Just 200 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne – Phan Thiet is a totally new world, away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds. There are 3 big reasons to fall in love with Mui Ne: its activities, from kitesurfing to the red and white sand dunes; its food, from fresh seafood to local banh can pancakes; and its places to stay, from beach resorts to $5 guesthouses. With the new expressway, Mui Ne is now about 3.5 to 4 hours from Ho Chi Minh City by road, making it the easiest beach escape in southern Vietnam.
The table below sums up the best things to do in Mui Ne and when to do them.
| Experience | Best time of day | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Kitesurfing on Mui Ne Beach | Afternoon, November to March | Beginner courses along the beach |
| Mui Ne fishing village | Sunrise, 5:30–7 AM | Free, best for photos |
| White Sand Dunes | Sunrise | About 25 km north-east of Mui Ne; quad bikes for hire |
| Red Sand Dunes | Sunset | Close to Mui Ne village, free |
| Fairy Stream | Morning | Walk barefoot in shallow water |
| Van Thuy Tu Temple | Daytime | Houses a 22 m whale skeleton |
| Ta Cu Mountain | Morning | Cable car to a 49 m reclining Buddha |
An abundance of things to indulge in
Mui Ne has more to do than most beach towns in Vietnam: kitesurfing, a working fishing village, two very different sets of sand dunes, the Fairy Stream, a whale temple and a mountain pagoda, all within about 40 km. Here are the highlights.
Revel in Mui Ne Beach’s enthralling watersports
When it comes to Mui Ne Beach, kitesurfing is a big deal. From November to March, steady afternoon winds make it one of the best kitesurfing spots in Asia, and courses for beginners are offered all along the beach. Our guide to the beaches in mui ne explains which stretch is best for swimming and which for watersports.
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Get in a true glimpse of fishing villages
From the crack of dawn, head over to the Mui Ne fishing village to see the real life of fishermen in Vietnam. It is perfect for pictures of the sunrise over the bay, with hundreds of colourful boats and round basket boats lined up on the water. You will see fishermen returning from the night’s catch, women sorting fish on the sand and restaurant owners buying seafood straight from the boats.
Explore the breathtaking White Sand Dunes
Walking around this vast expanse of white sand makes you feel like you are in the Sahara. The White Sand Dunes (Bau Trang) are about 25 km north-east of Mui Ne village, and sunrise is the best time to visit, before the sand gets hot. Walk around for photos, see the lotus lakes at the edge of the dunes, or hire a quad bike or jeep to ride up and down the slopes.
Take in gorgeous sunset in Red Sand Dunes
The Red Sand Dunes, close to Mui Ne village, are at their best at sundown, when the sand glows orange and red. They are often busy at that hour, but there is plenty of space to find your own spot for the sunset. Local children rent plastic sheets for sand sliding, a fun activity for families.
Stroll along the Fairy Spring
The Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien) is a shallow stream on the way to the dunes, small but worth exploring. You walk barefoot through ankle-deep water between red and white sandstone banks and green palms, to a small waterfall at the end. The walk takes about 30 to 45 minutes each way, so wear clothes you do not mind getting wet at the hem.
Discover the spiritual attraction of Van Thuy Tu Temple
Van Thuy Tu Temple in Phan Thiet is one of the oldest temples in the region and houses the largest collection of whale skeletons in Vietnam, including one about 22 m long. Local fishermen worship the whale as Nam Hai, the God of the South Sea, believing it saves them from accidents at sea. A visit explains the folk beliefs and coastal culture of the fishing community.
Ta Cu Mountain
After a few relaxing days on the beach, a trip to Ta Cu Mountain, about 30 km south-west of Phan Thiet, makes a good change. A cable car climbs through green forest to Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda and a 49 m reclining Buddha, one of the largest in Vietnam, and there are hiking trails for those who prefer to walk.
>> Read more: Most Famous Mountains for An Exhilarating Adventurous Experience
Buddhist visitors from India often find the pagoda the most peaceful stop of the trip. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees.
Incredibly diverse and delectable food
Mui Ne is best known for fresh seafood, but the town also has international restaurants serving curries, kebabs, pizzas and plenty of vegetarian dishes. Along Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street you will find Indian, Russian and Western restaurants next to local seafood stalls, so vegetarian travellers can eat well too.
Seafood
Seafood is the reason many Vietnamese travellers come to Mui Ne. You can choose a restaurant along the beach and eat with the sea breeze, or buy squid, crab and lobster at the fishing village and have it cooked at the market.
- Address: Along Nguyen Dinh Chieu – Huynh Thuc Khang Street: Mr. Crab (195 Nguyen Dinh Chieu), Mr. Lobster (158 Nguyen Dinh Chieu)
Banh can
Banh can are small rice-flour pancakes cooked in clay moulds, usually topped with shrimp, squid or egg and served with fish sauce, green mango and herbs. Ask for the egg-only or plain version if you are vegetarian, and request soy sauce instead of fish sauce.
Where to eat? Banh Can Phan Thiet
- Address: 168 Thu Khoa Huan Street, Phan Thiet
- Opening hours: 4 PM – 10 PM
- Price: about 15,000 – 35,000 VND per plate (about ₹50 – 120)
Dishes from Iguana
The sand dunes are home to a wild lizard called “dong”, and local restaurants serve it roasted, grilled, steamed or fried with fresh vegetables. It is a dish for adventurous non-vegetarian eaters who want to try something truly local to Mui Ne.
Where to eat? Vietnam Home Restaurant
- Address: 125A Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Ham Tien, Mui Ne
- Opening hours: 9 AM – 10 PM
Amazing places to stay
Mui Ne has places to stay for every budget, from luxury beach resorts at Ke Ga Bay to mid-range resorts along Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street and guesthouses from about USD 5 a night. Most resorts sit directly on the beach, which makes Mui Ne good value for a relaxed beach holiday.
Luxury Resorts in Mui Ne – Phan Thiet
For a special trip, Mui Ne’s luxury resorts offer fine restaurants, spas, private beaches and activities for the whole family. Highly rated options include Azerai Ke Ga Bay, The Sailing Bay Beach Resort, Muine Bay Resort, Ananda Resort and The Cliff Resort & Residences. Couples on a honeymoon often choose a beachfront villa here; our vietnam couple package options include a Mui Ne resort stay.
>> Related: 5 Best Resorts in Vietnam That Treat You Like Rajputana Royalty
Hotels in Mui Ne – Phan Thiet
Mui Ne also has many mid-range hotels in the main tourist strip, such as TTC Hotel Premium Phan Thiet, Mui Ne Boutique Resort and Canary Beach Resort, ideal for vietnam beach holidays on a sensible budget. They offer pools, beach access and good breakfasts at a fraction of luxury resort prices.
>> Suggested Read: Mui Ne Resorts And Hotels: A Handy Guide of Best Places to Stay in Mui Ne
Homestay and Hostels in Mui Ne – Phan Thiet
Budget travellers will find guesthouses, homestays and hostels from about USD 5 a night, many of them run by local families. Good examples include Mai Am Guest House and Lighthouse Hotel & Café.
How To Reach Mui Ne And When To Go
Mui Ne is about 200 km east of Ho Chi Minh City, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours by private car or limousine bus on the expressway, or about 4 hours by train to Phan Thiet station followed by a short taxi ride. Phan Thiet airport is still under construction, so most Indian travellers arrive via Ho Chi Minh City.
The dry season from November to April brings sunny days and strong winds for kitesurfing, while April to June is the calmest period for swimming. If you are planning a trip around Diwali, check the vietnam weather in october 2026 and the temperature of vietnam in november: the south is drying out then, while the central coast is still rainy. Before you leave, our list of 10 best things to buy in vietnam for ladies includes the fish sauce, dragon fruit and pearl jewellery that Phan Thiet is known for.
Plan Your Mui Ne Trip
Stunning things to do, great food and amazing places to stay: Mui Ne is worth adding to any trip to southern Vietnam, whether as a short getaway or a relaxing pit stop. Most Indian travellers give Mui Ne two nights within a vietnam tour package 7 days that also covers Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, and you can compare every vietnam tourism package on one page. For a second beach, a phu quoc honeymoon package adds the island with a one-hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City.
Honeymooners can also start from their home city with vietnam honeymoon packages from chennai, vietnam honeymoon packages from bangalore, a vietnam couple package from mumbai or a vietnam tour package from kolkata for couple.
To add Mui Ne to your Vietnam trip, share your travel dates, group size and departure city in the form below. A Vietnamtour.in expert will arrange the transfer from Ho Chi Minh City, a beachfront resort and vegetarian or Jain meals in advance.
