During a five-day independent summer trip from Hanoi to Hue, Nguyen Ngoc Thang, 43, of Dai Thanh commune in Hanoi, did not expect that the destination his family would miss most afterward would be a quiet, unspoiled beach with few visitors.

Thang and his wife have three daughters. For many years, the family had usually traveled during holidays on organized tours or by plane and train.

This year, however, he decided to plan a self-drive road trip from Hanoi to Hue, with almost no hotels booked in advance and no fixed itinerary.

He wanted to explore natural scenery and local culture with his wife and children in the most simple and authentic way possible.

While in Hue, the family visited the Hue Imperial Citadel, sampled local cuisine, explored Tam Giang Lagoon and also spent time at the beach.

They initially planned to visit Lang Co Beach, where Thang had been several times before.

Before the trip, however, he came across several posts about Tan Canh Duong Beach. Images of clear blue water and long stretches of white sand caught the Hanoi family's attention.

About 60 km south of central Hue, Tan Canh Duong Beach is located in Chan May - Lang Co commune.

According to VisitHue, the official tourism website of the Hue Department of Tourism, the beach stretches for about 8 km between West Chan May and East Chan May capes. It is known for fine white sand, relatively sheltered waters and clear blue sea.

The moment the family arrived, they were surprised.

"It still feels very pristine. Green trees run right along the sand and provide natural shade. The setting is quiet and not noisy like many famous beaches our family has visited. The water is crystal clear, and the beach is broad, gently sloping and smooth," Thang said.

The family spent nearly five hours enjoying what felt like an almost deserted beach.

Thang said the wide, gently sloping sand and calm waves gave his daughters plenty of space to play, collect seashells and build in the sand while still making it easy for their parents to keep an eye on them.

Several beach huts face directly out to sea, offering visitors a place to relax and escape the sun.

"We spent the entire afternoon there, almost five hours, and still did not get bored. It is rare to find a beach that feels this peaceful and comfortable," Thang said.

The family also rented a boat to reach a small sandbank separated from Tan Canh Duong Beach by a narrow channel.

With few people around and plenty of privacy, they felt as though they had "set foot on a deserted island."

"Visitors who know how to swim can rent life jackets or kayak across. The scenery is very beautiful and peaceful," he said.

Travel time from central Hue to the beach is just over an hour, and the road is convenient and scenic.

Unlike many well-known beaches that have seen major investment in tourism services, Tan Canh Duong still has relatively few restaurants or accommodation facilities.

For Thang, however, that is part of its appeal.

"For someone who enjoys exploring like me, the untouched character is the most valuable thing. There may not be many services, but in return you get a peaceful, clean beach that feels close to nature. This place makes my family want to come back soon," he said.

Summer is considered the most beautiful time of year at Tan Canh Duong.

The water is clear and the waves are gentle, making the beach suitable for swimming, camping and outdoor activities.

In the evening, many groups of visitors choose to build campfires, grill seafood and stay overnight in tents or beachside huts to enjoy the unusually quiet atmosphere.

For families who love nature and prefer destinations that are not yet crowded, Tan Canh Duong is gradually becoming a name passed around in travel groups.

Visitors to the area can also combine their beach trip with a visit to Lap An Lagoon, a large brackish-water lagoon in Hue.

Lap An Lagoon is surrounded by the towering Bach Ma mountain range, the clear waters of Lang Co Bay and a narrow road winding around the foot of the mountains like a soft ribbon.

Travelers with more time can also visit Bach Ma National Park, Mo Stream and Cau Hai Lagoon.