Mui Ne

Mui Ne “Shelter Cape,” named because  the local fishermen used the cape to shelter their boats from the winds. Today those same winds make this area a popular place for kite surfing.

My approach to Mui Ne was a spectacular experience, the scenery as you enter from the North is stunning. You ride alone a long strip of wind swept beach until entering the tiny beach area of Mui Ne. A former small fishing village now its a main resort strip with many resort style compound hotels located mainly on the beach side and smaller hostels on the opposing side. There´s bars, atms, shops and this strip seams to be a popular bar crawl area. Further out of this area are located a small cluster of open aired sea food places. Apart from Kite surfing and lazying on the beach theres a few other fun things to go do and explore.

• Mui Ne Fairy Stream is a favorite destination of both domestic and foreign tourists. Its basically a little muddy stream you enter via what seams like a sewage pipe. The stream then opens up into an area with three main colors of tall sand banks; white, red and orange, making the color of the stream an odd orange red color.

• If you can stomach the smell you can visit Fish Sauce Plants, where the famous nuoc mam (fish sauce) is produced. Big jars hold the stinky juices that ferment for months in the blazing sun to make the yummy saucy spice thats used in lots of Vietnamese dishes.
• Po Sha Inu tower is a derelict remainder of the ancient Cham culture that was built in the 8th century.
• You can walk across the Red Dunes (doi hong) watch the sun set or sled down them. They are just off the main coastal road at the North end of Mui Ne bay. Local kids line the road that boarders the dune hills to rent plastic slides so you can attempt to launch yourself down the dunes. 

• The White Dunes (doi cat trang) are much vaster and are known by locals as Bau Trang or White Lake. It takes a little longer to reach them from Mui Nie and you need to trek a little way to get to see the amazing views of wind shaped snaking dunes. Both are two geological wonders that make you get the sense of what it would be like to visit the Saharan Desert. 

• Kitesurfing is offered by many outfitters and hotels. Kite surfing instruction is available, starting at $50USD/hour, beginners package of 5 lessons start at $250 USD. From November till March you generally will have strong winds every day. 

Note: THE BAD COP. Its a not a myth, there is actually stop points where road police will stop and fine you if you do not have the correct motorbike license. Fines range to up to 2m dong. Don´t argue with them, don´t offer to go to your atm, just offer the small amount you have on you and say you can´t get more until you meet your friend in Saigon.  

Great place to stay tip: LONGSON   Mui Ne,  Campground. It has tents in shaded areas as well as on the beach, open air dorms with beds simply places on palates under nets. Low key vibe with every thing you need. *I met my current boyfriend/travel partner here as well as it was my first ever hostel to stay in! – read my blog post here.