Vietnam is a country exploding onto the travelers top destination list in recent years as it becomes part of the South East Asia backpacker route. With so many travelers arriving into the country to main tourist cities such as Da Nang, it is becoming harder to find somewhere quiet and real to go to experience the tastes of Vietnam.
Enter Mui Ne, a small fishing village with the laid back surfer charm that many weary travelers crave, along with a pumping nightlife, plenty of adventure and friendly locals. If you want to spend a few days chilling out on the coast of Vietnam then this coastal village ticks all of the boxes.
Where is Mui Ne?
Mui Ne is located in the Binh Thuan province in the south-eastern region of Vietnam, and is roughly a five-hour bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City, although the buses tend to run late or be delayed so the journey is often longer. The small fishing village is basically just a 15km stretch of beach with one road dividing the resorts and beach side bungalows from the shops and restaurants. Yet this small village retains the perfect balance between old and new world charm, with a splash of laid back surfer vibe.
Even though there has been a resort boom in recent years, with resorts taking over the beach, there still remains smaller and more intimate bungalows and hotels available to stay at, which offer more privacy and a more relaxed atmosphere. Note the mention that they are much cheaper.
Activities in Mui Ne
Mui Ne is the water sports capital of Vietnam with kite boarding and wind surfers ruling the waves along the beach. If you have ever considered to learning to wind or kite surf now is your time if you have a few days to spare in Mui Ne. You can hire out surfboards and any other gear you need from one of the shops along the beach. If you want to take on a new adventure and try your hand at kite boarding then you can also arrange lessons along the beach too.
Mui Ne is also on the edge of the intriguing White Sand Dunes or Bao Trang of Mui Ne and they are a sight to behold. Picture you are standing amid towering sand hills which stretch for as far as the eye can see. You will feel as though you are in the middle of the desert.
Rent a quad bike when you are there to be able to zoom around the sand hills and explore fully and to take in the size of the dunes. The White Sand Dunes are located in one of the driest areas in South East Asia and can be reached by both jeep or motorcycle for the more adventurous, but be warned it is a long ride by bike from Mui Ne. Along the way to the dunes you will pass the red sand dunes which are much smaller but also great to get out and have a quick look at.
If water sports or desert wandering are not your thing then there are plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants that you can relax in and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese coffee or one of the many local dishes.
Mui Ne is also known for its pumping night life so if you want to dance the night away with ocean views then this is the place to do it with a variety of bars and small clubs to choose from.
If you are the weary traveler wanting to lie low for a few days then Mui Ne is the perfect place in Vietnam to do so.
Just a word of warning, a few days might turn into a few weeks in Mui Ne.
