Come to love and remember

During my 3-day, 2-night trip with family and friends to Sam Son City, I was constantly surprised.

Cá Lập Temple in Sam Son City.

Come to fall in love...

We come from many different parts of the country, but Sam Son is familiar to most of our members. Many have even visited Sam Son numerous times but still agree to return. Perhaps, like me, they are giving themselves another chance to have new, more fulfilling experiences and feelings, and even to become more mature.

Coincidentally, a few days ago I helped you write an article about your trip to Sam Son nearly 30 years ago. That was also the first time you'd ever seen the sea, the land of Thanh Hoa. In your article, you described Sam Son very differently, with its inherent pristine beauty of a seaside tourist town. The road leading straight to the sea under rows of green trees, sparsely dotted with hotels; the simple life of early morning fishing trips; the basket boats neatly arranged on the sand... And yet now, we are walking on the wide road connecting Thanh Hoa City and National Highway 1A with Sam Son City; taking photos at the beach square - "The new symbol of Sam Son," having fun in a water park with an investment of up to 6,000 billion VND, sleeping in a world-class resort, and eating at restaurants with full amenities...

Not to mention, Sam Son also boasts the world's finest 18-hole links golf course in Vietnam and countless service businesses from the beachfront to the heart of the city; there are electric trams crisscrossing the streets; and there are bustling markets where seafood products are distributed far and wide...

Sam Son beach is beautiful and modern.

But there still remains the Drum and Rooster Rock perched on the Truong Le mountain range; the majestic Doc Cuoc Temple, embodying the aspiration for peace and the subjugation of invaders, protecting the tranquility of the people of Thanh Hoa; and the Co Tien Temple perched precariously on a cliff, picturesque yet full of mysteries. And there are many other historical relics associated with historical figures from different eras. These historical and cultural relics not only possess unique and captivating architecture, but also serve as a treasure trove of stories spanning millennia for visitors to this place.

...and remember

In the group was a girl named Huyen, wearing thick glasses. Huyen was always curious about everything, exploring wherever she went, chatting and asking questions to everyone she met. After swimming, the group went for a walk to admire the sea view. She went to the Doc Cuoc Temple and was fascinated by the inscriptions and architecture, constantly taking notes. Not satisfied, the next day Huyen continued to invite everyone to visit the Co Tien Temple, De Linh Temple, To Hien Thanh Temple... These ancient, sacred temples overlooking the vast sea always shone brightly in everyone's minds, like lighthouses guiding ships safely into the harbor, with holds full of shrimp and fish. I joked, "Are you traveling or researching that you're taking so many notes?" Huyen laughed and said, "Traveling is about exploring and learning, that's what makes it interesting. If you travel just to rest and relax, you'll get bored after a few days."

I paused for a few minutes. Most tourists choose Sam Son for their trip because of its beautiful beaches for swimming and delicious fresh seafood... When asked what lingered in their minds at the end of the trip, the answer was always just the sea and the food. This need is satisfied within a day or two, so only the feeling of a unique coastal culture – something that, once imprinted in people's minds, will last forever – will motivate them to return and stay longer.

Walking, feeling, and talking, Huyen always had "why" questions. Why is this road named Ho Xuan Huong? Why is it called the Red Pillar Market?... Because, she believes, every road, every street has a name with its own legends, historical and cultural stories. We went into villages and streets to listen to the locals tell stories about the lives and destinies of people who have been connected to the sea for dozens of generations; to learn about the traditional fish sauce production villages, the traditional fishing and fish processing villages... Here, we were guided on how to prepare Sam Son's specialty dishes such as clam porridge, seafood spring rolls, dishes made from squid and fish...

There's so much more to discover, but it's impossible to list it all. So, come swim in the sea, eat seafood, and explore to gain more from Sam Son – the people and the culture here. Once you understand them, your affection will grow and become the motivation to return.

Henry Valentine Miller, a famous American writer, once said, "Our destination is not a place, but a new way of seeing." Sam Son is a destination that can create such a place, always offering visitors new and unforgettable emotions and experiences. I won't hide the fact that Sam Son once had a notorious reputation. And to regain its reputation as "the most ideal resort in Indochina," as the French once recognized, the local government and people have made great efforts. Alongside this is the participation of many strong businesses. In addition to investing in infrastructure that has transformed the urban landscape, building a civilized urban lifestyle and developing e-government are also prioritized. The nuisance of street vendors and beggars bothering tourists has been significantly reduced. Price lists and commitments to selling at the correct price are displayed in easily visible locations in shops. Tourists can now truly enjoy a private space and a genuine vacation.

We believe that Sam Son today will not disappoint you. Come, fall in love, remember, and return again.

Text and photos: Tang Thuy

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/sam-son-den-de-yeu-va-nho-218793.htm