport shuttle and bar. Each room has either a sea, river or garden view. This hotel has so much at its doorstep and it makes everything that is a little further away much easier to visit with its shuttle bus service. This hotel is most popular with honeymooners and families.

Spas at Cua Dai

If the sound of the crashing waves and the feel of sand between your toes isn’t relaxing enough – get yourself a Vietnamese massage. Once you’ve crossed the Cua Dai Bridge, you’ll see spa treatments on offer absolutely everywhere. To make it easier for you to choose, here are our favourite three.

Foot Massage on the Beach

Vietnamese women along the beach walk by offering amazing foot massages to people lying on the beach. What better place to get an incredible foot massage than on the sand? Lay back, listen to the waves and enjoy the relaxing pamper.

Cua Dai Beach Spa

Address: Cua Dai

Cua Dai Beach Spa is one of the many spas on the road leading up to the beach. Conveniently positioned close enough to the beach, resorts and restaurants but far enough away to no longer hear the craziness of Cua Dai. Cua Dai Beach Spa offers many different treatments from a Thai massage to a honeymoon package and everything in between. The offers range to fit every budget from 100,000 to 950,000 VND (4.30 to 41 USD).

Koi Resort Spa

Address: Cua Dai

What makes the Koi Resort and Spa such an attractive destination is the picturesque setting and variety of facilities on offer to spa attendees. From the moment you cross the bridge over the river to the resort, it is beauty and splendour all around. Weather permitting, request to have your massage outdoors in a curtained canopy.

The spa has its own bar/cafe area and a magnificent 25-metre lap pool. For a real hedonistic splurge, make use of the swim-up bar. The most impressive feature is the private sauna and shower in most treatment rooms. There is also a larger area with a sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and indoor pool. Tranquillity and beauty mark this setting as unforgettable.

Hidden Hint: A Spa Buffet Menu offers extremely reasonable rates for a combination of three to five treatments. Each item selected is 30 minutes in length; making the package of three treatments 90-minutes long, costing only 850,000 VND (36.60 USD).

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Poolside spa beds at Koi Resort and Spa in Hoi An’s Cua Dai beach. Photo: Christine Moller

Hidden’s Thoughts

Cua Dai Beach has so much to offer any age group on any budget. From the northern end with the cheaper and quieter Vietnamese vibe to the southern end with its five star resorts, spa treatments, water sports and restaurants. There’s so much at your doorstep to keep you occupied for days. Many resorts offer shuttle buses to the Old Town and back too, so you won’t ever be short of something to do.

Enjoy your mornings meditating with the waves, your Sunday brunches at the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort. Get a massage in the afternoon, then spend your early evenings jumping into the waves off the sandbags. All before a quick shower and spruce up to dine at a glamorous restaurant and sip cocktails on the beach… Bliss!