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Story: Pham Minh Quan
Photos: Duc Thanh, Nguyen Hai, Luong Sang
The rhythm of time in Thanh Hoa flows like four movements of a symphony, composed of heroic history, a treasure trove of heritage, and landscapes painted in many hues. Each visit offers travelers a different note of experience: spring resounds with festivals, summer dazzles with ocean waves, autumn whispers through the mountains, and winter lingers in the flavors of home. Together, they weave a vibrant portrait of Thanh Hoa’s “four seasons of flavors and colors,” leaving anyone who has once visited longing to return.
Spring – a chorus of festivals and heritage
When spring rain falls lightly on the ancient rooftops, the sound of festival drums echoes across Thanh Hoa, ushering in a season of cultural and spiritual journeys. Travelers are drawn to the Ho Dynasty Citadel, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011. Having stood for over six centuries, its green stone walls embody both grandeur and resilience. From there, footsteps naturally lead to temples and relics like Ba Trieu Temple, Lam Kinh, Dong Son, Ba Dinh, and Ham Rong – each a living chapter of history tied to legendary national heroes.
Yet spring in Thanh Hoa is about more than monuments. It is a season of vibrant festivals and folk performances: the resounding drumbeats of Tro Xuan Pha, the lilting tunes of Song Ma River chants, the traditional Nha Tro singing of Van Trinh, and the rustic melodies of Dong Anh folk songs. Over 300 festivals unfold across the province as communities honor their ancestors, nurture their faith, and preserve a cultural identity woven through generations.
Summer – a harmony of waves and wind
Summer sunshine creates an irresistible invitation to Thanh Hoa’s coastline. Stretching more than one hundred kilometers, its shores embrace some of the most beloved beaches in North Central Vietnam. Sam Son, once hailed as “the most ideal resort of Indochina,” remains a dazzling icon, while Hai Tien, Hai Hoa, Bai Dong, and the islands of Hon Me and Hon Ne captivate with their pristine, untouched beauty.
In recent years, Thanh Hoa’s coastal infrastructure has been revitalized with a modern seafront square, the North’s largest waterpark at Sun World Sam Son, and world-class five-star resorts. Amid turquoise seas and endless sandy stretches, summer here offers both vibrant energy and serene relaxation, enchanting visitors from near and far.
Autumn – echoes of the great forest
When autumn breezes rustle the ripening rice, western Thanh Hoa enters its most breathtaking season. The Pu Luong Nature Reserve forms a “paradise in the great forest,” where golden terraced fields ripple beneath drifting clouds and villages rest peacefully on mountain slopes. Nature’s artistry shines in the shimmering stalactites of Bo Cung Cave and the cascading elegance of May Waterfall. Community-based tourism thrives in villages such as Ban But, Tri Nang, Ban Ngam, and Ban Ma. Staying in homestays, visitors can savor local ethnic cuisine, learn to weave brocade, pound rice cakes, or dance by the fire in the cool mountain nights.
Thanh Hoa’s autumns glow with golden harvests and local hospitality, as people and nature live harmoniously in a gentle, generous rhythm.
Winter – the flavors of home
In the crisp chill of winter, Thanh Hoa draws travelers closer with its rich culinary traditions. Thanh Hoa fermented pork (nem chua), a perfect balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet, is joined by the chewy fragrance of Tu Tru thorn leaf cakes, the rustic charm of Phu Quang nutty ginger sticky rice bars, and delights such as crispy shrimp cakes, pork rolls, and rang bua rice dumplings. Each dish is a slice of culture, a testament to the province’s culinary heritage.
Winter is also a season for visiting traditional craft villages: watching artisans reel silk, shape pottery, roll incense, or weave bamboo with practiced hands, immersing oneself in a way of life that is simple yet rich in identity.
Welcome to Thanh Hoa!
With its diverse landscapes, rich heritage sites, long coastline, majestic mountains, delectable cuisine, and vibrant culture, Thanh Hoa affirms its place as a truly distinctive destination on Vietnam’s tourism map.
