Buzz
Explore the Mui Ne - Phan Thiet travel handbook we've prepared for you, offering exciting experiences in this sunny and windy region. Pack your bags now and get ready for a fantastic vacation in this beautiful coastal area!
1. Mui Ne and Phan Thiet Overview
Mui Ne is a coastal cape located in the city of Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan province. It is situated 22 km northeast of the city center, connected to Phan Thiet by two main roads: Nguyen Dinh Chieu (706 Road) and Vo Nguyen Giap (706B Road), considered vital routes for Binh Thuan's tourism.
Mui Ne Travel (Photo: collected)
Today, Mui Ne has become a renowned tourist destination with numerous Instagrammable spots for travelers exploring Phan Thiet – Binh Thuan. Mui Ne Beach in Phan Thiet is hailed as the capital of resorts and has transformed into the National Tourism Area of Vietnam. Visitors to Mui Ne can explore the Mui Ne fishing village, experiencing the daily life activities in an authentic Vietnamese coastal village.
2. Best Time to Visit Mui Ne
You can visit Phan Thiet in any month of the year, as the climate is windy, sunny, and has few storms. From December to February, Mui Ne has cooler weather compared to other months. April and May are the hottest months, with temperatures sometimes reaching 29°C. The most favorable time to visit Phan Thiet is in June and July.
Mui Ne Travel - When is the Best Time? (Photo: collected)
3. Getting to Mui Ne from Ho Chi Minh City
Below, we list the transportation options for you to choose from when traveling from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to Phan Thiet Mui Ne. The distance is not too far, so you have various choices that suit your budget, health, and preferences for the trip.
3.1. Sleeper Buses to Mui Ne from Ho Chi Minh City
Sleeper buses are a popular choice for most people traveling to Mui Ne – Phan Thiet. The journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne takes approximately 5 hours. Reputable bus companies like Phuong Trang, Tam Hanh, and Hanh Cafe offer tickets ranging from 110,000 to 135,000 VND.
Sleeper Bus to Mui Ne (Photo: collected)
These bus companies depart from District 1 on Pham Ngu Lao and De Tham streets. Phuong Trang also has departures from Mien Tay Bus Station. If you are near Mien Dong Bus Station, you can take Kumho buses, but please note that Kumho only drops passengers at Bac Phan Thiet Bus Station. There are shuttle buses to bring passengers closer to the central area of Phan Thiet. If you wish to go to Sealinks Mui Ne, you will need to take a taxi for an additional 10km.
For those near Mien Dong Bus Station, Kumho buses are available. However, Kumho only drops passengers at Bac Phan Thiet Bus Station. Shuttle buses are provided to take passengers closer to the central area of Phan Thiet. If you want to reach Sealinks Mui Ne, you'll need to hire a taxi for an extra 10km.
3.2. 5-star Train from Saigon to Phan Thiet
If you choose the train, you won't directly arrive at Mui Ne but will stop at Phan Thiet station. From there, you can use a bus or taxi to reach Sea Link Mui Ne, approximately 12km away. The distance from Phan Thiet station to other hotels and resorts in Mui Ne varies from 10 to 30km, depending on the hotel's location.
Train to Mui Ne (Photo: collected)
The 5-star trains from Saigon to Phan Thiet and vice versa do not operate overnight. Therefore, you need to plan your departure time accordingly. There are two train options from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet that you can consider:
– Train SPT2 departs from Saigon station at 6:40 AM and arrives at Phan Thiet station at 10:26 AM.
– Train SPT4 departs from Saigon station at 7:25 AM and arrives at Phan Thiet station at 11:10 AM.
(Photo: collected)
The train ticket price is 195,000 VND/adult. Children have a rate of 170,000 VND/child. Additionally, if you want to transport items such as motorcycles, there is a fee of 145,000 VND/motorcycle for manual bikes and 155,000 VND/motorcycle for scooters. Loading and unloading charges will incur an additional fee of 5,000 VND/trip.
3.4. Personal Vehicle Travel from Saigon to Mui Ne
– Route 1: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City on National Highway 1A. Upon reaching Binh Thuan province, turn right at the Suoi Cat intersection into downtown Phan Thiet. Continue towards the Hung Vuong Bridge along Nguyen Thong Street to reach Mui Ne. Alternatively, from the Suoi Cat roundabout (South of Phan Thiet), turn left and continue on National Highway 1 to the Bac Phan Thiet roundabout. Then, turn into the Hung Vuong area towards Hung Vuong Bridge to reach Mui Ne. This route is suitable for first-time visitors to Mui Ne as it is straightforward, with plenty of repair shops and gas stations along the way.
(Photo: collected)
– Route 2: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City to Cat Lai Ferry to reach Ba Ria Vung Tau. Then, head to Binh Chau, Lagi, and Mui Ke Ga. From here, you will reach Binh Thuan and continue deep into Phan Thiet City before arriving at Mui Ne. This route offers a scenic journey with less traffic, allowing you to enjoy the views throughout your trip.
4. Accommodation in Mui Ne
Most hotels and restaurants line both sides of Nguyen Dinh Chieu and Huynh Thuc Khang streets in Ham Tien ward (Mui Ne's tourist center). With hundreds of resorts ranging from 2 to 5 stars, you can easily find suitable accommodation based on your preferences.
Accommodation in Mui Ne (Photo: collected)
Families or group travelers can opt for Sealinks Villa with 3 covered rooms or the Ocean Vista apartment with a private kitchen, perfect for cooking. Located right in front of the bustling Ong Dia Rock Beach, it is one of the cleanest and safest beaches in Mui Ne with a designated lifeguard.
Accommodation in Mui Ne (Photo: collected)
Currently, some resorts offer interesting tent accommodation services, especially for those who enjoy a unique experience, closeness to nature, and cost savings. You can check the prices and service details at Hon Rom 1 Resort and Hon Rom 2 Resort.
5. Entertainment Spots in Mui Ne
5.1. Rang Beach Mui Ne
Rang Beach, also known as Rang Sea, is the most beautiful beach in Phan Thiet City. Rang Beach is approximately 15 km north of the city center, nestled under dense coconut groves that resemble a beautiful coconut forest. In the summer, Rang Beach is always bustling with visitors enjoying the sea and savoring the delicious grilled green mackerel.
Rang Beach Mui Ne – a natural symphony (Photo: collected)
5.2. Hon Rom Mui Ne
Hon Rom is the name of a small, pristine mountain located in Long Son Hamlet, Mui Ne Ward, Phan Thiet City. Here, the water is clear and calm, with no underwater rocks. During each morning or evening, you can sit and admire the sunrise or sunset; at night, you can gaze at the moon or organize a campfire. At Hon Rom, the beach area has many sections such as Hon Rom 1, Hon Rom 2, Thuy Trang, and more.
(Photo: collected)
5.3. Cat Bay Hill in Mui Ne
Cat Bay Hill (Red Hill) near the famous Hon Rom tourist area is one of the landscapes that has enchanted poets, painters, and photographers. This Mui Ne sand dune is located in Ward 5, Mui Ne Ward, Binh Thuan.
Don't miss Cat Bay Hill when traveling to Mui Ne (Photo: collected)
Cat Bay Hill, though not as vast as the white sand dunes, is situated close to the beach. Standing on the hill, you can enjoy panoramic views of Hon Rom Bay, Fishing Village Beach, and Rang Ham Tien Beach in Mui Ne. Moreover, the variety of colors in the sand, with 18 different hues, is a captivating feature, including prominent shades of yellow, orange, pink, and white.
(Photo: collected)
If you travel to Cat Bay Hill by motorbike, you can park at the opposite drink stalls near the Cat Hill area (remember to lock your bike and ask the stall owner for assistance). On the sand dunes, you can rent a board for sand sliding, priced around 10,000 VND per board. After the fun, indulge in coconut water and local delicacies like Phan Thiet steamed rice cakes.
5.4. White Sand Dunes in Mui Ne, Binh Thuan
Known as White Sand Dunes or Bau Trang White Sand Dunes, this is the most famous tourist spot in Binh Thuan, often compared to the Sahara Desert of Vietnam. Drawing numerous domestic and international tourists, it showcases the pure beauty of white sand stretching endlessly, surrounded by stunning landscapes. A must-visit destination when exploring Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan.
White Sand Dunes in Mui Ne (Photo: collected)
Explore the White Sand Dunes in Mui Ne with off-road ATVs or ride a jeep to the hill's summit. Visitors can freely ride off-road ATVs, slide down the sand, dress in stylish attire, and even experience camel rides for Instagram-worthy photos, creating an illusion of being in the Dubai desert.
(Photo: collected)
Bau Trang Sand Dunes offer an exceptional experiential journey, resembling being amidst a sandy desert next to a pristine freshwater lake adorned with blooming lotuses. Your trip to Phan Thiet won't be truly complete without exploring the enchanting Bau Trang Sand Dunes at least once.
5.5. Fairy Stream Mui Ne
Fairy Stream, aptly named 'Heavenly Scene,' is a small stream nestled next to Hon Rom, featuring a picturesque walking stream with a beautiful sand valley. Alongside the stream are naturally formed red and white sandstone hills, sculpted over time, creating unique and surreal rock formations.
Fairy Stream Mui Ne – a vibrant 'orange' flower amidst the natural landscape (Photo: collected)
5.6. Fishing Village Mui Ne
Mui Ne Fishing Village is situated approximately 3km north of Mui Ne town. As you enter the village, you'll witness the vibrant spectacle of hundreds of colorful fishing boats anchored on the water's surface.
Fishing Village Mui Ne – tranquility amidst the bustling scene (Photo: collected)
Not far from the harbor is a small, colorful market with the serene beauty of coconut trees surrounding. Walking along the beach covered with seashells during the fishing process, especially around the pier area and south of the town, you'll observe how fishermen classify their catches.
6. Must-Try Delicacies in Mui Ne
6.1. Dong Specialties
A unique specialty of the Mui Ne sand dunes is 'dong.' Dong meat, resembling chicken but sweeter, more tender, and flavorful, is crafted into various delicious dishes such as Grilled Dong, Dong Porridge, Steamed Dong, Dong Sausage, Dong Salad, Dong Congee, and Dong cooked with watermelon.
(Photo: collected)
6.2. King Crab
Hailing from Tuy Phong, Binh Thuan, King Crab is a regional delicacy. The meat is sweet, tender, and fragrant, while the crab shell is crispy and easily breakable with a bite. The waters of Tuy Phong (Binh Thuan) provide the ideal habitat for this renowned and nutritious crab.
King Crab – a sophisticated and nutritious seafood delight (Photo: collected)
King Crab from Tuy Phong is available year-round, but the best time to savor its exquisite taste is around the lunar month of December. King Crab is often grilled or steamed, served with a delightful combination of salt, pepper, and lime, but the most exquisite way to enjoy it is in a savory porridge.
6.3. Soft Rice Paper Rolls and Fermented Shrimp Paste Rice Paper
These are popular street snacks in Phan Thiet, often available in the late afternoon along the roadside. The main ingredients include rice paper, special fermented shrimp paste, pork fat, and quail eggs.
Soft Rice Paper Rolls (Photo: collected)
Fermented Shrimp Paste Rice Paper (Photo: collected)
At the intersection of Thu Khoa Huan and Tran Hung Dao, just below the Mận Gai cafe for a short distance, and the corner of Tran Hung Dao and Tam Bien intersection are places where you can find a variety of soft rice paper rolls. Throughout Phan Thiet, especially at the Doi Duong Beach, it's easy to spot stalls serving Fermented Shrimp Paste Rice Paper.
6.4. Seafood Salad
Mui Ne is famous for its fish salad and razor clam salad. The fish salad is made from fresh fish like snakehead fish, needlefish, or flathead fish, accompanied by various fresh vegetables, vermicelli, and special dipping sauce. The razor clam salad consists of finely sliced razor clam meat, pork belly, vegetables, roasted peanuts, fried shallots, and is served with a sweet and sour fish sauce.
(Photo: collected)
6.5. Hot Pot Feast
Considered a favorite dish that many tourists believe is a must-try in Phan Thiet; if you visit and don't indulge, you've missed out on your entire trip. The main ingredients are various types of fish, typically snakehead fish, tuna, flathead fish, razor clam, and more, cleaned, filleted, and sliced into thin, sticky pieces.
Mui Ne Hot Pot Feast – a flavorful hot pot with the soul of the coastal region (Photo: collected)
The fish slices are briefly soaked in lime juice to achieve a rare level of doneness, then marinated with various spices. Pork belly and fried eggs are shredded. Accompanying vegetables for the hot pot are also thinly sliced, such as mangoes, cucumbers, star fruits, lettuce, herbs, and more. The Hot Pot Feast wouldn't be complete without the dipping sauce, a blend of sour tamarind, chili, roasted peanuts, ripe banana, garlic, finely ground and mixed with pure fish sauce, sugar, and more.
7. Tips for Your Mui Ne Trip
- From October to December, Mui Ne experiences increased rain and storms, so it's advisable to limit beach and sea activities during this period.
- To have an ideal Mui Ne exploration, renting a motorbike is highly recommended.
- Pay attention to maintaining cleanliness for the coastal environment, ensuring that Mui Ne remains beautiful in the eyes of both local and international tourists.
- Before going to the market or using transportation services, don't forget to inquire about or negotiate prices to ensure a reasonable rate.
- It's advisable to carry some cash for convenience. Although QR payments are widely accepted, having a bit of cash on hand is always useful.
- The Mui Ne sun is beautiful but can be intense, so remember to prepare sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Here is a travel guide for Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, that we want to share with you. We hope this article provides useful information for a delightful and memorable Mui Ne journey. Pack your bags and let's go!
Posted by: Nha Doan
Keywords: Useful travel guide to Mui Ne - Phan Thiet
