Mui Ne

Mui Ne is a bustling fishing town that comes under Phan Thiet city, the capital of Bình Thuan Province in southern Vietnam. An impressive coastline favourable for surfing and amazing red and white sand dunes are what put Mui Ne on the traveller’s map.

Over the past couple of decades, the fishing village developed into a tourist hotspot and now has over dozens of resorts, budget stays, restaurants and bars. Mui Ne’s excellent seafood deserves a special mention and must not be missed while you are here.

The harbour of Mui Ne fishing village is a pleasing sight with colourful boats tethered at the bay. Here, you can observe the daily life of local fishermen sorting out their catch or head to a nearby stall and try out the local seafood. You can also walk to the nearby local market which has a wide range of products for sale, mainly fresh seafood and fish sauce. Nuoc mam, Vietnam’s iconic fish sauce that is served with almost every dish in its cuisine is mainly produced in Mui Ne.

Mui Ne Beach (Rang Beach)

The beach is most popularly known for kitesurfing as the winds here are very favourable and are suited for both newbies and experts. There are also good kitesurfing schools that take on beginners. Apart from this, the rock-free waters are also great for swimming, kayaking and surfing.

Red Sand Dunes

Just 3 km away from the town are the red sand dunes, the most popular attraction of this region. The glaring reddish-brown sands spreading over 50 hectares resemble a miniature desert and offer sand-sledging, quad biking and dune buggying. It is best to visit the dunes during sunset when it seems like the sands are on fire, creating a surreal setting perfect for photographs.

White Sand Dunes

The white sand dunes are around 25 km away from the town and spread over 20 km along the coast, covering a larger area than the red sand dunes. The vast stretches of glistening white sand surround the Bau Trang or White Lake, with its deep blue waters and lotus plants. The dunes here are a great setting for photo shoots and also offer sand-sledging, quad biking and hot air balloon rides.

Fairy Stream

The Fairy Stream is a shallow river that snakes its way through a patchwork of white and red sand dunes, rows of flowering plants, trees, palms and bamboo and interesting yellowish rock formations. The trail is very beautiful and can be completed barefoot by wading through the knee-deep waters. Though there are a few food stalls along the way, it is best to carry some water and food along. The entrance to the stream lies on the main road of Mui Ne, after which you will require an hour to complete the entire trail.

Po Shanu Cham Towers

The ruins of the Po Shanu Cham Towers, a Hindu temple complex dating back to the 8th century are important cultural markers of the ancient Champa kingdom and Vietnam’s Hindu heritage. The complex is located on Ong Hoang hill and comprises three multi-storeyed towers dedicated to the Hindu deities of Shiva, Agni and Nandi and also hold ancient tombstones. The main tower dedicated to Lord Shiva houses multiple shiva lingams as well. From here, you will also be blessed with beautiful views of Phan Thiet.

Ta Cu Mountain

Ta Cu mountain is a popular day trip from Mui Ne that requires an hour’s drive from the town, followed by a couple of hours hike to the mountain’s top or a 10-minute cable car journey. While the former option is perfect for those who love challenging hikes, the latter offers splendid aerial views of the nearby towns and the sea. Once you reach the top, you can feast on stunning natural sights and visit the colossal 49-metre long reclining Buddha statue, which is the largest reclining Buddha in Vietnam.

Why should you visit?

Mui Ne is the best resort destination in Vietnam and offers exciting experiences for its visitors. The region’s unique desert cum coastal landscape, tourist cum traditional vibe and mouth-watering seafood definitely makes Mui Ne a great place to visit.