On the morning of June 23rd, images circulated on social media showing Sầm Sơn beach’s water divided into two distinct colors: a murky gray and a vibrant blue, sparking lively discussions among netizens.
A Facebook user posted on the page “OFFB” about the striking appearance of Sầm Sơn beach this morning (June 23rd), expressing enthusiasm for this rare phenomenon. Meanwhile, another account claimed such images are typically seen only in foreign waters and are quite uncommon.
Image of Sầm Sơn beach water on June 23rd.
Others suggested that this phenomenon is akin to the meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Many agreed that this occurrence is indeed very rare, described as “a once-in-a-thousand-years” event.
According to real observations on the afternoon of June 23rd, there was indeed a phenomenon of the sea water being divided into two colors at Sầm Sơn beach, with a muddy brown hue in the north near the mouth of the Mã River and a clear blue in the south, which caught the attention and curiosity of many tourists.
“It looks fascinating, just like the images I see on TV about the boundary between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Many people are taking photos,” said Phạm Thị Hiền, a tourist.
Breathtaking natural scenery at Sầm Sơn beach on June 23rd. (Photo: Sầm Sơn Review-Official).
However, some long-time residents of this coastal city remarked that the phenomenon is not as rare as many believe, and it can be easily explained as a natural occurrence.
“Whenever there is heavy rainfall, this situation typically arises. This is due to the Mã River’s water flowing out after the heavy rain the night before through the Lạch Trường estuary in the north. When the water rushes out to sea suddenly, it often causes this situation. This usually happens from this time until around August,” said Nguyễn Hữu Được, a long-time restaurant owner near Sầm Sơn beach.
In response to the curiosity of tourists as well as concerns about the two colors of Sầm Sơn’s sea water, a city official quickly informed a reporter that the city has just received reports about the two-colored sea water, clarifying that this is a normal phenomenon in this coastal city whenever heavy rain occurs.
“Because Sầm Sơn has the Mã River estuary to the north, whenever there is heavy rain, the river water flows out, combined with light sea waves and suitable winds, this situation arises. Additionally, due to the unique geographical characteristics, frequent visitors to Sầm Sơn may also notice the phenomenon of the inshore and offshore sea water being distinctly divided into two colors because of the currents in this area,” the official from Sầm Sơn city shared.
