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Mr. Vinh Dav
Let’s join Heritage Magazine and admire the endless waters off Quang Lang Beach, as captured by photographer Mr. Vinh Dav.
Quang Lang Beach is located in Thuy Hai commune, Thai Thuy district, Thai Binh province, roughly 120 kilometers from Hanoi and 35 kilometers from Thai Binh city. Thanks to its unique characteristics and natural beauty, in recent years, this beach has emerged as an up-and-coming tourist attraction. While it lacks crystal clear water, white sand, and rows of coconut palms, Quang Lang Beach stands out because of its unspoiled charm and something that other beaches envy: a boundless sea that seemingly stretches even beyond the horizon.
To see the beach at its best, you will need to start moving at 4 o’clock in the morning and walk for about an hour over two kilometers, crossing the protective forest that encircles the beach. Throughout the first quarter of this journey, the mud can be quite slippery and loose, which is common by beaches near soft soil. As you continue, you will find fine sand cradling your feet with every footstep, making the remainder of the journey much easier. In this low-lit, silent atmosphere, the only sounds are those of sand compressing beneath your feet. Here and there, you can see the blurry figures of fishermen and hear the muffled echoes of people talking and laughing from afar.
As the eastern horizon opens up, the earliest rays of sunlight give off faint orange and red hues and grow brighter with each passing moment. You can see the endless waters in two phases, depending on when the sun rises.
When the sun has yet to climb above the sea, it casts its light onto the clouds, making them glow brightly in a poetic dance of various colors, now pink, then red, or violet. During these moments of stillness, before the flawless balance in temperature is disturbed, the view is peaceful and alluring. The calm sea is akin to a giant mirror that stretches to infinity, reflecting every detail in the sky. The splendor of this backdrop is doubled through this mirror, creating two opposite worlds and making the scenery seem magical. The beauty of the sky is enhanced by the silhouettes of various fishermen walking toward the sun bearing tools for catching razor shells, as well as other fishermen returning home after a night of drifting at sea. It is at this very moment that visitors face a euphoric realization, as the light reveals that they are standing on a flat beach that spans dozens of kilometers. This vast expanse where the sky meets the earth leads visitors to believe that they have wandered into another world. It becomes evident how small humans are compared to immeasurable Mother Nature.
Even as the sun is rising, the sea continues to boast of its magnificence, with its surface reflecting the luminous early morning glow. High above, golden clouds begin to fade into white, and the sky turns clear blue. The sun illuminates all things in sight, now shedding light onto the faces of the once-silhouetted fishermen diligently searching for razor shells after the tide has retreated. The change in temperature invites gentle breezes, stirring up small waves that slowly break the giant mirror.
By the early days of summer, the cold northerly winds have stopped blowing, leaving only the westerly winds and moisture from the East Sea. During this window, on days when the sky is clear, the horizon seems to move dozens of kilometers further away. The warmth of the sunrise will cast vibrant colors on the clouds and heat up the atmosphere. Theoretically, these are ideal circumstances for photographers to snap photos of the boundless sea and for travelers to satisfy their hunger for wonders by admiring this enchanting view.
Early into the autumn, the first northerly winds carry the cold and combine with the east winds to bring about misty mornings. Unlike misty days at the beginning of the year – when the sun rarely shows up – these days, the sun pierces through that misty veil. Now, the sea continues to display its boundless scenes but on a smaller scale, as if it had been placed in an enormous box. Filling the atmosphere are mists in vivid colors like yellow, pink, and faint violet, bringing about a warm and romantic vibe.
Time and weather are the most essential elements creating this “boundless” effect. On days when the tide is high and the winds are strong, wave after wave crosses the sea’s surface. High tides also make it difficult for people to move around. Thus, tidal elevation is an important element that requires consideration, as moving 3km to the land takes some time when the tide rises quickly. On the other hand, when the tide remains low and retreats too far toward the sea, the beach will look much like any other beach. The ideal elevation is when the tide is ankle-high. On days like this, you will find fishermen looking for razor shells on the beach. The best weather to witness this phenomenon is under a clear sky with no wind and few clouds. Such days are often seen between June and October every year. What’s keeping you from visiting this infinite sea? Pack up your bags and visit Quang Lang Beach this summer!
