Sầm Sơn beach

Last weekend (10 - 13 July 2008), I traveled with my family to Sầm Sơn beach and relaxed for a few days. The beach which is located 180km south of Hanoi is a popular destination for north Vietnamese during the summer time (from May to July). During the other period, there are few tourists going to this beach due to the typhoons and cold water during the winter. In fact, the beaches in northern Vietnam are not as good as the ones in other parts of Vietnam.

Although the distance from Hanoi to the beach is only 180km, it took us even 4 hours to get there. On Highway No. 1, the speed limit goes from 40km to 80km an hour. We went through Phủ Lý, Ninh Bình and got into Thanh Hoá city. The beach is located about 20km away from Thanh Hoá city of Thanh Hoá province.

The most popular means of transport in Sầm Sơn town are cyclos, dual seat bicycles and electrical cars imported from China. Every tourist enjoys great seafood like crabs, prawns, fish, squids and oysters. The presents that tourists often buy are local products like dried squids and prawns, coconut candies, pineapples etc.

The locals in Sầm Sơn are poor and it’s very hard for them to earn a living. Both men and women work as cyclo cyclists even it's extremely hard work. The tourist season lasts only 3 months, after that, the area is very quiet, especially during winter time.

Fishing is the major industry in the region. Every morning, the boats come to the market near the beach to sell their fish. Here you can buy fresh seafood cheaply and they will cook for you on the spot. As it’s very crowded at the beach near the center of the town, my family went to ecological zone (6km from the town) in our car. There were few people at the beach, so it was very relaxing there. I also spent the first morning going to Độc Cước temple, only 1km from the town. There is a great view of the sea from the rear of the temple.

Here are some photos of me, my nephew, the locals and tourists, that were taken at Sầm Sơn beach, Độc Cước temple, fishing market, ecological zone (Khu sinh thái) and our favorite seafood in Sầm Sơn town.

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