Attractions & Things To See In Mui Ne
The main activities in Phan Thiet and Mui Ne beach include geological marvels, quaint fishing villages, scenic beaches, and verdant mountains. Additionally conspicuous are old structures dating back to the 9th century. During your holiday in the provincial capital of Binh Thuan and the nearby beach resort, you will have no shortage of things to see and do.
Although Phan Thiet and Mui Ne are two of the most populous coastal cities in Vietnam, they remain remarkably unaffected by urbanization. Here, the most popular attractions are the Red and White Sand Dunes, where visitors may spend a day riding ATVs or sliding down the slopes on rickety sleds. However, there is more to Phan Thiet and Mui Ne than the magnificent desert plains, therefore we have produced a list of the city’s most popular attractions.
- Poshanu Cham Tower (Thap Po Sah Inu). The Poshanu Cham Tower in the Phu Hai district is an abandoned remnant of the ancient Cham civilisation, which was constructed in the eighth century. It is still used by the local Cham community for religious and social activities, particularly during the annual Kate festival.
- Fish Sauce Plants. Where the renowned fish sauce nuoc mam is created. Large jars contain the combination, which, after months in the scorching sun, is sold throughout Vietnam to add flavor to food.
- Red Sand Dunes (Doi Cat). The renowned Red Sand Dunes are located on the main coastal road a short distance north of the fishing village at the northern end of Mui Ne Bay and around 10 kilometers from the major tourist strip. In certain locations, orange sand threatens to blow onto the seaside road throughout the sandy region. The dunes that tourists visit are around fifty hectares (half a square kilometer) of open sand on a hill with ten-meter undulations, staffed by dusty children with plastic slides who will provide instruction and assistance if you wish to slide on the sand. A lot of people have lost money, cameras, and cell phones in the sand or through theft and pickpocketing on the dunes, therefore caution is advised. The sand dunes provide beautiful views of the northern seashore. On the opposite side of the road is a collection of small cafes (illegally constructed but accepted by the local police) where you can park your vehicle for a nominal price if you ride there alone. The vast majority of day tours sold by local tour operators include a visit to the dunes. The cab fare from the major resort strip in Ham Tien is approximately 170,000 dong one way, whereas the xe om fare is less. It can be reached by bicycle in 30 to 45 minutes through the Fairy Stream. From the Malibu Beach (Ganh Beach) resorts, it is only a 5 to 10-minute walk to the base of the dunes.
- Fishing harbor (Lang chai Mui Ne). If you are staying on the resort strip in the wards of Ham Tien or Phu Hai, don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore this formerly tranquil “fishing village” that is today a bustling town at the northeast end of Mui Ne Bay. The beach road leads directly to the city (with a left turn required at the first red light to continue up the coast). During the dry “winter” season, don’t miss the harbor viewpoint near the entrance of Mui Ne, which offers a magnificent view of hundreds of colorful fishing boats parked in the bay. The boats shift to the opposite side of “Shelter Cape” (Mui Ne) during the monsoon season, from May to October, when the predominant wind direction changes from northeast to southwest. If you take your mode of transportation to the water’s edge, you will arrive at the fishing harbor, where you may get fresh seafood (if you have the means to prepare it) or steamed crabs, mussels, etc. to eat immediately from local merchants. Walking along the beach, you will see fisherman sorting their catch, ship-wharves, and, at the southern end of town, a stretch where clams have shed their shells for so many years that the sand has been replaced by shells. Be prepared to face garbage heaps and stretches on the beach.
- Mui Ne Market (Chợ Mũi Né). Just off the main road, further into the town, is a vibrant local market.
- Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien). The Fairy Stream is a little brook that flows through bamboo trees, stones, and dunes behind the settlement, at places resembling a tiny Grand Canyon. Local children will want to join you to show you the way (and, of course, earn a dollar or two in the process), but because you’re only following the stream, this is unnecessary. Even at its deepest, the stream is typically little deeper than knee-deep. It is sandy with few pebbles and is suitable for walking barefoot. You can climb the red sand hills overlooking the river valley and even stroll parallel to the river if you carry footwear, as the sand can become rather scorching on sunny days. Twenty minutes of upstream travel will bring you to a little waterfall with waist-deep water, perfect for a refreshing dip before returning. To reach the creek, proceed east along the main road until you reach a tiny bridge. Underneath the bridge lies a creek; a sign pointing to a route to the left will lead you to an easy area to enter the stream. The major resort strip is approximately 15 minutes away by bicycle and shouldn’t cost more than 20,000 dong by xe om. You can enter the park along the beach or at the bridge for a fee of 10,000 dong (although entry is officially free) and 5,000 dong for parking your motorcycle.
- White Sand Dunes (Đồi Cát Trắng). The White Sand Dunes are located roughly 45 kilometers northeast of the Ham Tien tourist strip and 24 kilometers east of the Red Sand Dunes and neighboring resorts on the Mui Ne peninsula (GPS 11.068254 108.428513). 4×4 or quad drives are given by any travel agency along the resort length, as well as by some resorts with their own cars. The distance is too far for a bicycle ride, especially in the heat, but a motorcycle excursion can get you there. Bring an international driver’s license if you do not possess a Vietnamese one (driving without a Vietnamese driver’s license is illegal in Vietnam); the local police is notorious for stopping foreigners on motorbikes on their way to and from the White Sand Dunes and demanding a fine (up to 1 million dong) or even seizing the motorbike. The entrance cost is 10,000 dong.