Hotels in Phan Thiet

In addition to the recommendations in the section below, the Novotel offers the only international standard in the town of Phan Thiet, but most people are heading to the main beaches farther along. Along the beach at Mui Ne, about 9km (5 1/2 miles) to the east, you'll find a growing clutch of luxury resorts that cover all the bases. Many folks find that they plan to stay only a short time and end up in a hammock for a few extra days.

Budget accommodations line the main drag in Mui Ne. The scene is constantly changing, but expect to pay $8 to $20 for basic guesthouse accommodations. If you come by cafe bus, they'll take you around to shop for the spot you'd like (though expect certain hotels to be recommended/pushed upon you more than others). It gets cheaper and more rustic the farther east you go on the main road.

Sinh Café, ever expanding their monopoly on the budget tourist market in Vietnam (they run all the buses), has just opened the Mui Ne Resort (144 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St., Ham Tien, Mui Ne; tel. 062/384-7542; www.sinhcafevn.com), a 48-room budget hotel on the farthest end of Mui Ne. If you come by one of their buses, they'll strand you there as long as they can in the hopes that you'll stay. Rooms start at $20 and aren't a bad bet. There's a pool and all the basics. A festive atmosphere pervades, with lots of young partyers here.

Another good choice in the budget department is Full Moon Beach (84 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet; contact Phuong or Pascal at tel. 062/384-7008; fax 062/384-7160; www.windsurf-vietnam.com), a popular spot for kite surfers and windsurfers. Rooms vary from wood perches overlooking the beach to midrange comfort in the newest building.

Note: Most addresses are listed by their distance from Phan Thiet. You'll find Internet service at most resorts at inflated prices.