For a long time, Thanh Hoa has become an indispensable destination in the travel list for people who want to discover the beauty of the Central region in Vietnam. In this article, Vietnam Original Travel will give you the best travel guide of Thanh Hoa, Vietnam, on your journey to explore things to do in Thanh Hoa and make your trip unforgettable!

What to Know About Thanh Hoa, Vietnam

Thanh Hoa is located right in the heart of the North Central Coast region in Vietnam, about 93 miles south of Hanoi and 969 miles north of Ho Chi Minh city. This place is considered to be an open and transitional land while connecting South to North and East to West, adjacent to the border of Lao and other cities such as Ninh Binh, Nghe An, Hoa Binh, and Son La. As a result, Thanh Hoa is believed to win the hearts of any fastidious tourists with its promising tourism, beautiful beaches, fairytale landscapes, and precious historical and cultural values. 

How to Get to Thanh Hoa, Vietnam, from Hanoi

You do not have to worry about how to get to Thanh Hoa, Vietnam, as this place provides you with a variety of means of transport options. Here are some of our suggestions:

By plane: Traveling by plane is considered the fastest way to reach Thanh Hoa if you go from the South. The total travel time from Ho Chi Minh city would be around 2 hours, and from Hanoi would be much longer, around more than 5 hours. You can fly directly from Tan Son Nhat airport at Ho Chi Minh City and  Noi Bai airport at Hanoi to Tho Xuan airport at Thanh Hoa.

By bus: If you travel from Hanoi, it is quicker to choose a bus and start from My Dinh and Giap Bat bus or Gia Lam stations. The ticket would cost around $4-7 per person.

By train: If you still have plenty of time and want to watch the scenery along the way, you can also catch the train to reach Thanh Hoa train station. Visitors will have to spend around 4 hours if you go from Hanoi and more than a day if you come from Ho Chi Minh city. It would cost you $6-8.

The Weather in Thanh Hoa Vietnam and Best Time to Go

Thanh Hoa has a tropical climate (with dry winters), so the average maximum temperature goes from around 20°C in January to 35°C in June and the daily average temperature from June to September is usually above 31°C. The wettest month of Thanh Hoa is August, with a lot of rainfall. 

The busiest months for Thanh Hoa tourism is October, January, and June, respectively. Thus, the costs for flights and accommodations during these months can be a bit overpriced if you don't book in advance. The best time to visit Thanh Hoa for a much cheaper price would be from early February to mid-April and from early November to January. 

Top 6 Must-Visit Places in Thanh Hoa

Sam Son Beach

Sam Son Beach is usually top of mind for any visitors whenever traveling to Thanh Hoa. Sam Son Beach is situated about 20 km from the famous Thanh Hoa bridge (Ham Rong) and has 9 km of coastline. 

Coming here in the summer, tourists will see a bustling view of Sam Son, where both local people and visitors head to the beach in order to lie on the white sand, soak up the sun and immerse themself in cool water. You can also take part in water sports activities such as surfing, windsurfing, and canoeing...or simply have a chat and watch the children playing with the sand.

Traveling to Sam Son Beach, you also have a chance to take photos with many beautiful rocky mountains and discover forests and historic temples and relics nearby, such as Co Tien Temple and Doc Cuoc temple,...

Hai Tien Beach

Unlike Sam Son Beach, Hai Tien Beach is an off-the-beaten-track destination for beach lovers. Located in Hoang Hoa district, Thanh Hoa, Hai Tien Beach stretches across 4 communes with its impressive 12 km length. This beach is blessed with unspoiled scenery and flora, especially suitable for those who enjoy peaceful time away from the hectic city. 

Ho Dynasty Citadel

Heading 45 km from Thanh Hoa city center to the North is Ho Dynasty Citadel - one of the most important historical relics in Vietnam. The citadel was the capital of Dai Ngu (the former name of Vietnam) under the Ho Dynasty. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, Ho Dynasty Citadel boasts a significant historical value and is also one of the remaining stone citadels in the world whose techniques and architecture are still a mysterious question.

Coming here, tourists will have a chance to travel back to ancient times to witness an epic, historic period of Vietnamese people and fall in love with this heroic land and the people here.

Cam Luong Holy Fish Stream

Located in Cam Thuy district, 80km away from Thanh Hoa city, Cam Luong Holy Fish Stream is where Muong ethnic groups raise all types of colorful fish and the king fishes in a wide cave. Tourists can come here as a getaway spot, to fully breathe in nature and let the mind wander. The stream water is crystal clear all year round. Whenever the sun shines through the surface and  shoals of fish glisten as bright as jewels, this sacred fish stream is truly a fairytale come to life.

Ben En National Park

Heading about 36 km from Thanh Hoa city to the southwest, we will visit Ben En National Park. Known as the “miniature of Ha Long Bay,” Ben En National Park has a special terrain with many hills, rivers and streams. Thanks to its majestic, poetic natural scenery and a rich ecosystem, Ben En is considered the most beautiful national park in Vietnam.

Elephant Waterfall

Elephant Waterfall in Thanh Van of Thach Thanh district is the most unique and must-visit check-in destination in Thanh Hoa. This place boasts a wild and majestic beauty, covered with green forests and marvelous mountains, and you can hear vivid echoes from rushing streams of the waterfalls, truly immersing yourself in nature. The ticket price is very cheap, less than $1/person.

Top Must-Try Thanh Hoa Specialties

Nem Chua

You can't talk about Thanh Hoa without mentioning the famous “Nem chua.” It is known as “Vietnamese fermented pork roll,” made from fresh pork, garlic, pepper, and other special spices wrapped with banana leaves and often dipped in chili sauce. 

Unlike normal “Nem chua” from other regions, Thanh Hoa people have a unique recipe to make the dish both special and unforgettable so that eaters can taste the sweetness and a mild sourness from the pork blended with the spiciness of pepper and garlic.

Fried Shrimp Roll

Another specialty of Thanh Hoa that you can not miss is fried shrimp roll. The dish is made from fresh shrimp caught in Sam Son Beach so it is really nutritious. Shrimp after catching will be cleaned, pounded by hand instead of in a blender and mixed with a lot of ingredients such as gourd, fried pork belly, minced garlic, and purple onion, wrapped in spring roll wrapper and finally grilled on charcoal. 

Take a bite and you will feel the crispiness of the wrapper, the sweetness of shrimp and meat blended with the sourness of pickles, the spiciness of chili and the cool taste from herbs, creating an unforgettable taste that is sure to captivate the heart of any food lover.

Top Hotels to Stay During Your Trip to Thanh Hoa

Thanh Hoa tourism is highly developed, offering plenty of accommodation options to choose from. Here are some of the best hotels and resorts we suggest you should choose:

For a luxurious stay, here are the top 3 excellent places to stay in Thanh Hoa:

• Melia Vinpearl Thanh Hoa in No. 27 Tran Phu, Dien Bien Ward, Thanh Hoa City, Thanh Hoa
• Muong Thanh Grand Thanh Hoa in OC1 Zone, Southern City Urban Center, Dong Ve Ward, Thanh Hoa 
• Central Hotel Thanh Hoa in 01. Nguyen Hoang Avenue, Dong Hai Ward, Thanh Hoa City
• FLC Luxury Resort Samson near Sam Son Beach, Thanh Hoa

These five-star hotels and resorts offer a range of amenities, including swimming pools, spas, fitness centers, and multiple restaurants.

For a more affordable option: the Xuan Thanh hotel in Phan Dinh Phung, Dong Huong, Thanh Hoa City; the Kingsales Hotel at 165 Pham Thi Ngoc Tran, Dong Huong, Thanh Hoa City; or the Camellia hotel in 58/01 Nguyen Phuc, Quang Thang ward, Thanh Hoa city are great choices. 

For a unique stay, consider homestays such as Valley Home and Puluong Ohayo in Don village, Ba Thuoc, Thanh Hoa. This is an excellent choice to interact with local people and culture. These homestays offer a range of amenities, including swimming pools, gardens, and restaurants.  

In conclusion, a combination of historical places, beautiful beaches and majestic landscapes makes Thanh Hoa an ideal holiday destination. Surely, with the overview, recommended transportations, accommodations and things to do in Thanh Hoa, this “The Best Travel Guide of Thanh Hoa, Vietnam, 2023” article is truly an invaluable resource for anyone looking to devote some time to enjoying the pure beauty of nature along with getting an insight into Vietnamese history. 

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