More than meets the eye

      Visitors to the Sam Son coast in the north will discover many amazing sights aside from the beautiful beaches.
Located near Truong Le Mountain, the coastline is a famous tourist site in the northern province of Thanh Hoa. It was discovered and turned into a holiday resort in the early 20th century by the French.
The coast, located in Quang Xuong District’s Sam Son Town, is 15 km from Thanh Hoa Town and 170 km from Hanoi. It boasts breathtaking sandy beaches which span a total length of 10 km.
There are four distinct beaches of equal beauty along the Sam Son coast and the water is safe for tourists to swim in. In many places there are even security guards and lifeguards on duty.
Other scenic areas abound along the coast and many are associated with well-known legends such as Doc Cuoc Temple, Trong-Mai Islet, and Co Tien Mountain. Most are within walking distance of the beaches.
Early in the morning, fleets of village fishing boats come ashore, bringing with them the fish and shrimp they have caught out at sea. Fishermen and dealers trade a variety of fish, shrimp, crabs, cuttlefish and clams right on the beach. Here, tourists can buy fresh seafood directly from fishermen and ask their hotel or guesthouse to prepare dishes for them.
A variety of interesting festivals and cultural events are set to be hosted on the Sam Son coast this year in a bid to increase tourism in the area. The festivals include the Banh Chung, Banh Day (Square and Round Rice Cakes) Festival to be held at Doc Cuoc Temple on June 4, and the Cau Ngu (Wishing for Good Fishing) Festival to be held on June 7. In July, a cultural and gastronomic week will be held throughout the northern-central provinces.
From Hanoi, tourists can take a tour of Sam Son by contacting the Sam Son Tourism Office on Duong Quang Ham Street, Cau Giay District.