My family and I spent one week in the beach town of Mui Ne, Vietnam in October 2022, and we were blown away by the striking landscape, friendly locals, and relaxed atmosphere of this fishing village. I wrote this Mũi Né, Vietnam Family Travel Tips to share our experience and favorite spots with you.
What is Mui Ne popular for?
Mui Ne is a short drive from the capital city, Ho Chi Min City, or the Asian honeymoon capital of Dalat to the north. It is a prime destination for those looking for adventure, especially those learning how to kite surf or those proficient in the sport already.
My husband had learned the sport from a local there 10 years prior to our 2022 trip, and that’s what brought us back; however, kite surfing is not all this beach town has to offer, and we go into that in this blog.
Mui Ne is also home to Vietnam’s largest desert. The massive sand dunes are a stark contrast to the beaches and dense jungle located in other parts of the country.
Activities to do in Mũi Né, Vietnam
Mui Ne offers a variety of activities for all types of travelers, and there are many guided tours available for those interested.
You can fill your days here with kitesurfing, hiking through sand dunes and exploring the fairy springs, cruising through the fishing village as a fresh catch is coming in, tour Cham Temple, and check out the artistic murals by the food court to name a few. Check out my top recommended tours below to make the most out of your Mui Ne experience!
- Kite surfing
- Red sand dunes
- Beach
- Murals
- Cham Temple
- Fairy Stream
- Fishing Village
- Vạn Thủy Tú Temple
How to get to Mui Ne
Mui Ne is conveniently located approximately 4-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City and a 2.5-hour drive from Dalat by car. Although there are no direct flights to Mui Ne, the closest airports are located in Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat.
Private Car with Driver
We traveled to Mui Ne by private car since we are a family of five. We did upgrade to the larger vehicle (small SUV) versus a sedan, and were happy with that for the long drive. Traveling by private car gave us the opportunity to make pit stops for Vietnamese coffee, sandwiches (banh mi), and bathroom breaks for our young kids.
Cost: $65 for a sedan, $85 for a small SUV or van
Bus
Travel by bus is going to be the most affordable option ($1 one way per person). Though this is an affordable option, some of these buses are not air-conditioned and that can make for a warm 1.5-hour ride. If you’re a tourist, you may get charged higher rates; however, that usually equates only to an extra dollar or so.
Visit this site to book bus tickets or pay the bus driver directly (cash only).
Cost: $1 per person
Motorcycle
Traveling through Vietnam by motorcycle is probably one of the best ways to explore the country, though this is more for a single person or couple. This 3-day motorbike tour is what a backpacker’s dreams are made of.
Places to Eat in Mui Ne
Mui Ne is a fishing village known for fresh seafood and fair prices. Our favorite dish was bahn mi (sandwich) paired with a fresh coconut or mango smoothie… and plenty of excellent Vietnamese coffee.
- Dong Vui Food Court (by our Mui Ne Sports Hotel) – You’ve got to stop in for their breakfast buffet and the slow drip Vietnamese coffee.
- Strawy Restaurant in the Bamboo Village Beach Resort and Spa
- EI Cafe International Vegan/Vegetarian
- Good Morning Vietnam – Italian Restaurant Chain throughout Vietnam. It’s a little on the pricey side, but so worth it when you’re craving a good slice of pizza and gelato.
- Surfing Bird’s WOK
- Vista Restaurant (Restaurant at The Cliff Resort)
What are the locals in Mui Ne like
We had a wonderful experience with everyone we met. The locals were always friendly and sweet to our children, and are more than willing to help out visitors. We found that, especially within the service industry, such as hotel and restaurant staff, we had no issues communicating in English and getting around town.
I realize too that service people are trained to be friendly and helpful because it is their job; however, there was just a warmth and general interest that I felt when I interacted with everyone in this town.
Where to stay in Mui Ne
Depending on your budget, a family can stay very affordably ($30/night) or pay a premium ($150/night). We did both!
We came to Mui Ne in the slow season after the COVID-19 pandemic, so most of the hotels and restaurants were operating at low capacity if they were open at all. Below are the two places we stayed at, one representing the low-end budget and the other representing the high-end.
Mui Ne Sports Hotel
Budget-friendly
We booked a quadruple room for two nights here from October 21-23, 2022 – this sleeps up to 4 people, not including children under 2 years old. The room was about 25 square meters and included a bathroom (sink, toilet, and shower), two full-size beds (and roll-away upgrade), private balcony with seating, TV, desk space, a closet, and instant coffee and tea. They included a complimentary roll-away bed in our price, but it is priced at 20,000 VND.
This hotel includes a pool with a children’s pool and the option for breakfast (we didn’t do this option). The owners were very friendly and doted on our kids. They had three small dogs, and my son was in love with petting them for long periods of time.
Besides our family, there were maybe one or two others staying at the hotel. At full capacity, this hotel can book 25+ rooms a night, so this tells you how slow things are operating post-pandemic in the small villages.
Price
$35 per night for a room that sleeps up to 4
Location
The hotel is located a few streets off the beach. Finding beach access was an adventure, and the cement sea wall takes away from that charming beach atmosphere a bit, though important none-the-less. My kids didn’t mind at all. Within walking distance is a food court with 10+ food vendors in fixed (permanent) stalls. You can find almost anything your heart desired, including western and vegan food options.
Address
246/5 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Str Ham Tien Ward Phan Thiet VN
Phone
84-252-3743333
Bamboo Village Beach Resort and Space in Mui Ne, Vietnam
Luxurious hotel with high-class amenities
This resort and spa was an absolute luxury for us and we didn’t want to leave after the first week. We booked a family room for 6 nights here in October 2022 – this family room sleeps up to 4 people, not including children under 2 years old.
Read the full review and its amenities in this blog.
Additional Travel Resources
Conclusion
Mui Ne, Vietnam, is a beautiful destination that offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, adventure, and relaxation. This comprehensive travel guide provides all the necessary information and Mui Ne travel tips to plan an unforgettable family vacation.
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