Sam Son Beach

Sam Son was developed as a beach resort from the early twentieth century under the French and has been the sea for the northern provinces since - a long sand beach with a strip behind it that has been rebuilt in the last decade with large hotels, a promenade and a resort complex. It is a domestic destination almost entirely, and it works on a scale that surprises foreign visitors: in July and August the beach is dense with people, most of them swimming in the early morning and late afternoon. The Truong Le hill at the southern end holds the Doc Cuoc temple and a view along the shore.

What you actually see

• A long sand beach - developed since the early 1900s.
• A rebuilt resort strip - hotels and promenade from the last decade.
• A domestic destination - very few foreign visitors.
• Doc Cuoc temple on Truong Le hill - at the southern end.

When to go

May to August. A full day.

Honest expectations

In peak weeks the crowding is extreme. Prices for visitors are quoted high and there is a long-standing local reputation for overcharging. Swimming happens early and late; midday is too hot. The development is not attractive.

Nearby

Thanh Hoa is west; the Ho Dynasty citadel is inland.