Hà Tiên or Ha Tien is a town (thị xã) in Kien Giang Province, Tay Nam Bo of Vietnam. Area: 8,851.5 ha, population (2002): 39,957. The town borders Cambodia to the west.

Hà Tiên is a popular tourist site of the region thanks to its beautiful beaches and landscapes.

History

Hà Tiên was established by a group of Chinese people who supported the Ming Dynasty and were opposed to the Qing Dynasty, led by Mo Jiu (Vietnamese: Mạc Cửu). When they arrived in Đàng Trong (as southern Vietnam was called while under the rule of the Nguyễn Lords), the Nguyễn Lords ordered the king of the Khmer (then a vassal state of Đàng Trong) to grant land to these Chinese people. These people built markets in this place and turned it into a busy business town. Vietnamese people gradually arrived here. This town later was merged into Vietnamese territory when Mo Jiu delivered its sovereignty to the Nguyễn Lords. Mo Ju was then conferred the position of ruler of this town.

Transportation

Buses connect Hà Tiên to the provincial capital Rach Gia and Chau Doc
A border crossing between Hà Tiên and Kampot in Cambodia was opened in 2007. The border is 7 km west of Hà Tiên.