Mui Ne is a small fishing village in the south of Vietnam. Despite having more hotels than fishing houses nowadays, Mui Ne has managed to retain the charm of a quaint fishing village. Life here is still wonderfully authentic, offering a beautiful glimpse into how Vietnam’s fishermen have been living for decades. You can also enjoy exciting activities in Mui Ne, such as surfing and quad biking in the sand dunes. Curious about what else there is to do? In this article, you’ll find all the tips for Mui Ne!
How to Travel to Mui Ne?
Most people travel to Mui Ne from Hoi An or Ho Chi Minh City. Below, you’ll find information on how to travel from these destinations to Mui Ne. If you want to travel to Mui Ne from a different location, check out all the different routes.
From Hoi An to Mui Ne
By Night Train: Taking the night train is a good choice for traveling from Hoi An to Mui Ne. The night train departs from Da Nang, so you’ll first need to travel from Hoi An to Da Nang train station, which is about an hour’s drive away. You can take a taxi or a bus to get there. In Da Nang, board the night train that will take you to Binh Thuan in about 13 to 15 hours. To have a comfortable journey, it’s advisable to reserve a first or second-class sleeper cabin. Once you arrive in Binh Thuan, it’s a short drive of about an hour to Mui Ne.
By Plane: If you prefer to fly, you can take a flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh. So, you’ll first need to travel from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport, which is about an hour’s ride. From Da Nang Airport, several airlines offer direct flights to Ho Chi Minh, with one-way tickets often costing around $555. Please note that it’s still about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne, and the journey takes approximately three hours. You may need to spend a night in Ho Chi Minh and continue your journey to Mui Ne the next day.
By Bus: There are bus services from Hoi An to Mui Ne, but this is not the most comfortable way to travel this route, as the bus journey takes around 20 hours. If you have no other choice, check out the current departure times and consider reserving a seat on the bus in advance.
From Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne
By Train: Board the train from Ho Chi Minh to Binh Thuan. This journey takes approximately 3.5 hours. From Binh Thuan, it’s just a short hour’s drive to Mui Ne. Reserve your train ticket here.
By Bus: The bus ride from Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne takes about 4.5 hours. Check out all the current departure times and consider reserving your bus ticket in advance.
What to Do in Mui Ne?
Mui Ne may not be very large, but it’s the perfect place to relax on the beach and enjoy the diverse landscapes.
Learn Kitesurfing in Mui Ne
Mui Ne is among the top 10 best places in the world for kitesurfing. Kitesurfers from all over the world come here to be propelled by their kites. The months from October to April are good months for kitesurfing, with December and January being the most popular. In the morning, conditions are often mild, and in the afternoon, the wind gets stronger, and the waves get bigger.
If you’re already a kitesurfer or interested in learning, you can rent kites or take lessons at C2Sky, owned by Dutch native Liz. Here, you can count on professional kite instructors. You can choose to take an introductory lesson, but if you want to master the basics, you should take lessons for several days.
Surfing in Mui Ne
Is surfing more your thing? Great news! The waves in Mui Ne are also perfect for getting on a surfboard. It’s fun to take one or more surf lessons if you’ve never surfed or have limited experience. Who better to learn from than a local who has been surfing in Mui Ne for years? Tuan is a super enthusiastic surf instructor who speaks good English, and he’s more than willing to teach you all the ins and outs of surfing. You’ll be riding the waves in no time! Book your surf lesson with Tuan here.
Enjoy Cocktails at Pineapple Beach Bar
Of course, you also come to Mui Ne to enjoy the sun, sea, and beach. The beaches of Mui Ne may not necessarily invite you to lay your towel on the sand. I’ve looked for an alternative, and I’ve found it. Pineapple Beach Bar is a very relaxed spot. Among the palm trees, many cozy seating areas have been created, and there are lights and lanterns everywhere. Just settle down on a beanbag, order a tasty cocktail, and some snacks. Enjoy!
Visit the Red and White Sand Dunes
One of the most popular things to do in Mui Ne is visiting the red and white sand dunes. The red sand dunes are adjacent to the town and are close to the sea. Due to the strong sea winds, the dunes are constantly changing. New sand shapes are created every hour, making it extra special. The best time to visit the red sand dunes is during sunset. The red sand turns even redder, and it’s beautiful to watch the sun set from here. Additionally, the sand can get very hot on your feet if you visit during the sunny daytime.
The white sand dunes are much larger than the red ones and are located 26 kilometers (16 miles) away from Mui Ne. You can choose to ride a scooter to the sand dunes by yourself or hop in a jeep. With this jeep tour, you can visit both the white and red sand dunes, and you can choose between sunrise or sunset. Please note that this jeep serves as transportation only, and you can book sandboarding and quad biking upon arrival.
Admire the Local Life and Stroll Through the Fishing Harbor
Set your alarm early because in Mui Ne, you’ll get a unique glimpse into the authentic life of Vietnamese fishermen. Early in the morning, the entire sea is dotted with colorful fishing boats, and there are a lot of people bustling about. You’ll see women carrying large baskets heading towards the sea, ready to receive the fishermen’s catch. On the beach, the caught sea creatures are then sold in large round containers. It’s authentic but also quite poignant. The beach is incredibly busy with negotiations taking place. A remarkable and impressive place.
Tip: Go early in the morning when the fishermen return with their catch to the Fishing Harbor.
Take a Walk through the Fairy Stream
The Fairy Stream is a shallow stream surrounded by unique nature. Here, you can take a refreshing walk, barefoot in the stream. The water is at the perfect temperature because it’s so shallow. It’s a nice place to cool off while enjoying the impressive nature around you. During the walk, you can buy a cold coconut or a tasty ice cream at several spots. The walk through the Fairy Stream takes about thirty minutes and ends at a small waterfall. After that, you’ll walk back along the same route to the starting point of the Fairy Stream.
Best Restaurants in Mui Ne
May Bowls Muine: Start your day healthy at May Bowls Muine. Here, they serve delicious fruit bowls with toppings like chia seeds, coconut, and almonds.
A Sunday in August: Calling all sweet tooths and coffee lovers, this is where you can get the tastiest coffee and milkshakes.
Sunset on The Beach: For a tasty cocktail along with Vietnamese snacks, this is the place to be. The restaurant has a cozy bohemian atmosphere, and from the terrace, you can enjoy a view of the sea. You can’t see the sunset from this side of the beach, but the sky turns beautiful pink at the end of the day.
Good Morning Vietnam: The best Italian restaurant in Mui Ne.
El Cafe Vegan Vegetarian Food: This is a nice vegetarian spot where you can eat tacos, falafel, and various Indian dishes.
Our Favorite Places to Stay in Mui Ne
MiNhon Hotel Muine: A charming hotel where comfort is highly valued. You’ll stay in a beautiful room with air conditioning, a modern bathroom, and a comfortable bed, which is unique by Vietnamese standards! There’s a nice pool surrounded by tropical plants, and free bikes are available for rent.
If you prefer staying in a hostel where you can seek the company of activities and parties, then iHome Backpacker Resort is the place to be. Here, you can easily connect with other travelers, and there’s a nice pool.
If a quiet hostel is more your style, Eva Hut Mui Ne Beach Hostel is perfect. Here, you’ll stay right on the beach!
 MiNhon Hotel |
 iHome Backpacker Resort |
 Eva Hut Mui Ne Beach Hostel |
