An Thi

An Thi (Ân Thi) is a rural district in the eastern part of Hưng Yên province, bordering Hai Duong province. The district is predominantly agricultural, with its economy centred on rice farming, fruit orchards, and livestock. The district capital is An Thi town, a quiet market town that serves as the commercial hub for surrounding villages.

An Thi is less industrialised than the western districts of Hưng Yên and retains a traditional rural character. The landscape is flat, with checkerboard rice paddies divided by canals and dykes. The district is known for its banana plantations and poultry farming. There are no major tourist sights, but An Thi offers an opportunity to experience unpretentious country life in the Red River Delta.

An Thi shares the humid subtropical climate typical of northern Vietnam. The most pleasant time to visit is during the autumn (October–December) and spring (February–April). Summer brings heat, humidity, and regular rain.

By Plane

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi is about 75 km northwest. A taxi costs 500,000–700,000 VND and takes about 1.5–2 hours.

By Train

There is no railway station in An Thi. The nearest is Hai Duong station, approximately 20 km east, on the Hanoi–Hai Phong railway line.

By Car / Road

An Thi town lies on Provincial Road 200, connecting Highway 39A to the eastern districts. Buses from Hanoi's Giap Bat Bus Station to Hung Yen city can drop passengers at the An Thi junction, from where xe om or minibuses cover the remaining 10 km. By car from Hung Yen city, follow Highway 39A north, then turn onto Provincial Road 200 east for about 15 km.

An Thi town is small and can be covered on foot. A bicycle is ideal for exploring the villages and farmland that surround the town. Xe om (motorbike taxis) are available for short inter-village trips.

• An Thi Market — The bustling central market, the hub of local commerce. Best visited early in the morning when vendors display fresh produce, meat, and fish.

• Banana plantations — Vast banana groves surround the district; the sight of ripening banana bunches is a common rural scene.

• Local pagodas — Several small pagodas serve the district's Buddhist communities, each with simple but authentic Vietnamese temple architecture.

• Cycle the countryside — An Thi's flat backroads weave through rice paddies, banana plantations, and longan orchards, perfect for a leisurely half-day ride.

• Visit a banana farm — Some plantations welcome visitors to see the banana-growing process and taste different varieties.

• Market mornings — Experience An Thi market at its busiest (5–8 AM) for an authentic slice of rural Vietnamese commerce.

• Birdwatching — The canals and ponds around An Thi attract a variety of water birds, especially during the dry season.

• Pho ga — Chicken noodle soup made with locally raised free-range chicken, served at stalls in the market.
• Thit ga dong tau — Soy-braised chicken, a local speciality prepared with dark caramel sauce and spices.
• Banh da tron — Mixed rice noodle salad with herbs, peanuts, and nuoc cham (fish sauce dressing).
• Com ga — Simple chicken rice with fresh herbs and ginger dipping sauce.

Green tea is the everyday drink. Fresh coconut water from imported coconuts is available at the market. Bottled water is recommended; tap water is not safe to drink.

• Budget: Nha Nghi An Thi — Basic roadside guesthouse, from 150,000 VND/night.
• Mid-range: Nha Khach An Thi — Simple accommodation with air conditioning, from 250,000 VND/night. Most visitors stay in Hung Yen city and visit An Thi as a day trip.

An Thi's market is the best place to buy fresh bananas, longan, and local vegetables. The district is also known for its free-range chickens and duck eggs. Bargaining is part of the market culture.

• Hung Yen city (15 km, 20 min) — Provincial capital with the Pho Hien historical site.
• Kim Dong (10 km, 15 min) — Neighbouring district with rural craft villages.
• Hai Duong (20 km, 25 min) — Con Son-Kiep Bac temples and green bean cake shops.
• Hanoi (70 km, 1.5 hr) — The capital's Old Quarter and cultural attractions.