An Bang beach named among world’s 50 most relaxing destinations

An Bang beach near the ancient town of Hoi An in central Vietnam has entered a list of 50 most relaxing locations based on travelers' reviews by the UK's longest-standing spa booking agency Spa Seekers.

An Bang came in 17th on the list with 497 mentions of ‘relaxing,’ the agency said in a release this week.

By analyzing online travel reviews, it compiled the list of world’s most relaxing locations by counting the number of times the word ‘relaxing’ is mentioned in reviews, revealing ‘the must-visit destination in each country for when you really just need to unwind.’

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon and Hungary’s Szechenyi Baths take the top spots, with 4,050 and 3,581 mentions of the word ‘relaxing’ in reviews for the attractions, respectively.

The only location in Asia to feature in the top 10 is the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, which ranks sixth, with 1,138 mentions of ‘relaxing’.

As a continent, Europe is home to the most relaxing locations, with eight of the world’s top 20, and 18 of the top 50.

An Bang, situated around three kilometers from the ancient town of Hoi An and 22 kilometers south of Da Nang city, is one of the few beaches in Vietnam that are relatively unspoiled and uncrowded, making it a popular option for basking in the sun and enjoying seaside activities.

Once a hidden gem, the beach gained international limelight when CNN listed it as one of the 100 best beaches on earth in 2011.

The best time to visit this beach is between May and September.

An Bang beach has been voted among the most beautiful beaches in Asia for the fourth consecutive year by Tripadvisor readers.

Recently, the Shore Club nestled on a private stretch of sand at the heart of An Bang beach, was included in South China Morning Post’s list of 10 most luxurious bars in Southeast Asia.

Its white and blue color theme and design take inspiration from Mediterranean-style architecture and the place is ideal for visitors to enjoy a drink while admiring the beauty of An Bang beach with white sands and blue waters.

From An Bang beach, visitors can take a taxi to Hoi An. Lying along Thu Bon river, Hoi An carries its unique architectural features with yellow walls and red tiled roofs.

Once a convergence point for Asian traders, the town is home to ancient temples and assembly halls with a touch of Chinese architecture, and a 400-year-old bridge built by Japanese merchants.