Over the Aug. 15-16 weekend, the “infinity sea” area was packed before dawn. Crowds armed with cameras and smartphones queued up to board tracked vehicles, while others navigated the mud on foot to ensure they did not miss the sunrise.
Tracked vehicles with large iron wheels are the only means of transport capable of crossing the flooded tidal flat. Each vehicle carries about 50 passengers, charging them VND100,000 (US$4) each for a round trip. Despite operating at full capacity on weekends, the two vehicles were unable to keep up with demand.
Nguyen Ba Long, a local official, said the location gained popularity around 2022 after photos of its reflective sunrise went viral online.
Visitor numbers surged in 2025, and this year, since early August, hundreds have been arriving daily, with weekend crowds swelling into the thousands, he said.
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Tourists take a tracked vehicle to the “infinity sea” in Hung Yen Province at 3 a.m. for sunrise. Photo by Nguyen Trong Cung |
“The rapid increase in visitors has caused logistical issues with transport to the beach. Tourists from other areas have trouble finding their way, and could face danger if they wander into the mangrove forest or sinking mud.”
Local authorities have established parking areas, installed directional signs, provided tap water, and facilitated food and lodging services.
But the vehicles to the beach are privately operated.
The so-called infinity sea is a massive tidal flat. When a thin layer of water covers the tidal flat on calm days, it reflects the sky and creates the illusion of an endless horizon. August to October is considered the best period for photography, although the effect depends heavily on tides, wind and weather conditions.
To catch the sunrise, many tourists travel hundreds of kilometers overnight to reach the tracked vehicle departure point by around 3 a.m. The four-kilometer route to the beach crosses thick mud, soft ground, and water.
On busy days, the wait time for the vehicles can exceed an hour, resulting in bottlenecks and chaotic crowds.
Tourists visit the ‘infinity sea’ in Hung Yen on Aug. 16, 2026. Video by Nguyen Trong Cung
First-time visitor Nhat Linh from nearby Hai Phong checked the tide schedule and brought photo props for her Aug. 16 trip. However, she faced a long wait and an exhausting journey.
“It was crowded, people were jostling for space in a narrow area, and the vehicle shook constantly as it went through deep water.”
Nguyen Nhat Nam of Hanoi asked a local acquaintance to buy his vehicle tickets in advance to bypass the lines. His group left the capital at 11 p.m. and arrived at 3 a.m., but they still had to wait.
At times, passengers pushed their way into the vehicles instead of waiting their turn, Nam said.
Nguyen Trong Cung, a local photographer who has spent years shooting the tidal flat, said the beach gets so crowded at dawn that it is difficult to capture a shot without people in the frame.
“Besides taking photos, many people also come here to try paragliding. At sunrise, it is very crowded, and the scene is incredibly chaotic.”
Cung said he often heads toward the quieter Thai Thuy side of the infinity sea, but has to walk 1-2 kilometers as tracked vehicles do not ply there.
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A woman poses for photos at the “infinity sea” in Hung Yen Province on Aug. 16, 2026. Photo by Nguyen Trong Cung |
The destination’s growing popularity has also fueled local tourism services. In northern Vietnam travel groups with hundreds of thousands of members, recent posts have sought information on tide schedules, directions, and photography tours to the “infinity sea.”
Meo Travel, a package tour provider, charges nearly VND2 million (US$76) for a trip that includes transport and photography. On weekends, it serves around 50 customers and often has to turn away people due to capacity constraints.
Visitors are advised to check tide schedules before arriving. The period from 4 to 6 a.m., when water levels are typically 0.8-1.6 meters, is considered ideal, though conditions vary by the day.
Officials also warn tourists to exercise caution in the dark, muddy and flooded areas.