Mui Ne is the ideal getaway from the rest of Vietnam's bustling presence. Located on the tip of the wide curve of Mui Ne peninsula, 22 km from the provincial capital of Phan Thiet, Mui Ne opens to the blue waters of the South China Sea. It is a sunny place, with good value Mui Ne hotels, sprawling sand dunes and rows of palm trees that fringe a shallow and sloped beach. The water is a pristine blue and the beaches are isolated - a haven for tourists looking for a part of Vietnam untouched by commercialisation and overcrowding.
If you are looking for some peace and quiet - and a break from pushy vendors - then Mui Ne with its rolling dunes and palm fringed beaches should be your destination.
Mui Ne, whose name means, "sheltered peninsula" in Vietnamese, is a harbour located in the Bin Thuan province in southeastern Vietnam. Binh Thuan province is the world's centre of dragon fruit production, produces Vietnam's most high-quality fish sauce, and has an enviable 70% of the country's total resorts located on its beaches. Its provincial capital is the city pf Phan Thiet, which is one of Vietnam's most important centres for the fishing industry. Mui Ne is 220 km east of Saigon and falls on the way to Nha Trang. This coastal fishing village in the Binh Thuan province is fast developing into the ultimate resort town on the tourism map of Vietnam.
Mui Ne's popularity as a tourist town started when a lot of people came here to view the total solar eclipse on 24th October, 1995. Since then a number of Mui Ne accommodation and Mui Ne tour options have become available to the ever increasing tourist population, propelled by its now famous beach, dunes and water sports amongst other things. Just a few years back, Mui Ne was known only to a handful of adventurous backpackers and water sport aficionados. With its perfect geographical location, Mui Ne is establishing itself as Vietnam's hottest tourist spot and the number of exciting things to see & do in Mui Ne is on the rise.
Mui Ne's most prominent attractions feature pristine beaches that are beautiful and as yet untouched. Doi Cat or Sand Hill has also been an attraction for artists who have painted it or photographed it many times. Apart from beaches and sand dunes, Mui Ne has Suoi Tien (Fairy Spring), the Ong Hoang building and the Poshanu Cham Tower to offer which are ideal for visiting on a tour in Mui Ne. Popularly known as the "Hawaii" of Vietnam, Mui Ne boasts of shaded roads, sand dunes, coconut palms, pristine beaches with dazzling blue waters and imposing cliffs washed by the sea. It is the preferred destination of trigger-happy photography enthusiasts. Don't forget to take your camera!
Mui Ne was a sleepy fishing village till a decade ago. Remarkably, today, it features Mui Ne hotels of international standards, water sports, and a prize-winning golf course laid out by the seaside. Luckily, Mui Ne's sleepy charm is still its major draw. The beach is a long stretch of yellow sand of semi-fine grain. The stretch from the central to the northern part of the beach is predominantly the preserve of the fishing industry, while the southern stretch is perfect for swimming, sunbathing or simply lazing around. Tourists can enjoy a laid back holiday at the sand dunes or beach and sample the local Mui Ne food and cuisine or street food. You can also use our Mui Ne map to choose your hotel in Mui Ne based on its location.
The perfect place to relax after a hectic Vietnam trip, Mui Ne is still largely unexplored and offers a variety of unique tours in Mui Ne to enjoy. For the more active tourist, windsurfing and kite surfing are a great option. The winds here are very reliable, especially in season. The Mui Ne Beach, south of Mui Ne town, is a tropical beach and is the preferred destination for kite surfing and windsurfing, given its naturally hot and dry weather with an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. To get the best of Mui Ne, travel between December and May.
For traditional Vietnamese arts and crafts, a visit to the Phan Thiet city is essential. Tourists can amble through its colourful harbours, hang around on its extensive, golden beaches, or visit the sights at the 8th century Cham towers close by. The Duc Thanh School at Phan Thiet, known for its cultural and historical significance, was built in 1907. The Ho Chi Minh Museum is next to it. In 1910, a teacher named Nguyen Tat Thanh (better known as President Ho Chi Minh) lived and taught at the Duc Thanh School for a year. At present, the school has on display a writing table, an ink slab and a wooden bed that once belonged to President Ho Chi Minh.
The 20 km drive from Phan Thiet to Mui Ne is an exotic experience. The red sand dunes and the palm fringed white sand beaches offer a natural contrast that is so beautiful that you wonder whether it is real! One of the oldest Cham Towers lies on the way. Stop by to see this temple from the time of the Cham rulers. The Mui Ne Beach with its swaying palms is a tropical dream come true. Huge sand dunes spread for miles in a magic tapestry of red, yellow and pristine white. Bamboo rainforests covering the mountains, rivers full of fish and crabs, waterfalls, old Hindu temples and the deep red canyons are all a part of the diverse attractions of Mui Ne. The sunset from above Mui Ne village, with the fishing boats forming an enchanting scene, should not be missed.
The Mui Ne sand dunes are a major attraction for travellers. The massive white sand dunes are breathtaking and resemble the desolate beauty of the Saharan deserts. The red sand dunes are also very beautiful and you can hire sledges from the local boys. If you have children travelling with you, sledging down the dunes can be one of the most fun filled activities. There are three sets of dunes to which you can travel. Either go independently by bicycle or motorbike or hire a jeep. The late afternoon light brings out the best in the dunes, which are constantly changing shape according to the strong winds.
Mui Ne should definitely be a part of your Vietnam itinerary. It promises a solitude unlike other coastal areas in Vietnam. Choose from our recommended hotels in Mui Ne, or take one of the exciting Mui Ne tours on offer and let us help you plan the perfect Mui Ne holiday!
Meet the team from InnoViet - we are your local connection in Mu Nei! We want your trip to Mui Ne to be a learning experience about the real Vietnam, its people and culture. We also hope that we are able to share our local knowledge with you to make your trip unforgettable!
