Tourists on Hai Tien Beach. — Photo tapchicongthuong.vn

We had the opportunity to go to Hai Tien Beach in the central province of Thanh Hoa and were amazed by the beautiful Hai Tien beach.

When thinking of Thanh Hoa, most immediately think of Sam Son Beach. However, the lesser-known Hai Tien, connecting the four communes of Hoang Tien, Hoang Thanh, Hoang Truong and Hoang Hai, should not be overlooked.

In total, the beach is 12km long, making it the longest beach in the north of the country. Around 165km from Ha Noi and just 20km from Thanh Hoa City’s centre, Hai Tien is closer to Ha Noi than Sam Son.

Hai Tien Beach is very peaceful. — Photo vietnamtourism.gov.vn

Hai Tien is also quieter than Sam Son. It has unspoilt white sand banks, endless casuarina forests, and clear, clean blue sea water. The beauty of Hai Tien Beach can be compared to Tra Co Beach in the north, with a long, gentle and safe coastline.

Standing on the beach, the simple, rustic oyster huts and fishing boats create an ideal scene.

A visitor poses at Hai Tien Beach. — Photo thegioicombo.vn

Along the beach, there are many famous tourism sites, such as But and Hoi Long pagodas, and To Hien Thanh and Trang Quynh temples.

As a rare place that possesses many cultural and historical relics, pristine coastline and flora, Hai Tien is expected to become a new destination for tourists who love eco-tourism and want to enjoy the feeling of being in harmony with nature.

In addition to bathing and enjoying the natural landscape and fresh air, seafood in Hai Tien is cheaper than in Sam Son or in Do Son Beach in Hai Phong Province. 

The food is always fresh and delicious because it is not crowded like other beaches, so the service is very fast. If you order food at any restaurant, there will be shuttles to pick you up; after eating, they will bring you back.

Visitors enjoy seafood at a restaurant near Hai Tien Beach. —Photo courtesy of Le Gia Seafood Restaurant

We enjoyed delicious seafood dishes, but didn't leave out nem chua (Vietnamese fermented pork roll). In Thanh Hoa only, nem chua still retains its traditional, characteristic sour taste that makes it a famous dish of this land.

There is also me fish of Muc River which belongs to Ben En National Park, Nhu Thanh District, Thanh Hoa Province. Due to ecological characteristics and rich food sources, the fish are all large and delicious. 

Steamed fish is especially loved by tourists for its natural flavour. When eaten, it is rolled with rice paper rolls, green banana slices, sour star fruit, a few herbs, some figs, bean sprouts, and finally fish meat on top, rolled up and then dipped with lemon chilli fish sauce.

After 10 years of being put into operation, the Hai Tien marine eco-tourism area is expected to become an impressive destination in the country.

Hai Tien pier is designed in a western style, featuring pure white colours. — Photo thegioicombo.vn

The road connecting National Highway No 1 to the beach is asphalt with four wide lanes and the sides of the road are decorated with colourful flower beds. Many resorts, hotels, motels, and restaurants are ready to cater for tourists. 

Le Xuan Thao, chairman of Hai Tien Tourism Association, said infrastructure has strong investment and 13 tourism business projects have been implemented in the locality with a total registered capital of around VND17,000 billion. Some of these projects are already complete. 

Currently, the whole area has 78 accommodation establishments with about 6,500 rooms, with resorts, villas, and hotels that are designed separately and fully equipped, creating a harmony between modern resort space with an idyllic coastal landscape. Every year, about 5,000 local workers are settled.

In the tourism development orientation of Thanh Hoa Province, sea tourism is a key product that has strengths in the province's tourism product system. The province has created all necessary conditions and has concentrated resources on developing sea tourism areas, including Hai Tien marine eco-tourism area.

With many advantages, Hai Tien Beach maybe can soon surpass Sam Son to become the largest tourist paradise in Thanh Hoa in the next few years. 

Thanh Nga