Vietnam Beach: Lang Co Beach, Lang Co

First in a series of short descriptions about different beach destinations in Vietnam. Lang Co Beach is a much overlooked gem!

Also see:
Vietnam Beach: Lang Co Beach, Lang Co
Vietnam Beach: China Beach (Non Nuoc), Danang
Vietnam Beach: Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An
Vietnam Beach: Nhat Le Beaches, Dong Hoi
Vietnam Beach: Quy Nhon Beaches, Binh Dinh
Vietnam Beach: Nha Trang Beach, Khanh Hoa
for other Vietnam Beach destinations.

Waves or Ripples? A Vietnamese Beach Destination with Both!

Why Visit Lang Co Beach?
A stunning white sand beach set against a spectacular mountain backdrop within easy and convenient travel distance from both Danang and Hue, and it is almost always semi-deserted.

What is Lang Co Beach?
One of Vietnam's most accessible, pristine, and yet least visited beaches. Set against a backdrop of the verdant foothills of the Annamite Cordillera, Lang Co beach lies on the eastern side of a spit between a semi-bracken, tidal lagoon and the South China Sea. It is generally overlooked by travelers in too much haste making their way north or south between the cities of Danang and Hue, and they are the poorer for their haste.

A leisurely drive up over the Hai Van Pass from Danang, Lang Co is pure beach relaxation without much of the "in your face" commercialism (Yet!) which afflicts all the better known beach destinations in Vietnam. The sands along the 8-9km stretch of the seaward beach are clean and the water is clear unless there are storms out and about in the South China Sea.

There is a resort with the usual facilities on Lang Co beach and quite a few private guesthouses and hotels have opened their doors along the beachfront, and facing the lagoon, to welcome overseas travelers.

Where is Lang Co Beach?
Running parallel to Highway 1A, Lang Co beach is in central Vietnam. 30km north of Danang and 70km south of Hue, it is easily accessed by road from either of those cities.

When to Visit Lang Co Beach?
April to July is the best time for beach relaxation on this end of the central coast. However, August-September also heralds the beginning of the typhoon season, so some pounding surf and stormy weather can be experienced.

How to get to Lang Co Beach?
By Air
Vietnam Airlines flies to/from HCMC (Tan Son Nhat), Hanoi (Noi Bai) and Danang daily. Return tickets, before taxes and charges, are approximately VND 476,000 (US$26.75) from both international airports. Several regional international airlines also fly directly into Danang  International Airport.

By Rail
Only non-express trains stop at Lang Co station. Danang is a more convenient boarding/alighting station. The 17-odd hour journey from HCMC to Danang costs start at VND 388,000 (US$21.80). VND 328,000 (US$18.43) will get you the cheapest ticket for the 14 or so hour journey down from Hanoi.

By Road
Taxi from Danang is recommended as it gives the opportunity to stop off at the Hai Van Pass - where the mountains meet the sea - at one of the narrowest parts of Vietnam. Traveling down from Hue has some spectacular foothill views of rice paddies carved out of the foothills and falling onto the shoreline of the South China Sea.