Ha Tien - The Tourism Pearl at the Southwestern Edge of the Sky
When mentioning tourism in the Southwestern region, many people will immediately think of Ha Tien - a beautiful coastal city. Located in the northwest of the former Kien Giang province (now belonging to An Giang), bordering Cambodia and facing the Gulf of Thailand, Ha Tien possesses a special geographical location and diverse natural landscapes including mountains, islands, caves, lagoons, and plains. This land is also associated with the history of the Mac family's southern exploration since the 17th century, leaving behind many unique cultural and historical values.
Ha Tien is favored by nature with many famous scenic spots such as Mui Nai Beach, Thach Dong (Stone Cave), Da Dung Mountain, Phu Dung Pagoda, Dong Ho Lagoon, or the Hai Tac Archipelago. Each destination carries its own beauty, contributing to the special attraction of this land.
Among them, Mui Nai is the most prominent and beloved destination for tourists in Ha Tien, located about 5 km from the city center. This place owns two main beaches: Bai No and Bai Bang.
Bai No (Front Beach) is the most bustling area, located right near the entrance of the tourist area. The beach has a gentle sandy shore, light waves, and has been invested with many facilities to serve tourists. The highlight of the Front Beach is the stone embankment curving along the coast, where visitors can stroll, take photos, and watch the sunset over the Gulf of Thailand. This is also a concentrated area for restaurants, cafes, and entertainment services.
Bai Bang (Back Beach) is located on the other side of the foot of Ta Pang mountain. Compared to the Front Beach, this place is quieter, less crowded, and still retains much of its pristine beauty. The wide sandy beach and airy space are suitable for those who want to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the sea. From the Back Beach, you can see a panoramic view of the bay and the characteristic limestone mountain ranges of Ha Tien.
Ta Pang Mountain is a famous mountain in the Mui Nai tourist area. This is where a modern slide system is located, taking visitors from the foot of the mountain to the top. On the top of Ta Pang is the Vong Canh Pavilion, an ideal observation spot to admire the entire Mui Nai area. From here, visitors can see both the Front Beach and the Back Beach on the mountain slopes, and further away are Ha Tien city, Dong Ho Lagoon, coastal fields, and the blue water of the Gulf of Thailand.
Especially, on clear days, standing on top of Ta Pang, you can observe the coastline stretching towards the Cambodian border. When dawn breaks or dusk falls, the whole sea area seems to be dyed yellow by the sunlight, creating a poetic scene that makes many tourists liken this place to the "most beautiful sea-viewing balcony in Ha Tien". The sled sliding down from the mountain top through the curves along the mountainside is also an attractive experience, bringing a feeling of both relaxation and thrill to visitors.
From Mui Nai, following the coastal road towards the Nui Den (Lantern Mountain) and Phao Dai (Fortress) areas, visitors will experience one of the most beautiful coastal roads in Ha Tien. The road runs close to the sea edge, with green rocky mountains covered in trees on one side and the vast waters of the Gulf of Thailand on the other. Along the route, rows of casuarina trees are planted in long lines, providing shade and creating a very typical scene of Vietnam's coastal areas. When the sea breeze blows through the canopy, the rustling of leaves mixed with the sound of waves creates a relaxing and pleasant feeling.
On this road, there are also many cafes, drink stalls, and coastal seafood restaurants. The shops are usually designed with an open concept, facing directly to the sea so that visitors can rest while enjoying food and drinks and admiring the scenery. Many people choose to stop here early in the morning to catch the sunrise or late in the afternoon to watch the sun gradually set over the horizon of the Gulf of Thailand. Simple wooden chairs placed under the cool green casuarina trees and the fresh sea breeze make this place an ideal stopover for both motorbike and car travelers. When night falls, the lights from the Phao Dai area and Ha Tien city reflecting on the sea surface create a sparkling and peaceful scene. This is also the time many tourists choose to stroll along the beach, enjoy fresh seafood, or sip a cup of coffee to the murmuring sound of the waves. It is this rustic yet poetic beauty that has made the Ha Tien coastal road a favorite spot for nature lovers and exploration enthusiasts.
In the evening, tourists can stay in the Phao Dai area, where many sea-facing hotels and restaurants are concentrated. From here, it takes only a few minutes to travel to the city center. When night falls, be sure to visit the Ha Tien night market located by the Dong Ho Lagoon. This is where visitors can enjoy specialty dishes such as Bun Ken (trumpet noodle soup), Banh canh ghe (crab tapioca noodle soup), fresh seafood, palmyra palm juice, and shop for local souvenirs. The bustling atmosphere and sparkling lights create the unique charm of this border city.
