| The friendly fishing port of Phan Thiet is one of the stepping stones between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, not least because of its proximity to wonderful Cape Mui Ne, a 21-kilometre-long arc of fine sand. Though Mui Ne is undoubtedly the main draw of the area, Phan Thiet does have some hidden charms of its own and makes a good break from the beach. Quaint colonial villas season Phan Thiet's main streets, some decorated with glazed ceramic tiles, most with louvred windows and colonnaded facades. Turn left off the southwestern end of Tran Hung Dao Bridge, and stroll along Trung Trac, and you'll soon plunge into the wharfside fish market. Back in the other direction, Trung Trac skirts the city centre en route to the riverside Ho Chi Minh Museum (Tues–Sun 7.30–11.30am & 1.30–4.30pm; 5000d), rather a flat museum, but with some nicely quaint memorabilia. A couple of hundred metres south on Tran Phu, Ong Pagoda also merits a browse. Over Tran Hung Dao Bridge, Vo Thi Sau strikes off to the right and to the city beach which, 700m northeast, opens out into a more pleasant pine-shaded spot |
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