Ho Chi Minh City has seen a boom in the tourism industry in the past few years. While the city’s colonial infrastructures, theme parks and bustling markets have bolstered Ho Chi Minh’s reputation as a tourist hub, take the road less travelled the next time you’re there and explore the nearby charming seaside town of Mui Ne.
Just a couple of hours via train or bus from Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne provides the perfect destination for a short getaway within a getaway. What’s more, this lesser-known destination will guarantee minimal crowds and stunning scenery.
Here are a few recommendations for the best of Mui Ne, making it a must-visit stop for your Vietnam itinerary.
MUST DOS IN MUI NE
White Sand Dunes
It is a geographical wonder to experience a sand dune in the tropical areas of Southeast Asia, let alone to visit two types of sand dunes easily next to a single town in Vietnam. The White Sand Dunes are roughly 25km from Mui Ne, with quad bikes available for rent to conquer the sandy terrains in style.
Located: White Sand Dunes, Bac Bình District, Bình Thuận Province, Vietnam.
Red Sand Dunes
For a more accessible option, the Red Sand Dunes are much closer to the city centre of Mui Ne and boasts equally impressive sights – except that the sand has a deeper reddish hue rather than bright white. Local women can be seen renting sleds for visitors to experience sand boarding on dunes, a fun alternative from quad bikes.
Located: Red Sand Dunes, 706B, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Bình Thuận, Vietnam.
Fairy Stream
The surreal Fairy Stream is a peaceful creek surrounded by otherworldly red-rock canyon formations. Take a walk barefooted along the shallow streams or put your shoes back on for a hike up the rocks to get a panoramic view of the area. Reminiscent of a mini Grand Canyon, the Fairy Stream winds through bamboo forests, boulders and dunes.
Located: Fairy Stream, 67 Huỳnh Thúc Kháng, Phường Hàm Tiến, Thành phố Phan Thiết, Bình Thuận, Vietnam
WHERE TO STAY
Mui Ne is known for being a quaint beach resort town. Palm-lined stretches of the beach and water sports activites along the shorelines are a common sight , making beach resorts one of the best options for accommodation.
Beach hotels and resorts are aplenty and available for bookings starting from about SGD 60 per night for an affordable luxury stay. Budget options are also available starting from SGD 15 per night with most options within 200 metres from the beach.
For the budget traveller, clean and fuss-free guesthouses and hostels are also an ideal choice in Mui Ne.
GETTING THERE
By Air:
With twice-daily return flights from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietjet offers excellent flight times, allowing you to spend some time in Ho Chi Minh City before heading over to Mui Ne, or board a train upon landing to reach your accommodation just in time for a welcome dinner. Choose from the 12:05 pm or 4:55pm departing flights from Singapore and land in Ho Chi Minh City at 2:10pm and 7 pm respectively. Return flights are available departing from Ho Chi Minh City at 9 am or 1:50 pm, arriving back in Singapore at 11:05 am and 3:55 pm respectively (all are in local times). For those looking to travel in style, Vietjet’s SkyBoss service offers priority boarding, airport lounge access and more. Look out for the airline’s daily promotional flight prices between 1 pm – 3 pm daily at www.vietjetair.com
By Train:
There are many modes of transport to choose from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne. Commuting by train is the fastest option in terms of public transport, taking a total of about five hours to get from Ho Chi Minh train station to Phan Thiet station and then transferring to a bus or taxi to get into the heart of Mui Ne. Tickets can be bought directly from Ho Chi Minh train station and the train route operates once a day.
By Bus:
For an even cheaper option, daytime and nighttime buses are available. Bus tickets can be bought in Ho Chi Minh city centre ranging from about SGD 6 to SGD 10, depending on whether you choose the “open buses” (normal buses) or the “sleeping buses” (with folding seats enabling a comfortable nights rest). Each bus carrier operates on their own timetable, so you can easily choose a time that is the most convenient. The entire trip will take between five to seven hours depending on traffic.
By Car:
For bigger groups of travellers, and families with young ones, hiring a private car is the fastest and most comfortable option. The journey costs about SGD 80 onwards and takes only five hours to get to the doorstep of your Mui Ne accommodation.
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