Phan Thiet

Binh Thuan was once a part of the Cham kingdom. In 1692, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu conquered the area and named it Binh Thuan Dinh. Binh Thuan is quite important in Vietnam's history as it was because of this area that in 1306 King Tran Nhan Tong agreed to the marriage of princess Huyen Chan to King Jaya Sinhavarman III of the Cham Kingdom. During the revolution against the French it was in this area that the two patriots Phan Chu Trinh and Tran Quy Cap had their start. According to local lore the area around Phan Thiet is where Han Mac Tu, the disfigured poet, spent his time forlornly as he waited for Mong Cam, the lady of his dreams.

Phan Thiet is also known for it's fishing industry and by product fish sauce. The river flowing through the centre of town creates a small harbour which is always full of boats. Phan Thiet is is part of an area referred to in travel guides as the Central Coast.

Dont's:
Shoes are to be removed when visiting homes or Buddhist Temples. Do not point the bottom of your feet towards other people or Buddhist statues. This is not universal so watch what others are doing.

Shorts are considered inappropriate attire and are allowed to be worn by children. In recent times in the main cities, it has been considered fashionable by women. However, it is still not widely accepted and has not yet filtered to the hinterlands. Again, check what people are wearing around you.

Leaving chopsticks sticking upright(vertically) in a rice bowl is not appreciated as this is a powerful death sign. In doing so this indicates incense sticks which are burned for the dead.

Vietnam's weather is tropical in the south and monsoonal in north with a hot, rainy season (mid-May to mid-September) and a warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March).