Thuan An Beach, 15km northeast of Hue, is on the splendid Tam Giang–Cau Hai Lagoon near the mouth of the Perfume River, at the tip of a long thin island. It’s quite undeveloped except for a few kiosks, but between September and April the water’s often too rough for swimming. Beyond the beach a 50km road stretches the length of the island from Thuan An to Vinh Hien. This makes a great day trip by motorbike or car from Hue. Coming from Thuan An, the road winds past villages alternating with shrimp lagoons and vegetable gardens. Look out for the colourful and opulent graves and family temples lining the road. From Vinh Hien, Tu Hien Bridge connects the island to the mainland, where the road hugs the southeastern shore of the lagoon all the way to Hwy 1.
