Phan Thiet is an old Cham outpost with a population of 75, 000 people. Its renown for its large fishing fleet and is famous for "nuoc mam", or fish sauce, the traditional and most popular dipping sauce in Vietnam. The particular smell of fish and fish sauce permeates the downtown area as Phan Thiet river cuts right through the centre of the town. It is also packed with boats. The fishing village at Mui Ne is very picturesque with its hundreds of multicolored boats.

There is also a beach a few km to the east of the town. But the bigger draw is Mui Ne Beach, 22km again to the east of the town. The road to Mui Ne is stunning with sand dunes on the one side and a relatively unspoiled beach on the other. Beautiful, majestic coconut trees are in abundance on both sides of the road.