Hidden Gems in Thanh Hóa That Even Locals Don't Know About
so you think you know Thanh Hóa? yeah, me neither. but i've been wandering around here for weeks trying to find the spots that aren't on every tourist's radar. and lemme tell ya, this place has layers. like an onion. or a really complicated banh mi.
first off, safety-wise, thanh hóa is chill. crime rates are low, locals are friendly, and you can walk around at night without feeling like you're in a horror movie. rent? super affordable. you can snag a decent room for under $200 a month. jobs? not exactly booming unless you're into teaching english or working in factories. but hey, that's not why we're here.
now, let's talk weather. right now it's hot as hell, like 35°c and humid enough to make your shirt stick to you like a second skin. but hey, that's vietnam for ya. and if you're feeling adventurous, hanoi and ninh binh are just a short bus ride away.
the hidden spots
*1. Bảo Lộc waterfall
this place is wild. not many people know about it, and it's not even on google maps properly. you gotta ask locals for directions, and even then, they might look at you like you're crazy. but trust me, it's worth it. the water is cold, the rocks are slippery, and the view is straight-up magical.
2. Hoệt Village
okay, this one's a bit creepy. it's an abandoned village near the coast. locals say it's haunted, but i think it's just full of old, decaying houses and overgrown weeds. perfect for urban explorers or people who like taking moody photos.
3. Cồn Market*
not your typical market. it's more like a maze of tiny alleys filled with weird and wonderful things. i found a vendor selling handmade fishing nets and another selling dried squid that smelled like the ocean. it's chaotic, it's messy, and it's 100% authentic.
overheard gossip
i overheard this dude at a coffee shop saying, "the best banh mi in thanh hóa is at this tiny stall near the train station. but don't tell anyone, or the line will be insane." and another local warned me, "don't go to the beach at night. the crabs are aggressive." i haven't tested either claim, but hey, it's good to know.
cost of living table
| Expense | Cost (VND) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1 bed) | 4,500,000 | $190 |
| Meal (local) | 30,000 | $1.30 |
| Coffee | 15,000 | $0.60 |
| Bus ticket | 7,000 | $0.30 |
pro-tips for the chaos
- bring a reusable water bottle. the heat will dehydrate you faster than you can say "tra da."
- learn a few basic vietnamese phrases. locals appreciate the effort, even if you butcher the tones.
- don't trust google maps entirely. sometimes the best spots are found by wandering.
final thoughts
thanh hóa isn't for everyone. it's not as polished as hanoi or as touristy as hoi an. but that's what makes it special. it's raw, it's real, and it's full of surprises. so go ahead, get lost, and find your own hidden gems. just watch out for the crabs.
check out more hidden spots on tripadvisor
read reviews from locals on yelp
join the conversation on the vietnam subreddit
find more offbeat travel tips on atlas obscura
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/sustainability-in-hyderbd-can-a-ghost-hunter-find-green-in-the-city-of-ghosts
- https://topiclo.com/post/qom-unfiltered-the-safest-and-most-dangerous-neighborhoods-you-wont-believe
- https://topiclo.com/post/how-to-find-an-apartment-in-guayaquil-without-getting-scammed-seriously
- https://topiclo.com/post/how-to-find-an-apartment-in-chngjin-without-getting-scammed-as-told-by-a-freelance-photographer
- https://topiclo.com/post/relocating-to-tongjin-a-stepbystep-expat-checklist