What are the delicious foods to eat when traveling to Sam Son Thanh Hoa, and what are the most attractive places to play? You will find your own answer after exploring this article.
With beautiful natural landscapes, Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourism is a journey that attracts many domestic and foreign tourists. From eco-tourism areas to spiritual tourism, visitors will discover a very different Thanh Hoa, more charming, more romantic and more vibrant.
1. Introduction to Sam Son Thanh Hoa
- Address: Sam Son city, Thanh Hoa province
Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourist area is located about 16km from the city center, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the North Central region and is known as “the most ideal resort in Indochina”. This beach has a crescent moon shape, the coastline runs 9km from the foot of Truong Le mountain with a moderate slope and sea water salinity, very suitable for fun activities, swimming…
Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourist area with beautiful, romantic beach (Photo: Collected)
With cool blue sea water and fine white sand beaches stretching under the sun, visitors to Sam Son beach will be immersed in the endless beauty of nature, listen to the sound of the ocean waves, and feel the the whispering sound of casuarina trees in the wind. And it’s true as Le Breton, a French scholar once commented: “Sam Son is the best beach to restore health.”
2. Which season is the most beautiful to travel to Sam Son Thanh Hoa?
According to my experience traveling to Sam Son Thanh Hoa , you should go in the summer, from May to August every year. At this time, the weather in Sam Son is very cool, the air is fresh and pleasant, extremely convenient for you to participate in many fun activities on the beach as well as in the water. If you and your family want to vacation in Sam Son, you should go during the summer vacations. 
Travel to Sam Son Thanh Hoa in summer with cool, pleasant weather (Photo: Collected)
However, in addition to fun water activities, Thanh Hoa beach tourism also has many other interesting places for you to have fun, visit, explore, and shop all year round. According to experience going to Sam Son beach, during peak season, Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourist area welcomes an extremely large number of visitors.
3. How to get to Sam Son Thanh Hoa
The distance from Hanoi to Sam Son is about 180km long, the distance is not too far, it only takes about 3.5 – 4 hours to travel, very suitable for a weekend trip. To travel to Sam Son Thanh Hoa, there are a variety of means of transportation for tourists to choose from such as:
You can choose many different types of means of transport to travel to Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourist area (Photo: Collected)
- Traveling to Sam Son Thanh Hoa by bus: if you want to save money on self-sufficient travel to Sam Son, you can choose a bus. At My Dinh bus station or Giap Bat bus station, there are many bus companies running the Hanoi – Thanh Hoa route with ticket prices from 100,000 – 120,000 VND. For those traveling to Sam Son for 3 days and 2 nights, you should choose to travel by bus, which is both comfortable and cost-effective.
- Travel to Sam Son Thanh Hoa by train: if you want to travel while sightseeing, you can choose to travel by train. Ticket price for Hanoi – Thanh Hoa route is about 160,000 – 280,000 VND (depending on seat class) departing at Hanoi station or Long Bien station.
- Traveling to Sam Son Thanh Hoa by personal vehicle: if you travel to Sam Son Thanh Hoa on your own, you can choose a motorbike or self-driving car. According to my self-sufficient Sam Son travel experience, you should follow Highway 1, reach Phu Ly city, then turn onto Highway 10, run through Ninh Binh, Tam Diep and Bim Son to reach Thanh Hoa city. Sam Son is about 16km from the city center. If you want to have more time to have fun in Thanh Hoa, you should leave early at 4-5am.
4. Means of transportation at Sam Son tourist area
Traveling to Sam Son Thanh Hoa beach, you can choose many different means of transportation to best suit your schedule. In Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourist area, there are taxis available 24/7, motorbikes for rent, electric cars running for about 20,000 VND/round Sam Son and cyclos for about 50,000 VND/person.
If you want to visit many beautiful landscapes here, you should choose a motorbike for the most convenience. According to my experience traveling to Thanh Hoa, if traveling with family or in a group, the best way is still to take a taxi to save costs.
You can choose many different means of transportation to explore Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourism (Photo: Collected)
5. Famous Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourist destinations
5.1. Sam Son Beach – One of the most beautiful beaches in the North
When talking about Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourism, it is impossible not to mention Sam Son beach. This is a famous tourist destination and is very popular with tourists. Sam Son Beach runs 6km long from Lach Hoi mouth to the foot of Truong Le mountain with gentle sandy beaches, clear blue sea water, gentle waves, very suitable for swimming and playing activities.
Coming to Sam Son, visitors can not only admire the beautiful natural scenery but can also have fun, swim in the beach, ride a tandem bicycle around the bustling streets or enjoy extremely fresh specialties. Delicious right on the beach…
Sam Son Beach is a famous tourist destination in Thanh Hoa (Photo: Collected)
5.2. Sam Son Thanh Hoa spiritual tourist destination
- Doc Cuoc Temple
Doc Cuoc Temple is located on Co Giai island in Truong Le mountain range, commonly known as Thuong temple. Doc Cuoc Temple worships the god Doc Cuoc, associated with the legend of the giant boy who fought the enemy and saved the villagers. The temple dedicated to the god Doc Cuoc dates back 700 years. Every year, the people of Sam Son and Thanh Hoa will organize the banh chung and banh day festival on the 12th day of the 5th lunar month to sacrifice to the gods.
Doc Couc Temple (Photo: Collected)
- Co Tien Temple
The temple is located in the south of Truong Le mountain, worshiping a female physician who saved humanity. In the past, a girl did not listen to her father and married a poor husband, but her family sent her away. The couple picked medicine and treated diseases to help poor people in the area. In the end, they led each other to the top of the mountain and did not return. People named the temple on that mountain Co Tien temple. 
Co Tien Temple (Photo: Collected)
- Ba Trieu Temple
Ba Trieu Temple is located on Mount Gai in Phu Dien village, Hau Loc district, Thanh Hoa province. Although it is simple, it is very solemn. Many tourists on the way often stop to pay their respects to commemorate the nation’s heroic female general and admire the beautiful scenery here.
Ba Trieu Temple (Photo: Collected)
- Sam Son Church
Sam Son Church is located at 121 Nguyen Du, Sam Son, Thanh Hoa. This place has the appearance of French-style architecture with a spacious campus and many trees. The front of the church has three towers, in front of each tower is a statue of a saint. The church’s arch was built in the Renaissance architectural style. 
Sam Son Church (Photo: Collected)
5.3. Hon Trong Mai
Hon Trong Mai is located on Truong Le mountain, a famous tourist destination in Sam Son Thanh Hoa. Hon Trong Mai consists of 3 uniquely arranged stone slabs. Below is a large stone, one with a sharp tip, lying on top like a rooster. The other island is smaller, shaped like a hen. Hon Trong Mai in Sam Son is a symbol of the couple’s steadfast and faithful love.
Hon Trong Mai (Photo: VTV)
5.4. Truong Le Mountain
Truong Le Mountain is also one of the beautiful landscapes in Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourist area. The 76m high mountain is located close to the sea with majestic beauty. On the mountain there are famous landmarks such as Co Tien temple, Doc Cuoc temple, To Hien Thanh temple, Trong Mai island… This place has large lawns, cool climate, suitable for camping and fun. Play for families and groups of friends.
Truong Le Mountain (Photo: Collected)
5.5. Sam Son fishing village
Sam Son fishing village is a Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourist destination you should visit. Admiring the idyllic scenery, relaxing your soul into the cool ocean breeze, listening to the lively conversations of the fishermen after days of pulling nets, you will find your heart strangely peaceful. 
Sam Son fishing village (Photo: Collected)
5.6. Sam Son seafood market
If you want to visit Sam Son seafood market, you need to go early. This place sells all kinds of fresh seafood caught by fishermen. You just need to agree on a price and the shippers will clean and package it right away for you.
Sam Son seafood market (Photo: Collected)
What’s good about traveling to Sam Son? If you are a person who likes adventure and exploration, during your trip to Sam Son Thanh Hoa you should not miss new and attractive entertainment places such as: Thrilling amusement park located on Nguyen Du street. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in fun and adventurous games such as Pirates of the Caribbean, horse riding, electric car driving, Apollo…
What to do in Sam Son? Let’s explore the thrilling amusement park on Nguyen Du street (Photo: Collected)
6. What to eat and where to eat when traveling to Sam Son Thanh Hoa?
What to eat in Sam Son is a question that many tourists wonder about when traveling to Sam Son Thanh Hoa. This is a land that not only has beautiful landscapes but also many specialties and famous dishes that leave an unforgettable impression on any visitor.
6.1. Seafoods
Seafood in Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourist area is famous for its deliciousness. Being a coastal region, there are many different types of seafood here with extremely fresh flavors. The seafood that is most loved by many tourists includes blood cockles, fish salad, sea buckthorn, squid eggs, grilled snails, stuffed squid… Explore and enjoy all of these seafood specialties of Sam Son. Thanh Hoa.
Extremely fresh and delicious seafood specialties at Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourist area (Photo: Collected)
6.2. Nem chua – Famous specialty of Thanh Hoa
Nem chua Thanh Hoa is so famous on the culinary map of Vietnam. Who travels to Sam Son Thanh Hoa and doesn’t want to enjoy this specialty. The taste of spring rolls here is very unique, crispy and sour, delicious and attractive. The spring rolls are both sweet and spicy, truly different and delicate compared to other sour spring rolls in other regions.
Nem chua Thanh Hoa (Photo: Foody)
6.3. Lam sweet soup in Phu Quang
Phu Quang is the ancient name of Vinh Loc district, this place is the land of Thanh Hoa’s famous blue tea specialty, also a familiar dish of many regions of our country. But perhaps only when tasting che lam in Phu Quang can you see the unique flavor of the cake that is hard to find anywhere else. Delicious, uniquely crispy sweet soup that melts right on the tip of the tongue. 
Phu Quang Lam sweet soup (Photo: Collected)
6.4. Eel porridge
Eel porridge is probably no longer strange to tourists who have been to Sam Son, Thanh Hoa. Eel porridge is not as thick as normal meat porridge but is a bit thin, the porridge water is clear, the porridge grains are still intact, it is very delicious, you can clearly feel the soft taste of rice grains, the rich sweet aroma of eel meat.
Eel porridge, a specialty of Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourist area (Photo: Pinterest)
6.5. Shrimp patties
In addition to famous specialties in Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourist area such as spring rolls, seafood, and eel porridge, it is impossible not to mention shrimp rolls. Shrimp patties, after being grilled, have a sweet aroma. Eaten hot with raw vegetables and sweet and sour dipping sauce, it’s perfect for an afternoon snack.
Shrimp rolls (Photo: Foody)
7. What to buy as a gift when traveling to Sam Son?
Traveling to Sam Son, Thanh Hoa, there are so many things that can be bought as gifts for relatives. Please refer to the specialties below:
7.1. Seafood of all kinds
Because it is a beach resort, there is no shortage of fresh and dried seafood in Sam Son and Thanh Hoa for tourists to buy as gifts. Dried squid, shrimp, crab… are some of the most popular types of seafood. 
What specialties does Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourism have as gifts? Dried squid is popular with many tourists (Photo: Collected)
- Buying address: Red Pillar Market, Chua Market, Don Market…
- Reference price: 120,000 – 550,000 VND/kg depending on type
7.2. Sour meatball
Nem chua is one of the famous specialties of Thanh Hoa. This dish is a harmonious combination of the sweet and sour taste of fermented lean meat and the spicy taste of garlic, chili, and pepper served with guava leaves and fig leaves. When enjoyed with a little chili sauce, it will be unforgettable. 
Nem chua is a famous dish that is often bought when traveling to Sam Son, Thanh Hoa (Photo: Collected)
- Address to buy: Goc Da spring rolls, Ba Thuong spring rolls, Thanh spring rolls…
- Reference price: 3,000 – 5,000 VND/piece
7.3. Thanh Hoa shrimp paste
Shrimp paste is a specialty that most tourists when traveling to Sam Son and Thanh Hoa choose to buy as gifts. In the past, shrimp paste was a delicacy used to present to the King. The sauce is made from live shrimp caught in Sam Son sea. Then it is cleaned and fermented with salt and mushrooms for 1 month. Steamed shrimp paste with onion fat, served with thinly sliced pork belly and hot rice is great.
- Address to buy: Ba Lang shrimp paste, Hai Tien shrimp paste…
- Reference price: 100,000 VND/bottle
7.4. Nga Son wine
Besides delicious wines such as Cam Thuy wine, yellow flower sticky rice wine, and Ba Thuoc can wine, Nga Son wine is also a Lang Son specialty that easily captivates people. Nga Son wine has a light aroma of sticky rice and a very special alternating sweet and spicy taste.
Nga Son Wine (Photo: Collected)
- Address: Hamlet 9, Nga Van Commune, Nga Son, Thanh Hoa
- Reference price: 45,000 VND/liter
7.5. Tho Xuan gai cake
Tho Xuan gai cake is a famous specialty of Thanh Hoa that no one knows. The cake has a chewy crust and rich filling, creating a very unique flavor. Tho Xuan banh gai has many types for you to choose from such as green bean filling, coconut, lotus seeds, meat… The cake can last for 1 week in good storage conditions.
- Buying address: Thanh Hoa markets
- Reference price: 10,000 VND/piece
7.6. Tien Vua Grapefruit
True to its name “Tien Vua”, grapefruit has a bright red color, is very beautiful, round, succulent and has a very sweet taste. Grapefruit has a very unique aroma. Just spray a little wine when the grapefruit is ripe and it will give off a sweet fragrance.
Tien Vua Grapefruit (Photo: Laborer Newspaper)
- Address: Chua Market, Tho Xuan garden houses, Thanh Hoa…
- Reference price: 100,000 – 200,000 VND/fruit
8. Useful travel tips for Sam Son Thanh Hoa, avoid being ripped off
With my experience traveling to Sam Son many times, to avoid being “cheated” when traveling here, you can refer to the following tips:
- Sand castles on the beach usually cost money if you want to take photos. Please bargain for the price of 5,000 – 10,000 VND before taking the photo.
- Similar to taking photos, if you ride a cyclo and forget to ask the price first, you can easily get ripped off.
- The dining experience in Sam Son is to always ask the price before ordering anything.
- Be careful when going to restaurants suggested by taxi drivers because the prices there are likely to be up to 20% higher than outside.
With its unique attractions, Sam Son Thanh Hoa tourism is gradually becoming a favorite destination for those who love to explore. This place not only has famous landscapes and historical relics but also has a culinary background with famous specialties.