13 Best Things to Do in Phan Rang Vietnam
Phan Rang was such a fun surprise for me.
I didn’t go there with a huge list of must-sees, and I actually loved that. We just kept heading out, following the road and finding completely different places as the day went on.
One morning we were looking at old Cham towers, another day we were walking through vineyards, and then somehow we’d end up by the sea eating seafood.
If you’re wondering what to do in Phan Rang, these are the places I enjoyed most and the ones I’d make time for again.
Things to do in Phan Rang
| Planning your trip | What I’d do | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Where to stay | Stay around Phan Rang or Ninh Chu if you want restaurants and easy day trips, or near Vinh Hy for a quieter coastal stay | See hotels in Phan Rang |
| Vinh Hy day | Combine the coastal drive, Hang Rai and Vinh Hy instead of making separate trips | |
| Coming from Nha Trang | A private day trip works well if you don’t want to move hotels | Book a Phan Rang day tour |
1. Climb up to Po Klong Garai
Po Klong Garai was one of the places I was really excited to see around Phan Rang.
The red-brick Cham towers sit up on a hill, so even the walk toward them gives you a lovely view over the city. And once you get closer, there are so many little brick and stone details that are easy to miss from far away.
I liked walking around slowly and seeing the towers from different angles rather than rushing through. They’re still an important religious place for the local Cham community too, which makes the visit feel much more special.
If you only visit one historical place in Phan Rang, I’d make it this one.
2. Eat grapes straight from the vineyard
Visiting a vineyard in Vietnam was not something I had on my bingo card before coming to Phan Rang.
We went to Ba Moi Vineyard and wandered around under rows of grapes before trying some of the fruit and local grape products. Eating fresh grapes while you’re standing right beside the vines is definitely more fun than buying them from a supermarket.
The hot, dry weather around Phan Rang is great for growing grapes, so you’ll see vineyards all over the area.
I’d stop at one while you’re driving around rather than making a huge trip out of it. It’s easy, relaxed and very Phan Rang.
3. Watch the potters at Bau Truc
I still remember watching one of the women at Bau Truc Pottery Village shaping clay completely by hand.
She made it look so easy, which was slightly unfair because I know mine would have collapsed in about five seconds.
The pottery here is made in a traditional Cham style without the usual spinning wheel. Instead, the potter moves around the clay and shapes it by hand, which is really interesting to watch up close.
The craft was recognized by UNESCO in 2022, but you don’t need to know any of that before visiting. Seeing how much work goes into one piece already tells you why this tradition matters.
4. Go early to Nam Cuong Sand Dunes
Nam Cuong is a nice change when you’ve already seen a few beaches and coastal viewpoints.
The dunes roll out just outside Phan Rang, and the whole place looks best when the light is still soft. I’d go early so you can walk around before the sand gets too hot under the sun.
There isn’t really a checklist once you arrive. Walk up a few ridges, find a quieter patch and enjoy the huge open view.
It also works really well as a morning stop before heading somewhere cooler later in the day.
5. Hang out with the sheep at An Hoa
An Hoa Sheep Field was probably one of the most random stops on our trip, which is exactly why I liked it.
You suddenly arrive in this dry, open countryside with sheep wandering everywhere and mountains sitting in the background. It feels very different from the beaches and towns you’ve probably been seeing elsewhere in Vietnam.
I had fun just walking around, watching the sheep and taking photos.
6. Drive to Vinh Hy
The drive toward Vinh Hy ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip.
The road twists along the coast, and every so often you get another view that makes you want to stop. We definitely took longer than necessary because there was always another stretch of sea or hillside worth looking at.
You may also pass the Phuong Cuu salt fields on the way. When the salt workers are out, you’ll see shallow pools and big white piles of salt sitting beside the road.
I wouldn’t rush this drive at all. Leave early, stop when you feel like it and make the journey part of the day.
7. Stop at Hang Rai
Hang Rai feels much wilder than the sandy beaches around Phan Rang.
The coastline is rocky, with waves crashing over strange layered formations and little pools forming between them. I spent most of my time wandering around and watching the water because every part of the coast looked slightly different.
The flat coral platform is the famous bit. When the waves wash across it, the water spills back over the edge and creates a little waterfall effect.
Hang Rai is also right on the way toward Vinh Hy, so I’d always include it on the same day rather than making another separate trip.
8. Spend the afternoon at Vinh Hy Bay
Vinh Hy is one of those places where I’d definitely stay for a few hours rather than only stopping for the view.
The bay is surrounded by hills, fishing boats and little seafood places, so it feels very relaxed when you arrive.
Getting out on the water is the fun part. You can take a boat around the bay, swim or add some snorkeling if you want more than a sightseeing stop.
And please save room for seafood. Sitting beside the bay with a table full of fresh seafood is a very easy way to convince me to stay longer.
9. See more of Nui Chua National Park
You’re already seeing part of Nui Chua when you visit Hang Rai and drive toward Vinh Hy, but the area is worth slowing down for.
The scenery here is much drier and rockier than the green national parks you might picture elsewhere in Vietnam. You get hills, dry forest and wild coastline all mixed together.
Nui Chua is also part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with coral reefs, marine habitats and protected coastal areas.
If hiking is your thing, you can spend much longer here. But even if it isn’t, the drive and coastal stops give you a really nice taste of the landscape.
10. See the kitesurfers at My Hoa Lagoon
If you visit My Hoa when the wind is up, the first thing you’ll probably notice is all the colorful kites flying over the water.
Phan Rang has become one of Vietnam’s best-known kitesurfing areas, and My Hoa Lagoon is one of the main spots. The shallow water and strong seasonal winds make it especially popular with people who travel here specifically to kitesurf.
If you want to try it yourself, there are schools around the lagoon that teach beginners.
And if you’d rather keep both feet on land, that’s fine too. Watching everyone fly across the water is still a fun stop when you’re exploring this side of Phan Rang.
11. Have a lazy afternoon at Ninh Chu Beach
After a few hours driving around in the sun, I was always very happy when the next plan was simply “go to the beach.”
Ninh Chu is close to Phan Rang and has a long stretch of sand, so it’s easy to come here without planning your whole day around it. Binh Son Beach is another handy option if you want to stay even closer to the city.
I like saving the beach for later in the day when it’s cooler.
Go for a swim, walk along the sand and then find something to eat after. That’s enough of a plan for me.
12. Try Phan Rang food
Food is always going to get its own section when I’m writing about somewhere I enjoyed.
Seafood is the obvious choice around Phan Rang, but I’d also look for bánh căn and bánh xèo. They’re simple, tasty and exactly the kind of local food I’m happy eating more than once.
We also went to Buffet Nau Do during our trip and had a very good time working our way through everything.
And grapes somehow keep appearing too. You’ll see grape juice, syrup and other local products all over Phan Rang, so they definitely become part of the trip.
13. Pop into Ninh Thuan Museum
Ninh Thuan Museum is a good little stop when you want to understand more about the places you’ve already been visiting.
There are displays about local history, archaeology and Cham culture, so it fits especially well after Po Klong Garai and Bau Truc.
I wouldn’t build half a day around it though. Instead, pop in when you’re already in central Phan Rang or when you want somewhere indoors during the hottest part of the day.
Where to stay in Phan Rang
I’d stay around Phan Rang or Ninh Chu if you want to be close to restaurants and head out in different directions each day.
But if this is more of a relaxing coastal trip, I’d happily move farther toward Vinh Hy and make the hotel part of the experience.
Amanoi is the one I’d pick when I really want to splurge. It sits above Vinh Hy Bay inside Nui Chua National Park, so you’re surrounded by beautiful coastline and far away from the busier parts of town.
Closer to Phan Rang, Hoan My Resort Ninh Chu is a lovely beachfront choice. You can stay by the sea without making sightseeing complicated.
Grand Luxury Hotel Ninh Chu is another one I’d look at if you want somewhere newer and more polished near the city. It works well when you still want restaurants and Phan Rang within easy reach.
Compare hotels and resorts in Phan Rang →
Final thoughts
Phan Rang was fun because our days never felt the same.
We could start at a Cham temple, stop for grapes, somehow end up watching sheep and still finish the day beside the sea. It was a very easy place to explore without feeling like we had to tick off a huge attraction every few hours.
And that’s probably why I remember the trip so fondly.
Give yourself time to drive around, stop when something looks interesting and enjoy the places between the big sights too. That’s where Phan Rang was most fun for me.
