48 Hours in Ha Tien: Beach, Fish Market, and Pirate Island
Ha Tien sits in Kien Giang province's southern tourism triangle. This two-day plan covers the fish market, Mui Nai Beach, "bun ken" soup, and a speedboat trip to Pirate Island.
Ha Tien sits in Kien Giang province, alongside Rach Gia and Phu Quoc. It's the kind of place most travelers skip—which is exactly why it's worth two days.
Getting There
From Ho Chi Minh City, take a sleeper bus from Mien Tay Bus Station. Kumho, Lien Hung, Phuong Trang, and Hoang Minh all run the route; expect 7 hours overnight and arrive by morning. This timing lets you hit the fish market while it's still moving.
Day 1: Beach, Tombs, and Local Food
Breakfast: "Bun Ken"
Start with "bun ken", a Ha Tien signature—thick, creamy coconut broth loaded with fish (barracuda, queenfish, yellowtail scad), green mango, fresh herbs, and dried shrimp. The broth carries a subtle sweetness from the fish and the richness of coconut milk. You'll find it at any breakfast stall near the central market.
Mac Family Tombs
Climb Binh San Mountain (1.5 km from city center) to the Mac family temple and tomb complex. The Mac family pioneered Ha Tien's development over 300 years. The site is quiet, the views over the city are solid, and the air feels like stepping back.
Mui Nai Beach
Six kilometers from town, Mui Nai Beach is where mountains, sky, and water meet without drama. Take the observation deck on Ta Ban Mountain for the full view—you'll see the beach, surrounding islands, and nothing that looks developed. Swimsuit optional; crowds definitely are.
Dinner: Local Specialties
For a proper meal, order "com tam" (broken rice), "hu tieu hap" (steamed noodle dish), "nem nuong" (grilled pork sausage), or "ga dot" (roasted chicken). If you want something lighter, try "banh tam bi" (thick rice noodles with pork skin), "banh canh ghe" (crab noodle soup), or "xoi Ha Tien" (Ha Tien sticky rice). The best spots are near the central market—Mac Thien Tich and Phuong Thanh streets especially. You can also eat right at Mui Nai if you time it right.
Where to Stay
Ha Tien has no luxury hotels, but guesthouses and 3-star hotels are plentiful and cheap. Stay in the city center if you like walking, visiting the night market, and catching the evening breeze off the water.
Image by Thomas Hirsch / User:Ravn via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Day 2: Fish Market and Pirate Island
Early Morning: The Fish Market
Arrive before sunrise at Ha Tien's central fish market—it opens early and clears fast. This is the cheapest, freshest seafood market in the region. Blue crab runs just over 100,000 VND per kilogram. Shrimp, snails, and fish cost anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands dong. Some stalls will prep your catch on the spot if you ask.
Pirate Island (Dao Hai Tac)
Thirty kilometers offshore (nearly an hour by speedboat), Pirate Island is actually an archipelago of 18 islets covering over 251 hectares. In the 18th century, this was a pirate stronghold used to raid merchant ships across Southeast Asia. The name stuck.
It's not as famous as Phu Quoc or Nam Du, which is why it still feels wild. You'll see fishing villages, untouched scenery, and fishing boats that look like they've been there forever. Book a package tour or buy a boat ticket and go alone—either works. A full day trip runs 7–8 hours depending on how much time you spend. Don't skip the fresh seafood. Watch the boat schedule so you don't miss the last departure.
Border Gate
Before you leave, stop at the Ha Tien International Border Gate (near the city center). It connects to Cambodia's Kampot province. Border marker 313 marks the boundary and is part of the trans-border route linking Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Image by Christopher Crouzet via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
If You Have More Time
Hon Phu Tu (Father and Son Islet), Tam Bao Pagoda, Nui Den (Lighthouse Mountain), and Bai Bang Beach are all within reach. Pick one based on light and mood.
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