The Ultimate Phan Thiet Travel Experience in Binh Thuan

Phan Thiet, located in Binh Thuan province, is a renowned tourist destination with its charming sandy dunes, cultural sites of the Cham people, beautiful beaches, and fresh seafood. Let's explore the most comprehensive and detailed Phan Thiet travel experiences with Vntrip.vn.

Travel Guide to Phan Thiet (Photo: ST)

I. Best Time to Visit Phan Thiet

Phan Thiet weather is sunny and windy, with few storms throughout the year, so you can visit Phan Thiet at any time. However, the best time to visit Phan Thiet and book hotels is in June and July.

II. Transportation to Phan Thiet

Travelers have two options to get to Phan Thiet:

From Hanoi to Phan Thiet

The most convenient way to reach Phan Thiet for travelers from Hanoi is by plane: Depart from Hanoi to HCM City, then proceed to Phan Thiet by bus or train.

Alternatively, you can fly from Hanoi to Nha Trang, then continue to Phan Thiet.

Taxi contact information in Phan Thiet:

• Mai Linh Taxi: (0623) 739 888
• Or Mui Ne Taxi: (0623) 84 88 48
• Phan Thiet Taxi: (0623).814 814

Travel by bus from Ho Chi Minh City.

There are plenty of bus companies offering routes to Phan Thiet, so you don't have to worry about transportation. Some reputable companies you can consider are Kumho, Phuong Trang, Mai Linh, etc.

Bus from Ho Chi Minh City (Photo by ST)

Duration: 5 hours, departing from Miền Đông Bus Station or Đề Thám Street, District 1.

Tickets range from 90,000 to 130,000 VND depending on the bus company.

The travel time from Saigon to Phan Thiet is about 4 hours.

Here are some bus companies you can consider:

• Kumho (Tel: 35 112 112, Add: Miền Đông Bus Station): drops off passengers at Phan Thiet bus station, if you want to go to Mui Ne, you'll need to take a taxi.
• Phuong Trang (Tel: 38375570; Add: 274 – 276 Đề Thám, District 1): drops off passengers at Mui Ne, convenient for travelers heading straight to the Mui Ne area.
• Hoang Long (Address: 18, Street 2, Trường Chinh – Xuân An Ward – Phan Thiết City 0623 739 988)
• Sinh Café (Tel: 38376 833 -38369 420, Add: 246 – 248 Đề Thám, District 1): drops off passengers at Mui Ne, convenient for those planning to explore Mui Ne.

Train to Phan Thiet

Currently, there are train services from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet with relatively cheap fares (110,000-160,000 VND), and the onboard services are commendable. If you enjoy scenic views during your journey, taking the train is an interesting option as you can admire the countryside through the train window along the way.

Train to Phan Thiet (Photo: ST)

- Regular trains cost from 110,000 VND upwards per ticket, denoted as SPT (morning) or PT4 (late evening on weekends). Purchase tickets at Saigon Station – 01 Nguyễn Thông, District 3.

- The high-quality Golden Train, priced from 160,000 VND per ticket and departs in the morning. Tel: 08.35261685 – 08.35262724.

Moreover, there are currently no air routes to Phan Thiet, but you can still fly to nearby provinces such as Khanh Hoa, Vung Tau… and then continue your journey to Phan Thiet by bus or coach.

Some considerations when choosing transportation

- If going to the center of Phan Thiet: it's recommended to choose Kumho and Phuong Trang buses because they drop passengers off at Phan Thiet bus station and have shuttle services to hotels and resorts in Phan Thiet.

- To get to Mui Ne: it's advisable to choose Phuong Trang or Sinh Café buses, as they will pick up and drop off passengers directly at the resorts in Mui Ne.

- If heading to Mui Ke Ga: go to Coop mart Phan Thiet, catch bus number 6 (every 30 minutes) from Phan Thiet to Mui Ke Ga, along the way, ask the bus to stop at your resort. When returning, ask the resort to arrange for a bus and travel in the opposite direction.

- If traveling by train, it's better to disembark at Phan Thiet station instead of Muong Man station, which is further from Phan Thiet. Tickets for bus transfers from the station to resorts in Mui Ne are available on the train for 30,000 VND per passenger.

III. Unmissable Landmarks

1. Fairy Stream Mui Ne

The peculiar charm of this place is undoubtedly due to the many strangely shaped rock formations facing the sea. Each season of the year, the Fairy Stream boasts a distinctive beauty: lush greenery during the rainy season and faded yellow hues during the dry season, resembling a giant haystack from afar. This is why it's called Fairy Stream.

Unique rock formations (Photo: ST)

2. Suoi Tien Mui Ne

Located right next to Fairy Stream, rightly known as the 'Enchanted Paradise,' Suoi Tien is a small stream surrounded by a beautiful sand valley. Suoi Tien, combined with the mystical scenery of the rock formations at Fairy Stream, creates a stunning landscape painting. Coming here and witnessing the scenery firsthand, you will be amazed and surprised by the wonders bestowed upon our country by nature.

The surreal beauty of Suoi Tien (Photo: ST)

3. Flying Sand Dunes Mui Ne

Standing out in Mui Ne are the vast and ever-changing sand dunes that increasingly attract tourists for sightseeing and enjoyment. One of the highlights here is certainly the sand dune sliding activity.

You can also try the exhilarating feeling of climbing to the top of the sand dunes, sitting and admiring the sunset over the shimmering golden sands. The ideal time to enjoy this sand dune is early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the scorching heat on the sand.

The impressive beauty of the sand dunes at dusk (Photo: ST)

4. Mui Ne Fishing Village

Another location that has made Mui Ne famous among tourists is the Mui Ne Fishing Village. The irresistible charm of this fishing village lies in its serene beauty of the river and mountains, and the wooden boats from the break of dawn as the sunrays begin to rise until the sun sets. For photography enthusiasts, this will be a place where you can snap photos continuously at any time of the day.

A place where you'll have to snap photos continuously because of its mesmerizing beauty (Photo: ST)

Unlike the quiet simplicity of other places, here life's hustle and bustle coexist amidst the tranquility, with the bustling trading scene of fishermen returning after their late-night fishing trips.

The beauty of labor intertwined with the beauty of nature (Photo: ST)

5. Cham Towers – Po Sah Inu

Perched on Bà Nài Hill, in Phú Hải commune and about 7km from Phan Thiết, Cham Towers Po Sah Inu are regarded as significant architectural landmarks representing the Cham culture in Phan Thiết, Bình Thuận.

The tower complex consists of three towers with the main tower dedicated to the deity Shiva, revered by the Cham people, built from the late 8th to the 9th century. In the 15th century, additional shrines were built to worship Princess Po Sah Inu, daughter of King Para Chanh, to demonstrate the Cham's reverence for the princess's kindness and generosity.

The mysterious Cham towers (Photo: ST)

Despite being weathered by climate and time, this remains a favored destination for tourists to explore and discover a part of Cham culture in Vietnam.

6. White Lake

Located about 65 km northeast of Phan Thiết, White Lake is situated in Hong Lam hamlet, Hoa Thang commune, Bac Binh district. Visitors can reach White Lake via two routes: From Hon Rom, take a Jeep along the road to Mui Ne, pass through Mui Ne Market, Hong Hill, then drive along the beach for about an hour to reach White Lake; or from Phan Thiết city, take National Highway 1A to Luong Son, turn right at the intersection, drive about 18 km, pass through the sand hills, coconut forests, and after a while, you'll arrive. The sand dunes at White Lake, favored by tourists, are often called 'Little Sahara' due to the vast stretches of sand dunes.

White Lake (Photo: ST)

7. Kê Gà Cape

Kê Gà Cape is renowned for having the most beautiful scenery in the Ham Thuan Nam coastal area, featuring a lighthouse standing tall against the horizon, blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. It has become a trendy destination for tourists visiting Vung Tau, thanks to the venerable presence of a structure that has stood for over 100 years.

You can reach Kê Gà Lighthouse by canoe, with ticket prices ranging from 100,000 to 150,000 VND per person.

Kê Gà Cape (Photo: ST)

8. Coastal Road Running Along the Coastline

The national highway stretches along pristine white sand dunes, while expansive blue seas flank the other side, creating a scenery reminiscent of a road in Texas, USA. This iconic route has been featured in numerous mesmerizing music videos and serves as a backdrop for fashion magazine photoshoots. There's no denying it; this coastal road is a must-try for anyone visiting Phan Thiet.

Coastal road (Photo: ST)

IV. Phan Thiet Cuisine

1. Rice Paper with Shrimp Paste

Rice paper with shrimp paste is best enjoyed on rainy days and is a must-try specialty when visiting Phan Thiet. The joy of savoring this dish comes not only from its delicious taste but also from the experience of sitting around a red charcoal stove, witnessing the process of rolling rice paper with grilled onions, lard, shrimp paste, butter, eggs, pork sausage, and fermented pork, all fragrant and steaming hot.

Rice paper with shrimp paste (Photo: ST)

The most famous spots to enjoy this dish include Goc Pho grilled rice paper (on Thuy Khoa Huan Street), the intersection of Tran Hung Dao - Thuy Khoa Huan, Tam Bien crossroads near the Vintage Cafe on Tran Hung Dao Street; grilled rice paper on Ngư Ong Street, the entrance to Van Thuy Tu...

2. Banh Re

Originating from Phan Rang, Ninh Thuan, but now a popular specialty in Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan, Banh Re is fried to a golden crisp, offering a crunchy texture and a harmonious blend of sweetness and richness with the aroma of sesame, sweet potato, and cassava... Visitors can find these crispy cakes in specialty shops all over Phan Thiet, or simply from street vendors at tourist spots, traditional craft villages, or at the Phan Thiet market for 15,000-25,000 VND per bag of 10 cakes.

Image of Banh Re (Photo: ST)

3. Mini Pancakes (Banh Can)

Phan Thiet mini pancakes are memorable for their simplicity, made of plain flour served with braised fish sauce, pork cracklings, meatball skewers, chopped mango, fish sauce, and chopped starfruit. Tasting this dish, you will feel like you are enjoying a meal cooked by your grandmother in the Vietnamese countryside.

Mini Pancakes (Photo: ST)

You can visit Banh Can stall at 168 Thu Khoa Huan Street, stall number 8 on Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street, or the stall under Dục Thanh Bridge.

4. Fresh Seafood

With numerous beaches in the city, it's no surprise that seafood is a must-try specialty for tourists here. To suggest the most famous place for you to enjoy fresh seafood at affordable prices, look no further than Bo Ke Seafood with a bustling crowd of customers coming in and out every day. The seafood dishes here are diverse in both preparation methods and ingredients, featuring a variety of shrimp, crab, squid, octopus, clams, both fresh and cooked.

Delicious Fresh Seafood in Phan Thiet (Photo: ST)

5. Floating Hotpot

When mentioning Phan Thiet, people also think of the unique and delicious floating hotpot. This hotpot is special because it offers two ways of eating for those who like raw food and those who prefer cooked food. The main ingredients of this hotpot are fresh fish, usually catfish, snakehead fish, or mudfish placed in the middle, surrounded by fried eggs, fresh vegetables, mango, boiled meat, pickles... to eat together. Many tourists find this dish so delicious and unforgettable that even after leaving Phan Thiet for a long time, they still occasionally crave and yearn to return to Phan Thiet to enjoy the floating hotpot.

The Famous Floating Hotpot Dish (Photo: ST)

6. Fish Salad with Mai Fish

The mai fish salad, with its non-fishy taste and delicious meat, is served with fresh vegetables and fish sauce. In Phan Thiet, known as the land of fish sauce, this dish becomes even more delicious than in other regions.

Photo of fish salad with mai fish (Photo: ST)

7. Jellyfish Salad

Jellyfish salad is a favorite dish among many. After being prepared and boiled, the jellyfish meat is mixed with fresh vegetables and tamarind fish sauce to become a 'specialty' of the coastal region. Jellyfish salad truly offers a unique taste experience for travelers as jellyfish meat is a rare dish found in few places.

Jellyfish Salad (Photo: ST)

8. Grilled Squid's Teeth

The name 'squid's teeth' might leave many wondering what part of the squid it refers to, but it actually denotes the uppermost part of a squid. This part, once grilled, is delicious when served with raw vegetables and extra chili sauce.

Grilled Squid's Teeth (Photo: ST)

9. Fried Loach with Fat Sauce

When served hot with rice paper, various fresh vegetables, sour star fruit, and a bit of vermicelli, dipped into a bowl of fish sauce, this fish dish creates a delightful taste sensation.

Fried Loach with Fat Sauce (Photo: ST)

10. Spiral Snail Salad

After being boiled, the snails are sliced and mixed with coriander, papaya, pork, onions, and then dressed with vinegar and sugar to create the salad. This dish is particularly fresh and delicious, and with the skillful hands of the people in Phan Thiet, it becomes unforgettable.

Spiral Snail Salad (Photo: ST)

11. Milkfish Hotpot

Milkfish meat is white, tender but not mushy, naturally sweet, but when cooked in hotpot, it also has a sour taste due to being cooked with tamarind. This hotpot dish is rich and rustic, reminiscent of meals in rural areas of Vietnam.

Milkfish Hotpot (Photo: ST)

12. Dragon Fruit Crab Salad

Dragon fruit is usually made into smoothies or simply dipped in sugar and enjoyed for its sweet, refreshing taste. Therefore, although the dish may sound strange at first, when eaten, it has a gentle, refreshing flavor, suitable as an appetizer.

Dragon Fruit Crab Salad (Photo: ST)

13. Dancing Shrimp

Anyone who has tried dancing shrimp in Phan Thiet surely cannot forget this dish. Eating dancing shrimp is very delightful because the meat fills up nearly 2/3 of the shrimp. Steamed or boiled dancing shrimp are the best options.

Dancing Shrimp (Photo: ST)

14. Cowfish

Many believe that this cowfish dish is only found in the Binh Thuan coastal region. Despite its appearance resembling a cow and having a square-shaped body like a box, the rich aroma of grilled cowfish leaves an unforgettable impression on anyone who leaves this place.

Cowfish (Photo: ST)

15. Crab and Lobster Hotpot

In addition to the fish belly hotpot, tourists visiting Phan Thiet must not forget the lobster hotpot. Unlike the fish belly hotpot, the lobster hotpot broth is usually light and easy to consume, with a refreshing, gentle taste but carrying the alluring aroma of incredibly fresh lobsters.

Lobster and Crab Hotpot (Photo: ST)

V. Must-Try Experiences

1. Kite Flying

With favorable terrain conditions including expansive sandy beaches and clear blue skies, kite flying is a highly suitable activity. Tourists can purchase kites right on public beaches or at resorts offering this appealing tourism service. This activity truly delights both domestic and international tourists alike, as flying kites is like a 'ticket to childhood' for everyone, making you feel rejuvenated amidst the bustling, cramped city where you wouldn't have space to fly kites. Additionally, some resorts organize dedicated kite flying festivals to serve tourists.

Kite Flying on the Sand (Photo: ST)

2. Night Squid Fishing

This is yet another fantastic experience in Phan Thiet, a night squid fishing tour starting at 5:00 PM at Phan Thiet fishing village. The boat will cruise for 30 minutes to reach the spots with the most squid. At these locations, tourists will experience squid fishing with local fishermen.

Night Squid Fishing (Photo: ST)

Another interesting thing is that the squid you catch will be used to cook squid porridge or grilled right on the boat, allowing you to enjoy the freshest and most delicious squid dish. The price of a squid fishing tour includes all dinners and fishing gear, which is 700,000 VND.

3. Watch Fisherman Show

Visiting Phan Thiet without experiencing the Fishermen Show would truly be regrettable. The Fishermen Show is a combination of contemporary theatrical art and high-tech light and water effects, providing an impressive visual experience. Domestic and international tourists will surely be captivated by not only the performances of the artists but also the appearance of giant water curtains and columns of waves rising and chasing each other.

Fishermen Show (Photo: ST)

The show content is rich in the cultural essence of the fishing village, emphasizing the diligence, hard work, and desire to conquer the sea of ​​the local people, while also incorporating modern elements to make it more accessible to non-fishermen tourists.

4. Off-road Racing and Sand Sliding on Sand Dunes

Visiting the famous sand dunes, if possible, you should try once the experience of off-road quad biking. Riding a quad bike on the golden sand ridges, enjoying the breathtaking scenery rushing behind is quite attractive to young tourists. In addition, sand sliding is also a familiar game that all tourists should try once when visiting the sand dunes, suitable for anyone, especially families, children...

Off-road Racing on Sand (Photo: ST)

The rental price for a quad bike for 2 people ranges from 350,000 VND to 850,000 VND depending on the duration, from 20 to 60 minutes.

5. Visit the Wine Castle

Located within the 5-star Sea Links City resort complex, the emerging destination of Mui Ne, this is the wine castle, the first of its kind in Vietnam, inspired by the Napa Valley wine valley in California, USA. Here, tourists will be truly attracted by the unique wine cellars. In addition, the castle understands the psychology of customers by providing fishing services or souvenir shops for tourists to visit.

Luxurious Wine Castle (Photo: ST)

VI. Hotels in Phan Thiet

The Cliff Resort and Residences

• Address: Zone 5, Phan Hai Ward, Phan Thiet
• Rating: 4 stars

This luxurious resort and upscale apartment complex is situated right in Mui Ne, the tourist hub of Phan Thiet city. Therefore, from here, you can easily access the most famous tourist attractions such as Ong Dia Rock Beach, Sea Links Golf Course. In addition to the facilities, interior, service quality, and staff attitude all highly rated by customers and travel websites, this place also organizes special activities exclusively for tourists such as kite festivals...

A room at The Cliff Resort and Residences (Photo: ST)

Sea Links Beach Resort

• Address: Km 9 Nguyen Thong, Phu Hai, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan
• Rating: 5 stars

Sea Links is a newly prominent resort in Phan Thiet, where not only boasts a 5-star quality resort but also includes adjacent residential areas, a wine castle open for tourists to visit, and a golf course.

Staying at this resort, you will feel utmost comfort due to the magnificent and complete services ranging from restaurants, transportation, bars, spas, karaoke, swimming pools... to other support services such as surfing, kayaking, BBQ grilling.

The luxurious space of Sea Links (Photo: ST)

Saint Mary Beach Resort

• Standard: 3 stars
• Tien Thanh Commune, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan

Saint Mary Beach Resort features luxurious bungalows nestled separately with views of the sea or the garden. The premises here have many stone benches and sun shelters dotted amidst the lush greenery of flowers and grass, helping guests feel immersed in nature.

Saint Mary Beach Resort (Photo: ST)

You have a variety of accommodation options to suit your needs such as Superior rooms, Deluxe rooms, or Bungalows all featuring wood, rattan, and bamboo materials. Moreover, to cater to the entertainment needs of guests, this hotel also has a large swimming pool and more notably, this resort owns a private beach for guests to enjoy sunbathing or participate in sports activities like kayaking, windsurfing. This place is also rated for good service quality, friendly and attentive staff.

Anantara Mui Ne Resort and Spa

• Address: Mui Ne Beach, Km 10, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan
• Rating: 5 stars

Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa is a resort with 69 rooms decorated with a fusion of Asian and European cultures, with Vietnamese culture being the main highlight creating a serene atmosphere for the resort. Guests will feel truly close to nature as the surroundings are filled with the sea and plenty of trees, creating a fresh atmosphere.

Accommodation at Anantara Mui Ne Resort (Photo: ST)

Moreover, Anantara Mui Ne Resort and Spa boasts a restaurant with highly acclaimed chefs and a beauty spa area for ultimate relaxation, featuring skilled beauty professionals catering to every guest's needs. If you're someone looking for a complete luxury retreat, the 5-star quality of this resort will surely satisfy you.

Fiore Healthy Resort

• Address: Tien Hoa, Tien Thanh, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan
• Rating: 4 stars

Fiore Healthy Resort is surrounded by famous tourist attractions, making it very convenient for your trip. It can be said that the perfect facilities serving the resort guests' vacation needs are one of the highlights here.

The resort features a total of 44 luxurious rooms and high-end apartments with spacious, clean spaces, fully equipped with amenities.

Accommodation at Fiore Healthy Resort (Photo: ST)

Similar to other upscale resorts, Fiore Healthy will delight you by offering the most comprehensive swimming services to ensure you enjoy a fantastic vacation. Moreover, other premium services such as beauty care and high-quality spa services are fully provided at Fiore Healthy. Another special feature is perhaps the good language skills of the staff, helping overcome language barriers for foreign guests.

Vinh Vuong Seaside Hotel

• Location: Km 10, 46 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan
• Rating: 3 stars

Vinh Suong Seaside Hotel boasts 135 rooms with private balconies overlooking lush gardens and, in the distance, the white-cutting blue sea. Guests can participate in beach sports such as volleyball, soccer, and there are also bars, clubs, and land-based games to ensure a lively vacation.

The spa rooms with massage therapies using natural essences will bring a relaxing feeling to guests.

Accommodation at Vinh Suong Seaside Hotel (Photo: ST)

A garden filled with colorful hanging orchids will delight nature lovers, especially those who enjoy flower viewing. The restaurant here serves a variety of European, Asian dishes, and fresh seafood along with drinks and light snacks available at the poolside bar.

Above is the comprehensive travel guide to Phan Thiet that VNTRIP.VN wants to offer you to have the most convenient journey. Wish you all happy travels!