An Bang Beach Vietnam is quite possibly my favourite beach town.

That’s no small feat; I’m a beach town kind of girl. And I’ve encountered some great ones- in Northern California, Spain, Sri Lanka, Bali and Zanzibar.

But I’m calling it: An Bang is the best.

Although bestowing the moniker ‘town’ upon it is definitely being generous, An Bang is that perfect cliche- small but perfectly formed.

The beach is beautiful, a long, wide sandy expanse. Danangs’ brightly lit skyline glitters to your right, a hazy blue outline describes the Charm Islands to your left.

Everything about An Bang is perfect. The beach isn’t overdeveloped but has just enough bars and restuarants to keep you happy. The French run Soul Kitchen is a particular expat favourite as is the Driftwood Cafe- drop by there for some excellent pizza. An Bang Village Restaurant is the spot to go for a bargain $25 Vietnamese cooking class and make sure you stay at Under the Coconut. It’s the type of place people fail to leave. I meant to stay for three nights but somehow I stayed for ten.

Which pretty much sums up An Bang. There’s a Swiss guy who came for two weeks and two years later, lives here. There’s locals and expats who are unable to resist its beachy, laid back charm.

It’s best to get up early at An Bang; the beach is East facing so watch the sunrise and then go for a run or do some beachside yoga. Early morning is when all the locals are out and about- playing volleyball, walking their dogs, going for a surf. Because it’s small, everyone is friendly and says hello. You’ll find yourself settling into a routine and imagining buying a nice beachfront house and maybe moving here. . . .