Duc Thanh School
Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Phan Thiet Water Tower
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Photo: Gurval Le Bouter, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free; viewed from outside, no access inside
- Hours
- Outside — any time; lit in the evening
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 20 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- When
- By day, or in the evening when it's lit
- Time needed
- 15–20 minutes; up to an hour with a riverside walk
- Where
- Left bank of the Ca Ty River, central Phan Thiet
- From Mui Ne
- ≈ 20–25 km, 20–30 minutes by Grab
- Nearby on foot
- Duc Thanh School — 500 m; Van Thuy Tu whale temple — about 900 m
Key facts
1928–1934built under the French to supply water to the residency and townspeople
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Vietnamese Wikipedia≈ 32 mtall; the shaft is a regular octagon 9 m across
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MIA.vn (citing the Binh Thuan Provincial Museum)350 m³of water held in the 5 m octagonal tank at the top
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MIA.vnSouphanouvonga Laotian prince, then a student at the Lycée Albert Sarraut in Hanoi, drew the design
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Vietnamese WikipediaU.E.P.TUsine des Eaux de Phan Thiet — letters made of porcelain shards around the tank
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Vietnamese WikipediaƯng Dua contractor from Hue who won the tender against two French and one Vietnamese bidder
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Vietnamese WikipediaEmblemthe tower appears on the former Binh Thuan province emblem and on local company logos
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Vietnamese Wikipedia7:00 and 17:00a siren once marked the start and end of the working day; it's no longer used
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Vietnamese WikipediaWhat is the Phan Thiet Water Tower?
The Water Tower (Tháp nước Phan Thiết, known locally as Lầu Nước — 'the water pavilion') is Phan Thiet's best-known landmark. It was built on the left bank of the Ca Ty River in 1928–1934 as part of a French plan to supply water to the colonial residency and the townspeople.
The design is credited to the Laotian prince Souphanouvong, then a student at the Lycée Albert Sarraut in Hanoi. The builder was Ưng Du, a contractor from Hue. The tower no longer supplies water and is now a protected provincial monument.
What to look for
- The three-tiered roof with upturned corners, like a pagoda — French engineering in Vietnamese dress.
- The letters 'U.E.P.T' around the tank — Usine des Eaux de Phan Thiet, set in shards of old porcelain.
- Ventilation windows with characters for happiness, prosperity and long life.
- An iron door on the west side that replaced one of the character windows.
- The reflection in the river from the opposite bank and the bridge.
- The evening lights on the tower and bridge over the water.
Size and structure
According to the Binh Thuan Provincial Museum, as quoted by MIA.vn, the tower rises about 32 m. The shaft is a regular octagon 9 m across, topped by a 5 m octagonal tank holding 350 m³ of water.
It was built with care: the gravel was washed five times and the sand three, and the formwork boards were planed smooth so the concrete came out clean. That's why it has stood by the sea for almost a century without serious damage.
How to get to the Water Tower
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Duc Thanh School is about 7 min away on foot.
- Van Thuy Tu Whale Temple is about 10 min away on foot.
More tips
- From Mui Ne and the Nguyen Dinh Chieu resorts it's 20–25 km west — 20–30 minutes by Grab or taxi. Search for "Tháp nước Phan Thiết".
- From the Po Sah Inu towers it's about 7 km, 10–15 minutes by car.
- From Phan Thiet station it's about 10 minutes by Grab.
- The tower stands on the Ca Ty riverbank in the centre; the best view is from the bridge and the opposite bank.
- On foot from here: Duc Thanh School is 500 m away and the Van Thuy Tu whale temple about 900 m.
When to go and how long you need
15–20 minutes is enough for the tower itself. It's prettiest at sunset and after dark: warm light on the yellow render, then the lights come on and reflect in the river. Mornings are cooler, with less traffic on the riverside road.
Combine it with a walk around the centre: Duc Thanh School, the Van Thuy Tu whale temple and the Ca Ty riverside are all within 10–15 minutes on foot.
Is the Water Tower worth visiting?
Yes, if you're in central Phan Thiet or passing through: it's the city's symbol, free and lovely in the evening, with two more sights next door.
The YesGo take: you can't go in, and there's 15 minutes' worth of looking. It's not worth a special trip from Mui Ne on its own. Pair it with the whale temple, Duc Thanh School and dinner by the river.
Before you go: checklist
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Phan Thiet history: compare and choose
Historic sights in Phan Thiet and Mui Ne rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Phan Thiet Water Toweryou are here | 45 | 20 min | Free | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duc Thanh School | 44 | 45 min | Free | 8 min walk |
| Van Thuy Tu Whale Temple | 39 | 30 min | ≈ 15,000 VND, children ≈ 5,000 | 11 min walk |
| Po Sah Inu Cham Towers | 33 | 45 min | About 10,000–15,000 VND | 5.1 km |
| Ke Ga Lighthouse | 22 | 1 h 30 min | boat ≈ 40,000–100,000 VND, climb ≈ 10,000–35,000 | 28.5 km |
Central Phan Thiet in an evening
The Po Sah Inu towers at sunset, then the Water Tower, Duc Thanh School and the Van Thuy Tu whale temple. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Po Sah Inu Cham Towers45 min · About 10,000–15,000 VND
- 88 min walk from the previous stopPhan Thiet Water Toweryou are here20 min · free (outside only)
- 8 min walk from the previous stopDuc Thanh School45 min · free
- 12 min walk from the previous stopVan Thuy Tu Whale Temple30 min · ≈ 15,000 VND, children ≈ 5,000
4 places · about 4 h 8 min with walks · 108 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
Van Thuy Tu Whale Temple
Phan Thiet, Vietnam
How to do it right
- The best shot is from the bridge over the Ca Ty at night, with the reflection.
- Look for the porcelain U.E.P.T letters under the roof.
- There's no way in — don't waste time looking for an entrance.
- The riverside has plenty of cafés with views of the water.
- 500 m away: Duc Thanh School.
Questions
When was the Phan Thiet Water Tower built?
In 1928–1934, under the French.
Who designed the Water Tower?
The design is credited to the Laotian prince Souphanouvong, then a student in Hanoi.
Can you go inside?
No, it's viewed from outside, free of charge.
How tall is the Water Tower?
About 32 m, with a 350 m³ tank at the top.
How do I get there from Mui Ne?
20–25 km, 20–30 minutes by Grab or taxi.
When is the best time to visit?
At sunset and in the evening, when it's lit.
What's nearby?
Duc Thanh School (500 m) and the Van Thuy Tu whale temple (about 900 m).
Is the Water Tower worth visiting?
Yes, as part of a walk around the centre; not worth a special trip from Mui Ne on its own.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Vietnamese Wikipedia — Tháp nước Phan Thiết: construction dates, designer, contractor, U.E.P.T inscription, purpose, siren
- MIA.vn (01.01.2025) — height, diameter, tank, ventilation windows, construction methods (citing the Binh Thuan Provincial Museum)
- Wikidata Q10825861 — coordinates; OSRM route — distances to Duc Thanh School and Van Thuy Tu
- YesGo general facts for Vietnam — Grab
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