Explore Phan Thiet: A haven along Vietnam’s South Central Coast

Best time to visit Phan Thiet

Phan Thiet enjoys a tropical climate with consistent warmth throughout the year. There are two distinct seasons: the wet season and the dry season. Temperatures range from 22°C to 33°C (72°F to 91°F), making it a year-round destination for sun-seekers.

The wet season spans from May to November, characterized by overcast skies and occasional downpours, with September being the rainiest month, with an average of 16 rainy days. In contrast, the dry season, lasting from December to April, brings sunny skies and breezy conditions, ideal for outdoor adventures.

For the best experience, plan your visit to Phan Thiet between mid-December and mid-March, when the weather is ideal for beach activities. February is the best month of all for its peak tourism conditions, offering clear skies and pleasant temperatures. Avoid the wetter months if you prefer uninterrupted sunny days.

How to get to Phan Thiet

Phan Thiet is quite well-connected and accessible from major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi despite a lack of an airport. From Ho Chi Minh City, the journey is a bit less than 200 km, taking 3 to 4 hours by car or bus. Visitors can travel along the national highway QL1A or the Dau Giay-Phan Thiet Expressway for a faster journey.

Alternatively, you can opt for the train from Saigon Railway Station to Phan Thiet Railway Station. Taking a train to Phan Thiet offers a comfortable and scenic journey, allowing travelers to relax and enjoy picturesque views of Vietnam’s countryside.

Traveling to Phan Thiet along the Dau Giay-Phan Thiet Expressway takes 3 to 4 hours.

For those traveling from Hanoi, the best option is to fly to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport and then proceed by road or rail. Direct flights to Cam Ranh Airport, followed by a drive to Phan Thiet, are another alternative for convenience.

Where to stay in Phan Thiet

Phan Thiet’s coastline is lined with a diverse array of accommodations catering to all preferences and budgets. Luxury seekers can indulge at the Anantara Mui Ne Resort, offering premium amenities and serene ocean views. Pandanus and The Cliff are perfect for those seeking a mid-range option with a blend of comfort and sophistication.

Family-friendly choices include Centara Mirage and Mandala Cham Bay, known for their spacious, cozy rooms and recreational facilities. Other accommodations in Phan Thiet that offer excellent value for the price are Asteria and Muine Bay Resort.

Phan Thiet’s coastline is lined with a diverse array of accommodations. Source: Flickr

Budget-conscious travelers can find an array of affordable accommodations within Phan Thiet city center. These hotels offer basic, acceptable amenities and convenient access to local conveniences, though slightly farther from the beachfront.

What to eat in Phan Thiet

Phan Thiet’s cuisine is celebrated for its fresh seafood and simple yet flavorful cooking methods. Grilling and hotpot are staples, often accompanied by locally grown herbs. Don’t miss the region’s specialty, grilled squid served with a tangy chili-lime sauce, or the refreshing raw fish salad, a delicacy highlighting the area’s coastal bounty.

Other must-try dishes include Banh Trang Nuong Mam Ruoc (grilled rice cracker with shrimp paste), Banh Canh Cha Ca (fish cake noodle soup), and Banh Can (mini rice pancakes topped with quail eggs and seafood).

Banh Can is a delicacy in Phan Thiet. Source: Flickr

In Phan Thiet, skip fancy restaurants and explore street food eateries for an authentic culinary experience. These humble spots serve freshly prepared dishes bursting with local flavors, offering a genuine taste of the coastal city.

Explore Best 10 Things to do in Phan Thiet Vietnam

With its stunning shoreline and unique attractions, Phan Thiet offers many activities to delight every traveler. Here are the best 10 things to do in Phan Thiet.

1. Marvel at Red and White Sand Dunes

Located just outside Phan Thiet, the Red and White Sand Dunes are natural wonders that offer unique landscapes. The Red Sand Dunes (Doi Cat Do) are known for their striking, reddish-orange hue with steep inclines that allow for sandboarding. Visitors can rent a sandboard for around 50,000 VND and enjoy some exciting sliding.

Sandboarding is a favorite activity at the Red Sand Dunes. Source: Flickr

Meanwhile, the White Sand Dunes (Bau Trang), a bit farther outside the city, feature vast, endless stretches of fine white sand. Visitors can enjoy ATV rides or simply take in the spectacular sunset views over the dunes. The shifting sand creates a surreal environment that is perfect for photography and adventure lovers.

Riding ATVs at the White Sand Dunes is exhilarating. Source: Tripadvisor

Riding ATVs in the White Sand Dunes is one of the best activities in Phat Thiet, perfect for adventure seekers. However, rental prices can be steep (from 800,000 VND/20 minutes), so budget accordingly. Inspect the bike’s condition carefully, focusing on tires and grip, to ensure safety and avoid renting poorly maintained vehicles.

2. Relax at Rang Beach and Ong Dia Rock Beach

Rang Beach (Bai Rang) is one of the best beaches in Phan Thiet, perfect for a relaxing swim, sunbathing, and even water-based sports. Rang Beach captivates visitors with its untouched beauty and lush greenery. The golden sands blend harmoniously with the clear blue sea, creating a picturesque and relaxing setting.

Rang Beach is one of the best beaches in Phan Thiet. Source: Flickr

Meanwhile, Ong Dia Rock Beach (Bai Da Ong Dia), with its distinctive rock formations, provides an ideal setting for photography and peaceful walks along the shoreline. Swimming is still possible here. Both beaches are less crowded, making them perfect for those seeking a more tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Ong Dia Rock Beach is ideal for photography and peaceful walks along the shoreline. Source: Flickr

3. Explore Po Sah Inu Cham Towers

The Po Sah Inu Cham Towers, located on a hill near Phan Thiet, is a cluster of historical remnants of the Champa civilization that were built 1,200 years ago. These towers date back to the 8th century – one of the most thriving eras of Champa Kingdom. Only three towers remain relatively intact, of which the biggest reaches 15m of height.

One of the three main temples at Po Sah Inu. Source: Tripadvisor

The Cham Towers are dedicated to the Hindu gods, facing eastward and showcasing intricate carvings. Visitors can explore the towers and learn about the Cham culture while enjoying panoramic views of the surroundings. For the best experience, join a guided tour to gain deeper insights into the sites’ history and cultural significance.

4. Wander through Fairy Stream

Located near Mui Ne, the Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien) is a lesser-known tourist attraction in Phan Thiet, yet well-liked by a number of visitors who like outdoor activities like strolling and photography. Fairy Stream is technically a short body of water with a total length of 1,8km that is hidden behind some sand dunes and flows out the East Sea.

The Fairy Stream is great for photography due to its surreal sand formations. Source: Flickr

The shallow water, clear enough to walk through barefoot, contrasts with the surrounding sand dunes, creating an enchanting atmosphere. As you wander along the stream, you’ll pass through lush greenery on one side and surreal sand formations on the other, providing perfect opportunities for photography and taking in the landscape.

5. Witness local life in Mui Ne Fishing Village

Mui Ne Fishing Village, located about 30km from Phan Thiet’s city center, is the key to an authentic glimpse into the daily life of Vietnam’s fishermen along Vietnam’s South Central Coast. Unlike the modern Phan Thiet, the fishing village is full of colorful boats and bustling markets where locals trade fresh catches.

Mui Ne Fishing Village is the key to the daily life of Vietnam’s fishermen. Source: Tripadvisor

Visitors can witness fishermen at work, see the preparation of seafood, and interact with friendly villagers. The early morning scene with boats returning to shore under a rising sun is especially picturesque. Some families here offer freshly caught seafood cooked on demand for around 500,000 VND, including a main dish and vegetable sides, providing an authentic, satisfying meal after exploring the village.

6. Visit Ke Ga Lighthouse Phan Thiet

Ke Ga Lighthouse, perched on a rocky island just off the coast of Phan Thiet, is one of Vietnam’s oldest and tallest lighthouses. Standing at 35m from the pedestal and 65m in total, it’s a great sight to see within the surrounding coastline. Ke Ga is also strategically situated along the coastal route between Phan Rang and Vung Tau.

Ke Ga is one of Vietnam’s oldest and tallest lighthouses. Source: Flickr

Built in 1899, the lighthouse has played a crucial role in guiding ships along the coast for over a century. To reach the lighthouse, visitors must take a boat ride from the mainland, adding an adventurous element to the visit. Visitors aren’t permitted to enter the lighthouse but can explore the surrounding area and enjoy photography.

7. Tour the Wine Castle

The RD Wine Castle, Vietnam’s first wine castle, is a must-visit attraction located within the Sea Links City resort complex along Vo Nguyen Giap Street. Designed as a medieval European chateau, it boasts impressive architecture with watchtowers and spiked wooden doors, creating a striking fortress-like appearance.

The RD Wine Castle boasts impressive architecture. Source: Tripadvisor

Inside, the castle features captivating decor with paintings, replica armor, and horse carriages. Guided tours offer insights into its history and the wines served. Visitors can choose between two tour options: sightseeing for 125,000 VND or wine tasting for 250,000 VND, which includes four samples of premium Napa Valley wines.

8. Explore Duc Thanh School

Duc Thanh School, located on Trung Nhi Street of Duc Nghia Ward, is a landmark that played a significant role in a historical movement in the 1910s. The school was also the alma mater of revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, who taught here in his youth for a brief period of time before he left the country for France on a salvation quest.

Duc Thanh School is a historical landmark in Phan Thiet.

Visitors can explore the preserved classrooms and the memorial area dedicated to Ho Chi Minh’s early years. The school offers a window into Vietnam’s struggle for independence, and learning about Ho Chi Minh’s connection to this place adds a cultural and historical depth to the visit. The site is open to all visitors free of charge.

9. Experience Dino Park Dinosaur Theme Park

Dino Park is a family-friendly dinosaur theme park that brings the prehistoric world to life. Spanning 2,5 hectares, the park features over 100 life-sized replicas of dinosaurs in 9 different sections, allowing visitors to learn about their history. In particular, Dino Park has the largest animated T-rex model in Vietnam (over 27m long).

Dino Park has the largest animated T-rex model in Vietnam.

Dino Park offers an exhilarating journey back in time, bringing you face-to-face with dinosaurs that roamed the Earth millions of years ago. The combination of fun, education, and adventure makes Dino Park a perfect spot for families. The ticket price of Dino Park Dinosaur Theme Park starts from 120,000 VND.

10. Splash around at Wonderland Water Park

Wonderland Water Park is a family-friendly destination perfect for cooling off and having fun. At 315,000 VND/ticket, this modern water park is packed with exciting attractions for all ages. The park features a variety of water slides, including high-speed and looping ones for adrenaline seekers, as well as gentler slides suitable for children.

Wonderland Water Park is perfect for cooling off and having fun.

There’s a wave pool that mimics the sensation of being at the beach, while the lazy river provides a relaxing ride around the park. Younger kids will love the splash zones and play areas designed just for them. Wonderland Water Park also offers lounging areas and a range of eateries serving snacks and meals to ensure a convenient visit.

Useful travel tips in Phan Thiet

To ensure an enjoyable trip to Phan Thiet, here are some essential travel tips to keep in mind. This covers the ideal length of stay and tips on managing your budget.

Recommended duration of stay in Phan Thiet

A 3 to 4-day trip is ideal for fully exploring Phan Thiet, allowing time to visit major attractions like sand dunes, beaches, and historical sites. For a more relaxing and fulfilling experience, aim for a bit longer duration. This allows for sightseeing, outdoor activities, and leisure at local resorts or beachfront accommodations.

Local events and holidays

Phan Thiet comes alive during national holidays like the Lunar New Year. Visitors should also check the schedule for the Whale Worshiping Festival (Le Nghinh Ong), celebrated in the 7th month of the lunar calendar by local fishermen. Plan your visit accordingly, as public holidays may affect accommodation availability and tourist activity levels.

Money exchange and payment

Although major resorts and restaurants accept credit cards, cash is essential for local eateries, street vendors, and markets. ATMs are available in the city, but it’s recommended to exchange currency at banks or authorized facilities for better rates. Always carry small changes for convenience when shopping or dining.

The Oxalis Experience.