Phan Thiết

City · Binh Thuan Province, 🇻🇳 Vietnam

Phan Thiết is a coastal city in Bình Thuận province, about 200 km east of Ho Chi Minh City. It is the old fishing port of the region and the home of Vietnam's fish sauce. The beach resort strip of Mũi Né lies about 20 km to the east and takes most visitors.

The city itself is a good stop for the port, the market, the Cham tower and the seafood. Most visitors stay at Mũi Né and visit Phan Thiết for half a day.

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When to visit

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.

Best time to visit: January, February

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Great

29° (feels like 30°) · extremes 19°–32°
22° at night
2 rainy days
18 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in February

Great

30° (feels like 31°) · extremes 20°–32°
22° at night
1 rainy day
23 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in March

Good

31° (feels like 33°) · extremes 21°–33°
23° at night
3 rainy days
26 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Light breeze
26°C · warm for swimming
UV index 12 · extreme

Typical weather in April

Fair

32° (feels like 35°) · extremes 23°–34°
25° at night
10 rainy days
24 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
28°C · warm for swimming
UV index 12 · extreme

Typical weather in May

Poor

31° (feels like 36°) · extremes 24°–34°
25° at night
24 rainy days
17 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
29°C · warm for swimming
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in June

Poor

31° (feels like 34°) · extremes 24°–33°
25° at night
23 rainy days
12 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
29°C · warm for swimming
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in July

Poor

30° (feels like 33°) · extremes 24°–33°
25° at night
25 rainy days
10 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Light breeze
28°C · warm for swimming
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in August

Poor

31° (feels like 34°) · extremes 24°–33°
25° at night
24 rainy days
13 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Light breeze
28°C · warm for swimming
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in September

Poor

30° (feels like 34°) · extremes 24°–32°
25° at night
25 rainy days
10 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
28°C · warm for swimming
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in October

Poor

29° (feels like 33°) · extremes 23°–31°
24° at night
24 rainy days
11 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
29°C · warm for swimming
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in November

Fair

29° (feels like 32°) · extremes 22°–32°
24° at night
13 rainy days
12 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
28°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in December

Good

29° (feels like 31°) · extremes 20°–32°
23° at night
7 rainy days
12 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
26°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Top sights

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.

What to experience

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.

Tours & Activities

Phan Thiết — Map

Day trips

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.

Where to explore

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.

Getting there

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.

Getting around

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.

Driving

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.

Food & drink

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.

Breakfast

Pho PhởBeef or chicken noodle soup with a fragrant broth, fresh herbs, and rice noodles; commonly eaten for breakfast.

Lunch

Bun Cha Bún chảGrilled pork patties and slices served with rice vermicelli, herbs, and a sweet-sour dipping sauce; a Hanoi specialty.

Bun Bo Hue Bún bò HuếA spicy, lemongrass-scented beef noodle soup from the city of Hue.

Cao Lau Cao lầuA noodle dish unique to Hoi An, with thick chewy noodles, pork, and greens, traditionally made with local well water.

Snacks & street food

Banh Mi Bánh mìA French-influenced baguette sandwich filled with pork, pate, pickled vegetables, and herbs.

Banh Xeo Bánh xèoA crispy turmeric rice-flour crepe filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, wrapped in lettuce and herbs.

Goi Cuon Gỏi cuốnFresh (uncooked) spring rolls filled with shrimp, pork, herbs, and vermicelli, wrapped in rice paper.

Sweets & desserts

Che ChèA category of sweet dessert soups or puddings made with beans, fruit, jelly, and coconut milk, served hot or over ice.

Drinks

Ca Phe Sua Da Cà phê sữa đáStrong drip coffee served over ice with sweetened condensed milk; Vietnam's signature drink.

Bia Hoi Bia hơiCheap, light draft beer brewed fresh daily and sold at street-side stalls, especially in Hanoi.

Safety & health

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.

History

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.