Ha Tien deserves a night, not just a bus-to-boat dash. This small town on the Gulf of Thailand, a few kilometers from the Cambodian border, has a cave temple with a hard history, a calm beach for sunset, the hillside tombs of the family that founded it and a riverside night market for seafood. Stay one or two nights, then take a 75-minute boat to Phu Quoc or a van across the Xa Xia border to Kep and Kampot.
How we built this guide: on 19 October 2026 we checked the three ferry operators' own timetables and fares, Baolau and 12Go listings, Cambodia's and Vietnam's official e-visa border lists, UK travel advice, Booking.com prices for one November night, a 2024 VnExpress handbook, a 2025 Local Vietnam guide and Vietnamese news reports. We did not visit Ha Tien for this guide. Prices convert at 26,080 VND to US$1, Vietcombank's selling rate on 19 October 2026.
How does Ha Tien work for a first-time visitor?
Ha Tien is a compact riverside town where the Mekong Delta's flat rice country meets limestone hills and the sea. Wikipedia puts it 80 km northwest of Rach Gia and 60 km east of Phu Quoc, with Cambodia to the north and the Gulf of Thailand to the west. Most sights sit within a short ride of the center: the beach and the cave temple a few kilometers out of town, the founding family's tombs on a hill in town and the lagoon on the edge of it.
The town was built by Mac Cuu, a Chinese exile born in 1655 who held a Cambodian court title before switching his allegiance to the Nguyen lords; he sent them a tribute mission in 1708 and died in 1735, per Wikipedia. Local Vietnam's guide describes a town where Vietnamese, Khmer and Chinese communities still shape the temples, markets and food.
The 2025 name changes
Expect two province names. Kien Giang, which included Ha Tien, Rach Gia and Phu Quoc, has been part of a merged An Giang province since the 2025 reorganization, per vietnam.travel. The old Ha Tien city was split up: Ha Tien ward combines the former Binh San, Dong Ho, My Duc and Phao Dai wards, and it borders To Chau ward to the south, per Wikipedia. The ferry ports now give their address as To Chau ward, while older guides still say Kien Giang.
How many days should you spend in Ha Tien?
One night covers the town, and two nights let you add the islands or a slow beach day. Local Vietnam suggests one or two nights for travelers passing between Phu Quoc and Cambodia, while the VnExpress handbook recommends three days and two nights for a full trip that includes the Hai Tac islands. A simple plan:
- Arrival afternoon: Thach Dong, then sunset at Mui Nai.
- Evening: the night market and seafood by the river.
- Next morning: the Mac family tombs and the riverfront, or the 07:45 boat to the Hai Tac islands if you stay a second night.
- Onward: a midday boat to Phu Quoc or an afternoon van to Kep or Kampot.
What is worth your time in Ha Tien?
The sights are small and close together, so plan them around the heat and the sunset.
Thach Dong cave temple
Thach Dong is a limestone outcrop with shrines in its caves, and it is the image at the top of this page. Rusty Compass places it about 4 km north of town on the road toward the border, and Local Vietnam says the upper paths look over rice fields toward Cambodia, with shrines to the Jade Emperor and the Goddess of Mercy inside. It is also a memorial: on the night of 13 to 14 March 1978, Khmer Rouge forces shelled Ha Tien, landed at Mui Nai and attacked Thach Dong from the Xa Xia border, killing 134 residents, Phap Luat TP.HCM reported. A memorial at the entrance remembers the dead.
Mui Nai beach
Mui Nai is Ha Tien's main beach, a sheltered bay about 4 km west of the center by Rusty Compass's count. Local Vietnam describes dark, muddy sand, calm shallow water and casual seafood restaurants, and it is honest that this is not Vietnam's most beautiful beach. The VnExpress handbook adds Bai Bang, a newer stretch next to Mui Nai about 6 km from the center, and the Nui Den lighthouse, more than 100 years old, about 1 km away.
The Mac family tombs and temple
The tombs of Mac Cuu and his family sit on Binh San hill in town, with the family temple on Mac Cuu street below, per the VnExpress handbook. Bao Van Hoa counts 60 old tombs in the complex, holding the family's ancestors, descendants and generals, and reported in 2023 that five of them had been lost or moved. Walk up in the cooler morning or late afternoon.
The riverfront, Dong Ho lagoon and the night market
The river is the town's center of gravity. Local Vietnam recommends the fish market before sunrise, when boats unload, and the brackish Dong Ho lagoon with the hillside Ngoc Tien monastery above it for views over town. In the evening, the night market fills Mac Thien Tu square park, per VnExpress, with stalls selling clothes, souvenirs and seafood. Local Vietnam calls it touristy at times and says bargaining is expected.
The Hai Tac islands
The Hai Tac, or Pirate, islands are a group of 18 islands covering 251 hectares, 28 km from Ha Tien, with Hon Doc as the main island of Tien Hai commune, per SGGP. Superdong's timetable lists a Ha Tien to Tien Hai boat at 07:45, arriving at 08:15, and a return at 14:45, and its fare page shows 110,000 VND for adults (108,000 VND as the current price). Local Vietnam warns that access for foreigners has varied over the years, so confirm before you go, and VnExpress suggests December to April for the islands. Boats to Hon Son and the Nam Du islands leave from Rach Gia instead, per Tien Phong.
What food is worth seeking out in Ha Tien?
Eat seafood and the town's Khmer and Chinese-influenced breakfasts. The VnExpress handbook singles out these:
- Xoi Ha Tien: sticky rice, sweet with mango or savory with dried shrimp.
- Bun ken: a Khmer noodle dish in a coconut and fish broth.
- Banh tam bi and hu tieu hap: noodle dishes for breakfast.
- Nhum: sea urchin from the Hai Tac islands, eaten raw with mustard and lime, in season from March to June on the lunar calendar.
- Salted ca xiu: a local preserve that VnExpress priced at 120,000 to 140,000 VND a jar in 2024.
Local Vietnam adds bun mam and bun ca at street stalls, and seafood at the Mui Nai restaurants or along the riverfront, which it found cheaper than the night market.
How do you cross into Cambodia at Xa Xia?
By van through the Xa Xia to Prek Chak crossing, just outside town, with a Cambodian visa on arrival. Local Vietnam says hotels and agencies in Ha Tien sell through tickets into Cambodia. A 2026 border guide on vietnamtourism.com gives the crossing's hours as 7:00 to 18:00 and expects the formalities to take 45 to 90 minutes.
On 12Go for 4 November 2026, 15 trips ran to Kep from 362,523 VND (about $14), including a Champa Tourist van at 06:20 from 63 Chi Lang, timed at 2 hours to Kep Beach for 408,000 VND, and a Ha Tien Xanh minivan at 13:00, timed at 1 hour. To Kampot, 16 trips were listed, with Ha Tien Xanh minivans at 13:00 and 16:00 taking 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours for 402,918 VND (about $15), and private taxis from 1,734,000 VND.
Which visa do you need?
For Cambodia, plan on a visa on arrival. Cambodia's official e-visa site names only Bavet and Tropaeng Kreal as land checkpoints that accept the e-visa, so Prek Chak is not covered, even though the vietnamtourism.com guide says otherwise. The UK government says visas on arrival are available at land border crossings, paid in US dollars, with a photo. Cambodia's tourist e-visa costs US$30 for a one-month stay (Cambodia e-Visa), and Local Vietnam reports about US$30 for a visa on arrival at this border.
For Vietnam, the Ha Tien international border gate is on the Immigration Department's e-visa list, so you can enter here on an e-visa. A single-entry e-visa ends when you leave, which matters for a round trip to Kampot; our Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh guide explains the e-visa rules for land borders, and the Vietnam visa guide has the fees.
Watch out: the Phu Quoc visa exemption does not help here. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists it for foreigners who enter Phu Quoc from abroad, so if you cross from Cambodia at Xa Xia and take the boat, you need a valid Vietnam visa or exemption. Our Phu Quoc visa exemption guide explains the rule.
How do you get to Ha Tien?
By bus from Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho, or by boat from Phu Quoc. The table compares the main ways in and out.
| Route | Time | Fare seen | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Tien, FUTA bus | 8 hours | 300,000 VND (about $11.50) | 14 departures, 07:00 to 23:58, on Baolau for 24 Oct |
| Can Tho to Ha Tien, FUTA bus | 5 hours 45 minutes | 240,000 VND (about $9) | 03:00, 07:15, 10:00 and 15:05 on Baolau for 24 Oct |
| Ha Tien to Phu Quoc, fast boat | 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes | 225,818 to 288,150 VND | Superdong and Phu Quoc Express to Bai Vong |
| Ha Tien to Phu Quoc, car ferry | 2 hours 15 minutes or more | 205,000 VND | Thanh Thoi, about a dozen sailings a day |
| Ha Tien to Kep or Kampot, van | 1 to 2 hours plus the border | 362,523 to 408,000 VND | 12Go listings for 4 Nov |
FUTA's buses leave Mien Tay bus station at 395 Kinh Duong Vuong in Ho Chi Minh City and arrive at Ha Tien bus station on National Highway 80, per Baolau, which puts the road distance at 320 km. FUTA's four Can Tho buses suit anyone coming from the Mekong Delta; see also Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho.
For the sea crossing, our Ha Tien to Phu Quoc guide has the full timetables, and Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc compares the overland route with flying.
Where should you stay in Ha Tien?
Stay near the riverfront for the night market and the boats, or at Mui Nai for the beach and sunsets. Local Vietnam describes most rooms as budget to mid-range and found no true luxury resorts.
| Area | Best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Town center and riverfront | The night market, food, the Mac family tombs, short rides to the bus and boats | Busier and noisier in the evening |
| Mui Nai beach | Guesthouses by the water, swimming and sunsets | A ride into town for dinner and the night market |
| To Chau ward, near the ferry terminal | Early boats to Phu Quoc | Check the walk or ride to restaurants before you book |
On Booking.com, 21 properties rated 8 or higher had rooms for two on Wednesday 11 November 2026. The cheapest cost 250,000 VND (about $9.60), the middle of the ten cheapest was 360,000 VND (about $13.80), and the most expensive listings were villas at 2,000,700 and 2,405,000 VND.
How do you get around Ha Tien?
Walk in the center and take a taxi or scooter to Mui Nai and Thach Dong. Local Vietnam recommends Mai Linh taxis for short trips and says most hotels rent scooters for about 150,000 to 200,000 VND a day. Ride only if your license is valid in Vietnam; our motorbike rental guide explains which permits count.
What safety issues are specific to Ha Tien?
Weather on the sea crossing and paperwork at the border cause most problems. Our Vietnam safety page covers the general picture.
- Boats stop in bad weather. In July 2023, the provincial maritime authority suspended boats from Ha Tien and Rach Gia to Phu Quoc during a storm until further notice, and operators offered refunds or later trips, per Tien Phong. Baolau warns that this crossing may be interrupted in the storm season from July to October.
- Unofficial fees at the border. The vietnamtourism.com guide says officials sometimes ask for small unofficial fees and advises declining politely. Ask what any charge covers before you hand over your passport.
How much does Ha Tien cost?
Beds are cheap in Ha Tien, and the boat onward is often the biggest single cost. Prices were seen on 19 October 2026 for the dates shown.
| Item | VND | About US$ | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room for two, cheapest rated 8+ | 250,000 | 9.60 | Booking.com, 11 Nov 2026 |
| Room for two, middle of the ten cheapest | 360,000 | 13.80 | Booking.com, 11 Nov 2026 |
| Fast boat to Phu Quoc, adult | 225,818 to 230,000 | 8.70 to 8.80 | Superdong fare page |
| Car ferry to Phu Quoc, adult | 205,000 | 7.90 | Thanh Thoi |
| Boat to the Hai Tac islands, adult | 108,000 to 110,000 | 4.10 to 4.20 | Superdong fare page |
| Bus from Ho Chi Minh City | 300,000 | 11.50 | Baolau, 24 Oct 2026 |
| Scooter rental, per day | 150,000 to 200,000 | 5.75 to 7.70 | Local Vietnam, 2025 |
We could not find official 2026 entrance prices for Thach Dong, Mui Nai or the Mac family temple, so budget a little cash for small fees.
When is the best time to visit Ha Tien?
October to March is the easiest season, and December to April gives the calmest seas for boats. The VnExpress handbook names October to March as the ideal period, with the rainy season from May to October and temperatures from about 23°C in December and January to about 36°C in April and May. Local Vietnam calls November to May the dry season, when ferries run more reliably. For nearby Phu Quoc, vietnam.travel puts the stormy months at July to September and warns that storms can make ferrying dangerous. See best time to visit Vietnam for the rest of the country.
Key facts at a glance
- Location: 80 km northwest of Rach Gia and 60 km east of Phu Quoc (Wikipedia).
- Fast boats to Phu Quoc: Superdong publishes 06:10, 08:20, 09:50 and 13:00 departures, 1 hour 15 minutes (Superdong).
- Cambodian e-visa: not listed for Prek Chak; only Bavet and Tropaeng Kreal among land checkpoints (Cambodia e-Visa).
- Vietnam e-visa: the Ha Tien international border gate is on the official list (Immigration Department).
- Bus from Ho Chi Minh City: 8 hours and 300,000 VND with FUTA (Baolau).
- Thach Dong massacre: 134 residents killed on the night of 13 to 14 March 1978 (Phap Luat TP.HCM).
Limitations
The border rules matter most and are the least settled. Cambodia's official site does not list Prek Chak for the e-visa, while a private 2026 guide says the e-visa works near Ha Tien, so carry dollars and a photo for a visa on arrival either way, and check the fee on the day. Border hours come from that same private guide, not from the border authorities.
Sight descriptions come from guides of different ages (Rusty Compass, updated 2012; VnExpress, May 2024; Local Vietnam, September 2025), and Local Vietnam sells tours here; distances are their estimates. Fares and timetables are a snapshot for late October and early November 2026, and Superdong's published times differ from some booking-site listings. Boats can be cancelled in rough weather in any month, so keep slack in your plans.
