Hai Hoa Beach is a famous tourist destination located in the southern part of Thanh Hoa. The vast beach stretches with golden sands, crystal-clear waters, and abundant nature, attracting a large number of tourists. Hai Hoa is considered a beautiful beach with great potential and advantages for tourism development. Let’s explore this fascinating destination together on RuudNguyen.com
Introducing Hai Hoa Beach
Skip the crowds of Sam Son, come to Hai Hoa for peaceful moments (Collected Photo)
Hai Hoa Beach is located in the administrative area of Hai Hoa commune, Tinh Gia district, Thanh Hoa province, and is among the most beautiful beaches in the northern region of Vietnam. The current landscape of this beach maintains its pristine and romantic charm, just as it was in its early days.
The tourism infrastructure of Hai Hoa Beach hasn’t seen extensive development yet, in contrast to the more popular Sam Son tourist area. However, in the near future, these facilities are expected to be improved and upgraded.
How far is Hai Hoa Beach from Thanh Hoa City? The distance from the city center of Thanh Hoa to Hai Hoa Beach is approximately 50 km. Beyond being an enchanting space for relaxation, this place is also suitable for shedding the burdens of everyday life by immersing oneself in the tranquil, serene waters.
When is the best time to visit Hai Hoa Beach for tourism?
Located around 50km away from Sam Son, Hai Hoa feels like a different world (Collected Photo)
Travelers can visit Thanh Hoa and explore Hai Hoa Beach at any time of the year. However, the ideal period is during the summer months from May to August, as there are numerous activities taking place during this time.
It’s important to note that this period also coincides with the rainy and stormy season in the northern region, which might bring tropical depressions and storms. Therefore, it’s advisable to check the weather forecast before heading out.
Directions to Hai Hoa Beach
When it’s not cold and there’s no storm, you can enjoy a comfortable swim at Hai Hoa Beach (Collected Photo)
Personal Transportation
If you use personal transportation, in my opinion, it’s the most convenient. If you’re coming from Hanoi, you can take the Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Mai Son expressway, then exit the expressway and continue on National Route 1A to reach Nghi Son. The total distance from Hanoi to Hai Hoa is about 210km, and it takes around 4 hours to get there. If you’re traveling by motorbike, it might take over 5 hours.
Public Transportation
Sleeper Bus
You can go to Nuoc Ngam or My Dinh bus stations to catch a bus to Tinh Gia. The drop-off point will be at the Tinh Gia Post Office in Thanh Hoa. From there, you’ll need to take a taxi or a motorbike taxi (xe ôm) to get to Hai Hoa Beach (which is about 2km away).
Train
Trains are a comfortable and relatively safe mode of transportation; however, in Thanh Hoa, the train only stops at a single station in Thanh Hoa City. Therefore, when using the train, you will need additional transportation for the transfer. After that, you can take a taxi or motorbike taxi (xe ôm) to get to Hai Hoa Beach.
Accommodation in Hai Hoa
Most hotels in Hai Hoa are situated along the coastal road (Collected Photo)
While there are hotels and guesthouses for your comfortable lodging choices when visiting Hai Hoa Beach, during peak hours, you must book your accommodations in advance to ensure an overnight stay.
Currently, Hai Hoa Beach doesn’t have an extensive range of lodging establishments to serve tourists. The entire beach area only offers around a dozen hotels and guesthouses for travelers to choose from when they arrive.
What to Do When Visiting Hai Hoa
Hai Hoa Beach
Hai Hoa Beach remains quite pristine (Collected Photo)
This beach is very pristine and pure, with an extensive stretch of sandy shores bathed in sunlight and sea breeze. The beach spans around 3 to 4 kilometers in length and boasts a width of 200 to 300 meters.
Notably, the seawater here is relatively clear and clean. A distinguishing factor compared to Sam Son Beach is that the waves are not excessively large but also not too gentle, providing an enjoyable experience for swimming.
Water Fun Thanh Hoa Water Park
Water Fun Thanh Hoa is located right on Hai Hoa Beach (Collected Photo)
The Water Fun Giant Inflatable Water Park officially opened in early June 2018, with an expansive area of over 15,000m2, offering a plethora of incredibly enjoyable water games. It’s undoubtedly a worthwhile recreational spot.
Dragon Rock
This rocky area is situated right below the Thui Mountain, at the northern end of Hai Hoa Beach. Visitors can take a stroll here to admire the sunset over the sea, strike poses against the backdrop of the rock formations for photos. This spot is perfect for a leisurely walk to appreciate the beautiful natural scenery or enjoy a glass of wine with a delicious seafood dish in the company of friends.
Hai Thanh Beach
Hai Thanh Beach (Collected Photo)
Hai Thanh Beach is one of the six most beautiful beaches in Thanh Hoa. However, up to the present time, its untouched beauty has been preserved. Hai Thanh Beach is located in Hai Thanh Ward, Nghi Son Town (about 6km from Hai Hoa Beach).
It stretches for about 4 km, extending from the Thoi Mountain peak to the foot of the Du Xuyen Mountain. Nevertheless, due to the limited availability of services, tourists often only visit for dining and resting rather than staying overnight.
Quang Trung Temple
Quang Trung Temple is located on the coastline of Du Xuyen village, Hai Thanh commune, Tinh Gia district, Thanh Hoa. This is the place where King Quang Trung – Nguyen Hue, a national hero of Vietnam, is worshipped.
According to the history of the nation, after successfully defeating the invading Qing forces of 290,000 soldiers, the villagers established this temple at the foot of Du Xuyen Mountain to express their gratitude towards King Quang Trung.
The Traditional Fish Sauce Craft Villages of Do Xuyen and Ba Lang
What sets apart the Do Xuyen fish sauce brand is its unique production formula (Collected Photo)
The traditional fish sauce craft villages of Do Xuyen and Ba Lang have been established since the early 20th century. Do Xuyen is a small fishing village located in Hai Thanh commune, Tinh Gia district, Thanh Hoa. During the peak of Do Xuyen fish sauce production, there were up to 300 households engaged in this craft.
As you step into the village gate, the aroma of fish sauce fills the air, and you’ll see scenes of pots and barrels placed everywhere in the yards and gardens, with traders bustling around and boats docked at the nearby wharf. What truly makes the Do Xuyen fish sauce brand unique is most likely its production formula.
Dot Tien Pagoda
Across the river from Dot Tien Pagoda is Hai Binh Ward, Nghi Son (Collected Photo)
Dot Tien Pagoda is an ancient temple that dates back to the Lê dynasty and has undergone numerous renovations. The remaining architectural elements primarily reflect Nguyen dynasty design.
Situated on Non Tien Mountain, near the mouth of the Lach Bang River, Dot Tien Pagoda has been reconstructed multiple times (in 1755 and 1770). It can be said that Dot Tien Pagoda is one of the few temples in the province that has retained numerous valuable historical artifacts, spanning various aspects such as inscribed steles, bronze bells, and various statues.
Lach Bang Temple
The Tu Vi Shrine (or Lach Bang Shrine) is where the people of Hai Thanh express their respect and gratitude towards the national heroes and generals who contributed to expanding the nation’s borders and safeguarding the country from invasion.
These revered figures include Emperor Quang Trung, To Hien Thanh, Ly Thai Uy, and Hoang Minh Tu. Additionally, the shrine also venerates the spirits known as Tu Vi Thanh Nuong.
Nghi Son Island Tourist Area
Nghi Son Island Commune (Collected Photo)
From the center of Tinh Gia district in Thanh Hoa, you can take a bus for about half an hour to reach Nghi Son Island Commune (also known as Cu Lao Bai Bien or Bien Son Island). This island resembles a giant open arm reaching out to the sea, embracing a serene area of water that provides a relaxing space for boats and fishermen after their offshore trips.
Nghi Son Island is about 40km by sea from Sam Son, yet the summer climate here is much cooler and more pleasant. In the morning during summer, as you approach the incline of the island and stand on its ridge, you can witness the sun rising from the majestic green mountain peak.
Hon Me Island
Hon Me Island (Collected Photo)
Hon Me Island is one of the 16 nature reserves in Vietnam highly valued for its biodiversity and landscapes. The Hon Me archipelago is located 11km away from the mainland, and the marine area surrounding it has a tropical monsoon climate influenced by two prevailing winds of the year: the northeastern monsoon and the southeastern monsoon.
According to local residents, Hon Me Island used to be called “Vị Island.” This name originated from the view atop a nearby mountain, which offers a sight of 18 small islands forming a shape similar to the character “Vị.” The island still retains its pristine and untamed beauty, with fresh and pleasant air. It hasn’t been extensively developed for tourism due to its military status and limited population.
What to eat in Hai Hoa?
When at the beach, indulging in seafood is only natural (Collected Photo)
It’s no surprise that one of the delicious dishes you should definitely try in Thanh Hoa is seafood. At beach destinations like Hai Hoa, there are always fishing boats bringing in fresh seafood daily. You should definitely give it a try if you’re visiting the coastal areas in Thanh Hoa.
Hai Hoa Travel Itinerary
You can combine a visit to Sam Son Beach, Bai Dong Beach, or Hai Tien Beach during your trip (Collected Photo)
From Hanoi, you’ll start your journey to Thanh Hoa by taking the Ninh Binh – Mai Son expressway. Once you’re off the expressway, head towards Thanh Hoa City to reach National Highway QL1A, which will lead you to Hai Hoa.
The distance from Hanoi to Hai Hoa is around 210km. If you’re driving on the expressway, it will take you about 4 hours to reach your destination. If you’re riding a motorbike, it might take around 5 to 6 hours.
Starting your journey from Hanoi in the morning will allow you to arrive at Hai Hoa by early afternoon, giving you enough time to check into your hotel. In the afternoon, if you’re up for it, you can head to the beach, enjoy some seafood, and then rest at your accommodation in Hai Hoa for the evening.
Day 1: Hanoi – Hai Hoa
You can combine going to Sam Son, Bai Dong or Hai Tien beach in the trip (Collected Photo)
This itinerary is suitable for families with private transportation, as these destinations are not well-served by public transportation. If you intend to travel by bus or train, you’ll need to make some adjustments to your route.
Day 2: Hai Hoa – Hai Thanh – Nghi Son
Wake up and have breakfast before continuing your journey from Hai Hoa to Hai Thanh Beach (approximately 6km away). As this area doesn’t offer many services, you can briefly stop for photos and then proceed directly to Nghi Son to explore more appealing attractions.
Check in and rest at your accommodation during the midday.
In the afternoon, visit Bai Dong Beach. This beach is relatively untouched and less developed for tourism, yet it boasts a beauty that rivals Sam Son. Enjoy some beach time and explore the area.
Take a refreshing swim, explore Nghi Son Island, and, in the evening, rest and relish in seafood dishes. Please adjust the schedule according to your preferences and the availability of attractions and services. Also, consider checking the weather forecast to make the most of your experience.
Day 3: Nghi Son – Hanoi
On the third day, you can enjoy a more relaxed morning by waking up a bit later and savoring a leisurely breakfast. After that, you can start your journey back to Hanoi. Keep in mind that the distance from Nghi Son to Hanoi is over 230km, so if you’re taking the highway, it will take around 4 hours or more to reach Hanoi. If you’re riding a motorbike, the travel time might extend to 5-6 hours.
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