Buzz
Sầm Sơn Beach spans nearly 6km from the Lạch Hới estuary to the foothills of Trường Lệ mountain. It is the most famous beach in Thanh Hóa, renowned for its golden sands, strong waves, and moderate salt concentration, which are highly beneficial for health. With these advantages, Sầm Sơn Beach has attracted a plethora of tourists from both domestic and international locales. However, Sầm Sơn town offers not only this renowned beach but also numerous other famous landmarks.
Due to its proximity to Trường Lệ mountain, visitors to the beach can explore popular mountain landmarks such as Trống Mái island, Độc Cước temple, and Cô Tiên temple. Additionally, you can visit the Seafood Market to indulge in local delicacies and purchase souvenirs to take home after your trip.
Tourist Destinations around Sầm Sơn Beach
Perched atop Truong Le Mountain, travelers will behold the Majesty Drum Rocks. These are two boulders perched precariously on a large slab of rock. They seem to have weathered every vicissitude, defying the challenges of time to exist to this day. For the locals of Thanh Hoa, these two large boulders symbolize unwavering love.
According to local folklore, in the old days, a young fisherman from Sam Thon was strong and hardworking. One afternoon, as his boat docked, a fierce storm struck, causing a white egret to plunge into the Fairy Pond. Witnessing this, the fisherman took the egret home to care for it. One day, when the egret's time as a bird was up and it was due to return to the fairy realm, it transformed into a stunning maiden. However, moved by the fisherman's kindness, she chose not to return. When the fisherman returned from the sea, he found the house tidy, dinner ready, but no egret in sight, leaving him deeply saddened. At that moment, she emerged, and the two officially became husband and wife thereafter.
Upon learning that his daughter chose not to return to the fairy realm and instead chose a mortal mate, the Jade Emperor was furious and sent someone to punish them. The fisherman advised his wife to return to her royal father, but she refused. She used her magic to turn the couple into fledgling birds. When the envoy arrived to capture them, the birds had already turned into stone, standing silently amidst the mountainous forest.
Knowing his daughter's decision to remain in the mortal realm and marry a mortal, the Jade Emperor became enraged and dispatched a punisher. Despite the fisherman's counsel for her to return to her royal father, she adamantly refused. Employing her enchantment, she transformed the married couple into fledgling birds. When the emissary arrived to apprehend them, the birds had metamorphosed into rigid stone, poised stoically amidst the woodland peaks.
To honor the steadfast love of the married couple, locals have dubbed the rock slab as the Hon Trong Mai, a spot beyond the tourist hub of Sam Son Beach.
The Temple of Solitude
Perched atop Cogiai Peak in the Truong Le mountain range in Sam Son town, Thanh Hoa province, adjacent to Sam Son beach.
The temple is intricately woven into the legend passed down by locals to this day. Legend has it that in ancient times, a great flood occurred, sweeping a pregnant woman nearing her due date out to sea. Several days later, when the waters receded, the woman drifted ashore to the village of Ke Truong. Moved by her plight, the people of the surrounding area erected a tomb for her, also known as the Truong Le mountain range today, signifying the tears shed.
The mother gave birth to a robust boy, who later became a sturdy young man, often helping the villagers. At that time, a sea monster appeared, wreaking havoc on innocent villagers whenever they went out to sea, causing many to panic and leave the village. To aid the villagers, the young man used his sword to split himself in two: one half went out to sea to fish with the villagers, while the other half stood at the head of the Truong Le mountain range, preventing the sea monsters from appearing. From then on, the villagers went out to sea with peace of mind, with their nets full after each trip. Grateful to him, the villagers built a temple on Truong Le mountain, called the Doc Cuoc temple.
From the Doc Cuoc temple, you can enjoy the gentle breeze carrying the salty taste of the sea. In the distance, fishing villages nestled behind swaying coconut palms sway in the wind.
The Temple of the Fairy
The Temple of the Fairy is located to the south of the Truong Le mountain, a lofty and airy space. From atop the temple, you can gaze out, admiring the romantic and picturesque Sam Son sea, and savoring the fresh sea breeze.
Just like the other landmarks on Truong Le Mountain, the Temple of the Fairy also has a legend passed down by local people through oral tradition.
Long ago, a girl, for disobeying her father and marrying a wealthy suitor, was expelled from her home. Later, she fell in love and married Coi - a kind-hearted poor man. Their happiness was short-lived when she contracted leprosy. At that time, an old man appeared, using herbal medicine and water from the Fairy Pond to cure her. When she recovered, the old man left but before leaving, he left the couple with a rain shelter and a basket to hold the life-saving herbal medicine.
One evening, the couple returned home late from treating patients and encountered heavy rain, so they used the old woman's rain shelter to take cover. The next morning, they woke up to find themselves in a spacious and clean three-room house. From then on, the couple stayed in the house and used herbal medicine to treat the people in the area. One fine day, they dressed up nicely and went up the mountain peak, never to return. Since then, the house has become the Temple of the Fairy, regularly visited by villagers who offer incense and clean it to express gratitude to the couple.
In 1960, Uncle Ho visited and rested at the temple. In 1962, the Temple of the Fairy was honored to be recognized as a cultural relic by the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Seafood Market
Near Sam Son Beach, there is not only famous historical sites and tourist destinations but also the Seafood Market - where various fresh seafood from Thanh Hoa is sold.
The market comes alive early in the morning. Many boats dock, selling directly on the sandy beach. A wide variety of fresh seafood such as fish, shrimp, crab, and squid are displayed for sale.
When tourists find the seafood they desire, the vendors quickly clean and package it. At the seafood market, you not only buy but also have the opportunity to taste Thanh Hoa seafood. Choose a delicious dish, and the vendor will prepare it right there for you. Watching the sunrise, observing the bustling crowd, and savoring local specialties will be unforgettable moments on your Sam Son trip. Moreover, you can purchase these enticing seafood varieties to take home as gifts for family and friends.
Seaside Hotels in Sam Son
Recently, Sam Son has attracted many tourists from both domestic and international locations. You and your family or friends should come here to enjoy the sea waves and don't forget to explore the tourist spots around Sam Son Beach. You will gain valuable knowledge when you set foot here.
