Where to Stay in Mui Ne, Vietnam

In this guide to where to stay in Mui Ne, I'll share the best hostels, hotels and areas based on my own experiences visiting Mui Ne when I was travelling through Vietnam this year. I spent about four days in Mui Ne with a group of backpackers I'd met earlier in my trip, and we had the most blissful time relaxing by the beach and pools. Let me tell you, after weeks of non-stop exploring, finding the right accommodation in this laid-back beach town was absolutely crucial for the proper rest we all desperately needed!

Mui Ne sits on Vietnam's southeast coast, about 200km south-east of Ho Chi Minh City (that's roughly 4-5 hours on a bus, which in Vietnam could mean anything from 3 to 7 hours depending on the traffic and how many stops the driver decides to make!).

Mui Ne, which started life as a sleepy fishing village, has slowly morphed into a beach resort destination for Vietnamese and international tourists alike, though thankfully it hasn't completely lost its local charm. The town itself only has around 25,000 residents, but you'd never guess that from the number of hotels stretching along the coastline.

Which Areas to Stay in Mui Ne
Best Hostels in Mui Ne
Best Hotels in Mui Ne
FAQs About Where to Stay in Mui Ne
Conclusion

The city of Mui Ne itself isn't usually where the tourists stay. Mui Ne city sits on a sort of peninsula at the south of Vietnam, but that's not really where any of the hostels and hotels are and it's not common to stay within the city itself.

All of the hotels and hostels are spread along the coastline to the west of the main city, primarily along a 10km stretch of road that everyone calls "the strip." This area is technically called Ham Tien, though most people just call the entire touristy bit "Mui Ne". Even amongst the hostels, they are quite spread out, there isn't one spot that's a really good place to stay – the strip extends quite far, and wherever you stay, you'll likely need some kind of transport to reach other parts (or a decent pair of walking shoes).

My main recommendation is getting a hostel or hotel as close to the beach as possible. Not only does this, obviously, give you great access to the beach, it will also keep you close to the most amenities and restaurants, as they're also all lined along the waterfront.

Another note is that if your accommodation isn't literally on the beach (and, by the way, there aren't really any hostels directly on the beach, they're all on the other side of the road), you will either have to walk for a while to find an entrance to the beach or sneak through hotel gardens or a restaurant, because there aren't many footpaths providing access to the beach. This was one of the most frustrating things about Mui Ne for me – there's this gorgeous stretch of coastline, but actually accessing it can be a bit of a mission if you're not staying somewhere with direct beach access.

If you're looking for different vibes, you can roughly divide the strip into three areas:

Western End (towards Phan Thiet): This area has more local restaurants, markets, and a more authentic Vietnamese feel. Accommodation tends to be cheaper here, but you'll be further from some of the main attractions.

Central Area: This is where you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants, shops, and mid-range accommodations. It's convenient for nightlife and dining options (this is where I stayed, and I really liked the vibes around here).

Eastern End (towards the Fishing Village): This section has more upscale resorts and a quieter atmosphere. It's closer to the famous fishing village and some of the natural attractions like the Red Sand Dunes.

Miami Hostel (where we stayed) in Mui Ne, Vietnam

Best Hostels in Mui Ne

After weeks of hopping between hostels across Vietnam, I got pretty good at spotting the gems from the duds. Here are the absolute best hostels in Mui Ne, based on my personal experience and the reports of friends I travelled with:

Miami Hostel Mui Ne

This was where I stayed with the friends I ended up travelling with for the whole second half of Vietnam, and we LOVED it here. The rooms were really nice and if you book far enough in advance you can choose a room without bunk beds, which was quite welcome after so much travelling.

I had chosen a room without bunk beds but when I arrived they had run out of that type of room, so they upgraded me to a private room for the night which was so lovely (after that I paid extra to stay in the private room for one more night, and then shared a twin room with a friend, because having a private room so late on in our trip felt like the ULTIMATE luxury).

Miami Hostel has really clean rooms, a nice pool, cheap breakfast, free beer between 6-7pm, lovely staff, air conditioning, and a fast laundry service next door – what more could you want! The location is good too, with restaurants and convenience stores within easy walking distance. It's not directly on the beach, but it's only about a 5-minute walk away.

iHome Mui Ne

A friend stayed here because he arrived in Mui Ne the day after us, and he said that everything was great except for the lack of air conditioning (the air conditioning in our rooms in Mui Ne was literally saving us from the heat at night time!).

iHome hostel is right on the beach front and has much more social and party vibes (I stayed in the iHome in Hoi An and really liked it). (To be honest the hostel we stayed at was less social, so I maybe would have scored it down on that front if I hadn't already been travelling with a bunch of other backpackers I'd met in Hoi An).

If you're a solo traveller looking to meet people, iHome is definitely where you want to be. They've got a great bar area right by the beach that gets pretty lively in the evenings.

Mui Ne Hills Backpackers

Some of the group I was travelling with stayed here, and said it was really great except for having to walk up a big hill to get there! They said the vibes and bar were great, the hostel has two pools, etc.

The three people from our group that stayed here didn't join us down on the beach as often, and I feel like that could have been because the big hill in the middle was putting them off leaving the hostel, which is quite a shame. That being said, they had two pools up there, so I can see the temptation to stay in!

Mui Ne Hills is actually part of a bigger complex with both hostel and hotel accommodations. The views from up on the hill are genuinely stunning – you get this panoramic vista over Mui Ne Bay that's especially gorgeous at sunset. The two swimming pools are definitely a major selling point, especially after you've been out exploring the sand dunes in the heat.

Best Hotels in Mui Ne

If hostels aren't your thing or you're just craving a bit more privacy, Mui Ne has some fantastic hotel options that won't completely destroy your budget:

Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & Spa

Victoria Phan Thiet has a massive pool that's perfect for cooling off when you've had enough of the sea salt (or big waves), plus a spa where you can get massages and treatments. The food here is also top-notch, though obviously pricier than what you'll find along the main strip. It's a bit removed from the hustle and bustle, which makes it perfect if you're looking for some peace and quiet. Rooms start from around 2,500,000 VND (95.75€) per night – definitely not backpacker budget, but a wonderful treat at the end of your trip (or if you're not a backpacker).

MAY Bungalow

The bungalows at MAY Bungalow are simple but super cute, with all of the essentials you need – comfy beds, air conditioning (an absolute must in Mui Ne's heat), and private bathrooms.

What really makes MAY special is its location right on the beach. There's nothing quite like waking up, opening your door, and having the sea just metres away. It's close enough to restaurants and shops that you're not isolated, but far enough from the louder areas to ensure a good night's sleep.

Bungalows start from around 900,000 VND (34.45€) per night – a bit of a splurge compared to hostels, but totally worth it for the beachfront location alone.

Le VIVA Resort Mui Ne

Le VIVA sits nicely in that mid-range sweet spot where you get hotel comforts without completely blowing your budget. The rooms are spacious and clean, many with lovely sea views from the balconies.

The resort has a good-sized pool (essential for those afternoons when the beach gets too windy), a restaurant serving both Vietnamese and Western dishes, and friendly staff who can help arrange tours to the sand dunes and other attractions.

Location-wise, it's in a good spot along the strip with plenty of dining options nearby. Rooms start from around 1,200,000 VND (45.95€) per night – not the cheapest option, but good value when you consider all the facilities.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Mui Ne

How many days should I stay in Mui Ne?

I'd recommend at least 2-3 days in Mui Ne, but if you're travelling long-term and need a break, or if you're into kitesurfing, you could easily spend a week here.

Can you swim in the sea in Mui Ne?

Yes, but with a few caveats! Mui Ne's beaches are beautiful, but the swimming conditions depend entirely on when you visit and which part of the beach you're at. During the windier months (November to March), the sea can get pretty choppy – great for kitesurfing, not so great for a relaxing dip.

Also worth noting – in some parts of Mui Ne, the beach drops off quite steeply once you get into the water, so be careful if you're not a confident swimmer.

What is Mui Ne famous for?

Mui Ne is most famous for its incredible sand dunes – both the White Sand Dunes and Red Sand Dunes, which genuinely look like they belong in the Sahara Desert rather than coastal Vietnam! It's such a surreal landscape, especially when you consider that just a few kilometres away there's a tropical beach.

It's also Vietnam's kitesurfing capital thanks to the reliable wind conditions. Even if you're not into kitesurfing yourself, it's pretty amazing to watch the pros zipping across the water with their colourful kites.

What is the nearest city to Mui Ne?

Phan Thiet is the nearest proper city, just about 15-20 minutes away by taxi or motorbike. It's a busy local port city with markets, shopping centres, and less tourism influence than Mui Ne.

If you're talking major cities, then Ho Chi Minh City is the closest, roughly 200km (4-5 hours by bus) to the west. Most travellers come to Mui Ne from Ho Chi Minh City, either as their final destination before heading home or as a stop on their journey up or down Vietnam's coast.

Conclusion

After spending a good chunk of time exploring different accommodation options in Mui Ne, I can honestly say that where you stay will have a big impact on your experience in this beach town. Unlike some destinations where location doesn't matter too much, Mui Ne's stretched-out layout means choosing the right spot is crucial.

If you're a backpacker looking to meet people, staying at a social hostel like iHome or Mui Ne Hills is your best bet. For a balance between socialising and comfort, Miami Hostel was absolutely perfect for me. And if you're looking to treat yourself a bit, the beachfront hotels and bungalows provide that extra level of relaxation that feels absolutely blissful after weeks of intense travelling.