PHAN THIET

Located in Binh Thuan province, Phan Thiet is 200 km from Saigon and lies south of Cam Ranh bay on the southernmost stretch of Central Vietnam. During the Vietnam War Phan Thiet was the site of the US. military base known as Landing Zone Betty, which was located at the now closed airfield southwest of the city. In recent years, Phan Thiet (specifically Mũi Né Beach district) has been transformed into a resort destination.

Phan Thiet, a 4-hour bus journey from Ho Chi Minh City, is a small and sleepy seaside town that has a certain quaint and colorful fishing village charm. With a population of just 200,000 people, the town is embraced by a series of undulating hills, lush greenery and a blissfully secluded dune covered coastline. Despite the onset of tourism, the fishing industry is still the main source of income for the locals and many sustain their living from the sea as fishermen or producers of "nuoc mam"- the pungent fish sauce that is so popular with the Vietnamese.

The growing number of sophisticated beach resorts seems to have had little impact on Phan Thiet's gentle pace of life - the beaches are particularly quiet and devoid of intrusive vendors. This is not somewhere you come for action but more for the laid back ambiance; the motto here is kick back and take your time.

With the clear sky, the blue sea and abundant sand, Phan Thiet is a beautiful landscape. Though today tourism plays a very important role in the local economy, Phan Thiet is traditionally known for its fish sauce. Like a gift from nature, Phan Thiet with sea breeze and swingy coconut trees is the favorite stop for domestic and international tourist. The romantic landscape here is for those who enjoy their sweet honeymoons, for families and friends to stay away from the busy city life. As a fact, most travelers come to Phan Thiet for heading to Mui Ne Beach, 11km away.

Mui Ne Beach is the most visited place once coming to Phan Thiet beside other peaceful beaches such as Doi Duong Beach and Hon Rom. Nearby Phan Thiet, visitors can explore some historical and cultural sites including Ke Ga Light House, Thuy Tu Temple, The lying Buddha, the Ong Hoang Building and the Poshanu Cham Tower. There are also beautiful landscapes such as Suoi Tien (Fairy Spring) and Cau Isle.