Mui Ne is a booming little seaside town in the south of Vietnam. As you’re reading this, it’s quickly filling up with luxury beach resorts and hotels. So you might be wondering what are the things to do in Mui Ne? Most people come here to soak up the sun on a section of the 15km beachfront, but that’s not all that this charming area has to offer. 

Below is a breakdown of all the activities, sights and places to see when in Mui Ne or Phan Thiet. If you haven’t yet, have a look at our Comprehensive Guide to Mui Ne with accommodation options, food recommendations, how to get there and what to expect. 

Mui Ne Beaches

Mui Ne beaches are some of Vietnams lesser-known treasures. The longest one, Biển Đông, stretches on for 15km’s and offers white sand and gentle waves. It caters to all kind of tourists, from those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy solitude, to those interested in mingling with the troops of water sport enthusiasts. As this little town expands, more and more luxury beachfront resorts pop up and offer prized seating on the beachfront with lounges, umbrellas and of course cocktails!

Kite Surfing Lessons

This is one of the top things to do in Mui Ne since it’s home to one of the best kite-surfing locations in Asia. Its popularity is due to a combination of the rock-free waters and wind that never stops howling. It’s a magical sight to see as kites of various shapes and colours fill the sky above the shoreline. A string of kite surfing schools lines the beachfront and the locals running these schools approach tourists for lessons. The price for amateur and first-timers is reasonable, so it’s worth a try if you dare!

The White Sand Dunes 

A visit to the white dunes is top of our list of things to do in Mui Ne. They’re probably the most significant and most widespread dunes in the whole of Vietnam. You’ll find them in Bac Binh, Mui Ne; a mere 26km northeast of Mui Ne Beach. The towering dunes are epic and reach far wide, creating an unexpected desert-like scene in such a small seaside town. A cheap fare of 15,000 VND/person gets you unlimited time there and for an extra 200,000 VND/person, you can ride through the endless dunes in a jeep or quad bike (driven by a guide). The drivers have no mercy as they venture down these undulating sand mounds at max speed.

The best time to visit this area is in the morning or late afternoon for sunset. At midday, the sand gets fairly hot to walk on, so it’s best to avoid this time. Bau Trang lake lies parallel to the dunes and is so picturesque when filled with wild lotus flowers and a string of ducks swimming among them. A word of warning when visiting the white sand dunes, the route getting to them from Mui Ne is a favourite spot for local police to collect their bribe money from tourists not carrying an international drivers licence. If you’re riding a scooter and legally shouldn’t, you’ll pay around 1,000,000. VND 

The Red Sand Dunes

These dunes are located 3km’s from the traditional fishing village and are visited daily by locals and tourists alike. It requires no entrance fee, and for a small price, you can rent a plastic sledge and glide your way down the glossy windswept hills. The red dunes are not nearly as impressive in scale as the white ones but are vibrant in colour and offer amazing sunsets views over the ocean.  

Mui Ne Fairy Stream

The walk up the shallow stream starts in the centre of Mui Ne town, just under a bridge on the main road. You pay 15,000 VND/person before venturing down the stairs. As you wander barefoot up the placid stream, and further away from the busy street, the area becomes quieter and more scenic. The contrasting red and white sand alongside bright green trees is truly unique and worth seeing. At times the area looks like a mini canyon with high rising red boulders surrounding you from all sides. A few charming restaurants and stalls sit along the river bed and offer local meals, snacks and cold drinks. 

Fishing Village Basket Boat Ride 

Vietnam has plenty of fishing villages, but Mui Ne’s version is truly worth seeing. There’s a section on the side of the road where you can pull over and admire hundreds of local fisherman boats and smaller basket boats called oothung chai’s. It’s quite a scene when you see the fleet of brightly coloured boats stacked next to one another and the sun setting behind them makes it all the more mesmerizing.

If you walk down to the shoreline (admittingly not the cleanest area with trash deposited all over the show), you’ll get a chance to ride in one of the locals cleverly balanced baskets. The boat ride price is negotiable, as with most things in Vietnam, so try to bargain a good deal with the rower. 

Balloon Ride Over Dunes. Bucket List Things To Do In Mui Ne 

Vietnam balloons is a European certified company offering balloon rides over the majestic white sand dunes or across the local fishing village. Seeing these impressive sights from high up in the sky will leave you speechless. The price is 165 USD per person with discounts for groups over 6. The trip starts around 4 am, and finishes at 8 am. It includes transport and champagne breakfast after your ride. Hot air balloon riding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and in Mui Ne, it’s at a very reasonable rate!

Mui Ne Nightlife. A Night To Remember

Deja Vu in Mui Ne is spot enjoyed by those that know and appreciate good music. From rock to jazz and even live performances, Déjà vu has a bit of everything for everyone. Sporting a rooftop bar, pool table in the indoor area and an outdoor patio, you’ll have no problem finding a comfy spot. On Wednesday nights you’ll be entertained by kung fu performances, fashion shows, and even some snake vodka tasting.

Another trendy nightspot in Mui Ne is Line Up Bar & Grill. This popular spot is where you’ll want to be if you’re looking to party until the early hours of the morning. They’re also known for entertaining guests with an impressive fire show on the beach. Just make sure you take advantage of happy hour promotions and ladies drinks specials.

Prince’s Castle. A Historic Monument

If you have a love for visiting historical sights and the stories they hold, Prince’s Castle is for you. It’s situated at the top of Ong Hoang Hill; a mere 10km’s outside of Mui Ne. Prince’s Castle is an area loaded with ancient ruins including Poets tomb, Cham towers, a remarkable pagoda and a depilated French estate. Other than offering rich cultural history, the area also presents a panoramic view of Phan Thiet’s coastline, the rolling hills and river in the distance and Phan Thiet’s city.

Ba Waterfall. A Day Trip To Remember

Ba waterfall is an impressive series of small falls and rock pools, cascading down from one another. Vibrant turquoise waters fill up rock pools, with deeper ones making for famous cliff jumping points. The waterfall is hidden at the base of Ong Mountain, which sits 1,500 meters up and is surrounded by lush green jungle. Ba waterfall is 100km’s away from Mui Ne, so visiting this location is a full days outing.

For the best experience, arrange a day tour to with the locals. The cost will include a pickup and drop off service and will take you to the best spots, with your guide explaining some of the interesting stories and tales from this area.

Ta Cu Mountain Hike

Ta Cu Mountain is a 1-hour drive away from Mui Ne. It’s in the Thuận Nam District of Bình Thuận Province, Vietnam. The area surrounding the mountain is relatively large, consisting of over 250,000 square meters of lush rainforest and limestone karsts. To get to the sights at the top of the hill, you can take a ten-minute cable car ride, costing VND/person or endure in a one hour hike through the jungle terrain. The top of Ta Cu Mountain is home to Vietnams most giant reclining buddha and an ancient pagoda dating back to 1879. If you’ve chosen the hike option to the top, make sure to pack water and wear decent shoes! Watch out for cheeky monkeys looking to get their hands on your belongings.