A 48-hour journey in Mui Ne based on the experience of Ly Nguyen from Ho Chi Minh City and VnExpress reporters.

Day 1

Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City

With the Dau Giay – Phan Thiet highway, traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Binh Thuan province, and especially to Mui Ne, is very convenient. If there is no traffic, it only takes about two and a half hours to get to Mui Ne. This is currently one of the suitable destinations for a weekend vacation for southern tourists.

Visit the Fish Sauce Museum

The Fish Sauce Museum (Old Fishing Village) is located on the road from Phan Thiet city to Mui Ne. The place is divided into several spaces with themes recreating the 300-year history of the old fishing village in Phan Thiet, from the Champa period, the Nguyen dynasty to the French colonial period. Visitors will also get to role-play as fishermen, play the part of salt farmers on the salt fields, learn about the process of making fish sauce, its origin and buy fish sauce products. There are also many photo ops here.

Lau Tha. Photo: Nguyen Vu

Enjoy ‘Lau Tha’

‘Lau Tha’ is a characteristic dish of Binh Thuan. The main ingredient is fresh fish, usually ‘ca mai’ or ‘ca duc’. After deboning, the fish is blanched and rinsed, then marinated and arranged on a platter. Other ingredients include fried eggs, boiled meat, raw vegetables, mangoes, cucumbers, and some seasonal vegetables. All the ingredients are shredded and placed on banana flower petals, spread evenly around the fish plate, forming a large flower. Diners can choose to eat it dry (with sauce) or hot (with boiling broth).

Accommodation on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street

Nguyen Dinh Chieu is the longest road in the Mui Ne area, with many sections running along the coastline. It boasts a range of resorts, hotels, and guesthouses from budget to high-end, as well as numerous restaurants.

In the afternoon, visitors can swim and relax on the beach here.

Dinner with seafood

Huỳnh Thúc Kháng and Nguyễn Đình Chiểu streets offer a plethora of restaurants serving seafood dishes. Some recommendations include Làng Chài Quán, Cây Bàng, Viễn Phương, and Hải sản Biển Đông. Depending on the dishes ordered, the cost per person ranges from 300,000 to 500,000 VND.

Day 2

On the second morning in Mui Ne, visitors have two options: welcoming the sunrise at Bau Trang or visiting the Mui Ne fishing village early in the morning to observe the daily activities of the fishermen. If you choose the fishing village, you can still go to Bau Trang later.

Welcoming sunrise at Bau Trang

Off-road driving at Bau Trang. Photo: Hong Ha

Witnessing the sunrise at Bau Trang (white sand dunes), a famous tourist destination in Binh Thuan province. Bau Trang is about 25 km from the center of Mui Ne and is a must-visit when in Binh Thuan. The time spent here can vary from two to four hours.

The road to Bau Trang is scenic, with many photo-worthy spots. Here, visitors can enjoy activities such as sand sliding, taking pictures with camels, and riding speed cars (motorcycles or automobiles).

Sandboard rental is 50,000 VND for an unlimited number of turns, motorcycles range from 400,000 to 600,000 VND for 20 minutes, and cars are 800,000 VND per turn. Some companies that provide a full range of services include Trang Trieu and Minh Thai.

Visit Mui Ne Fishing Village

The fishing village is located on Huynh Thuc Khang Street, about 1 km from Mui Ne market and more than 200 m from the bus station. The village nestles quietly by the sea and stretches for 1 km. The sea here is calm all year round, making it an ideal place for fishermen to moor their boats and trade seafood.

“It’s best to visit the fishing village from around 4 am to 7 am when the fish market is at its busiest,” said Ly.

Wine Castle

Wine Castle. Photo: MCM Travel

The Wine Castle, located in Ham Tien ward, Phan Thiet city, adjacent to Mui Ne beach, boasts a Western-style architecture with vineyards surrounding it. It is considered one of the largest wine cellars in Vietnam, housing over 200,000 bottles of wine. Visitors will learn about the origin of wine, be guided on how to drink it, and tour the two floors of wine cellars and the production process. Wine and souvenirs can also be purchased here.

Note that the castle is open from 8 am to 5 pm daily, closed on Mondays. Ticket prices are VND 130,000 and VND 280,000 (including tasting 4 types of wine). There are discounts depending on the time and number of people in the group.

Alternative destination: Tien Stream, Ong Dia Rock, and further places that require more time, such as Ke Ga Lighthouse.

Frequently asked questions

There is plenty to see and do in Mui Ne, a coastal resort town in South Central Vietnam, in 48 hours. You can start your day with a walk on the beach, followed by a visit to the Fairy Stream, a unique natural phenomenon. After that, you can explore the fishing village and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. In the afternoon, you can try some water sports, such as kitesurfing or windsurfing, or relax at a spa. In the evening, you can watch the sunset at the White Sand Dunes and enjoy a seafood barbecue dinner. On your second day, you can visit the Po Shanu Cham Towers, a historic site, and then spend some time at the Red Sand Dunes. You can also take a cooking class or shop at the local market. Finally, you can end your trip with a relaxing massage and a cocktail at a beachfront bar.

Some recommended places to visit in Mui Ne include the Fairy Stream, a natural wonder with unique rock formations and clear waters; the Fishing Village, where you can see traditional Vietnamese fishing boats and try fresh seafood; the White Sand Dunes, a beautiful spot to watch the sunset; and the Po Shanu Cham Towers, a historic site with stunning views. You can also enjoy water sports at the beach, relax at a spa, and shop at the local market.

Mui Ne offers a range of activities to suit different interests. You can try water sports, such as kitesurfing and windsurfing, or enjoy a relaxing spa treatment. You can also take a cooking class to learn about Vietnamese cuisine, or go shopping at the local market. In the evening, you can watch the sunset and enjoy a seafood barbecue on the beach. Additionally, a visit to the Red Sand Dunes and the White Sand Dunes offers a unique experience.

The best way to get around Mui Ne is by motorbike or xe om (motorcycle taxi). You can easily rent a motorbike from your hotel or a local shop, which will give you the flexibility to explore the area at your own pace. Alternatively, you can hire a xe om driver to take you to your desired destinations. Another option is to arrange a private car and driver through your hotel, although this option is usually more expensive.

Mui Ne offers a variety of dining options, ranging from local seafood restaurants to international cuisine. For a unique experience, you can try a seafood barbecue on the beach, where you can enjoy fresh grilled seafood with a beautiful view. There are also many restaurants serving Vietnamese cuisine, as well as international options such as Italian, Indian, and Mexican. Some popular spots include Lam Tong Restaurant, Sindbad Joma Restaurant, and Hill Smoked Restaurant.
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