Located at the southern end of Vietnam’s enchanting eastern coastline, Mui Ne is the last coastal outpost before the chaos of Ho Chi Minh City.
Sitting modestly just four hours outside of the hustle and bustle, Mui Ne is, without a doubt, the angel on the shoulder of Saigon. Laidback vibes pour from the heart of Mui Ne as it boasts the capacity to offer a little bit of fun for everyone.
Backpackers travel in droves to ogle at the famous white sand dunes. Sports enthusiasts flock to the ocean to try their hand at kite surfing, and city slickers hole up in the trendy beachside resorts, escaping the bedlam of Ho Chi Minh.
Where to stay in Mui Ne?
Mui Ne hosts an abundance of classy and comfortable resorts overlooking its fantastic coastline. It also houses a host of super cheap hideaway backpacker hostels and budget guesthouses for travellers seeking a more rustic experience.
Mui Ne Backpackers Hostels – Top 5
This hostel is ridiculously good value for money for budget backpackers with beds from just $2.5 US per night! (No wonder Vietnam was voted the cheapest country to travel in SE Asia!) The hostel has five (yes, five!) outdoor swimming pools with beautiful views over the sea and plenty of fun nightly activities to get involved in, like beer pong, limbo and pillow fights! (Read more about that in our article here!)
The accommodation is actually made up of four separate hotels (Mui Ne Hills Budget Hotel, Mui Ne Hills Villa Hotel, Mui Ne Hills Bliss Hotel and last but not least, Mui Ne Hills Backpackers!). Their idea is to cater for every type of traveller in one place… From backpackers, to flashpackers, to couples and those looking for more luxury. If you want a bit of privacy, the double rooms at Mui Ne Budget Hotel will cost you just $15 USD. All in all, every type of traveller can find what they’re looking for at Mui Ne Hills and there’s the option to get involved in the resort’s social activities or just chill and enjoy the fabulous facilities…
For a full review of Mui Ne Hills Backpackers, check out our article here.
2. Mui Ne Backpacker Village: For a modern and vibrant backpacker resort, look no further than the Mui Ne Backpacker Village. The resort hosts a fantastic swimming pool and bar area serving delicious food at a reasonable price. A bed in a 12-bed mixed dorm will set you back a measly $4 USD whilst a standard double room with ensuite costs just $17 USD. The hostel offers numerous jeep tours to the sand dunes and surrounding areas and lies in the heart of Mui Ne’s backpacker area.
3. Mui Ne Garden: With spacious dorm rooms and privates that feel more like your own apartment than a hotel room, this place is also fantastic value for money. (Dorm beds $5 USD and privates $15 USD.) Located in a well-kept garden with a swimming pool and hammocks to chill in, the hostel is near enough to the nightlife but not so close that you can’t get a good night’s sleep. Also minutes from the beach.
4.Mui Ne Xua Cafe Hostel: Another place that gets great reviews is the Mui Ne Xua Cafe Hostel that has a very different feel from the hostels above, with a large luscious garden, bamboo houses that you sleep in and palm trees all around. It’s much less of a backpacker party vibe here and more like a chilled out secluded resort, complete with on-site spa, sauna and café.
5.Long Son Mui Ne Beach Campgrounds Resort: The fancy Long Son Mui Ne Resort does what other resorts wouldn’t even dream of… They provide a space for backpackers to camp on their grounds and give them full access to the luxurious facilities! Camping here makes a nice change from staying in a backpacker dorm and you can pitch a tent right on the beach for a gorgeous view of the sea first thing in the morning!
A single tent costs $5 USD per night and a double tent costs $9 USD per night. Mattress, pillow and blanket are included and there are free toilets and showers nearby. If you don’t fancy camping, dorm beds are available for $7 USD. Even if you don’t stay here make sure you head down for their poker nights, movie nights and fun pub quizzes!
Read more about Long Son Mui Ne Resort here.
2 Flashpacker Stays & Luxury on a Budget
1. Mui Ne Hills Villa Hotel: For those looking for a taste of Luxury at an affordable price (from $25 USD per night) check out Mui Ne Hills Villa Hotel. Tucked away above the Mui Ne Coastline, Mui Ne Hills is an expanding, clean and comfortable resort, complete with a swimming pool and bar area. Their food is fantastic and can be enjoyed whilst overlooking spectacular views of the stunning coastline. This resort appeals mostly to expats seeking a weekend getaway, but if you are looking for a rare night of luxury on your travels you’ll find everything you are looking for at Mui Ne Hills!
2. MAY Bungalow: This brand new, sparklingly clean hotel gets cracking reviews and for good reason. At just $30 USD per night for a standard double room, not only is the hotel 150 metres from the beach, but there’s a lovely pool and a puppy to boot! The rooms are spacious, each with their own balcony and the surroundings are very peaceful. For foodies amongst you, there’s a food court nearby (Dong Vui Food Court) with over 20 different restaurants serving everything from Mediterranean to Indian cuisine!
Find more accommodation in Mui Ne here.
7 Top Things to Do in Mui Ne, Vietnam.
Hostels and resorts throughout Mui Ne will offer jeep tours which, on request, will visit most of Mui Ne’s popular attractions over the course of a day. Here are some of Mui Ne’s major highlights:
1. White Sand Dunes:
The white sand dunes have long been the most popular tourist attraction in Mui Ne, and for good reason! Imposing dunes encapsulate the entire landscape making you feel like Laurence of Arabia wandering through a desolate corner of the Sahara.
For the complete experience, it’s possible to visit the sand dunes at sunrise, when the spectacle of the rising sun creates an awe-inspiring view. The sand, untouched at this early hour, welcomes your footsteps on its soft, cool surface. As the sun rises, find your own spot in the deserted dunes and watch as the morning rays dance across the landscape. It’s well worth getting there early to cement a prime spot atop an empty dune and capture those all-important pictures and memories.
2. Kneeboarding or Quad Biking on the dunes
Visitors will undoubtedly be offered the chance to hire a quad bike or kneeboard on arrival at the dunes. During the day this experience is great fun as the dunes offer copious amounts of open space to let loose. However, avoid the temptation at sunrise as the quad bikes prove only to become an ambience-killer and will limit your time to enjoy the beautiful sunrise.
3. Red Sand Dunes:
The significantly less impressive red sand dunes sit directly next to the coastal road running out of Mui Ne. The rusty red dunes are indeed a spectacle but have unfortunately become a tourist trap. The dunes are crowded and overrun with friendly ladies trying to sell kneeboards. It’s pretty much impossible to get a clear picture of the surrounding landscape. They are worth a quick stop, but not a place to linger too long.
4. Lang Chi Fishing Village:
On the winding coastal road out of Mui Ne, you’ll come across a steep concrete verge which, from a distance, looks like exactly that, a concrete verge. However, step towards the edge of this imposing coastal drop and absorb the impressive panoramic view of the fishing scene below. At the foot of the drop, old fishing boats decay gracefully under the sun whilst out in the bay an armada of fishing vessels float patiently on the calm water.
Take a walk on the beach where the industrious workers sort frantically through the day’s catch. The scene on the sand is an assault on the senses. The smell of fish, both fresh and rotting is, unsurprisingly, overwhelming. Powerful colours dominate the shoreline.
Ladies, brightly dressed, crouch down to inspect the catch and even litter finds a suitable home in the chaos of the sand. If you eat seafood during your time in Mui Ne, it probably came from here. To really appreciate one of Vietnam’s most prominent industries, it’s well worth watching the melee of where your dinner came from.
5. The Fairy Spring (Suoi Tien):
Hidden comfortably down an inconspicuous alleyway, the concealed entrance to Mui Ne’s beautiful Fairy Spring protects its integrity from the masses. Leave your shoes behind and step carefully into the shallow stream carved out between the dunes.
The stream flows slowly and leads you on a delightful stroll through this striking landscape. At times the dunes become as high as canyons, towering impressively above you as you wander aimlessly onward.
For the best view of the surrounding landscape, it is possible to scale the side of a lung-busting dune and ogle from the top at the scene beyond. The golden sand and deep green trees clash to form a magical clash of colour.
The stream, to my knowledge, doesn’t lead anywhere in particular. But just to experience the landscape and possibly meet some friendly faces along the way makes a stroll through the stream a necessity for any trip to Mui Ne.
6. Kitesurfing and Windsurfing:
Both the above are extremely popular in Mui Ne and with these trendy sports comes the inevitably cool, laid back vibe as surfer types play on the beach in the day and chill in the bars at night. For those wanting to try the sports for the first time, lessons are available but they can be pricey. 2 hours of intense teaching (private lesson) costs $100 USD and a 5-hour ‘Waterstart’ package costs around $250 USD.
We’ve heard good things about Wind Chimes International Kitesurfing School who offer both kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons, as well as gear hire. Serious sorts tend to bring their own gear.
7. Enjoy the nightlife in Mui Ne:
On the whole Mui Ne is as laid back by night as it is by day. Restaurants ranging from traditional Vietnamese to Indian and even German food scatter along the quiet strip. It’s best to eat early as the restaurants won’t stay open much after 10 pm.
Many visitors choose to eat at their beachside resorts and so the main strip will never really be bustling in the evening. With the constantly changing outlook of Mui Ne’s laid-back atmosphere, the best way to find a nightspot is to ask around. That said, here are a few of the more popular spots at the moment…
Mad Monkey Backpacker Bar, located on the premises of the popular hostel Mui Ne Hills Backpackers, has become the main place for backpackers to hang out at night in Mui Ne. (Listed number one on Trip Advisor for nightlife in Mui Ne.) If you’re not a guest at Mui Ne Hills, don’t worry, you can still head there in the evening to party! As well as a swimming pool, a lively bar and DJ sets, they’ll soon be opening a dance floor with a chill-out zone and even a jacuzzi!
At Joe’s Cafe, live music is the order of the day, with live acts playing most nights from 7:30 pm onwards. Here you’ll tend to find a big crowd of ex-pats attracted by the impressive food and drinks menus.
If you’ve had enough of Mui Ne’s chilled side, head to Dragon Beach where the party gets a little more hectic by local standards. This is Mui Ne’s most popular nightclub where DJs, both local and western, play deep house, techno and drum ‘n’ bass late into the night. The bar also hugs the coastline and has a great chill-out area for when it all becomes too much.
How to get to Mui Ne?
By Train (Recommended!):
From Ho Chi Minh City there are two trains which run daily to Mui Ne’s nearest station, Phan Thiet. The first departs at 06:40 and the second at 17:40. Both trains take around four hours to reach Mui Ne and are very reliable.
A soft seat will cost you 175000 ($8US). For this, you’ll get a comfortable reclining seat with air-con and the offer of a food cart. A hard seat will set you back a mere 95000 VND ($4.50US) and will get you a park bench with shuttered windows but no air-con. For those on a tight budget, the hard seat is more than suitable. However, your journey will be considerably more comfortable with the soft seat option.
On arrival at Phan Thiet train station, you’ll need to take a taxi to Mui Ne. The journey of around 25 minutes will cost you between 250000VND and 300000VND ($11-$14).
Search and book trains here.
By Bus:
Daily services run from HCMC and will often drop you close to your hostel in around four hours (although it has been known to take longer). Most of the tour companies, situated in the Bui Vien area of the city, will be able to book you onto an open bus tour.
If you are travelling south from Nha Trang to Mui Ne there are two buses which run daily. The first leaves at 8 am, arriving at 1 pm and the second leaves at 8 pm, arriving at 1 am. The buses take around five hours and cost close to 6 dollars. (See timetable below. Binh Thuan is the province where Mui Ne is located.)
Sinh Café Travel runs a daily tourist bus from the mountain town of Dalat. The bus departs at 7.30am and arrives in Mui Ne at 1 pm. The five-hour journey will cost you $10 and can easily be organized through your hostel or directly through Sinh café. (See timetable below. Lam Dong is the province where Nha Trang is located and Binh Thuan is the province of Mui Ne.)
Search and book buses here.
Where to go next?
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Visit Vietnam’s biggest city for its interesting architecture, manic atmosphere and copious culinary options. Experience the Cu Chi tunnels, take a trip on the Mekong Delta and experience crossing the chaotic roads!
Nha Trang – Stop in Nha Trang for its pristine beach and clear blue water. Take an adventure in the deep with Nha Trang’s world-class diving or sample the local nightlife that soldiers on late into the night. For a pinch of culture visit the Cham Towers situated in the centre of town.
Da Lat – The mountainous town of Da Lat (Dalat) offers a completely different experience to that of its closest neighbours. Its beautiful French Colonial architecture and breathtaking views have made Da Lat a popular spot on the backpacker trail. But Da Lat is not just for looking at. Throw yourself off a cliff or abseil down a waterfall in the amazing canyoning experiences. But beware, Da Lat has a much cooler climate than the rest of Vietnam. Wrap up for your stay here and ensure you sample a delicious Dalat mountain coffee to bring a bit of warmth to your stay.
This destination guide was written by Matt Hilton: Matt is a 24-year-old Business Management Graduate from Wigan, England. With his Degree tucked comfortably in his back pocket, Matt set out into the vast expanse of the world to find as many ways as possible not to use it. So far his travels have taken him across Asia, Australia and America. He’s tried his hand at Farming, worked as a Disney Lifeguard and thrived in his role as a camp counsellor. Matt has now come full circle and found himself back in Asia where he’s settled in Vietnam’s vibrant Ho Chi Minh City to teach English. Matt writes about his travels and his chaotic Vietnamese lifestyle in his blog.
You can avoid the police if you take the back road out of town..
Yeah police fines suck I saw people drive past and they chased them. I just booked a jeep tour to the dunes for about £6 pp and left my bike at the hostel because I knew of the police spot.
Mui Ne does have a problem with Police stopping and checking if you have the correct paperwork to legally drive a bike in Vietnam. They are always at the same place around the same times and if you want to bypass them I have written a guide on how to. The site also has a lot of information on what to do in and around Mui Ne as well as nightlife, accom and restaurant options.
Thanks for sharing!
The dunes are OK, not very special. Town has a nice feel, unless in high season.
I was disappointed in Mui Ne – hidden costs with the trip booked through the hostel. Complete rip off to hire a buggy up to the top of the white dunes for 25 mins and being charged to go into the river where you walk to the waterfall. Tourist trap although great fish restaurants
The sand dunes are beautiful, but apart from them and the fishing village, I thought Mui Ne was a bit of a cop out. The police (possibly police, perhaps not) wait for unsuspecting motorbikers just after the dunes to fine you lots of money for not having a licence. I got caught 2 days running and had to pay £80 worth of fines in total. Proper tourist trap town unfortunately.
Much thanks for sharing, that scam certainly wasn’t active when we were there! 80 quid is a lot of money! We’ll add a warning note in the article – thanks! ⚠
It’s not a scam!! You’re breaking the law by not having the proper licence!!
80 pounds for sure for 2 stops is very expensive and the correct licence ( Viet or International) would mean a fine of 0 pounds. I’m sure that your own Country has some quite stiff penalties for illegal drivers as well. Maybe don’t carry quite so much money in your wallet and improve your negotiation skills for when you next get stopped.
Well why do the rental companies allow you to rent the bike in the first place without a proper licence?
Surely the onus and interest is on the person driving as opposed to the fella trying to make a quick buck off the rentals… Just like many other situations I’m sure we are all familiar with in SEA. Caveat emptor and all that
South East Asia Backpacker really? You need me to answer that?
Perhaps “Scam” is a strong word, let’s agree on “selective policing”. If the intention in this case was really to cut down the potential for accidents, then yes, the pressure would have to be put on the rental agents. Police would insist that they see the relevant licences before handing over the keys. Allowing unqualified tourists to rent a vehicle, stopping and fining them, then (and let’s be clear about this), allowing them to drive on once they’ve handed over the money, shows quite clearly that road safety is not the primary concern.
I’m aware you are meant to have an international licence, I am just pointing out that nowhere else I have been ever enforce that law. I rode across pretty much every city in Vietnam with no problems. In Mui Ne, they were waiting everyday at the tourist spots stopping everybody, threatening to take your bikes away unless you gave them money which they made up from the top of their head each time. I actually did hide money and offer them what I had (they wanted double). I don’t even know if they were official police.
Marcia Jackson
Of course it’s a scam. SEA is one big scam. Kinda funny at times and part of the journey. Older travellers deal with it better. Scream and shout, make a huge scene and play them at their own game. I demanded to be handcuffed once and pretended to ring the consulate. They soon backed down and went for an easier fish.
One more tourist trap !!!