Travel Tips for Exploring Lang Co Bay

Lang Co Bay is not just a favored retreat of ancient kings but still attracts travelers to discover the vast natural beauty and the pure charm of maritime culture.

Travel Tips for Exploring Lang Co Bay

Lang Co Bay (Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province) is situated 30 km south of Danang and 70 km north of Hue city. Recognized as one of the most beautiful bays in the world in 2009, you can combine your Lang Co excursion with visits to other famous destinations as it sits amidst three UNESCO World Heritage sites: Ancient Hue Citadel, Hoi An Ancient Town, and the Holy Land of My Son, all within a 70 km radius.

Best Time to Visit

Lang Co is at its best from April to August. From August to November, there might be rain, and the beach could get murky. From December to March of the following year, the sea can be quite chilly.

Transportation Modes

Aircraft: Phu Bai Airport has recently reopened after upgrades to cater to tourism in Hue. Daily flights from both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Hue are operated by various airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, VietjetAir, and Jetstar, with ticket prices ranging from 1,000,000 VND per leg.

From Phu Bai Airport to Lang Co Bay and vice versa, covering a distance of 75km and taking nearly 1 hour, you can take a taxi or, if you've pre-booked accommodation, ask the hotel to arrange transportation for you. Alternatively, you can book a Lăng Cô Resort Combo, including flight tickets and airport transfers, on Mytour to eliminate any worries about transportation.

Train (Railway): Trains from both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi also reach Hue. For those with ample time and a desire to experience the scenic beauty along the way, this mode of transportation is recommended.

Ticket prices from Hanoi to Hue range from 350 to 800,000 VND depending on the type of seat. (You can book tickets here.)

Ticket prices from Saigon to Hue range from 400 to 1,200,000 VND depending on the type of seat. (You can book tickets here.)

Intercity Bus: Intercity buses to Hue typically offer North-South sleeper buses. Ticket prices and quality do not vary significantly among operators such as Hoang Long, Phuong Trang, TheSinhTourist, and others.

In Hanoi, you can catch an intercity bus to Hue at Giap Bat Bus Station, Nuoc Ngam Bus Station, or Luong Yen Bus Station, with ticket prices starting from 300,000 VND.

In Saigon, you can purchase tickets at Mien Dong Bus Station, with prices starting from 450,000 VND.

Note: It's advisable to buy tickets in advance or call the bus company beforehand to avoid sold-out situations or overcrowded buses.

Traveling by Train

From Hue Station at 02 Bui Thi Xuan Street in Hue City, you can take a train to Da Nang and alight at Lang Co. Alternatively, you can buy tickets for a coffee or trekking van, priced at approximately 60,000 VND per person (travel time is 2 hours). Tickets can be purchased at tour offices on Ben Nghe Street. For frequent travelers, consider renting a car; a 4-seater to Lang Co costs around 600,000-700,000 VND.

From Hanoi to Da Nang, there are numerous North-South trains reaching Da Nang in approximately 14 hours for 791km, with prices starting from 354,000 VND. From Saigon, the journey takes about 7 hours and 30 minutes covering 935km, with prices starting from 320,000 VND. Arriving at Da Nang Station at 202 Hai Phong, contact: 0511.3821.175 – 3823.810. You can then catch a Da Nang – Quang Tri bus or a bus to Hue, stopping at Lang Co, with ticket prices around 50,000 VND.

Book tickets to Hue or Da Nang at Saigon Station: 01 Nguyen Thong, Ward 9, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Tel: 08.39318952, or Hanoi Station: 120 Le Duan, Hoan Kiem, Tel: 043.9423697. Additionally, you can travel by intercity bus from bus stations or take an open tour bus.

Luxurious Resorts in Lang Co

Angsana Lang Co Hue Resort

Located in Cu Du Village, Loc Vinh Commune, Phu Loc District, Angsana Lang Co Hue is one of the few 5-star resorts on Lang Co Beach. Nestled between mountains and the sea, the resort is inspired by Vietnam's rich cultural heritage, combining modern design with traditional aesthetics. The architecture and interior design of the main building and rooms are elegant, featuring beautiful and balanced lines. The use of neutral colors with vibrant hues reflects the youthful and lively spirit of the Angsana brand.

Drawing inspiration from the diverse cultural background and unique heritage of Vietnam, the resort is designed with a modern touch while still carrying the imprint of traditional aesthetic elements. The architecture of the main building as well as the interior design of the rooms are sophisticated, with beautiful and balanced lines. Particularly, the use of neutral colors alongside lively hues reflects the brand's youthful and vibrant essence.

Angsana boasts an extensive and beautiful coastline. Due to its proximity to the bay, the Angsana beach is always gentle, akin to a Hue lady. The Lăng Cô sea is crystal clear. The gently sloping beach requires wading a fair distance to reach the ideal depth for swimming. However, the expansive beach provides ample space for various beach activities.

Banyan Tree Lăng Cô Hue Resort

Nestled at the foot of the majestic Truong Son mountain range, Banyan Tree Lăng Cô Hue overlooks a 3 km stretch of beach along a crescent-shaped bay. The resort draws inspiration from the artistic heritage of Vietnam's ancient dynasties.

Dining Options

In Lăng Cô, you can dine at Bé Đen Restaurant on the Hai Van Pass. Located approximately 2.5km from the entrance to the tunnel at Lăng Cô Beach Resort, Bé Đen is the best (and affordable) restaurant in Lăng Cô (Tel: 054 3874435) (If you eat from Lăng Cô Beach Resort, they may offer free transportation). Bé Đen serves savory rice dishes starting from 29,000 VND/portion and seafood dishes from 60,000 VND/portion. Ordering by kilogram and requesting simple preparation can be more cost-effective. When at Sao Bien Bé Đen, don't miss the grilled lobster and split-head shrimp sour soup, a delightful dish from Central Vietnam. The squid (cuttlefish) dish, whether steamed or boiled with ginger, and the crispy and delicious fried clam are also recommended. From Bé Đen, you can enjoy a captivating view of Lập An Lagoon in the enchanting evening.

At the foot of Lăng Cô Pass, there's also Bé Phượng's eatery. Thiên Lý, Bé Thịnh, and others offer generally affordable and fresh food.

You can also dine at small roadside eateries, especially in the area below Lăng Cô Pass. Avoid entering restaurants or eateries on the upper slopes of Lăng Cô Pass, as they cater to long-distance travelers and buses, often noisy and lacking hygiene. Along National Highway 1A, if you wish to eat at small stalls, it's advisable to check the place before ordering.

Points of Interest

When it comes to beach activities, of course, swimming tops the list, especially at a pristine and beautiful beach like Lăng Cô. However, it would be unfortunate if you miss out on some interesting spots after your time in Lăng Cô:

– You can visit the market by motorbike taxi or rent a scooter at the reception of various resorts. Here, you can buy Lao sandals, clothes, and belts made from Lao materials, quite affordably. Afterward, consider a scooter ride along the Lập An Lagoon scenic route, with a mountain on one side and the lagoon on the other, promising delightful moments and unforgettable memories. The lagoon's bottom is covered in shells, with no mud, allowing you to wade quite far, only reaching ankle depth in the clear water.

– Chân Mây Beach: This flat, crescent-shaped beach, with white sand and gentle waves, is located just about 3km from National Highway 1A. The beach is stunning, but be mindful that there are no lifeguards on duty and no danger warning system.

– Hải Vân Pass: Starting from Hải Vân Gate in Thừa Thiên Huế Province on Hải Vân Pass and stretching to Bạch Mã National Park, the distance is just under 60km, but you'll be mesmerized by what lies ahead. From the Hải Vân Pass, you can observe Lăng Cô Bay and the entrance to the Hải Vân Tunnel from a high vantage point.

After descending the pass, you'll reach a crossroads leading to National Highway 1A. However, instead of taking that route, turn left onto Nguyễn Văn Street to enjoy the panoramic beauty and tranquility of Lập An Lagoon. Along the road, there are many seafood stalls built directly on the lagoon, where you can stop to savor seafood delicacies while admiring the splendid scenery.

– Bạch Mã National Park: Approximately 30 km west of Lăng Cô, Bạch Mã is renowned for its cool climate, with temperatures never dropping below 4 degrees Celsius and not exceeding 26 degrees Celsius. Here, you can stroll through the air of the Bạch Mã forest, visit the Ngũ Hổ Waterfall complex, conquer Bạch Mã Peak, and explore Vọng Hải Observation Deck (which offers a panoramic view of Chân Mây Bay and Cau Hai Lagoon).

By Mytour

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour