Phan Thiet Sights, POI and Things to Do

Although sometimes missed on the classic traveller route through Vietnam, Phan Thiet offers plenty of attractions for those willing to stop and explore. Whether you’re looking for religious, cultural or natural sights, Phan Thiet offers something for everyone.

Ta Cu Mountain

One of the most famous sights around Phan Thiet is the Ta Cu Mountain. A Buddhist sanctuary, this mountainside complex of pagodas and statues is worth a visit for those who enjoy learning about local history and culture.

With an impressive 59m reclining Buddha and a spectacular view from the top of the mountain this is a great sight for a half day visit.

There are two routes up the mountain: cable car or a hike. The hike entails a steep walk up hundreds of steps through the heat of the rainforest, but you may encounter birds and monkeys along the way to make the walk more enjoyable. A good level of fitness is required.

For those looking for a more relaxing route, take the cable car up the mountain and walk the remaining steps to the very top (entrance fee and cable car is around VND180,000). There are food stands and souvenir shops at the top, so if you go up first thing in the morning you can easily spend a morning at the top and enjoy some lunch before heading back down the mountain.

Fairy Stream

Suoi Tien, or Fairy Stream is another great spot between Phan Thiet and Mui Ne. The peaceful Fairy Stream comprises a shallow, picturesque stream running through red sandstone cliffs. Perfect for a relaxing morning out of town, head to Suoi Tien via a taxi/moped/driver and enjoy a wander down the river feeling the ochre sand beneath your feet.

You may be asked for a nominal fee of VND5,000/10,000 but make sure you don’t get charged more than once and don’t offer to leave your shoes or other belongings with anyone while you explore.

Thap Poshanu Cham Towers

For a more cultural excursion, visit the Thap Poshanu Cham Towers to the west of the city. These red brick towers were built by the indigenous Cham people and date back to the 8th century. There are a few information boards around the site which will give you some insight into the history of these towers but if you have a driver or guide they should be able to give you a lot more information.

Visit in the morning or early evening so that you are not walking around in the heat of the day and you may be able to catch the sun setting and look out over Phan Thiet at dusk.

Red & white sand dunes

The red and white sand dunes around Phan Thiet and Mui Ne are great for both those looking for a perfect photo op, and adrenalin junkies looking for some excitement.

The red dunes are located closer to Phan Thiet and can easily be combined with a trip to the Fairy Stream. These dunes have a beautiful orange colour and the light here at sunrise or sunset is fantastic for photography.

The white dunes are set slightly further afield in Hòa Thắng. You can visit via taxi then wander around the dunes or book a jeep or quad bike excursion from Mui Ne or Phan Thiet which allows you to drive around the dunes. The white dunes are particularly busy at sunrise, so if you are hiring a quad bike take extra care around this time as there are many people walking around.

You can combine more than one activity around Phan Thiet in a day, so you can easily see many of the sights over the course of just a few days. After exploring the sights, head back to town for some delicious cuisine before continuing your journey north or south though Vietnam.