5 things to do in Mūi Né

The southern Vietnamese beach town of Mūi Né is well-known for its sand dunes. It's a perfect place to unwind on the beach while visiting Vietnam. Mūi Né is an excellent location to stay for a couple of days whether you're just beginning your trip through Vietnam or are nearly finished.

 

5 things to do in Mūi Né

  • Explore the sand dunes
  • Relaxing at the beach
  • Kitesurfing
  • Visit the fishing village
  • Sunrise and sunset

1. Explore the sand dunes

The white and red sand dunes are the main attractions in Mūi Né. You may briefly experience the sensation of being in the Sahara with nothing but sand all around you. Online descriptions, however, might exaggerate how impressive it is.

  • White sand dunes

    The white sand dunes are a forty-minute drive from Mūi Né. They are the larger of the two and are better suited for a tour on a jeep or quad. The drawback is that you'll notice numerous quad bike tracks in the sand and hear them passing by. The charm of the natural area is diminished by commercial exploitation, which may draw more visitors.

     

    You have the option of exploring the dunes on a quad bike or a jeep tour. On a quad bike, it is advised to travel alone; however, on a jeep tour, you can travel with others. However, I thought the quad bike tour was quite pricey—about €30.00 for 30 minutes.


    The best time to go to see the sunrise is early in the morning because it gets hot during the day. When it starts to cool off a little, you can also go see the sunset. You'll have to ride back to Mūi Né in the dark, but the roads are not too bumpy compared to the drive from Da Lat to Mūi Né.

     

    Personally, I think the windmills in the distance ruin the view because they aren't found in the real Sahara.

    • Red sand dunes

      The red sand dunes are just 15 minutes away from Mūi Né. They aren't suitable for jeeps or quad bikes because they are smaller. It was unfortunate that there was so much trash in the sand, though. Sleds can be used to slide down the sand dunes, but when I was there in the late afternoon and early morning, I didn't see anyone renting them. The red sand dunes weren't particularly impressive, but you could watch the sunset here.

       

      You can choose to visit the dunes on a tour, but it's cheaper to go on your own with a scooter.

    2. Relaxing at the beach

      A trip to Mūi Né isn't complete without some beach time. After waking up early to watch the sunrise at the sand dunes, it is especially pleasant to relax.

      3. Kitesurfing

      Mūi Né is the perfect location for kite surfers to get some practice. Along the coast, there are many places to take lessons or rent equipment. A good place is frequently suggested by your hotel.

      4. Fishing village

      It is quite interesting to see the fishing village. There are a ton of boats in the water that are visible from the road, but when you get there, it's chaotic. The fish is brought to the shore where it is quickly sold to restaurants. I only walked the beach for two minutes because I didn't like the smell and sometimes it wasn't very clean. It's interesting to observe, though.

      5. Sunrise and sunset

      After being soaked for eight days in the middle of Vietnam, I was in Mūi Né where I finally found some sun. The sun's appearance, especially when it rose early in the morning and cast an orange hue on the sky, made the scene even more stunning.

      Bonus tip for drone and nature lovers!

      We traveled through a stunning area of highlands on the QL28B about 75 kilometers from Mūi Né on our way from Da Lat to the coastal city. You can get there on a scooter in about 1.5 hours, but sometimes you have to put in a little extra work to get a gorgeous picture (as you may have noticed by the time you take the bus ride).

      Hostel tip: iHome Backpackers Resort

      The excellent beachfront location, pool, and sociable atmosphere more than make up for the slightly subpar amenities. Recommendable for backpackers who like to party and socialize!

      How many nights?

      You can stay here for 3–4 nights, depending on your travel plans, the various activities you'd like to do, and your need for relaxation. Unless you really want to relax, I would personally choose 2-3.

      Next up: Saigon, Da Lat or Hoi An?

      • Saigon: 5.5 hours
      • Da Lat: 5.5 hours
      • Hoi An: 15 hours