What can we tell you about Mui Ne and Phan Thiet? Well, we actually went there for 2 weeks and ending staying 5 weeks, as we loved the ambiance, the accommodation where we stayed, and the whole vibe about Mui Ne and Phan Thiet.

These tiny fishing villages are nestled between turquoise beaches that line the Eastern coast of Vietnam. The area is just a 4-hour train ride away, 5hr bus from the madness of Ho Chi Minh City, however seems like a different world altogether and it was. 

There are endless reasons for visiting Mui Ne and Phan Thiet in Vietnam tough to choose between gorgeous Mui Ne sunsets, glistening Mui Ne and Phan Thiet beaches, there are just so many, surreal sceneries, and picture-perfect villages but we managed to restrict ourselves to listing just 15 Things To Do in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet.

Table of Contents

• Find the right Accommodation
• Go Quad biking at the White and Red Sand Dune
• Visit The Early Morning Fish Market Of Mui Ne
• The Wine Castle @ The Sea Link Complex
• Visit the White Sand Dunes of Mui Ne
• Fishing in the Lake at the Wine castle
• Sunrise and Sunset at Mui Ne
• Food, Food, And More Glorious Vietnamese Mui Ne Food
• Learn Kite Surfing And Other WaterSports
• Hit the Nightlife
• Get Pampered After Your Night Out
• Phan Thiet City Centre – Hit The Shops For Your Souvenirs
• Beaches in Mui Ne and Pahn Thiet
• Find the Source of Fish Sauce
• Phan Thiet, Ke Ga and Ta Cu Day Tour From Mui Ne

Before we tempt you with some amazing things to do in Mui Ne, let’s get the slightly boring stuff out of the way

Our logistical tips and tricks

We would strongly recommend staying in Mui Ne as Phan Thiet can get crowded and busy. We stayed in a very nice beach-side resort called Nam Chau Boutique Resort 3-star hotel. This isn’t your average chained hotel, resort and the staff couldn’t have done anything more to be genuinely kind, considerate, and care for our stay.

They even arranged a birthday cake, which they took details from my passport. How switched on is that?

Please don’t hesitate to mention Tourandtakein for a discount, not promising anything though…Their sister hotel just to the right of it, which is 4/5 star elegant resort Pandanus Resort . You can pay a visit for an extra fee if you want to use their beachside huge pool. We actually received a few free days as they were renovating our pool.

How To Get To Vietnam, Mui Ne And Phan Thiet

Although a bit of a hassle. If you want a 3 months visa, especially when you traveled a long way as before you hit the luggage carousel, you’ve to put your 50 dollars in your passport/letter with your application form at the airport and wait for the 3-month stamp to be processed, this can take another hour as every flight will have many tourists taking this option and you’re possibly dehydrated and jetlagged, tired.

This is classed as a 3 month Vietnam visa on arrival (for which you must apply online first for your authorization letter, cheap). As of now, it’s only 15 days on arrival standard.

Yes, I agree it’s not very openness and feeling wanted, like Malaysia, where you get a 3 month on arrival as standard FREE. However, once you are in Vietnam, It’s worth the extra hassle, and 3 months is needed for any traveler.

It’s fairly easy to get to Mui Ne / Phan Thiet from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). On our way to Mui Ne, we took the bus from Saigon that departed early doors 05:50 A.M. and brought us to Phan Thiet in 5 hours. One change for some reason.

This was a great bus to Mui Ne and Phan Thiet that provided water, blankets, and the seats went full horizontal  We could have taken the train, but our plans were to use the train on the way back to Saigon, which we did and well worth the scenery.

Buses pick you up in Saigon at the tourist areas near Bui Vien Right they were 🙂 From the bus station, we were ferried to our resort in Mui Ne by the pre-arranged pick-up driver from our resort. In total, it took us 5.5 hours to get to Mui Ne. Bus tickets, including reserved seating, cost $12. Train details .

Top Things to do in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet

You are in Asia. This is a no-brainer. If you want to explore the area, there is no better way to do it than by renting a bike. Bike rentals in Mui Ne cost anywhere between $6-12 per day. Traffic can get crazy in this part of the world, not as crazy as Saigon, but still, be careful, and have insurance, link here. That is the no brainer!! 

Bus drivers seem to be on a mission to demolish anything that comes in their way. Another piece of advice – always have your helmet on or you’ll definitely be stopped by police, which will result in a lot of discussions and eventually bribery, plus your heads more valuable than a small fine and the roads aren’t what you’re used to back at home.

Let’s start and remember you’re on holiday/travels, also go with the flow and try not to pack too much in as you may miss out on what you really want to see and most of all, are stressed doing it. We learned that lesson, traveling constantly, and just ended up wearing ourselves out at the beginning and forgetting a load of memories.

Quote of the article: You can count money but you can’t count time!

1) Find the right Accomadation

Finding the right accommodation is like having the icing on the cake. This can make and break a great vacation in our eyes and especially in a country like Vietnam.

Mui Ne is no exception. Having a great day out in Mui Ne followed by a restless lack of sleep due to being in noise central, just wrecks the holiday altogether!

We have a little secret! As above.Nam Chau Boutique Resort. 07 Đường Nguyễn Hữu Thọ, Khu Phố 5, Thành phố Phan Thiết, Bình Thuận 77118, Vietnam•+84 252 3849 323. This is a beachside, fantastic exotic resort, great breakfasts.

Within walking distance to the Red Dunes and to the beauty salon for a professional massage from the owner Julie and shops, restaurants, coffee shops, gym, markets etc.

2)     Go Quad biking at the White and Red Sand Dunes

We’ve already introduced you to the accommodation we loved. but please find your own taste via Airbnb or Booking.com. We also have a fabulous offer for any new email sign-ups for Airbnb – Up to $55 off your first booking.

If you do go with our option Nam Chau Boutique Resort, you can walk just up the hill to the Red Sand Dunes of Mui Ne  Once you are there, enjoy the dunes on a quad bike, everything from gentle bumps to stomach-churning bends is on offer. Have a relaxing walk, see the kids delighted faces sliding down the Red Sand Dunes on their made-up Mui Ne mats.

The Red Sand Dunes is exactly how I have always imagined a desert to be – a vast expanse of barren land. Undoubtedly more pristine and breathtaking than the White Sand Dunes, The White Sand Dunes of Mui Ne are approximately 25 km. away from the center of Mui Ne – once you have had your share of fun at the dunes, just walk over to the lotus pond and spend the afternoon watching the sun go down.

3) Visit The Early Morning Fish Market Of Mui Ne

Mui Ne’s chaotic early morning market provides a fascinating peek into the lives of local Vietnamese fishermen. 

Every morning they get their catch to the shore. Their wives and family members sort out the catch and sell it to the local traders, restaurant owners, and street food vendors on the spot. It’s like a trading floor right out of a Wall Street institution.  

Expect to find fishing nets full of seafood, buckets overflowing with fish, shells strewn everywhere, raucous conversation, and plenty of photo-opps.

With the fishing village being on our doorstep it was hard not to go and see every morning the wonders of nature and the culture of the fishing people and its operation, which was mind-blowing as well as possibly very dangerous.

4)  The Wine Castle @ The Sea Link Complex

We found this by chance on our drive around and seeing the Sea Link City complex with its fishing lake, golf courses, affluent accommodation and it is in the 5 starred resort complex.

The castle consists of three interconnected parades which surround a very vast courtyard, and it is the large courtyard that Western patrician often organized outdoor animated wine parties in the past.

Going inside, you will see a distinct area, wine storage cellar, wine sampling room. highly recommended!! In fact, this might be our favorite thing to do in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet. This can be a full day as surrounding the wine castle in Mui Ne is a fishing lake, hotel, golf course, and stunning views.

A must visit for couples family and children!

5)   Visit the White Sand Dunes of Mui Ne

Another great place to catch a gorgeous sunset is the White Sand Dunes of Mui Ne. If you don’t have the time to venture out to the Red Sand Dunes, the White ones are just a couple of kilometers from the center and can be reached on foot as well. We still can’t get over the wonders of nature in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet – sand dunes that make you feel like you are in a desert right next to the beach!

6)   Fishing in the Lake at the Wine castle

The Sea Links Fishing Club is an ideal destination for families and groups. Including 13 huts or fishing and a restaurant where is ready-to- cater all your needs about food and drinks, this is a cannot-be-missed place if you are looking for a relaxing and fun space.

We haven’t been fishing for years but there is everything to rent/buy including bait at the shop and the people. They will even send an assistant to show you the ropes and cook for you if you are having a BBQ.

The kids will love it.We did, but only caught whipper snappers, so no BBQ for us:)

Phone: (+84 – 252) 3719 190
Hotline: 093 1533 355
Email: castle@sealinksvietnam.com

7)     Sunrise and Sunset at Mui Ne

Mui Ne and Phan Thiet are famous for the Sunrises and sunsets which at times can appear identical as there is no difference in the light coming from the sun itself at those times and it passes through the same distance of atmosphere. … Especially since we never see sunrise and sunset side by side in nature.

As worldwide travelers, this is one of our highlights of any trip, especially if we’re in a tropical climate. We tend to find the highest landmark which isn’t too crowded or at a beach point. A red dune is an ideal place for the sunset!

8)     Food Food And More Glorious Vietnamese Mui Ne Food

Vietnamese cuisine encompasses the foods and beverages of Vietnam and features a combination of five fundamental tastes (Vietnamese: ngũ vị) in overall meals. Each Vietnamese dish has a distinctive flavor that reflects one or more of these elements. Common ingredients include shrimp paste, fish sauce, bean sauce, rice, fresh herbs, fruit, and vegetables. French cuisine has also had a major influence due to the French colonization of Vietnam. Vietnamese recipes use lemongrass, ginger, mint, Vietnamese mint, long coriander, Saigon cinnamon, bird’s eye chili, lime, and Thai basil leaves.

Squid is a big part of the Mui Ne and Phan Thie Vietnamese diet and its teeth. Yes! Teeth whey hey! This part is often forgotten when cooking this sea animal. However, squid teeth have become the speciality street food of Mui Ne. Over time, local people created a variety of ways to cook squid teeth such as in pie, grilled satay, stew, and more. The most famous dish is simply grilled squid teeth.

Another local favourite is steamed bo hom fish, nicknamed “Thiet giap bien” (sea armour) because of its square shape and the patterns on its body. It is sweet, juicy and nutritious, especially when combined with the flavours of aromatic herbs, salty fish sauce and sweet Phu Long griddlecake. Revellers can enjoy bo hom at many of the eateries on Pham Van Dong Street along Ca Ty River.

Traditional Vietnamese cooking is greatly admired for its fresh ingredients, minimal use of dairy and oil, complementary textures, and reliance on herbs and vegetables. It is also low in sugar and is almost always naturally gluten-free, as many of the dishes are made with rice noodles, rice papers and rice flour instead of wheat. With the balance between fresh herbs and meats and selective use of spices to reach a fine taste, Vietnamese food is considered one of the healthiest cuisines worldwide.

9)     Learn Kite Surfing And Other WaterSports

Kitesurfing in Mui Ne has become a popular activity amongst locals and visitors in recent years thanks to its tropical monsoon climate and rock-free waters. In January 2011, Mui Ne hosted the second season of the Kite Tour Asia Competition, where participants from Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, and Europe took part in a four-day event of freestyling, hang-time and course-racing.
 

As a result, the 15-kilometer beach is lined with kitesurfing schools offering equipment rental and lessons that suit just about any level. Mui Ne Beach is also great for other water sports such as swimming, kayaking, and surfing.

While it’s relatively sunny all year long, the best time to enjoy visit Mui Ne is from November to March, when skies are clear with strong winds, resulting in optimum temperatures and wave conditions.

We tried Kitesurfing whilst living in Hua Hin, Thailand but never got the hang of it, however, it was an experience to try and don’t regret giving it our best shot.! We’re more a jet-ski fans

10)  Hit the Nightlife

Time to party and see Mui Ne and Phan Thiet’s nightlife. There is enough in the way of entertainment to keep boredom at bay throughout your holiday. Hotel bars, late-night restaurants, and hippy lounges are set along Mui Ne Beach, offering relaxed ambiance, friendly service, and, of course, lots of booze and food.

During the high season, expect vibrant parties, cultural nights, movie screenings, bonfires, dance performances, and guest DJs from all across Vietnam and Europe. For a perfect combination for a fun night out with locals and fellow travelers, please double-check on these venues as some have taken a massive hit and may have closed after the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Dragon Beach Bar. Dragon Beach Bar is arguably one of the most popular nightlife venues on Mui Ne Beach, attracting a crowd of locals,
• Deja Vu Restaurant & Bar Mui Ne. …
• Jibe’s Suoi Nuoc Mui Ne.
• Pogo Beach Bar & Restaurant is an open-air nightlife venue set along Nguyen Dinh Chieu, featuring live music, free Wi-Fi, pool tables, and daybeds, as well as extensive food and alcohol menus. 
• Line Up Bar – Mui Ne Beach Club & Restaurant
• Muine Triangle Rooftop

11)  Get Pampared After Your Night Out.

Around the corner from us, we found a new start-up business with a touch of class from a local lady named Julie. Bamboo Nail & Spa. Julies’ massages were very reasonably priced and joy of relaxation after a day of hitting the sun, walking, and sightseeing.

Getting pampared on your travels is a great stress reliever and very inexpensive activity,esepcially in Asia. Feel like a Queen or a King for the day!

107 Huỳnh Tấn Phát, Mũi Né, Phan Thiết, Bình ThuậnPhan Thiet, Vietnam

12)  Phan Thiet City Centre – Hit The Shops For Your Souvenirs

The capital of Binh Thuan Province and is surrounded by pristine beaches such as Mui Ne, Ke Ga, Tien Thanh, and Ham Tien. Although traditionally famous for producing nuoc cham or fish sauce (a vital condiment in popular Vietnamese dishes), this bustling coastal city attracts a rapidly growing number of travelers looking to soak up the sun and enjoy a relaxing getaway.

Plenty of Phan Thiet’s top hotels are conveniently set within the city centre, where travellers can easily visit prominent attractions such as Po Shanu Cham Towers, Van Thy Tu Temples, Sand Dunes of Mui Ne, and Ong Hoang Hill via Grab taxi or motorcycle, or guided tours. If you’re travelling on a modest budget, there are plenty of public buses running from the city centre to Mui Ne and Ham Tien Beach throughout the day.

13) Beaches in Mui Ne and Pahn Thiet

Although you can spend your time in Mui Ne very actively, many beaches around also allow you to unwind and chill out. Lately, Mui Ne has made it among the top beach destinations in Vietnam, yet beaches are still not that crowded as you might have expected. The main Mui Ne beach is pretty long, so you will for sure be able to find here a secluded place, but if you prefer more quiet beaches, you can head a bit further to Hon Rom beach or Suoi Nuoc beach.

We always liked to go to the beach later in the afternoon to watch the watersports and kitesurfers with a beer in hand and at our accommodation, we had a beautiful beach literally on our doorstep when in Mui Ne.

You decide whether you prefer to stay in a resort or a hostel near the sea, and although it is not absolutely necessary, we recommend you to find accommodation within walking distance, as closer to the shore you are, you can enjoy more laidback vibe. It just adds the ambiance of being in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet, with spontaneous walks, night or day.

These places are best for beaches in Mui Ne:

• Mui Ne Beach
• Bai Da Ong Dia Beach
• Hon Rom
• Doi Duong beach is located in the center of Phan Thiet (Phan Thiết) City, in the Ham Tan (Hàm Tân) Coastal District, about 2km northeast from Ham Tan District

14)  Find the Source of Fish Sauce

Near to the fairy, stream entrance is a place where fish sauce is made. Not one of the top things to do in Mui Ne but if you fancy filling your face with the smell of anchovies fermented in brine for eight months then dip your nose in.

Mui Ne is fish sauce central and where most of Vietnam’s fish sauce is fermented and produced. You’ll smell it before you see it but despite its pong, it does have the most delicious flavor and gives Vietnamese food its authentic taste.

15)  Phan Thiet, Ke Ga and Ta Cu Day Tour From Mui Ne

Tourandtakein have our special Vietnamese,English speaking guides. So why not take a day trip and learn more than your normal touristy things.

• Enjoy the private full-day trip to Ta Cu, Ke Ga Lighthouse and Phan Thiet with friends and family
• Visit beautiful natural scenery and enjoy a lot of delicious dishes made from fresh seafood
• Visit the process of making a bottle of wine in the underground wine cellar and enjoy fine wines
• Add-on Service (Per pax – Seasonal Fruit, Wine Tasting at RD Wine Castle, Local food at Phan Thiet Market, Fresh dragon fruit at farm, Cable car at Ta Cu mountain, Boat to Ke Ga lighthouse, Seafood Lunch)

In this delightful easy restful day out you will visit Poshanu cham tower which is a famous cham historical and cultural relic of Binh Thuan province, explore the Takou mountain and admire the lush green trees, the blooming dong trees and see the panorama of nearly half of the mountain and finally experience the feeling of climbing 183 steps to reach the highest point of the Kega lighthouse. ( Not in that order as we speak to you first to see what you may and may not want to do.) Or you are free to take the trip by yourself:)

Our prices range from 1,431,650.87 Vietnamese dong for a group of 1-3 or around 59.00 dollars.

Contact us for more information before booking

We really hope you like our personal article of our visit to Mui Ne and Phan Tiet. We will be back when the world opens up again! Please subscribe to our blog and share if you have time.Enjoy your travels and stay safe!!

Other Vietnam related articles:

Check out our YouTube channel , which has many more videos on our travels and Mui Ne and Phan Tiet.

Our blog destination guide for Vietnam.

Our drive through Phan Tiet 

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Alternative places to visit in Vietnam: The tourist trail in Vietnam takes in the hotspots of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Halong Bay.Danang and Mui Ne, but when social distancing rules out crowds, escape to these rewarding alternatives.

1. Swap Halong Bay for Lan Ha Bay: Seasoned travellers are familiar with the verdant karst and aquamarine waters of Halong Bay. Instead, head south to neighbouring Lan Ha Bay. You can still gaze up in awe at dramatic limestone mountains and swim in lagoons and bays, but most of the boats you see will be filled with local fishermen rather than other travellers. With less pollution than its northern neighbour, a dip in the sea is a must.

2. Trade overdeveloped Sapa for scenic Ha Giang: Sitting in the northernmost part of the country, Ha Giang is a less crowded alternative to the rolling rice terraces of Sapa. Hire a bike and loop the province, taking in the old quarter of Dong Van and its vibrant market before admiring the incredible vistas at Heaven’s Gate and H’Mong King Palace. Finish with a ride over the breath-taking Ma Pi Leng Pass.

3. Try Haiphong and soak up the atmosphere of old Hanoi: Crumbling colonial-era buildings. Tree-lined boulevards. A laid-back café culture. Distinctive local cuisine. An abundance of temples, shrines, pagodas, and mausoleums. Haiphong is ‘mini Hanoi’ without the hassle, resembling the capital as it was 30 years ago. Find inner space in the tranquillity of Du Hang Pagoda, take in a performance at the colonial Haiphong Opera House, or explore Haiphong Museum, where the city’s history is brought to life.

4. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park: Sandwiched between the border of Vietnam-Laos border and the South China Sea, this national park covers 885 sq km of unspoiled jungle, which is home to Asian black bears and noisy macaques. It’s also the site of underground rivers and the world’s largest natural cave, Hang Son Doong (Mountain River Cave). This is truly one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Its 5km length is protected by UNESCO and it reaches heights of 200 meters. See the world’s largest stalagmite, jungles, and rivers enclosed in clouds.

5. Visit Con Dao Islands for beaches without the crowds: This modest archipelago off the southern coast is home to Con Dao National Park. Beach fans who want to avoid the crowds (and divers) can find their own slice of paradise by trekking out to Dam Tre Bay, where you will be rewarded by dense, creaking bamboo forests circling crystal-clear waters and lonely beaches.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Last Minute.com. They are my two favorite search engines because they search for websites and airlines around the globe, and again they haven’t let me down, that’s why we associate with them.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your apartment/homestay/guesthouse with AirBnB, we use these all the time and have never been let down, in fact as mentioned above, while in hospital in Italy, the company refunded us as we didn’t have chance to cancel our future booking until a fortnight later. We also have a $38 off offer for first-timers

Booking.com as they have the largest inventory as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

If you love animals, why not try pet sitting or housesitting with Trustedhousesitters. It’s a small cost to sign up to but again we’ve used these and saved hundreds over the years, plus living locally rather than as a tourist.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for several years now. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: