A week in Saigon-1/19- 1/25/2025

Day 4-Vung Tau-1/22/2025

2nd Stop: Phan Thiet bay

Next, our guide drove us to the beautiful Phan Thiet Bay.

As soon as we got off the car and from the elevated walkway, we looked out over a wide, open bay filled with what seemed like thousands of fishing boats stretching far into the distance.  The scene was incredibly vibrant, boats painted in shades of blue, red, and green clustered together, gently bobbing on the water.

View of  the bay from the elevated walkway in the city center.
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Gathering around of tour guide to hear him explaining about all the boats in this area. Phan Thiet is famous for its seafood and fish sauce production, so a high volume of fishing activity is constant.

From above, it can look almost surreal, like the boats are packed tightly together, but it’s actually a sign of a busy, thriving coastal livelihood, not just a scenic view.

Phan Thiet is one of Vietnam’s major coastal fishing centers, so it’s completely normal to see hundreds or even thousands of boats gathered in one place.

These boats range from larger motorized vessels that head far out into the sea, to smaller near shore fishing boats.

These small, circular boats, woven from bamboo and coated for waterproofing, are a distinctive part of coastal life in Vietnam.

The round basket boats (“thúng chai”) on the beach play a different role. They’re not usually used for long fishing trips. Instead, fishermen use them to: Shuttle between the shore and larger boats anchored offshore, Carry nets, fish, and supplies, and navigate shallow waters where bigger boats can’t go.

The bright colors especially blues and greens aren’t just decorative; they’re traditional and often believed to bring good luck and protection at sea.

There are so many boats here because the shape of the bay protects boats from strong winds and waves, making it a safe anchoring spot. This area supports a large fishing community, with generations of families relying on the sea. Many boats return around the same time, early morning or late afternoon, so they cluster together when not out fishing.

Back on the jeep, we made another stop along Provincial Road 716, where the landscape opened up to a sweeping view of the Bien Đông (East Sea). Unlike the busy scene at the harbor, this stretch of coastline felt completely raw and untamed. There were no fishing boats in sight, just the steady rhythm of waves rolling in and crashing against the shore.

The jeep pulled over beside a simple cement divider along the road, and from there we looked out over the deep blue water stretching endlessly toward the horizon. The wind was stronger here, carrying the salty scent of the sea, and the sound of the waves felt louder, more powerful without the presence of boats or people.

We didn’t make our way down to the beach, but the elevated roadside view gave it a dramatic, almost cinematic feel. Our driver, clearly proud of the setting, insisted we take photos with the jeep.

Parked against the backdrop of the vast ocean, it made for a perfect, almost staged moment, like something out of an adventure travel magazine, with the rugged coastline and open sea behind us.

We paused here briefly to enjoy the view of the vast East Sea and then we are heading to the next stop

NEXT... Day 4-White Sand Dunes