Getting to know Mui Ne
Four to five hours down the coast road from Ho Chi Minh City, in Binh Thuan province, sits a fishing village that became the country's kitesurfing and windsurfing capital. The boats still leave the harbour at dawn, and the resorts strung along the single main road stay low and unhurried.
The scenery inland is the surprise here: the Red Sand Dunes sit close to town and the larger White Sand Dunes further out, both unusual in a country better known for rice paddies and rainforest. Most visitors go by jeep or quad bike at sunrise or sunset, when the light and the temperature are both easier.
From November to April a steady coastal wind turns the beach into one of Asia's established kite and windsurfing spots, with schools and equipment for hire along the main strip - useful to know if you want lesson time built into your stay.
Things to do in Mui Ne
Red Sand Dunes
A short walk from town, popular at sunset for photographs and sand-sledding down the slopes.
White Sand Dunes
A larger dune field further out, usually visited by jeep in time for sunrise.
Fairy Stream
An easy barefoot paddle upstream through a small sandstone canyon; half a day is plenty.
Fishing village
Mui Ne's original harbour, where round bamboo basket boats still go out each day.
Kitesurfing and windsurfing
Board hire and tuition are available along the main beach, with the most reliable wind between November and April.
Beach resort time
A run of low-rise resorts suited to slow days by the pool and the sea between other stops.
Good to know
| Best time to visit | November to April (dry, best wind for kitesurfing); May-October is wetter with lighter wind |
| Getting there | About 4-5 hours by road from Ho Chi Minh City |
| Getting around | Taxi, hotel shuttle, motorbike rental along the main strip |
| Known for | Sand dunes, kitesurfing and windsurfing |
| Currency | Vietnamese Dong (VND) |
Trips that include Mui Ne
6D/5N Ho Chi Minh City & Mui Ne
City sightseeing followed by beach and dune days in Mui Ne.
9D/8N Mui Ne, Ho Chi Minh City & Phu Quoc
Combines the dunes with an island beach extension on Phu Quoc.
Da Lat or Phu Quoc can be slotted in, dropped or reordered, and the whole thing shortened to a simple loop out of Ho Chi Minh City and back. Send your dates and party size and a day-by-day plan with hotel choices comes back to you.