Ha Tien

Ha Tien is a coastal border city in Kien Giang Province at the far southwestern tip of Vietnam, directly bordering Kampot Province in Cambodia. Established in the late 17th century by Chinese merchant Mac Cuu, the settlement grew as a regional trading post before integration into Vietnamese territory. Today, it functions as the primary mainland border crossing to Cambodia via the Ha Tien / Prek Chak border gate (6 km north of town) and a key ferry departure point for Phu Quoc Island.

The town layout centers around Tran Hau Street, running parallel to the Giang Thanh River and the Dong Ho lagoon inlet. Ethnic Chinese, Khmer, and Kinh Vietnamese communities shape local markets, architecture, and food culture. Despite its border position, Ha Tien receives relatively modest foreign tourist numbers compared to neighboring Phu Quoc.

Ha Tien experiences a tropical monsoon climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Year-round average temperatures range between 25°C and 32°C (77°F to 90°F), with high relative humidity and coastal breezes off the Gulf of Thailand.

By Bus

• Futa Buslines (Phuong Trang): Operates modern sleeper coaches from Ho Chi Minh City's Mien Tay Bus Station (Ben xe Mien Tay) to Ha Tien Bus Station. Departures run every 1 to 2 hours between 06:30 and 23:30. Travel time is 7.5 to 8.5 hours for the 315 km route. Fares range from 230,000 to 250,000 VND ($9.25–$10.00 USD).
• Kumho Samco: Runs sleeper and VIP limousine buses from Mien Tay Bus Station and District 1 (Pham Ngu Lao Street) in Ho Chi Minh City. Departures run every 2 hours from 09:00 to 23:00. Travel time is 7 to 8 hours. Fares range from 230,000 to 430,000 VND ($9.25–$17.20 USD) depending on coach class.
• Regional Buses: Local buses connect Ha Tien Bus Station with Rach Gia (Rach Soi Station) every 30 minutes (2.5 hours, 70,000–90,000 VND / $2.80–$3.60 USD) and Can Tho (4–5 hours, 180,000–200,000 VND / $7.20–$8.00 USD).
• International Minibuses: Cross-border minibuses operated by Champa Mekong Travel and Chanthou Travel run daily from Kampot, Cambodia (2 hours, $8–$10 USD / 200,000–250,000 VND), Kep (1.5 hours, $7–$9 USD / 175,000–225,000 VND), and Phnom Penh (5.5 hours, $12–$15 USD / 300,000–375,000 VND).

By Train

No train service. There are no railway lines operating in Ha Tien or the surrounding Mekong Delta region.

By Car

• From Rach Gia: Travel via Highway QL80 (National Route 80) heading northwest. Distance is 90 km and drive time is 2 to 2.5 hours.
• From Chau Doc: Travel via Highway N1 heading west along the Cambodian border. Distance is 110 km and drive time is approximately 2.5 hours.
• From Ho Chi Minh City: Drive time is 7 to 8 hours (315 km) via Highway CT01 / QL1A to Vinh Long, transferring onto Highway QL80 through Rach Gia. Private car charters cost 3,000,000 to 3,500,000 VND ($120–$140 USD).

By Air

No air service in Ha Tien city proper.

• Rach Gia Airport (IATA: VKG): Located 90 km southeast in Rach Gia. Vietnam Airlines (operated by VASCO) flies daily between Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Rach Gia (VKG) with a 50-minute flight time. From Rach Gia Airport, taxi or bus transport to Ha Tien takes 2.5 hours.

• Phu Quoc International Airport (IATA: PQC): Located on Phu Quoc Island. Access requires a fast ferry from Ha Tien Ferry Terminal to Bai Vong Port (Superdong or Phu Quoc Express, 1 hour 15 minutes, 230,000–250,000 VND / $9.20–$10.00 USD), followed by a 15 km taxi drive (20 minutes, 200,000 VND / $8.00 USD) to the airport terminal. Airlines serving PQC include Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways.

• Motorbike Taxis (Xe Om): Available near the central market, ferry terminal, and bus station. Short trips within the town center cost 20,000 to 30,000 VND ($0.80–$1.20 USD). A trip to the Ha Tien / Prek Chak border gate (6 km) costs 40,000 to 60,000 VND ($1.60–$2.40 USD).

• Metered Taxis: Operated by Mai Linh Taxi (+84 297 388 8888) and Ha Tien Taxi. Fares start at 15,000 VND ($0.60 USD) for the first kilometer and roughly 15,000 VND per additional kilometer.

• Motorbike & Bicycle Rentals: Motorbikes rent for 120,000 to 150,000 VND ($4.80–$6.00 USD) per day from hotels and shops along Tran Hau Street. Bicycles rent for 30,000 to 50,000 VND ($1.20–$2.00 USD) per day.

• Ride-Hailing Apps: Grab coverage is extremely limited or unavailable in Ha Tien. Local transport relies on traditional xe om drivers, hotel street hires, or dialing Mai Linh Taxi directly.

• Mac Cuu Family Tombs (Binh San Hill) — Hillside burial complex at the end of Mac Cuu Street dedicated to Mac Cuu, the 17th-century Chinese founder of Ha Tien, and his descendants. Entry fee: 10,000 VND ($0.40 USD).

• Thach Dong Cave Temple — A 50-meter limestone outcrop containing an active Buddhist cavern pagoda, located 4 km north of town on Highway QL80 near the border. Entry fee: 20,000 VND ($0.80 USD).

• Da Dung Mountain — A 100-meter-high limestone karst featuring 14 natural caves, historical military shelters, and walking trails 6 km northeast of town. Entry fee: 20,000 VND ($0.80 USD).

• Mui Nai Beach — Dark-sand beach located 6 km west of the town center with shallow water, seafood stalls, and a coaster sled on Nuoc Nai Hill. Entry fee: 30,000 VND ($1.20 USD).

• Chua Tam Bao (Tam Bao Pagoda) — Established in 1730 by Mac Cuu, this active Buddhist temple on Phu Quoc Street features traditional Southern Vietnamese temple architecture and bronze statues. Entry fee: Free.

• Chua Hang (Cave Pagoda / Hon Chong) — Located 30 km south of Ha Tien in Kien Luong district, this temple sits within a natural sea cave opening out near the Father and Son Islet (Hon Phu Tu). Entry fee: Free.

• Dong Ho Lagoon — A broad water estuary east of the main road bridge where the Giang Thanh River meets the sea, bordered by mangrove stands. Boat hire at the riverfront pier costs 150,000 to 200,000 VND ($6.00–$8.00 USD) per hour.

• Take the Ferry to Phu Quoc Island: Passenger fast ferries (Superdong or Phu Quoc Express, 1 hour 15 minutes, 230,000–250,000 VND / $9.20–$10.00 USD) and vehicle car ferries (Thanh Thoi, 2 hours 15 minutes, 185,000 VND / $7.40 USD) depart daily from Ha Tien Port to Bai Vong Port.

• Visit the Cambodian Border & Casinos: Travel 6 km north to the Ha Tien / Prek Chak border gate. Border casinos like Ha Tien Vegas operate on the Cambodian side, offering gaming tables and slot machines. Ensure Vietnam re-entry visa requirements are valid before crossing.

• Cycle the Coastal and Karst Loop: Rent a bicycle (30,000–50,000 VND / $1.20–$2.00 USD per day) to follow the 15 km coastal circuit connecting Ha Tien center, Mui Nai Beach, Thach Dong Cave, and the border area.

• Kayak Dong Ho Estuary: Rent kayaks from operators along the Giang Thanh riverfront (80,000–100,000 VND / $3.20–$4.00 USD per hour) to navigate mangrove channels and fish farming sites.

• Ha Tien Fresh Seafood (Hai San Ha Tien) — Location: Mui Nai Beachfront. Cuisine: Fresh seafood including grilled squid, garlic sea snails, steamed mantis shrimp, and sea crab. Price tier: Mid-range (80,000–250,000 VND / $3.20–$10.00 USD per dish).
• Quan An 47 Mach Thien Tich — Location: 47 Mạc Thiên Tích Street. Cuisine: Vietnamese local dishes including stir-fried squid with cucumber, braised claypot pork, and sour fish soup. Price tier: Budget (25,000–60,000 VND / $1.00–$2.40 USD per dish). Open for dinner.
• Pho 66 — Location: 66 Tô Châu Street (south of Chi Lang). Cuisine: Beef and chicken noodle soup (pho) with fresh local herbs. Price tier: Budget (30,000–45,000 VND / $1.20–$1.80 USD per bowl).
• Quan Com Binh Dan Nam Dinh — Location: Trần Hầu Street near the market. Cuisine: Com bình dân (rice plates served with pork belly, stuffed tofu, and fried fish). Price tier: Budget (30,000–50,000 VND / $1.20–$2.00 USD per plate).

• Oasis Bar — Location: 42 Tuần Phủ Đạt, Phone: +84 297 370 1553, Hours: 09:00–21:00. Expat-managed bar serving draught beer, spirits, cocktails, and coffee. Drink prices: 20,000–60,000 VND ($0.80–$2.40 USD).
• Metro 88 — Location: Near Cau To Chau bridge. Poolside lounge serving fresh fruit juices, iced coffee, and cold beer. Drink prices: 25,000–50,000 VND ($1.00–$2.00 USD).
• Riverfront Coffee Stalls: Open-air roadside stalls along Tran Hau Street serve traditional Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk (ca phe sua da, 15,000–20,000 VND / $0.60–$0.80 USD) and fresh coconuts (20,000 VND / $0.80 USD).

• Viet Toan Hotel — Location: 74 Chi Lang Street. Air-conditioned budget rooms with private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and television. Rates: 150,000–220,000 VND ($6.00–$8.80 USD) per night.
• Bao Tam Hotel — Location: Near Ha Tien Central Market. Simple budget hotel with air-conditioned fan and double rooms. Rates: 170,000–250,000 VND ($6.80–$10.00 USD) per night.
• Hai Yen Hotel — Location: 15 To Chau Street. Mid-range rooms featuring private balconies overlooking Dong Ho lagoon, air conditioning, mini-fridges, and hot showers. Rates: 250,000–450,000 VND ($10.00–$18.00 USD) per night.
• River Hotel Ha Tien — Location: Tran Hau Street (Giang Thanh Riverfront). Upscale riverfront hotel with air-conditioned suites, an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, and event facilities. Rates: 800,000–1,500,000 VND ($32.00–$60.00 USD) per night.

• Ha Tien Central Market (Cho Ha Tien): Located on the riverbank near Cau To Chau bridge. Features wet market sections for fresh Gulf seafood, regional fruits, and dried fish, alongside stalls selling textiles and Cambodian goods.
• Ha Tien Night Market: Operates nightly from 17:00 to 22:00 along Tuan Phu Dat Street near the old market hall. Stalls sell clothing, handicrafts, pepper, dried seafood, and street food.

• Phu Quoc Island — Distance: 35 km west across the Gulf of Thailand. Reached via a 1 hour 15 minute fast ferry (230,000 VND / $9.20 USD). Known for white sand beaches, coastal resorts, and snorkeling.
• Kampot, Cambodia — Distance: 50 km northwest across the border. Reached via a 2-hour minibus ride ($8–$10 USD). Known for pepper farms, French colonial architecture along the Prek Tuek Chhou River, and Bokor Mountain.
• Kep, Cambodia — Distance: 30 km northwest across the border. Reached via a 1.5-hour minibus or motorbike ($7–$9 USD). Known for its crab market, Kep National Park trails, and Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) boats.
• Rach Gia — Distance: 90 km southeast via Highway QL80. Reached via a 2.5-hour bus ride (70,000–90,000 VND / $2.80–$3.60 USD). Provincial capital of Kien Giang with air connections at Rach Gia Airport.
• Chau Doc — Distance: 110 km east via border Highway N1. Reached via a 2.5-hour bus ride (100,000–120,000 VND / $4.00–$4.80 USD). Mekong River border town featuring Sam Mountain temples and floating fish farms.