Tourists remember Phan Thiet

The streets of Phan Thiet have been unusually crowded in recent days. Many roads have traffic jams stretching for hundreds of meters. Despite this, everyone is happy because Phan Thiet is experiencing a more successful tourist season than expected…

The vibrancy of Phan Thiet stems from the street festival themed "Colors of Binh Thuan," held during the "golden days" – the four-day National Day holiday (September 2nd). With a rich variety of programs ranging from food and trade fairs to music and dance performances, it caters to the needs of tourists.

Nighttime street food in Ham Tien - Mui Ne. Photo: N. Lan

Mr. Manh Truong from Tay Ninh, who recently took a group of French business friends to Phan Thiet for the September 2nd holiday, sent me a message praising Phan Thiet for now looking like a professional tourist city. Manh Truong's praise stems from the fact that a few years ago, he also took his friends from abroad to Phan Thiet, but they criticized it for lacking shopping and entertainment options despite its beautiful beaches and abundant scenic spots. However, this time, everything in Phan Thiet seems completely different, with more professionally developed tourist areas. Some new attractions, like Novaworld, offer shopping and beachfront views, as well as a rather attractive water park. Among Manh Truong's group was Ms. Maria, a real estate professional, who, while relaxing and researching the market in Phan Thiet, was quite impressed by the number of tourists during the September 2nd holiday. She commented: "Phan Thiet has a very unique character compared to other domestic and international tourist destinations." It boasts beautiful beaches, ideal weather, and fresh air because there are no industrial zones in the city center. The presence of financially strong corporations investing in complex developments creates a strong foundation for attracting international tourists. A distinctive feature of Phan Thiet is its festivals and cuisine; Phan Thiet should organize these events more frequently to encourage tourists to return to this coastal city many times… According to Maria, she believes this is because her group spent four days in Phan Thiet but still didn't fully enjoy it. Upon returning to France, members of her group shared photos and information about Phan Thiet with various groups, making many friends and colleagues eager to visit, asking about everything from trip costs and attractions to local specialties. “We only left Phan Thiet a few days ago, but we already miss it. This New Year, my friends and I will be spending a longer trip to Phan Thiet because it’s so captivating…”, Maria said.

There are many stories about tourism development that only tourists… know. This is the story of the Binh Minh group, a group of friends from Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Ho Chi Minh City who specialize in real estate brokerage but share a love for travel and food. Thanh took the group to Phan Thiet a few years ago, and since then, they've visited Phan Thiet at least twice a year. This year alone, they've been to Phan Thiet three times, and still have plans for two more trips during the New Year and Lunar New Year holidays. Thanh recounts: "Our group is quite 'quirky.' Some are addicted to the hot pot with scad fish, others prefer grilled scallops with scallions and garlic-fried crab claws, and still others love the rice pancake with egg and mackerel or scad stewed in tamarind sauce… Fifteen people in the group, each with their own preferences, but they refuse to eat in other provinces or cities; they insist on eating in Phan Thiet to get the authentic taste and flavor…"

For Dat, a businessman in Binh Duong, Phan Thiet is like a "memory land" in his heart. Whenever he has the opportunity, he takes his family to Phan Thiet for a beach vacation. At one point, he even gifted 100 of his workers a week-long trip to Phan Thiet. Dat shared: Phan Thiet attracts tourists because it preserves the pristine beauty of areas that need to be protected, such as the pink hills, Hon Rom, Suoi Tien, and Mui Ne fishing village. It's a place for tourists who prefer a bit of tranquility. For tourists who like a lively atmosphere, the city center or Tien Thanh offers modern urban areas and complexes for sightseeing and exploration…

Phan Thiet is fulfilling its role perfectly in organizing the National Tourism Year – “Binh Thuan: A Green Convergence”. Entertainment programs, festivals, fairs, and culinary events have truly brought a fresh breeze, contributing to attracting more and more tourists. And among the millions of visitors to Phan Thiet, many remember the city fondly and will return on their next trip…

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