Discovering the Enchanting Wilderness: Hải Tiến Beach in Thanh Hóa captivates with its raw and mesmerizing beauty.

When it comes to beach tourism in Thanh Hóa, most people instantly think of Sầm Sơn Beach – a renowned and long-standing destination known for its luxurious, modern appeal. However, there's a hidden gem waiting to be explored, untouched and simple, with vast coastlines and pristine landscapes – Hải Tiến Beach. Hải Tiến's beach tourism offers a new and refreshing experience for beach enthusiasts.

In this land of Thanh Hóa, another coastal destination awaits discovery. With its long, untouched coastline and refreshing scenery, Hải Tiến Beach welcomes travelers to explore and enjoy its natural beauty. Hải Tiến Beach has been, is, and will continue to be a new and exciting discovery for beach-loving tourists.

Where is Hải Tiến Beach?

Hải Tiến Beach boasts a 12km-long coastline, making it the longest beach in the northern region of Vietnam. It is situated in the districts of Hoằng Hải, Hoằng Tiến, Hoằng Thanh, and Hoằng Trường, Hoằng Hóa district, Thanh Hóa province. The beach is located 175km from the capital Hanoi and 20km from the center of Thanh Hóa city.

Transportation to Hải Tiến Beach from Hanoi

There are numerous transportation options for travelers heading to Hải Tiến Beach. Here, I will share three commonly used modes of transportation:

Traveling by passenger bus (bus stations near Hải Tiến Beach):

• At Mỹ Đình bus station, there is Thắng Diễn bus company (0984.823.878): departures at 10 AM and 4 PM.
• At Giáp Bát bus station, there is Cương Lĩnh bus company (0904.643.142): departures at 9:30 AM and 12 PM.

Taking these buses, you just need to inform the driver that you want to go to Hải Tiến Beach. Upon arrival, the driver will drop you off, and you can arrange transportation to the tourist area. Since you need to travel an additional distance, be prepared to pay around 10k-20k VND per person. Many young travelers prioritize this mode of transportation to Hải Tiến Beach due to its convenience and the assurance of reaching the destination.

• Traveling by private vehicle

To reach Hải Tiến Beach from Hanoi, you need to travel a distance of 175km along National Highway 1A. Once you leave Hanoi, following National Highway 1A, you will pass through the provinces of Hà Nam and Ninh Bình, then enter the area of Bỉm Sơn town – Thanh Hóa province. From here, continue for another 30km to reach Tào Xuyên Bridge.

After crossing Tào Xuyên Bridge for about 50m, there is a left turn. Take that turn and proceed for another 15km, and you will see large billboards and banners indicating 'Hải Tiến Tourist Area.' The road is spacious and easy to navigate, so driving a car is convenient. If you choose to ride a motorbike, it's a cost-effective option, but always prioritize safety.

• Traveling by train

If you opt for train travel, you can depart from Hanoi Railway Station to Thanh Hóa. Upon reaching Thanh Hóa station, take bus route 06 to Chợ Vực intersection. From there, you can either take a taxi or a motorbike taxi to Hải Tiến Beach tourist area.

Must-Visit and Enjoyable Places You Shouldn't Miss at Hải Tiến Beach

• Tô Hiến Thành Temple, ancient village of Hoàng Bột
• Trạng Quỳnh Temple in Bột Thượng village (Hoằng Lộc Commune)
• Vĩnh Gia Pagoda (Hoằng Phương), currently preserving 54 royal decrees from various dynasties

Temples dedicated to historical and divine figures: Trần Khát Chân, Triệu Quang Phục, Lê Phụng Hiểu, Lương Đắc Bằng, Tô Hiến Thành, Lương Hữu Khánh, and more.

Historical Sites: Ba Cây Islet, Mã Nhón Islet – where the earliest uprising for local government took place 24/7, Heroic Hoằng Trường Statue – where soldiers shot down American planes, …

From the beach, visitors can travel upstream on the Mã River to visit Lạch Hới, Cồn Trường with its primitive forest and parakeets; passing through Nguyệt Viên Pier, Hàm Rồng Pier to visit Ngọc Mountain, Rồng Mountain, Tiên Sơn Cave, Kim Quy Lake, … On the heroic Mã River, tourists can listen to the distinctive tunes of Thanh folk songs while enjoying the unique culture of the river area.

If time allows, tourists should explore other famous destinations in Thanh Hóa province, historical evidences, and scenic spots that are a source of pride for Thanh people:

• Bến En National Park (Như Thanh)
• Cẩm Lương Fairy Fish Stream (Cẩm Thủy)
• Tiên Sơn Hàm Rồng Cave (Thanh Hóa City)
• Lam Kinh Historical Relic (Thọ Xuân)
• Pù Luông Eco-tourism Area (a paradise amidst the Quan Hóa – Bá Thước mountainous region)
• Từ Thức Cave (Nga Sơn)
• World Heritage Site of Hồ Dynasty Citadel (Vĩnh Lộc)

Must-Try Local Delicacies in Hải Tiến Beach Tourism

In addition to beach bathing, enjoying the natural scenery, and breathing fresh air, savoring local delicacies is an unmissable pleasure for tourists at any tourist destination, and Hải Tiến Beach Tourism is no exception.

Thanh Hóa Fermented Pork Roll (Nem chua Thanh Hóa)

When it comes to fermented pork roll, people immediately think of Thanh Hóa, as only here can the traditional flavor be preserved with its characteristic sour and savory taste, along with the indispensable chewiness when enjoying this signature dish of the region. When visiting Hải Tiến Beach Tourism, tourists should not miss this interesting dish. If possible, enjoy the fermented pork roll with Cầu Lộc wine – a combination that cannot be more perfect. Don't forget to buy some fermented pork rolls as gifts for friends and family.

Shrimp Paste of Hà Yên

This is a unique specialty in the coastal area of Thanh, most famous in the two villages of Đình Trung and Yên Xá in Hà Yên commune, Hà Trung district, Thanh Hóa province. This dish is best enjoyed with boiled dishes. Imagine dipping a piece of boiled pork into this shrimp paste – the pork will have a richer flavor, and you'll experience a slightly sour, crispy, and sweet sensation. Try it once to discover the unique and interesting taste of this dish, guaranteed to be a flavor you've never encountered in other types of shrimp paste. This is undoubtedly a dish that cannot be overlooked when traveling to Hải Tiến Beach.

River Squid Mackerel

The River Squid Mackerel is found in the Bến En National Park, Như Thanh district, Thanh Hóa. Due to its unique ecological characteristics and abundant food sources, the mackerel is plump, juicy, and large, with some weighing up to a few kilograms. It can be prepared in various ways, such as steamed, in hotpot, braised with melon, or fried. Steamed mackerel is particularly favored by many tourists for its preserved natural flavor. When enjoyed with rice paper, slices of green banana, sour star fruit, some herbs, a few pieces of tamarind, and a bit of ginger, and finally rolled and dipped in the perfectly mixed fish sauce with lime and chili, it becomes an exquisite delight. Eating this while savoring the sunset over Hải Tiến Beach is undeniably a perfect experience.

Tứ Trụ Gai Cake

A rustic dish from Mía village, Thọ Diên commune, Thọ Xuân district, Thanh Hóa province. The process of making Tứ Trụ Gai Cake is not difficult but quite meticulous and requires the careful, meticulous, and patient hands of the cake maker. The dried galingale leaves, after being cleaned, are boiled until tender, then taken out, drained, and finely ground. Mix the finely ground galingale leaf powder with glutinous rice flour and sugar cane honey, creating a smooth, shiny, dark brown dough. It has a sweet taste of sugar cane honey, and this type of cake is very chewy, easily sticking to the fingers. When visiting Hải Tiến Beach, give it a try, and you can also buy it as a gift for your loved ones and friends.

Where to Stay in Hải Tiến when Traveling?

You can stay at hotels or resorts with competitive room rates such as:

Looking for a Cafe in Hải Tiến?

Biển Xanh Coffee, spanning 450m2 with a capacity of 200 people, is the venue for Gala Dinners and free live performances for all customers in the system. It's a place for relaxation during your days at Hải Tiến Beach resort.

What to Buy as Gifts when Traveling to Hải Tiến Beach?

Apart from the famous specialties mentioned above, consider buying:

• Thanh Hóa sour fermented pork rolls (Nem chua),
• Hà Yên shrimp paste (Mắm tép),
• Tứ Trụ Gai Cake (Bánh gai Tứ Trụ),
• Mực River Fish (Cá mè sông Mực)

When traveling to the beach, bringing back local specialties as gifts for friends and family is a must. At Hải Tiến Beach, you can choose unique delicacies to take home as souvenirs:

• Spicy stir-fried clams: Clams are always appealing due to their delicious and naturally sweet meat. Spicy stir-fried clams add an irresistible depth and spiciness to the dining experience.
• Fish salad: Don't miss the famous Fish Salad, a specialty of the coastal region in Thanh Hóa.
• Steamed sour mantis shrimp: This dish captivates with its rich flavor, combining sour, salty, and sweet tastes, enhanced by the enticing aroma of lemongrass, garlic, and the distinctive scent of mantis shrimp.
• Jellyfish salad: The jellyfish salad in Hải Tiến is crispy, refreshing, and has a unique taste unlike any other seafood, making it excellent for digestion.

There are plenty of options for visitors to explore and find suitable gifts.

Reasons to Choose Hải Tiến Beach for Your Vacation

Many travelers may wonder why choose Hải Tiến Beach for a vacation instead of places like Bãi Dài, Bãi Sao (Phú Quốc), Hòn Chồng (Nha Trang), Cù Lao Chàm (Đà Nẵng), ... Here are some compelling reasons for you:

Firstly, this beach is relatively new, extremely pristine, with crystal-clear and clean seawater. When you visit Hải Tiến Beach, you can fully enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.

Second reason: CLEAN – LONG – SAFE. Hải Tiến Beach has a wastewater treatment system directed away from the sea towards the mainland. Close to the sea but without sedimentation, the beach is very clean, with little, fine sand.

Thirdly, according to scientific assessments, this is a safe beach with gently sloping shores, allowing for relatively long-distance swimming.

And the final reason is the friendliness of the locals, especially the delicious and incredibly affordable seafood in Hải Tiến.

Pack your backpack and head to Hải Tiến Beach for a unique experience, to feel the natural blessings of this place, and savor the distinctive local cuisine.