About 200 km north of Ho Chi Minh City are Mui Ne and Phan Thiet. Together, these traditional fishing villages are fast becoming a popular leisure destination. Resort-style developments have been rising along the coastline, though so far the lives of the fishing communities remain unchanged and Mui Ne’s long beach is quiet and serene, great for walks, jogging and spectacular sunsets.
Phan Thiet, which is rather larger, is famous for its fish sauce, an ingredient in most Vietnamese dishes. It, too, has a beautiful beach. There is a wide range of accommodation, and restaurants offer a huge selection of seafood at very affordable prices. There are golf courses, beautiful pagodas, spectacular red and white sand dunes, and a variety of water sports.
Sightseeings
The Red Dunes, as the name suggests, features reddish-brown sand that makes them a more popular place for photography. Smaller than White Dunes, they are easier to reach. Sand-sledding is a common (and fun) activity here, but it is hard to nail down where the best location to do so is as the sands shift from season to season so it’s best to look around. Dry sand is much more enjoyable to sled on.
Visitors can rent plastic sleds and it is a wise idea to check the price and agree on it beforehand. Some travelers have had unpleasant experiences with the youngsters renting them out so be alert and keep cool. Another interesting activity is kite flying as well as catching the beautiful sunset here. These dunes are a popular picnic place for locals too.
MUI NE (NE CAPE): Mui Ne is located 24 km north-east of the town of Phan Thiet. It is a fishing village as well as a familiar tourism area in Binh Thuan Province.
It is found on Highway No. 706, and features sweeping sand dunes and beautiful rows of palm trees. The beach is shallow and sloped, the water is clean and blue and the sun rarely hides behind clouds.
There are desolate and primeval beaches that have never witnessed human exploitation as well as imposing landscapes. There is also Doi Cat (Sand Hill), which has long been a creative subject of artistic photographs and paintings.
Besides beaches and sand dunes, there are also beautiful landscapes such as Suoi Tien (Fairy Spring), the Ong Hoang Building and the Poshanu Cham Tower.
Mui Ne is an ideal place for rest and relaxation. Visitors can certainly enjoy swimming in the blue water of the sea, climbing the sand dunes or relaxing by a swimming pool. In fact this oasis entertainment people of all ages, and furthermore, provides an endless inspiration to the artists' creation.
POSHANU TOWER: The complex is a masterpiece of the Cham nation, where three towers can still been admire. These constructions of Hoa Lai artistic style date back to the 8th century. They are located on a hill, 6km north-east of Phan Thiet city, which is named the prince Palace. The area between Phan Thiet and the Prince Palace is a site that attracts many researchers and tourists. The rocky path going up to Prince Palace displays many ancient remains and beautiful landscapes.
HON ROM: Going from Phan Thet to Mui Ne for 22 km, then for more 4 km along the seashore tourists will set foot in the Hon Rom resort.
The beach is clean and beautiful with clear blue water. Calm winds sing lullabies unceasingly under cool shadows of coconuts trees sagging under the weight of their fruit. White sand dunes follow the yellow ones.. All set up a wild attraction, inviting tourists to this well-known a field resort.
Mui Ne and Phan Thiet are heaven for seafood lovers – after all, fishing in the South China Sea is still the main source of income for the locals.
One of the most delightful views is that of the dozens of colorful fishing boats moored in the harbor. The choice of dining is by no means limited to seafood, however.
There are many restaurants serving a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes as well as other Asian cuisines and French and Italian food
Located inside the Coco Beach Resort, this restaurant is famed for its excellent French cuisine. It is at km 12.5 Ham Tien, Village 3 Phan Thiet.
Address: 58 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ham Tien Ward, Coco Beach Resort, Phan Thiet
The place has an interesting and varied French menu.
Address: 97 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Phan Thiet
The place has an interesting and varied French menu.
Address: 97 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Phan Thiet
As the name suggested, this restaurant has outdoor seating in a pleasant garden setting with fish ponds. It serves Vietnamese dishes and seafood specialities.
Address: 7 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Phan Thiet
Good Morning Vietnam is another popular Italian restaurant, owned and managed by Italians. The name is misleading – they don’t serve breakfast, being open for lunch and dinner only.
Address: Km11, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet
6.Hot Rock
Hot Rock is famed for its all-day Western-style big breakfast and for its jumbo ribs. It is at Km 12.5, opposite Bien Xanh and Small Garden Resorts in Mui Ne.
7.Java/Baywatch Restaurant
The restaurant has four distinct dining areas and spectacular views of Mui Ne Bay. The menu is extensive, with more than 100 Vietnamese and Western dishes. It specialises in fresh fish and seafood. Java/Baywatch is on the road into Mui Ne, on a hill just above the town.
Jibes is famous among kite surfers and is a great beachside place for whiling away the day. It is well known for its home-made pasta and for its Saturday barbecue.
Address: 90 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ham Tien, Mui Ne
Lam Tong, a family-run Vietnamese restaurant right next to Jibes, is very popular among backpackers. The choice of dishes includes noodles and seafood.
Address: 92 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet
Lotteria is basically an Asian fast food joint located on the third floor of the Co-op Mart. Fill up on chicken, fish, shrimp and even French fries. Co-op Mart is on the corner of Nguyen Tat Thanh and Tran Hung Dao in Phan Thiet.
Address: 1A Nguyen Tat Thanh, Binh Hung, Phan Thiet
Luna d’ Autunno is a place to go for authentic Italian food. The menu includes fresh pasta, great salads and fine pizzas from a wood-fired oven. There is also a good wine list.
Address: 51A Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet
Nelly is a Vietnamese brand of ice cream, so this restaurant serves up ice cream but also has American/Western-style food include burgers, French fries and pizza. It is on Ton Duc Thang Street, Phan Thiet.
Shree Ganesh is currently the only Indian restaurant in the area. So when you are hungry for naan bread and curry, head for 57 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Mui Ne.
Address: 57 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Mui Ne
The restaurant at the Golden Sand Saloon Resort is probably the biggest in Mui Ne. It offers seafood, barbecue, meat dishes and more.
Address: 81bis, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet
HOTEL