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At just three-hours from Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Thiet and its beach at Mui Ne offer a great break from the hustle and hassles of the big city. The town itself retains some of its charm, and the colourful harbour, home to Phan Thiet's large fishing fleet, is a popular sight with visitors.
The fleet ensures that the restaurants and resorts in town and along Mui Ne beach are always able to offer some Vietnam's best seafood dishes. Indeed, dining is one of the many delights of a stay in Phan Thiet.
In recent years, the 21km stretch of golden sand along Mui Ne has witnessed a transformation as numerous international-standard resorts have opened along the beach front. That said, the area is not overdeveloped and the resorts tend to be sympathetically designed and constructed. The range of accommodation along Mui Ne beach is wide, from basic bungalows costing just a few dollars to super-luxury resort complexes and hotels offering enough facilities to satisfy all but the most jaded travellers. Accommodation in Phan Thiet town is limited to a few mini-hotels, plus the excellent four-star Novotel Coralia Ocean Dunes Resort and the Palms Hotel, both with great views across the award-winning 18-hole Ocean Dunes golf course designed by Nick Faldo, which is open to non-guests. Other attractions include the spectacular rolling dunes of Hon Rom, some superb 8th Century Cham architecture and of course the beach and sea. The beach resort is also a real mecca for kite-surfing enthusiasts, who can be seen skidding across the bay in the dozens during the season. Phan Thiet / Mui Ne is a favourite weekend break for Saigon's expat community, so booking your hotel or resort before you travel is strongly advised. Rates are seasonal, low season running from May/June to October. To explore Phan Thiet further, and for details of special deals currently on offer for ElephantGuide.com users, simply select your channel of choice at left and let The Elephant guide you.
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