Phan Thiết

November to April is the best time, with dry, sunny weather and calm seas. The wind is strongest from December to March, which is the kitesurf season. May to October is the wetter season, but Phan Thiết is one of the driest places in southern Vietnam.

• Tháp Chăm Po Sah Inư is a Cham tower complex on a hill north of the city, built in the 8th century. It has views over the city and the sea.
• Ong Hoang Castle is a castle-style building close to the Cham tower.
• Fisherman show is a show with live music and dance about the life of local fishermen.

The Phan Thiết port at dawn, with its blue fishing boats and fish market, is one of the best sights in the city. The Fish Sauce Museum and the Vạn Thủy Tú temple are also worth a visit.

• Visit the port at dawn: Fishing boats unload at first light.
• Taste fish sauce: Visit a local maker and see how it is made.
• Climb to Po Sah Inu: A short climb to the Cham tower with views.
• Eat seafood: Grilled fish, squid and crab are cheap on the waterfront.
• Kitesurf in season: Schools are on the Mũi Né coast.

• Mui Ne: Mũi Né has the sand dunes, Fairy Stream and the fishing village.
• Ba Ria-Vung Tau: Vũng Tàu is a longer trip west along the coast.
• Da Lat: Da Lat is about 4 to 5 hours to the north-west by road.
• Nha Trang: Nha Trang is about 5 hours north along the coast.

• East: Mui Ne is the beach resort area.
• North-west: Da Lat is a highland city.
• West: Ho Chi Minh City is the main gateway.

• By bus: Buses and limousine vans run from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiết in about 4 to 5 hours.
• By train: Trains stop at Phan Thiết station, about 10 km from the centre. Vietnam Railways
• By road: The expressway from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiết cuts the drive to about 3 hours.
• By air: The nearest large airport is Tân Sơn Nhất in Ho Chi Minh City.

• Taxi and ride-hailing: Available in the city and to Mũi Né.
• Motorbike hire: Common in Mũi Né, and fine for the coast road.
• Bicycle: The coast road is flat and easy.
• Walking: The old port and market area is walkable.

• Is a car worth it? For Phan Thiết and Mũi Né, taxis and a hired scooter are enough. A car helps for Da Lat.
• Roads: The coastal road is paved but busy with trucks.
• Expressway: The road from Ho Chi Minh City is faster than Highway 1.

Phan Thiết is the home of nước mắm, Vietnamese fish sauce. Try bánh xèo, small crispy pancakes with shrimp, bánh căn, small rice cakes, and fresh seafood. Fish sauce and dried squid are common gifts. The central market and the waterfront are the best places to eat.

Phan Thiết and Mũi Né are generally safe for visitors.

• Currents can be strong. Swim in marked areas only.
• Agree prices for taxis and seafood before you start.
• Use sun protection. The coast is hot and dry.
• Wear a helmet if you hire a motorbike.
• Keep valuables close in the market and on the beach.

Phan Thiết was part of the Champa kingdom, and the Po Sah Inu towers date from the 8th century. Vietnamese settlers arrived from the 17th century and the city grew into a fishing port and a centre of fish sauce production.

In the French period it became a provincial capital and a resort. Mũi Né grew as a beach destination from the 1990s, and the expressway to Ho Chi Minh City opened in the 2020s.

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