Phan Thiet, Vietnam: travel guide
Fish sauce port with a colourful fishing fleet and Cham towers
The provincial capital of Binh Thuan, famous for producing Vietnam's finest fish sauce, Cham Po Sah Inu towers and a scenic seafront promenade lined with a colourful fishing fleet.
About Phan Thiet
Phan Thiet is a working port city on Vietnam's south-central coast and the provincial capital of Binh Thuan. It is best known as the home of the country's most celebrated fish sauce, and you can still see the trade in its fish market and along the waterfront.
The seafront promenade looks over a colourful fishing fleet, while the Ke Ga lighthouse stands further along the coast. In town, the Po Shanu Cham towers sit on a hill above the city, and the Whale Temple of Van Thuy Tu reflects the fishing community's traditions. Mui Ne's dunes and beaches are a short drive away.
Phan Thiet suits those exploring the coast between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang. The best time to visit is usually the drier months from November to April.
- Country
- Vietnam
- Currency
- VND
- Time zone
- Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh
Last updated
Top places to visit in Phan Thiet
Ke Ga Lighthouse
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
19th-century French-built lighthouse on an islet, among the tallest in Southeast Asia.
Van Thuy Tu Whale Temple
temple · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The largest whale temple in Vietnam, built in 1762 and housing the 22-metre skeleton of a blue whale — the largest whale skeleton in Southeast Asia. Vietnamese fishermen have venerated the whale god Ca Ong for centuries.
Phan Thiet Fish Market (Cho Ca)
Market · 4.9 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The largest fishing harbour in southern Vietnam, where hundreds of brightly painted wooden fishing boats unload their catch at 3–5 AM. Watching the pre-dawn fish auction surrounded by baskets of fresh squid, tuna, and prawns is…
Ta Cu Mountain
Temple · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Mountain pagoda complex with a large reclining Buddha statue and cable car.
Po Shanu Cham Towers
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
8th-century Cham brick towers on a hill overlooking Phan Thiet.
Phan Thiet Water Tower
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Early 20th-century octagonal water tower, a city landmark.
Things to do
- Phan Thiet Sand Dunes Sunrise + Fishing Village Tour Outdoor · 4 h · from VND 276,000 per person
- Ke Ga Lighthouse Boat Excursion Sightseeing · 2.5 h · from VND 300,000 per person
- Ta Cu Mountain Cable Car & Pagoda Visit Cultural · 3 h · from VND 200,000 per person
Where to stay in Phan Thiet
Hotels
- Anantara Mui Ne Resort 5-star · VND 5,000,000 to VND 18,000,000 per night
- Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & Spa 4-star · VND 1,600,000 to VND 3,200,000 per night
- Muong Thanh Grand Phan Thiet Hotel 4-star · VND 800,000 to VND 1,600,000 per night
- Full Moon Beach Resort Phan Thiet 3-star · VND 700,000 to VND 2,000,000 per night
- TTC Hotel Premium Phan Thiet 4-star · VND 700,000 to VND 1,400,000 per night
- Mui Ne Hills Backpackers 2-star · VND 100,000 to VND 400,000 per night
Where to eat
- Com Ga Phan Thiet vietnamese, local_specialties · about VND 80,000 per person
- Hoa Viet Seafood Restaurant seafood, vietnamese · about VND 400,000 per person
- Banh Can Phan Thiet street_food, vietnamese · about VND 50,000 per person
- Nam Du Seafood Restaurant seafood · about VND 280,000 per person
- Mot Nang Seafood Restaurant seafood · about VND 280,000 per person
Getting to Phan Thiet
Nearest airport: Da Lat (DLI), about 95 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Motorbike Rental
- Taxi
- Walking
Best time to visit Phan Thiet
- Jan 29°C
- Feb 30°C
- Mar 31°C
- Apr 32°C
- May 31°C
- Jun 29°C
- Jul 32°C
- Aug 31°C
- Sep 31°C
- Oct 31°C
- Nov 29°C
- Dec 28°C
More in Vietnam
Frequently asked questions about Phan Thiet
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Phan Thiet?
- The highest-rated places in our Phan Thiet guide are Phan Thiet Fish Market (Cho Ca), Ke Ga Lighthouse, Phan Thiet Water Tower, Ta Cu Mountain, Po Shanu Cham Towers.
- How do I get around Phan Thiet?
- Ways to get around Phan Thiet covered in our guide: Motorbike rental, Taxi, Walking.
- What is the weather like in Phan Thiet?
- Average daytime highs in Phan Thiet run from 28°C in Dec to 32°C in Apr.