Phan Rang–Thap Cham is the capital city of Ninh Thuan Province in the South Central Coast region of Vietnam. Ninh Thuan is bordered by Khanh Hoa to the north, Binh Thuan to the south, and Lam Dong in the Central Highlands to the west.
Ninh Thuan Province has the lowest GDP per capita in the South Central Coast region and the lowest alongside Kontum in southern Vietnam. So far Ninh Thuan hasn’t capitalised on coastal tourism like Nha Trang to its north and Mui Ne to its south.
Like every coastal province in Vietnam, there are changes afoot. New resorts are being built on the coast, with one developer in particular looking to turn the province into a tourism hub. Another developer in Phan Rang–Thap Cham is building modern apartments, a new urban area, and a mall.
Here is a look at some of the major projects happening in Phan Rang–Thap Cham and Ninh Thuan Province.
Map of Developments in Ninh Thuan Province
This map includes all the projects mentioned in this list.
Map of Phan Rang–Thap Cham, Ninh Thuan Province developments.
Phan Rang–Thap Cham
Sunbay Park Hotel & Resort
Address: 24 Yen Ninh, My Bình, Phan Rang-Thap Cham, Ninh Thuan.
Website: sunbaypark.vn
Developer: crystalbay.com
One of the most high profile developments in Phan Rang is the Sunbay Park Hotel & Resort by Crystal Bay. This is on Binh Son Beach, which is the municipal beach of Phan Rang-Thap Cham.
Binh Son Ocean Park
Address: 24 Yen Ninh, My Bình, Phan Rang-Thap Cham, Ninh Thuan.
Developer: hacomholdings.vn
Binh Son Ocean Park is a new urban area at Binh Son Beach that will be developed by Hacom Holdings.
Phan Rang Beach Development
[Image source.]
Address: 24 Yen Ninh, My Bình, Phan Rang-Thap Cham, Ninh Thuan.
Developer: hacomholdings.vn
I couldn’t find out what is going on here, but something is going on here. There is a large swathe of cleared land at Phan Rang Beach. If you click on the satellite view on Google Maps you can see the extent of the cleared land.
The image from Hacom Holdings is from their website, but there aren’t any other details. It looks like the same road layout and park at Phan Rang Beach so I’m placing it here. The image depicts a futuristic new city without relying on skyscrapers that the other beach cities of Vietnam are building.
Hacom Mall
Address: Muoi Sau Thang Tu, My Hai, Phan Rang-Thap Cham, Ninh Thuan.
Website: hacommall.com
Developer: hacomland.com
Hacom is a major developer that is looking to transform Ninh Thuan, and Phan Rang–Thap Cham in particular. The Hacom Mall is under construction and will feature apartments, a hotel, villas, shophouses, and retail.
Hacom GalaCity
Address: 66 Le Thanh Ton, Thanh Son, Phan Rang-Thap Cham, Ninh Thuan.
Developer: hacomland.com
Hacom GalaCity comprises four apartment towers being built in a new urban area in a central part of the city.
Ninh Hai
Ninh Hai is a district next to the city of Phan Rang-Thap Cham. It shares the same beachfront and feels like it’s a part of Phan Rang.
Sailing Bay Ninh Chu
Address: Tri Hai, Ninh Hai, Ninh Thuan.
Developer: crystalbay.com
Sailing Bay Ninh Chu is another development by Crystal Bay, similar in scope and size to the Sunbay project.
Aminia Ninh Chu Hotel and Resort
Address: 218 Yen Ninh, Khanh Hai, Ninh Hai, Ninh Thuan.
Builder: lienvietcons.vn
The Aminia Ninh Chu Hotel and Resort project is in the lively Ninh Chu Beach area.
Ninh Phuoc
Ninh Phuoc District covers the area to the south of Phan Rang-Thap Cham, down to the city of Ca Na at the border of Binh Thuan Province. The coastal drive from Phan Rang to Ca Na is a desolate yet scenic coastal road.
Mui Dinh Ecopark
Address: Tri Hai, Ninh Hai, Ninh Thuan.
Developer: hacomland.com
Architect: chapmantaylor.com
This 728-hectare site on the cape of the Mui Dinh Lighthouse, near Ca Na. According to the architect’s website, the project will consist of “six resort hotels, a boutique hotel, a casino, a theme park, 500 villas, a beach club, and a mountain clubhouse”.
The Vietnamese government approved Mui Dinh project in 2018.
[Video of Mui Dinh Ecopark Vietnam.]
Transportation
Airports
Coastal projects in Vietnam depend on a nearby airport to drive development. Ninh Thuan has the Phan Rang Air Base, but unlike Cam Ranh, this former American airbase (originally built by the Imperial Japanese Army) remains exclusively used by the Vietnam People’s Air Force.
The nearest airport to Phan Rang is 63 km away, at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa Province. Another airport is planned at Phan Thiet in Binh Thuan Province, 130 km to the southwest of Phan Rang.
Railway
Ninh Thuan’s best hope for a transportation boost will be when/if the North-South Express Railway gets built. Currently, Thap Cham is on the main North-South line, and it takes 5 hours and 20 minutes to travel the 320 km from Saigon. An express railway would bring the trip down to about 2 hours, making it a feasible weekend getaway destination from Saigon.
Another project to watch is the proposed revival of the Thap Cham-Da Lat railway. This one is unlikely to happen, but it’s added here for the record.
News And Resources
2021
New Zealand earmarks $35,000 for protective forest in Ninh Thuan – [10/05/21]
2018
Crystal Bay reveals large scale hospitality projects in Ninh Thuan – [23/09/18]
“Crystal Bay plans to set up a large-scale hotels and resorts project in Ninh Thuan province which has capacity of up to 10,000 rooms and can serve 1.5 million travelers each year.”
2011
…the master plan on socio-economic development of Ninh Thuan province through 2020 – [05/08/11]
This report lists some other beaches that have been considered for development in the future.
A nice review of future projects in the province. There are a lot more projects in development in the northern part of Ninh Thuan, including the Binh Tien resort/golf course/marina which construction is well under way and will be among the largest. On the smaller scale, My Hoa is becoming one of Asia’s best kitesurfing spots, and several kitesurfing hotels are in operation.
Thanks for the update. I was planning a road trip to scout out what is happing, but inclement weather forced me to postpone. I will be continually updating these pages, so having comments letting me know what else is happening is useful. I’ve had friends who have stayed at the Sorrento Beach Club, so I’m sure I will pass through there soon.
Exiting prospects for the future ,very interested in offering my services
i am currently staying in Phan Rang. It looks like the first 2 towers of Binh son ocean park have been completed and no further construction evident. Other sites along the beach are shuttered or show no signs of life. The Mui Dinh eco park south of phan rang is an ecological disaster waiting to happen, yes the beach is nice but subject to strong winds alot of the year. The 6 resort hotels with their distinctive architecture that resembles piles of african elephant dung are misguided at best. Has no one thought through. why tourists would go there to be with 10,000 other tourists on a windswept beach with no local character, not to mention the logistic s of getting there through the smaller Cam Rang airport a 2,1/2 hr drive away. To even partially occupy this resort would take the entire capacity of that airport. This reeks of a developer paying ” land use fees” to local government who are happy to receive the fee s but give no thought for the sustainability of the project.
Thanks for the update, James!
I figure anything that has “eco” or green” in it, is likely not.
I have often thought of passenger numbers as a metric as well. The numbers don’t add up, and I hope there is a reckoning in the provinces with the anti-corruption campaign that is sweeping through Hanoi.