CLB Target Archery Review

Target Archery is an archery range located in Long Bien, Hanoi, near the Aeon Mall (Thạch Bàn). This place is open 24/7 so people can enjoy shooting some arrows for fun at night with friends.

We had never tried shooting arrows before, and this activity ended up being very interesting. In this article, we will see if going to the archery range is fun and affordable.

The location

Target Archery is located in Thạch Bàn, Long Bien, not too far from Aeon Mall. The place is located inside a smaller street but is easy to find thanks to good indications on the main road.

The outside of the place looks a bit rural and raw, especially the place where people park their bikes, but the complex looks great, and once you walk inside, you will feel more secure and excited about trying this new activity.

The range is quite big, with different areas, each with multiple lanes. You can accommodate at least 50 people in there.

One area actually has targets on wheels, whereas the other two are quite similar and very reminiscent of the classic archery range layout. I believe they have different ranges or distances according to levels.

The process

Once you enter the complex, you will arrive in the lobby where there are tables for people to eat, the fridge with drinks and also the reception where you pay.

In this reception you’ll be able to see the prices and the different options available. You can count 150,000 vnd per hour per person and the second hour is free. Once you cross thirty minute threshold you’ll have to pay some extra money.

You’ll have different options when it comes to renting the bow. There are basically three options:

Basic bow for beginner 100,000 vnd
- With this bow, you’ll have to use your feel for aiming.
Advanced bow for 200,000 vnd
- With this bow, you’ll have a tool to assist you in aiming.
Professional bow for 300,000 vnd
- This is the one that uses a pouli system to improve the power ratio and diminish the weight of the cord you have to pull.

You’ll also have a food and drink menu in case you feel thirsty or want to snack.

Once you’ve chosen your options, you’ll be granted key access, and you’ll have to fill out and sign a liability discharge form.

Once you enter the range, an instructor will teach you the basics and safety precautions. The instructor actually speaks English as well, so don’t worry if you can’t fully understand Vietnamese.

After being instructed on the basics and receiving the safety equipment, you’ll shoot some safety arrows to make sure you’ll have a safe experience.

Once you are deemed safe for other people and yourself, you’ll join the range and start shooting at a target.

The experience

From our entrance into the archery, we were guided in our choices and taken care of with the process and the technicalities of archery. Every safety measure has been instructed for us to enjoy a safe experience.

The Range, for example, forbids people to be on drugs or alcohol, which is fair since arrows can actually be lethal weapons.

My wife and I chose to take turns shooting with the arrow, so there was very little to no risk. Also, the range has different lanes to make sure you won’t aim sideways.

The most dangerous situation is when you retrieve the arrow from the target; at this moment, you’ll have to make sure nobody is still shooting in your back.

At no point at all did we feel like we were in danger. I’ve personally been in a gun shooting range, and there’s a bit of adrenaline when you are manipulating live rounds and firing.

The shooting

The first arrows we shot were fairly off target but not enough for the arrow to go somewhere crazy, like in the neighborhood. You’ll have to aim down a bit since the arrow tends to go up.

After some practice, we were able to consistently hit the target, but we were also interested in understanding how to aim and trying to have the proper form, so we were experimenting with different poses and techniques.

I don’t know why, for example, I had to aim at the bottom left corner to hit the center of the target, but whenever I was looking below the arrow, it would always end up on the upper right part. I think it has to do with the archer’s paradox.

Slow motion on arrow flying

Also, you would think that the arrow would fly straight, but that’s not always the case. Arrows can also be shot at an angle, and most bows make the arrow bend back and forth.

As beginners, those steps are normal, but what I wasn’t expecting was for my left arm to be shaking a bit while holding on long to the cord. It’s not that shooting arrows is physical, but you can’t indefinitely shoot arrows without losing some of the control in your left hand.

Shooting this time in real speed

Traditional bows will be harder to hold with the string pulled, whereas bows with the pouli system will be harder to pull but once pulled will be lighter when holding the string.

Still, even as beginners, we already start enjoying the process of shooting an arrow, which is a good thing because some other activities require a lot more experience before giving some satisfaction.

Verdict

8.0 out of 10

For us, trying archery was overall very fun and actually affordable as an activity. The fact that you can go after work or late at night to shoot at the range with some friends makes it a convenient option for going out for one or two hours and enjoying something different.

Also, archery is something that can be enjoyed by both women and men, so going out with a group makes it practical. Perhaps the only downside is that kids can’t really come along since it is still a weapon that can kill.

Dude Oi Episode on Youtube

Like when you play pool, you can also take some time to sit down and relax while drinking a cold beverage or snacking.

We paid around 290,000 VND for everything, including two drinks, which is relatively inexpensive for two hours and two people. We still don’t know if each person has to pay 150,000 VND even if using one bow.

My wife and I will come again for sure and try some more advanced archery. Hopefully one day we’ll be able to compete and count points, though my wife seems to be more talented than me when it comes to archery.

Edit: We came back to try the Olympic Bow, and it was a totally different experience. We are still learning how to aim, but we are getting closer to counting points.