Vietnam has a lot of places to enjoy the ocean and beach, but our favorite is Mui Ne. Located just 4 hours outside of Ho Chi Minh City, this coastal city has a laid-back vibe. It’s a popular place for kite surfers and if your accommodation is on top of the hill you see them everywhere.
Travel to and from Ho Chi Minh City by bus or train or hop on the back of an EasyRider and head to Da Lat after a couple of days of sun, sea, and beach. Expect a lot of Russian signs everywhere or even a Russian menu handed to you when entering an establishment.
But most of all, simply enjoy the laid-back and relaxed atmosphere in Mui Ne. But Mui Ne has a lot of options for the adventurers as well. We loved our stay here and will definitely be back!
How to get there
The easiest way to get to Mui Ne is by taking the train from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet. This is about a 4-hour train ride and the seats are really comfortable. Once you arrive at Phan Thiet you hop in a taxi to get to Mui Ne. A lot of accommodations will arrange transport as well.
If you’re looking to get to Mui Ne directly there are daily buses leaving Ho Chi Minh City as well. This is a 4.5-hour ride and you have to pay attention to the kind of bus you are taking. A lot of buses offer sleeper-style chairs.
How to get around
A lot of people hire a scooter or motorcycle to get around in Vietnam. After talking to the owner of the hotel we were staying at we decided against it.
In Vietnam, you need a local driver’s license to drive a scooter or motorcycle and most tourists don’t have one. In other parts of the country, you simply pay a fine if the police stop you but in the area around Mui Ne, they are known to take possession of the vehicle. Try explaining that to the rental company.
Most shops and restaurants are close together so we walked everywhere we could. For longer distances hire a taxi or a driver. Or rent a bicycle in town to explore the surrounding area.
Best time to visit
The best time to enjoy the beach, kite surfing, or swimming in the ocean is between November and March. The rainy season lasts from April to October but Mui Ne is known to be drier than the rest of Vietnam. You can visit all year round.
Expect warm temperatures, lots of sun, and constant wind. Temperatures are around 25-28 degrees. We had some rain during our stay at the end of November, but after the rain clears, the sun is right back.
Things to do
You don’t have to do a lot to enjoy Mui Ne, a simple walk to the beach is enough. But if you are here and you’re looking for a more active holiday there is still plenty to see and do. Don’t be surprised by all the Russian signs because they have adopted Mui Ne as their second home.
PACKING TIP: bring your own snorkel set, water shoes and a fast-drying towel if you want to go snorkeling!
Kite surfing or windsurfing
Mui Ne is popular for kite surfing and windsurfing. There are a lot of places that rent out equipment if you’re an experienced surfer. But this is also the best place to learn this via one of the many schools that are all located near or on the beach.
You need a couple of days to fully get a grasp on the skills you need to get your kite up and running, but if you have time you won’t be disappointed. We loved watching all the colorful kites and just sitting in the sand admiring the skilled surfers or watching those learning to become one.
Ask around for the best deal or even ask your accommodation if they can set you up with a teacher. Some speak multiple languages which might make it a bit easier to understand.
Relax
Since the weather is nice almost all year this is the perfect spot to just hang by the pool, read a good book, or enjoy a cocktail. There are a lot of resorts near or on the beach, but we chose one up on the hill. We loved this because we were away from the hustle and bustle but still close enough to walk to the beach.
Don’t forget to try the local food and enjoy the fresh fruit cocktails. It tastes so much better when you’re just hanging out, enjoying the sun on your face. We spent many hours at the side of the pool.
Red & White Sand Dunes
Mui Ne is famous for its dunes and many tour operators are organizing all sorts of activities in the dune area. Driving around in a 4×4, sandboarding on the dunes, quad biking, or watching the sunrise or sunset are all options if you want to visit the Red or White Sand Dunes.
Don’t drive a scooter or motorcycle to get to the Sand Dunes because this is one of the more popular spots where police will be waiting for you. Hire a taxi or join an organized tour to get to the Sand Dunes.
This is the only place in the world where an ocean and a desert are so close together. The White Sand Dunes are the biggest area of the two. Most tours visit both areas so you’ll experience the difference. You could even enjoy a hot air balloon ride!
Sunset at the beach
Is there anything better than ending a nice warm sunny day by watching the sunset at the beach? And the best part of Mui Ne is that a lot of hotels and resorts are located on the hills of Mui Ne, offering you an amazing sunset every day.
We loved the changes in color in the sky and would sit outside either on our balcony or head over to the beach to watch the sun disappear. It’s the perfect holiday activity that doesn’t cost you a thing.
Where to stay
There are a lot of hotels and resorts in Mui Ne and they’re all pretty close to the beach. This is the busiest area of Mui Ne, so if you would like a quieter spot look for accommodations in the hills or Mui Ne.
Bliss Hotel
Big rooms with a balcony and a relaxing dining area around the pool with an amazing breakfast
Use our Mui Ne Travel Guide to plan your trip
We spent almost 2 weeks in Mui Ne to unwind and enjoy the nice weather, food, and beach. It was the perfect spot in Vietnam to escape the rainy season. Even though we didn’t explore everything Mui Ne has to offer, we still had fun and would definitely go back.
Use this Mui Ne Travel Guide to plan your trip and don’t miss anything. We only scratched the surface of what Mui Ne has to offer. Please share your favorite places in Mui Ne below this article. This way our Mui Ne Travel Guide will grow and reflect the best of what Mui Ne has to offer!
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