Mũi Né

• • Poshanu Cham Tower — The Poshanu Cham Tower in Phu Hai ward is a derelict remainder of the ancient Cham culture that was built in the 8th century. It is still in use for religious and social gatherings by the local Cham population, especially during the annual Kate festival.
• • Fish Sauce Plants — Where the famous nuoc mam (fish sauce) is produced. Big jars harbor the concoction that, after months in the blazing sun, is sold all over Vietnam to add some spice to the food.
• • Red Sand Dunes — The famous Red Sand Dunes on the main coastal road a short distance north of the fishing town at the north end of Mui Ne Bay, about 10 km from the main resort strip. The whole region is fairly sandy, with orange sand threatening to blow onto the coastal road in some spots. The dunes that visitors visit are about 50 ha (1/2 km²) of open sand on a hillside with ten-meter undulations, staffed by dusty children with plastic slides, who will offer instruction and assistance if you want to slide on the sand. Caution is recommended since a number of tourists have lost money, cameras or cell phones in the sand or through theft and pick-pocketing on the dunes. The sand dunes offer nice views of the sea coast to the north. On the opposite side of the road are a series of small cafés, where you can park your vehicle for a small fee if you ride there on your own. Most day tours sold by local tour operators include a stop at the dunes. — Directions: The trip by taxi from the main resort strip in Ham Tien is about 170,000 dong each way, and less by xe om. It is reachable by bicycle in 30-45 minutes, passing the Fairy Stream on the way.
• • Fishing harbor — If you are staying on the resort strip in Ham Tien or Phu Hai wards, don't miss out to visit this once quiet "fishing village" but nowadays bustling town, at the northeast end of Mui Ne Bay. The coastal road leads straight into the town (with a left turn required at the first red light to continue up the coast). If you arrive during the dry "winter" season, don't miss the harbor overlook at the entrance to Mui Ne with a splendid view of hundreds of colorful fishing boats moored in the bay. The boats move to the other side of the "Shelter Cape" (English translation of "Mui Ne") during the monsoon season from May through October, when the wind direction changes from mainly northeast to mainly southwest. If you take your transport just down to the water, you will reach the fishing harbor, where you can purchase fresh seafood (if you have any means to cook it) or purchase steamed crabs, shellfish, etc. to eat on the spot from local vendors. Walking along the beach, you'll pass by fishermen sorting out their catch, ship-wharves and, at the southern end of town, a section where clams have been rid of their shells for many years, so the sand on the beach is by now substituted with littered shells. Be prepared to encounter piles and stretches of rubbish on the beach.
• • Mui Ne Market — Further along into town, just off the main road, there is a colorful local market.
• • Fairy Stream — The Fairy Stream is a little creek that winds its way through bamboo forests, boulders and the dunes behind the village, in parts resembling a miniature version of the Grand Canyon. Local children will want to accompany you to show you the way (and of course earn a dollar or so), but since you're just following the stream, there's little need. For the most part, the stream is about ankle-deep and no more than knee-deep even at its deepest. It is sandy with few stones and can be walked comfortably barefooted. You can climb up the red sand hills overlooking the river valley and even walk there parallel to the river, however, the sand may be hot on a sunny day, so bring some footwear. Walking upstream for about 20 minutes, you will reach a small waterfall into at most waist-deep water, great to take a refreshing bath before heading back. The stream is underneath the small bridge, you will see a sign pointing towards a path to the left, go that way to reach an easy place to enter the stream. — Price: 10,000 dong (although entrance is officially free) and 5,000 dong for motorbike parking. Free from the north
• • White Sand Dunes — The White Sand Dunes are approximately 45 km away from the Ham Tien tourist strip to the northeast, and some 24 km from the Red Sand Dunes and nearby resorts on the east side of the Mui Ne peninsula. Trips are offered by any tourist agency along the resort stretch for 4WD or quad drives, as well as by some resorts with their own vehicles. While too far away for a bicycle trip especially in summer, a motorbike trip can bring you there. Make sure to bring an international driver's licence if you do not own a Vietnamese one — driving without Vietnamese driver's license is illegal in Vietnam. — Price: 10,000 dong

• All-terrain vehicle – You can ride one on the white sand dunes.
• Day tours – Travel agents and restaurants abound with day tour offerings for US$7–13. The standard half day tour takes you to the fishing village, fairy stream, and the red and while sand dunes. Tours normally start later, so you can watch the sunrise/sunset over the sand dunes.
• Hot air ballooning — This used to be a thing in the past and Mui Ne is the only place in Vietnam where you could fly hot air balloons, but it is unclear whether trips are still done after COVID — best to inquire with your accommodation. Most flights take place over the white sand dunes. When the winds in dunes are too strong, flights take place from Phan Thiet city centre. Expect to pay at least US$150.
• Surfing – Sometimes you get good waves in mornings of windy season. Lessons, day trips and rentals are available, don't hesitate to ask around. While Mui Ne is not the best destination for surfing, it can be good place to give it a try. It seems beginners go for the break near Sea Links.
• Swimming – The sea is wonderfully warm, but it can be quite rough, with large waves and a strong rip tide. When the tide is in, there is not much of a beach to speak of. When wind is blowing it can be quite chilly to even think of swimming. The area between kilometre markers 11 and 13 has the largest stretch of enduring sandy beach. Since large waves normally emerge after 11:00, you might prefer to swim in the early morning hours, when the water is flat and free of Kitesurfers. Most mid-range and top-end resorts have swimming pools for their guests. Some are open for day users starting at 80,000 dong per day. But you can always behave as guest from this hotel and buy a few drinks for these 80,000 dong.
• Water sports – Most outfitters offer a host of water sports including kayaking, paddle surfing, and jet ski rental.

Every resort area in Ham Tien and Mui Ne is surrounded by restaurants specializing in seafood. The food is invariably fresh, well-prepared, and served in friendly and interesting surroundings. By all means get out of your hotel and try one of the local restaurants. The best restaurants are a motorbike ride away, found outside of the tourist/resort district on the ocean.

• • Bo Ke Street — This is a street full of local cafes that serve BBQ seafood. Prices are very cheap and choice is wide. Scallops with onion and garlic sauce are must-to-have here. If you're a fussy about hygiene, don't bother coming here. — Address: 122 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, Phường Hàm Tiến, Thành phố Phan Thiết, Bình Thuận — Directions: Go to the fishing village past the Tien Dat Hotel until you see many small cafes near seashore — Hours: 09:00–23:00 — Website: https://www.facebook.com/pitstopvietnam
• • Joe's — Joe's is the only place open 24/7 in Mui Ne. It's a cosy old farmhouse cafe offering Western fare. A Canadian developed the menu, and the pancakes with maple syrup (50,000 dong including coffee) are great. The sandwiches with home cut fries and salad (60,000 dong) are also recommended. Two movies are shown each evening in the pillow-filled loft. Free Wi-fi, exhibits and live performances. A great place to have your bus pick you up at 02:00 when you head out and great for a chill spot for after party breakfast or a romantic glass of wine. A 24-hr supermarket is part of the complex. Joe is on the strip, offering now even accommodation. — Address: 86 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien — Directions: Across from Shades Resort — Hours: 24 hr daily — Price: Drinks 10–60,000 dong, meals 50–120,000 dong — Phone: +84 62 374 3447

• • Dragon Beach - Lounge Bar & Club — Mui Ne's biggest disco with two dance floors, a pool, circular bar and its own access to the sea. — Address: 120/1 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu — Directions: near the Bo Ke restaurants — Hours: 12:30-03:00 — Phone: +84 91 926-38-05 — Website: https://www.dragonbeachmuine.com/
• • Nirvana Beach Club (Line Up Bar) — Bar and nightclub popular with independent travelers. It has a large dance floor, good sound system, good food and friendly staff. During happy hour from 18:00 to 21:00 some cocktails cost just 30,000 dong, and for all cocktails you buy you get a second for free. — Address: 122 Nguyen Dinh Chieu — Hours: 17:00-03:00 — Phone: +84928419988 — Website: https://www.facebook.com/Bar.Mui.Ne/

= There are numerous ATMs along the strip, including ACB.

Mui Ne and Ham Tien have over 200 accommodations to choose from, in every price category (from 100,000 dong), along the main ocean strip of Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Huynh Thuc Khang ("HTK"). Small guest houses, family-run beach hotels and some big luxury resorts can also be found east of the town center of Mui Ne proper, along the road leading to the Red Sand Dunes, where Ganh Beach offers long sandy beaches and excellent kite-surfing on the east side of the Mui Ne peninsula.

Accommodations at higher addresses of Nguyen Dinh Chieu towards HTK and Mui Ne ward tend to be smaller and less expensive, somewhat removed from the main tourist section in Ham Tien and more mixed in more with local life. If a sandy beach is important to you, some research is called for before booking in that area. Many "beach side" resorts are actually against a sloping cement wall that leads into the sea. The sand itself migrates up and down the long coast seasonally leaving some areas with expansive beaches and others with little at any given time.

Remember that during Tet (Vietnamese New Year), hotels and resorts are booked way in advance.

Unless you arrive directly by tourist or open tour bus, Phan Thiet to the west is the main transport hub for this region and Mui Ne.

You can't get lost in Mui Ne and Ham Tien, since the whole place consists of one long strip along a main street, Nguyen Dinh Chieu. Even-numbered addresses are on the sea side of the street, and odd numbers on the inland side. Even and odd addresses are not aligned, thus 39 on the odd side can be several hundred metres from 40 on the even side.