Mui Ne – the tourist gem on the coast of southern Binh Thuan Province – is popular with adventure travellers who like their vacations to involve a bit of action. Unlike many other beachy hotspots in Vietnam, Mui Ne boasts both waves and wind, so it’s where people go to surf and kitesurf. 

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Then there are the infamous, Insta-worthy sand dunes, there’s the abundance of fresh seafood, and the fascinating Cham architectural relics to explore. Here are seven things to do when you head to Mui Ne…

GET IN THE SURF

As Vietnam’s surfing mecca, Mui Ne is where you can go to catch some waves. Rent a board or take some lessons, if you’re new to the sport. Since the wind whips up here, especially from November to April, this is also the perfect spot to learn how to kitesurf. There are many clubs and schools that can literally ‘show you the ropes’. By all accounts, you’ll soon be hooked. 

Other watersports to consider include snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), sailing or traditional windsurfing. Or you can take the more relaxing approach and simply watch all the action from the comfort of your beach lounger or towel…

 

HEAD TO THE DUNES

For some ‘dune bashing’, there are two options easily reached from Mui Ne − known as the ‘white sand hills’ and the ‘red sand hills’, based on the colour of their sand. The nearest are the white sand hills, also called the ‘flying sand hills’ because of how the wind shifts them around. Close to the beach, these hills are great for photographs, sandboarding or sandsliding. 

 

Then, about 65km from Phan Thiet City, you’ll find the paler dunes surrounding lakes at Bau Trang. Adventurous activities include jeep safaris, off-road motorbiking or quad biking up and down the hills. Fun, guaranteed!

 

HIKE TA CU MOUNTAIN

For a peaceful day out in nature, consider hiking Ta Cu Mountain. The 7.2km hike round trip is considered easy to moderate, and should take you about two to three hours with breaks. Stop to take photos at the Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda and the serene reclining Buddha statue. At 49 metres in length and 7 metres in height, it’s considered the longest reclining Buddha in the whole of Southeast Asia. Finally, admire the views from the summit (649 metres) and take a well-earned rest. 

 

Alternatively, there’s always the cable car for those wanting the less strenuous route. There’s also a theme park and restaurant here, so this is a great outing for families. 

 

SAVOUR THE SEAFOOD

When on a beachside holiday – whether an active or relaxing one – the best way to get the all-round experience is to enjoy the fresh seafood as often as possible. Of course, Mui Ne has seafood aplenty. 

For a start, rise early and head to the morning fish market. Local fishermen return with their fresh catch, and a lot of busy market activity goes on that reminds you of how reliant many locals are on the sea for their livelihoods. If you’re a budding photographer, you’ll be sure to capture many unique shots here of daily life along a particularly beautiful section of Vietnam’s coastline. 

For a casual seafood barbeque, street-food style, head to the embankment stalls. Regional specialities to try include sun dried squid (muc mot nang); Mai fish salad; fish hotpot (lau tha), and thick noodle soup with fishcakes (banh canh cha ca). As a souvenir, take home some of the yummy fish sauce that’s been produced in nearby Phan Thiet for hundreds of years. Phan Thiet Fish Sauce is considered among the best in the land.

 

VISIT THE FAIRY STREAM

Want a cooling, soothing break from the sun, sea and sand? A walk to nature would help. Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien), situated about 18 km North East of Phan Thiet, this stunning stream runs between white and ochre stalactite hills. 

Walk through the shallow and admire the lush greenery and impressive rock formations surrounding it. Vendors sell snacks and drinks, and you can cool off at the small waterfall at the end. 

EXPLORE THE CHAM RELICS

There’s evidence of the fascinating ancient Cham Kingdom that once existed in the region all around Vietnam in the form of towering temple relics and heritage sites. The Cham people were masters at building temples in honour of their Hindu gods, many of which still stand today. 

On a hill a few kilometres east of Mui Ne, you’ll find the Poshanu Cham Tower Complex − ruins of three temples dating back to the 8th and 9th century. If you time your visit well, you could catch the annual Kate Festival held by the local Cham people in October to this day. But even on an ordinary day, the views from the hilltop are worth enjoying as you contemplate the region’s ancient history. 

 

UP YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

Craving a restorative retreat that lets you go inward as you refine your yoga poses? A wellness-focused trip that incorporates daily yoga sessions is just what’s in order. 

There are several yoga centres in Mui Ne, and many hotels and resorts offer regular yoga retreats. So whether you book a package trip or custom-create your own yoga holiday, you have many options. Among others, these include Yogadom Na Gore (also known as “Yoga house on the hill”), Sailing Club Resort, and the Mui Ne Mineral Mud Center, where classes are combined with healing mud baths. Or you could just Do It Yourself. Lay out your yoga mat on Mui Ne beach at sunrise or sunset, strike a pose, and say, “Namaste, from Mui Ne!”

 

This year, Binh Thuan Province is the host of the Visit Vietnam Year 2023 with the theme “Green Tourism comes together”, giving you another reason to explore, relax and play around Mui Ne Beach and Phan Thiet City.