Complete guide to enjoying Hai Thanh Tinh Gia beach 2025

1. Overview of Hai Thanh Beach

Hai Thanh Beach (also known as Ngoc Son) is located in Tinh Gia ward, Thanh Hoa province. The beach is about 60 km south of the center. The coastline stretches for about 4.2 km, from the tip of Thoi mountain to the foot of Du Xuyen mountain, creating a harmonious natural landscape of mountains, sea, and fishing villages. Considered one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in Thanh Hoa, Hai Thanh Beach has not yet been significantly impacted by large-scale tourism activities, thus retaining its inherent peaceful and pure beauty.

The lives of the people in Hai Thanh are closely tied to the simple fishing profession. (Source: Collection)

Walking along the coast, visitors can easily encounter images of simple small fishing villages, fishing boats anchored near the shore, children playing on the sand, and rows of casuarina trees and green coconut palms rustling in the wind. All blend together to create a rustic natural picture, rich in Central Vietnamese character.

When visiting Hai Thanh beach , visitors will clearly feel the peacefulness of this place with the rhythmic sound of waves mingling with the sea breeze, bringing a rare sense of relaxation and tranquility. Amidst the bustling pace of life, Hai Thanh is like a gentle pause, where people can find peace in their souls, enjoying the pristine beauty that Thanh Hoa's nature has graciously bestowed.

2. How to get there and experience the journey

The journey to Hai Thanh Tinh Gia beach is currently quite convenient thanks to the invested and synchronously connected transportation system. From the center of Thanh Hoa, visitors follow National Highway 1A towards Nghi Son. At Tinh Hai intersection, turn onto the Nghi Son - Sao Vang coastal road, continue for about 6 km to reach the beach area. This route is quite easy to travel and suitable for both motorbikes and cars.

Depending on the starting point and personal needs, visitors can choose the following means of transport:

Motorbike: is a choice favored by many young people, especially those passionate about backpacking and wanting to enjoy the scenery along the way. From Hanoi to Hai Thanh beach takes about 3 - 4 hours of travel, via the Phap Van - Cau Gie - Ninh Binh - Thanh Hoa expressway, then turn towards National Highway 1A. Before departing, it is advisable to check and maintain the vehicle to ensure safety for the trip.

Bus: suitable for tourists who want to save costs and travel comfortably. From Hanoi, there are many bus companies running the Hanoi - Tinh Gia route, travel time is about 4 hours, ticket prices range from 150,000 - 200,000 VND/trip. From Tinh Gia post office, you can continue by motorbike taxi or taxi, it's only about 2 - 3 km to the beach.

Private car: is an ideal choice for groups of friends or families, offering independence and privacy throughout the journey. This vehicle allows you to easily carry luggage, avoid the heat, and also stop to rest or take photos at beautiful spots along the way.

3. Ideal time to explore

Visitors can visit Hai Thanh beach at any time of the year, as it possesses a peaceful, rustic, and pleasant beauty throughout the four seasons. However, the most ideal time to explore and fully enjoy the beach scenery is from April to September. This is when the weather is dry, the sky is clear blue, the sun shines brightly, and the sea waves are gentle. This period is very suitable for outdoor activities such as swimming, strolling, taking photos, or enjoying fresh seafood right at the coastal fishing villages.

Hai Thanh Sea at dawn. (Source: Collected)

Especially, May and June are the most favored times for many tourists, when Hai Thanh Sea dons its deep blue hue, fresh air, and abundant sunshine, ideal for summer getaways. Compared to other famous beaches, Hai Thanh still retains its tranquility and spacious atmosphere, helping visitors fully enjoy a relaxing feeling, away from the bustling pace of life.

Outside the main tourist season, those who want to learn about the cultural life of the coastal residents can visit during the 2nd-3rd lunar months. This is the time when the Cau Ngu festival takes place, a characteristic ceremony to worship the Whale God by Thanh fishermen. This is an occasion for tourists to immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the festival, feel the spirit of solidarity, gratitude towards the sea, and discover traditional cultural beauties that are still preserved by the local people through generations.

Outstanding experiences at Hai Thanh Sea

Pristine beach

Enjoying a vacation at Hai Thanh Sea in Tinh Gia is an opportunity for visitors to find a rare coastal space that still retains its pristine and peaceful beauty. The fine white sand stretches over 4 km, the clear blue sea year-round, and gentle waves are very suitable for relaxation and swimming activities. Hai Thanh Sea is a place where visitors can stroll leisurely, listen to the gentle sound of the waves, or simply lie on the sand, enjoying the cool sea breeze.

The wild and peaceful coast at Hai Thanh beach. (Source: Collected)

If you visit the beach early in the morning, don't miss the moment of sunrise dyeing the water pink, as fishing boats return from afar with holds full of shrimp and fish. Conversely, the sunset in the afternoon brings a romantic beauty, as the last rays of the day reflect on the sparkling sea, creating a rare poetic scene. These experiences make the journey to explore Hai Thanh memorable.

4.2 Sun Rock Promontory (Mom Da Mat Troi)

Located between Hai Thanh beach and Hai Hoa beach, Sun Rock Promontory (Mom Da Mat Troi), also known as Dau Voi rocky outcrop (Ghenh Da Dau Voi), is a famous check-in spot loved by many tourists. From Hai Thanh beach, you only need to walk about 1 km to get there, no need to rent other means of transport. This area features undulating natural rock formations facing the sea, interspersed with green pine trees, creating a scene that is both wild and romantic.

Sun Rock is a newly emerging check-in spot in Hai Thanh. (Source: Collected)

Dawn or dusk is when the rock becomes most brilliant. Golden sunlight reflects on the rock surface and the clear blue water, creating shimmering, artistic photos. From here, you can cast your eyes over the vast sea, listen to the waves crashing against the rocky shore, and feel the natural beauty of Thanh land.

4.3 Visit Ba Lang Fish Sauce Village

Just a short distance from Hai Thanh beach is the fish sauce craft village in the Ba Lang area. This is the pride of the people of Thanh land. The craft village has a tradition of hundreds of years in producing fish sauce from fresh anchovies. This is one of the prominent fish sauce brands in the Central region with its rich, pure, and distinctively fragrant flavor.

Ba Lang fish sauce is guaranteed the best quality. (Source: Collected)

Coming here, visitors can witness firsthand the process of making traditional fish sauce from selecting fish, fermenting, pressing, to the finished product. This journey not only offers an interesting experience but also helps you understand more about the meticulousness, patience, and pride of the coastal people. Visitors can also buy bottles of specialty fish sauce as gifts to take home, as a way to preserve the taste of the sea and support the locals in maintaining the long-standing traditional craft of their Thanh Hoa homeland.

4.4 Visiting Hon Me Archipelago

About 11 km southeast of the mainland, Hon Me Archipelago is one of the most attractive destinations when traveling to this area. The complex includes 18 islands, large and small, divided into three clusters: Bang cluster (5 islands), Mieu cluster (8 islands), and Me cluster (5 islands). Among them, Me island is the largest.

Hon Me Island with its wild natural beauty. (Source: Collected)

The area around the island has clear blue seawater and rich vegetation, serving as a place where fishermen often anchor their fishing boats. Tourists can hire boats from the mainland to the island to visit, fish, snorkel, and explore the diverse marine ecosystem. However, as this area is still quite wild, you should contact local residents or the tourism management board in advance for specific guidance, ensuring safety throughout the island exploration journey.

5. Experience and notes

To make your trip to Hai Thanh Beach (Tinh Gia, Thanh Hoa) truly complete and memorable, tourists should prepare thoroughly before departing. A few small notes below will help the journey to explore this pristine coastal area become more convenient, safe, and emotional:

Prepare necessary personal items, bring swimwear, high SPF sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and non-slip sandals for comfort when moving on the sand or along the coast.

Wear a life jacket when going to the island, especially if planning to visit the Hon Me archipelago or travel by fishing boat, ensuring absolute safety throughout the trip.

Prepare personal medications, including motion sickness medication, painkillers, digestive aids, or mild cold medicine; also prepare drinking water and light snacks for use during long journeys or when visiting points far from the main beach.

Enjoy Thanh Hoa's seafood specialties such as raw fish salad, grilled fish, steamed squid, and sour fish soup at small seaside eateries or local homestays, where you will experience the rich flavors and the sincere hospitality of the coastal people.

Maintain environmental hygiene, do not litter indiscriminately, limit bonfires or the use of single-use plastics; respect local culture and join hands to protect the inherent natural beauty of the Hai Thanh coastal area.

6. Combining nearby tourist destinations with Hai Thanh Beach

6.1 Sam Son Beach

Not far north of Hai Thanh Beach, Sam Son Beach has long been one of the most famous coastal tourist destinations in the Central region, attracting millions of tourists annually. Sam Son Beach stands out with its golden sandy shore, gentle waves, and fresh air. It is not only an ideal destination for activities like swimming, walking, kayaking, and paragliding, but also a dynamic coastal tourism hub of Thanh Hoa.

Sam Son Sea Square during the 2025 beach tourism opening ceremony. (Source: Collected)

An impressive highlight not to be missed when visiting Sam Son is the Sam Son Sea Square, the iconic work of the coastal city. With an area of over 15 hectares, the square is a regular venue for large-scale cultural, artistic, beach festival, and sports events. When night falls, the modern lighting system and water music show make the space sparkle, becoming a prominent check-in spot for young tourists.

6.2. Hai Tien Beach

Located just about 20 km from Thanh Hoa city center, Hai Tien Beach is a newly emerging destination, dubbed "the longest beach in the North" with over 12 km of fine sandy beach and clear blue sea. The space here harmoniously blends nature with modern investment, featuring a series of resorts, ecological resorts, and seaside seafood restaurants.

Annually, Hai Tien hosts a vibrant beach tourism festival with many art programs, parades, and water sports performances, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists. More than just a resort destination, Hai Tien also captivates with local experiences such as visiting the early morning fish market, watching the sunrise, night squid fishing, or strolling on the long pier extending into the sea.

6.3. Cam Luong Holy Fish Stream

About 90 km west of Hai Thanh Beach, the Cam Luong Holy Fish Stream in Cam Thuy district is one of Thanh Hoa's unique natural wonders. The small stream is only about 100 m long, located at the foot of Truong Sinh Mountain, but it is home to thousands of fish, large and small, revered by the locals as "holy fish". The stream water is so clear that you can see schools of fish swimming playfully beneath the blue water, creating a rare, magical scene.

Sacred fish school at Cam Luong sacred fish stream. (Source: Collected)

Not only the fish stream, this area also attracts tourists with its majestic mountain and forest scenery, fascinating limestone caves, and fresh and cool atmosphere. Tourists can climb to the peak of Truong Sinh mountain to admire the panoramic view of the Cam Luong area from above, or enjoy mountain specialties such as grilled free-range chicken, grilled fish, and sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes. This is a great stopover to change the atmosphere after relaxing days by the sea, bringing a different and impressive experience in the journey to explore the Thanh Hoa region.

Hai Thanh Beach (Tinh Gia, Thanh Hoa) is an ideal destination for those who want to temporarily escape the noisy pace of life to find some peace by the sea. Its simple, pristine beauty along with the fresh atmosphere makes this place a perfect choice for a short getaway. Come here once to feel the sea breeze as well as the gentle waves of this beautiful coastal area!