Mui Ne
The city of Phan Thiet is the capital of Binh Thuan Province in southeastern Vietnam. Mui Ne is a coastal town adjacent to Phan Thiet. Located 22 km northeast of downtown Phan Thiet, Mui Ne is considered a popular tourist center in Binh Thuan Province and has also appeared on the list of must-visit national tourist sites in Vietnam. Both cities are traditionally known for the production of fish sauce, known as "nước mắm," which has become the national condiment of Vietnam.
Leading travel guides praise Mui Ne for its sand dunes, but above all, for its beach. It is a destination that offers a peaceful and calm atmosphere, a true haven for tourists seeking relaxation.
Mui Ne is a beach resort with its long strip of palm-fringed white sand and constant winds (during the dry season). It is a prime destination for windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, and other water sports.
Things to see and do
- Beautiful beaches with white sand.
- Take a walk and visit the Fairy Spring (Suối Tiên) nearby and discover the Red Canyon on foot.
- Take kiteboarding or windsurfing lessons. Mui Ne has quickly become a must-visit destination in Southeast Asia for kiteboarding and windsurfing.
- Try sandboarding on the highest red and white sand dunes.
- Visit Phan Thiet Port with its numerous large fishing boats.
- Hike to Takou Mountain to explore its nature reserve (about an hour from Mui Ne).
- Take a waterfront stroll at dusk.
- The white sand dunes at sunrise, where you can rent a jeep to explore the dunes. It's even better to do it on foot to enjoy the tranquility of the place.
- The fishing village in the morning to see all the basket boats and observe fish negotiations.
Must-sees:
- Bai Rang Beach - Phan Thiet: Bai Rang Beach, surrounded by a coconut grove, with its God of Earth Rock and its fairy stream, is probably the most beautiful in Phan Thiet.
- Mui Ne Beach: Mui Ne Beach is a renowned tropical beach for windsurfers and kite surfers. The beach is often caressed by a gentle breeze, making it perfect for sports like kiteboarding and windsurfing. The small beach resort is also famous for its waves, attracting surfers.
- Mui Ne Sand Dunes: The entire region is very sandy. The sand dunes are to the north along the coastal road. The red dunes are the closest to the center. Further on, the site of the white dunes covers about fifty hectares. With its sand dunes, Mui Ne evokes the Sahara Desert. There are two sites where you can find dunes: only 5 km from Mui Ne, there are the red dunes easily accessible by scooter. You can practice sandboarding, or sand surfing there. It's best to go there in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is less intense.
- Mui Ne Market and Its Fishing Port: At the entrance of the town, an embankment offers a splendid view of the hundreds of colorful fishing boats anchored in the bay. Further on, the market is small but very colorful. Down below, the fishing port, where you can buy fresh fish and seafood to eat on the spot. Walking on the beach, you will see fishermen sorting their catches, docks, and, at the southern tip of the town, a beach covered with seashells.
- Fish Sauce Factories: The production process of fish sauce, an essential element of Vietnamese cuisine, is long and complex. Anchovy-like fish are washed and placed in large barrels filled with brine and layers of salt. After eight months, the by-product is drained and bottled.
- Van Thuy Tu Temple and Whale Museum: Van Thuy Tu Temple, built in 1762, is very special: it is the resting place for over 100 whales, and their skeletons are on display. The largest one is 22 meters long. Whales are considered benevolent and helpful animals by local fishermen. When one of them washes ashore, its body is transported to the temple.
Good to Know
When to visit?
It's generally warm all year round.The most favorable months in terms of weather in Mui Ne are January, February, March, November, and December.
The rainiest months are July, September, and October.
The best months for swimming are April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
Access
- By plane: From Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Cam Ranh Airport, then take an open bus from Nha Trang to Phan Thiet, Mui Ne.
- By open bus: From Ho Chi Minh City, depart from Mien Dong Bus Station or De Tham Street, or from Tan Son Nhat Airport. It's a 5-hour journey with agencies like Kumho, Phuong Trang, Hoang Long, or Dcar Limousine.
- By train: You can take a train to Phan Thiet.
- Normal train: Departure from Sai Gon Station, SPT train (morning departure) or PT4 train (weekend evening).
High-quality train: Golden Train, morning departure. Once you arrive in Phan Thiet, you can take a taxi.