7 Things to Do in Mũi Né, Vietnam

Discover why the coastal gem of Mũi Né, Vietnam, deserves more than just a passing visit. I spent four days lazing around in Mui Ne during my travels through Vietnam, and it was exactly the beach break I needed after weeks of non-stop exploration. I will be honest here, there isn't a whole heap of things to do in Mui Ne, and a lot of people go there for exactly that: a relaxing beach break.

Most people visit Mui Ne if they're travelling Vietnam north to south and need a well earned rest when they're close to the end of their time in Vietnam! It's the perfect place to recharge your batteries for a few days between the busier destinations. That being said, there are a few things to do in Mui Ne that you absolutely must tick off your Vietnam bucket list!

About Mui Ne

Mui Ne is a coastal fishing town in southeastern Vietnam, about 200km east of Ho Chi Minh City. What was once a sleepy fishing village has transformed into a popular beach resort area, though it still retains much of its authentic charm. Mui Ne is famous for sweeping sand dunes (with both red and white sand), steady winds that make it a prime destination for kite-surfing, and beautiful beaches that stretch for kilometres along the South China Sea.

Most travellers find that 2-3 days is the perfect amount of time to explore Mui Ne's attractions and enjoy some relaxation without getting bored. It's definitely not one of Vietnam's major tourist destinations, which is part of its appeal – you'll find it far less crowded than places like Hoi An or Ha Long Bay. The town itself has developed into two main areas: Mui Ne Beach to the east (where most of the resorts are) and Ham Tien to the west (where you'll find a strip of restaurants, shops and budget accommodation).

How to Get to Mui Ne

Most travellers arrive in Mui Ne from either Ho Chi Minh City in the south or Nha Trang/Dalat further north. The most popular way to reach Mui Ne is by bus – there are regular tourist buses that run daily from major Vietnamese cities.

From Ho Chi Minh City, the journey takes about 4-5 hours by bus and costs around 150,000-230,000 VND (5.75-8.80€) depending on the type of bus. From Nha Trang, expect a 4-hour journey costing roughly the same. There aren't really overnight buses from these destinations because 4-hours is an awkward amount of time to travel through the night!

Another option is to take the train to Phan Thiet (the larger city nearby) and then grab a taxi to Mui Ne. The train journey from Ho Chi Minh City takes about 4 hours and costs around 175,000-250,000 VND (6.70-9.60€) for a soft seat. From the train station, it's a 20-minute taxi ride to Mui Ne costing approximately 150,000 VND (5.75€).

If you're booking bus tickets, I'd recommend doing so a day or two in advance during peak season (November-March) as they can sell out. Most hostels and hotels can arrange the bus for you, or you can book online using 12GoAsia which is the most common booking platform for transport in Vietnam.

Things to Do in Mui Ne

Despite its reputation as a place to relax, Mui Ne offers several unique experiences that make it worth including on your Vietnam itinerary. From natural wonders to cultural sites, there's enough to keep you busy between beach sessions.

I spent most of my time in Mui Ne relaxing on the beach, by the pool, and hanging out with the friends I'd made travelling. That being said, we did do some activities; so here are the best things there are to do in Mui Ne, Vietnam.

Visit the Red and White Sand Dunes

The sand dunes of Mui Ne are without a doubt the area's most famous attraction, and for good reason. These natural wonders give you the feeling of being transported straight to the Sahara Desert, despite being just minutes from the ocean.

The Red Sand Dunes (Đồi Cát Hồng) are closer to the main town and most accessible. As the name suggests, they have a distinctive orangey-red hue that looks especially stunning at sunrise or sunset. The best thing to do here is go sandboarding, which was an absolute blast. There definitely weren't as many safety regulations as when I did it in Peru, but as long as you're physically fit you'll likely be fine!

You can either get to the red sand dunes as part of an organised tour, or rent scooters and go there by yourself. We took a transport tour with our hostel that took us to a few different spots, including the red and white sand dunes, and when we got there we negotiated to pay 30,000 VND (1.15€) each to rent a sandboard (afterwards the guy was pretty insistent for a tip).

The White Sand Dunes (Đồi Cát Trắng) are about 24km northeast of Mui Ne town and are even more impressive, with vast expanses of pristine white sand. This is where you can rent a quad bike and ride through the desert-like landscape. Again, you can either do a tour or go there yourself, but most tours don't usually include a ride on a quad bike.

The thing with riding a quad bike is that if you drive yourself, the guide gets on with you and slows you down if you go fast. It didn't look THAT fun, to be honest, and at 800,000 VND (30.65€), it wasn't cheap. The other option is to pay for a driver to take you around on a quad bike.

Explore the Fairy Stream

Walking up the Fairy Stream (Suối Tiên) was one of my favourite activities in Mui Ne, simply because it was so random and we were all so confused. We didn't know that we'd go here on our way to the sand dunes, so when the jeep driver told us to get out and he'd pick us up in an hour, we just kind of did what he was told and had a good laugh.

The Fairy Stream is a shallow stream running through a canyon-like landscape with red and white sand formations on both sides. You take your shoes off and leave them behind at the Fairy Stream entrance and then walk up and down a really shallow stream (it's sandy, so soft on your feet), taking in the views.

You pay a very small amount, I think either 5,000 or 10,000 VND (0.20-0.40€) for the people at the entrance to guard your shoes.

The Fairy Stream, one of my favourite things to do in Mui Ne

Visit the Fishing Village

Mui Ne's fishing village offers a glimpse into the traditional Vietnamese way of life that has continued largely unchanged for generations. The best time to visit is early in the morning (around 6 am) when the fishermen return with their catch. The sight of the colourful round boats (thung chai) bobbing in the water against the backdrop of sunrise is quite magical.

Wander around the village to see how the locals process and dry their seafood, and don't miss the bustling fish market where you can see an impressive variety of freshly caught seafood. It's a photographer's dream with the vibrant colours and authentic scenes of daily life.

Try Watersports

Mui Ne is Vietnam's kite surfing capital thanks to its consistent wind conditions, especially from November to March. Even if you're not a kite surfer, it's fun to watch the pros skimming across the waves and flying through the air.

If you fancy trying it yourself, there are plenty of schools offering lessons for beginners. A two-hour introductory lesson costs around 1,500,000 VND (57.50€). Other watersports available include paddleboarding, windsurfing, and sailing.

If you want to get in the water and swim, especially without the guidance of an instructor, be aware that the sea is choppy so only go in if you're a strong swimmer and be wary of any warnings or flags about what's going in on the water.

Visit Ke Ga Cape

About 40km south of Mui Ne lies Ke Ga Cape, home to Southeast Asia's tallest lighthouse. Built by the French in 1899, the 65-meter-high lighthouse stands on a small rocky island just off the coast. You can hire a boat to take you across to the island (when the tide is high) and climb to the top of the lighthouse for spectacular panoramic views.

The area around Ke Ga is also known for its pristine beaches and laid-back atmosphere, making it a nice day trip from Mui Ne if you're looking to escape the tourist scene completely.

Explore Linh Long Tu Temple

For a bit of Vietnamese culture, visit the Linh Long Tu Temple, a beautiful Buddhist temple built in 1766. It's situated on a hill overlooking Mui Ne Bay, offering both spiritual interest and great views. The temple complex includes various shrines, a towering 17-meter-high Buddha statue, and ornate dragon sculptures.

Even if you're not particularly interested in religious sites, the peaceful atmosphere and architectural details make it worth a visit. It's especially beautiful around sunset when the golden light bathes the temple.

Practical Tips for Visiting Mui Ne

Getting Around Mui Ne

The main strip of Mui Ne stretches for about 10km along the coast, making it a bit too long to explore entirely on foot. Here are your options for getting around:

Grab bikes and cars are readily available and relatively inexpensive. A short trip along the main strip should cost between 30,000-50,000 VND (1.15-1.90€).

Motorbike rental is probably the most convenient option if you're comfortable riding. Rentals cost around 150,000-200,000 VND (5.75-7.65€) per day, and give you the freedom to explore at your own pace. It's a good place for beginner scooter drivers as there's not a lot of traffic along the one long road that goes along the coastline.

Bicycles are perfect for shorter distances and provide a leisurely way to explore. Many hotels and guesthouses offer them for free or for a small rental fee of about 30,000-50,000 VND (1.15-1.90€) per day.

Walking is feasible for exploring specific areas, but not ideal for travelling the entire strip. The main road can be busy and lacks proper pedestrian paths in some sections.

Best Time to Visit Mui Ne

Mui Ne enjoys a microclimate that makes it one of the driest places in Vietnam, with around 300 sunny days per year. That said, there are definitely optimal times to visit:

November to March is considered the peak season, with pleasant temperatures averaging 26-27°C, low humidity, and strong winds perfect for kite surfing. This is also when the region sees the most tourists.

April to October brings hotter temperatures, occasionally reaching up to 35°C. The winds are calmer during this period, which means fewer kite surfers but better conditions for swimming and other beach activities. This is low season, so you'll find better deals on accommodation.

If you're specifically coming for kite surfing, the windiest months are December through March, with consistent winds almost every day.

There aren't many major local festivals in Mui Ne itself, but if you're in the area during Tet (Vietnamese New Year, usually in January or February), you'll experience the biggest celebration of the year, with special foods, decorations, and festivities.

Money & Costs in Mui Ne

Mui Ne is generally less expensive than major Vietnamese cities like Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, but prices are slightly higher than in some other beach destinations due to its resort status.

ATMs are available along the main strip, but they often charge fees of 50,000-100,000 VND (1.90-3.85€) per withdrawal, so it's best to take out larger amounts at once. The cheapest ATM we found was Vietcombank.

Credit cards are accepted at most mid-range to upscale restaurants and hotels, but smaller places and local vendors will only take cash. Always have some cash on hand for daily expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mui Ne worth seeing?

Absolutely! While Mui Ne might not have the cultural richness of Hoi An or the dramatic landscapes of Ha Long Bay, it offers a unique combination of desert-like sand dunes and beautiful beaches that you won't find elsewhere in Vietnam. It's perfect if you want a few relaxing days with some interesting excursions mixed in.

What is Mui Ne famous for?

Mui Ne is primarily famous for its impressive sand dunes (both red and white), which create surreal desert-like landscapes right next to the ocean. It's also known as Vietnam's kite surfing capital due to its consistent wind conditions. Beyond these highlights, Mui Ne is appreciated for its beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, and the charming Fairy Stream canyon.

How long do you need in Mui Ne?

I'd recommend spending 2-3 days in Mui Ne. This gives you enough time to visit the main attractions like the sand dunes and Fairy Stream, try some watersports if you're interested, and still have plenty of time to relax on the beach. If you're a kite surfer or particularly enjoy laid-back beach destinations, you might want to stay longer.

Is it better to stay in Phan Thiet or Mui Ne?

For most travellers, Mui Ne is the better choice. It has a much more developed tourism infrastructure with a wide range of accommodation, restaurants, and activities catered to visitors. Phan Thiet is the larger, more local city nearby, and while it offers a more authentic Vietnamese urban experience, it lacks the beach resort atmosphere and easy access to the main attractions that most visitors come for.

Conclusion

What makes Mui Ne special is its unique landscape – where else can you experience desert-like sand dunes in the morning and cool off in the ocean by afternoon? Add in the fresh seafood, affordable prices, and laid-back atmosphere, and you have the ideal spot to recharge during your Vietnam journey.

As someone who initially planned just a quick stopover in Mui Ne but ended up staying four days, I can attest that this coastal gem has a way of making you want to linger a little longer. So when planning your Vietnam itinerary, give Mui Ne the time it deserves – your future, sun-kissed, relaxed self will thank you.