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Voykit pocket guide · Vietnam
Ha Tien
Hà Tiên
Spend 1–2 days in Ha Tien for beach, temples and a short bike ride; reachable by bus from HCMC (≈8 h) or Can Tho (≈3 h).
Ha Tien is a small coastal town at the Mekong Delta’s western tip, near the Cambodian border. Its main attractions—beaches, Chinese temples, night market and easy bike routes—fit into a half‑day to a full day. Longer stays are only needed if you plan a border hop to Cambodia or a ferry to Phú Quốc.
- Country
- Vietnam
- Local name
- Hà Tiên
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, cooler temps)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy, hot)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- VND
- Money
- VND in small notes (10k–100k) for stalls, markets, xe ôm and tips at spas.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₫120,000–200,000 excl. bed · Mid ₫200,000–350,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport and a face photo are required for registration.
- Emergency
- Police 113 · Fire 114 · Ambulance 115
- Plugs
- Types A, C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz · Two-pin sockets take flat US pins and round European pins; UK plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and cafés: Nothing; leave small change if you like.; Sit-down restaurant: Round up or 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Grab / taxi: Round up; tip in the app if you want.; Spa and massage: ₫50,000–100,000 to the therapist directly; some spas ask for more.; Guide and driver on a day tour: ₫100,000–200,000 per person for the guide, about half that for the driver.; Hotel porter: ₫20,000–50,000.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Bottled and filtered water everywhere; hotel refill stations are common. Café ice is factory-made.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in cities and hotels; squat toilets and no paper in rural stops and on long buses — carry tissues. Old plumbing: paper in the bin.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Street food (seafood grill) | ₫20,000–30,000 |
| Bike rental (day) | ₫140,000 |
| Motorbike taxi (short ride) | ₫20,000 |
| Ferry to Phú Quốc (motorbike) | ₫165,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- VKG · Rach Gia Airport
- ≈70 km (43 mi) north, bus or taxi about 2 h (check)≈43 mi (70 km) north, bus or taxi about 2 h (check)
Typical fares
- Ho Chi Minh City → Ha Tien (bus)
- about ₫170,000, 8 h (check)
- Motorbike taxi town centre → ferry port
- ≈₫20,000
- Ferry Ha Tien → Phú Quốc (passenger)
- ≈₫230,000 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town centre is walkable; motorbike taxis ~20,000 đ for short trips. Rent a motorbike (~US$6/day) or bicycle (~US$2/day). Metered taxis (Mai Linh, Ha Tien Development Corp) operate for longer rides.
See and do
Known for
- Mui Nai beach
- Chinese temples (Chua Tam Bao, Chua Giai Thoat)
- Night market
- Border crossing to Cambodia
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Phú Quốc (ferry) | Fast ferry from Ha Tien port, 1 h 15 min | ≈2 h total |
| Cambodia – Kep | Motorbike across border, then hire local bike | ≈1.5 h |
Sleep
- Bao Tam
- Air‑con rooms, ~170,000 đ/night; central market area.
- Hai Yen
- Rooms ~150‑200k đ, balcony view of Dam Dong Ho.
- Viet Toan
- Budget rooms ~150k đ, fan or air‑con.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Xin chàosin chow |
| Help me! | Cứu tôi với!kuh-oo toy vuh-ee |
| 1, 2, 3 | một, hai, bamoht, hai, bah |
| How much is it? | Bao nhiêu tiền?bow nyew tyen |
| Please take me to this address | Làm ơn chở tôi đến địa chỉ nàylahm uhn chuh toy den dee-ah chee nay |
| Excuse me! (to a younger server) | Em ơi!em uh-ee |
| I have a booking | Tôi đã đặt phòngtoy dah daht fong |
| What time? | Mấy giờ?may zuh |
| Thank you | Cảm ơnkahm uhn |
| Call the police! (113) | Gọi cảnh sát! (113)goy kahn saht |
| 4, 5, 6 | bốn, năm, sáubohn, nahm, sow |
| Too expensive! | Đắt quá!daht kwah |
| I booked a Grab | Tôi đặt Grabtoy daht grab |
| I'll have this one | Cho tôi cái nàychaw toy kai nay |
| Do you have a room free? | Còn phòng không?kon fong khohm |
| Now | Bây giờbay zuh |
| No, thank you (street sellers) | Không, cảm ơnkhohm, kahm uhn |
| Fire! Call the fire service! (114) | Cháy! Gọi cứu hỏa! (114)chai! goy kuh-oo hwah |
| 7, 8, 9, 10 | bảy, tám, chín, mườibay, tahm, cheen, muh-ee |
| Come down a bit | Bớt đibuht dee |
Say it for greetings, prices and 'no ice'. Show the screen for addresses, allergies, medical problems and anything you need done exactly — a wrong tone on those costs more than the embarrassment of pointing at a phone.
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Nod and smile; handshake with men, let women offer first; avoid: Hugs and cheek kisses with people you have just met
- Names: Title plus given name — 'Anh Nam', 'Chị Lan' — the given name comes last; avoid: Calling someone by the family name alone (Nguyễn, Trần)
- Handing things: Both hands, especially money, cards and gifts to older people; avoid: Tossing things across a table
- Conversation: Expect questions about age, marriage and income; they place you, not pry; avoid: Raising your voice or correcting someone in front of others
- Temples and pagodas: Covered shoulders and knees; step over the raised threshold; enter by the right-hand door; avoid: Sitting with your back to an altar; climbing statues for photos
- Photos: Ask first, especially in minority villages; avoid: Paying children for photos — it keeps them out of school
- Home visit: Shoes off; bring fruit, tea or sweets; accept at least a drink; avoid: Pointing your feet at people or the family altar
- Beckoning: Palm down, fingers waving towards you; avoid: Curling one finger — it is used for animals
Scams and watch-outs
- Border agents may try to overcharge; agree on price before crossing.
- Road to the Cambodian side can be dusty in dry season; expect bumpy rides.
Generally safe; stay aware of border scams and keep valuables secure in night market crowds.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ha Tien yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Mui Nai beach
- Chinese temples (Chua Tam Bao, Chua Giai Thoat)
- Night market
- Border crossing to Cambodia
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Ha Tien, revision 5332497 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5332497
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/ha-tien). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.