Explore Mui Ne

Introduction

Sunset at the beach Phan Thiet, a 4-hour bus journey from Ho Chi Minh City, is a small and sleepy seaside town that has a certain quaint and colorful fishing village charm. With a population of just 200,000 people, the town is embraced by a series of undulating hills, lush greenery and a blissfully secluded dune covered coastline. Despite the onset of tourism, the fishing industry is still the main source of income for the locals and many sustain their living from the sea as fishermen or producers of "nuoc mam"- the pungent fish sauce that is so popular with the Vietnamese.

The growing number of sophisticated beach resorts seems to have had little impact on Phan Thiet”s gentle pace of life - the beaches are particularly quiet and devoid of intrusive vendors. This is not somewhere you come for action but more for the laid back ambiance; the motto here is kick back and take your time.

Situated 198 km east of Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Thiet is a refuge for many folks who come for the weekend to exchange the tension of the noisy traffic and trade of the city with the comforts of a hotel room right on the beach and a hearty appetite of succulent seafood. No doubt as Vietnam develops, so will Phan Thiet.

 Attractions

The attraction of Phan Thiet is the beaches. Although there are not too many to choose from, what are available are quite good, clean and tranquil. About 10 minutes from town is the longest and popular Mui Ne beach. It can be considered as the main tourist area as most of the resorts are located here. Mui Ne is a long, straight and narrow road with resorts by the beach and a handful of restaurants on the other side. The water is not crystal clear but the beach is broad and you can walk for miles on the fine sandy beach fringed by rows of palm trees. As most of the resorts are set apart from each other, peace and privacy are pretty much guaranteed.

The tourist season is from December to May. The average temperature is 27°C, and the climate is hot and dry for most of the year.

 The Red Sand Dunes in Mui Ne draws a steady stream of curious crowds. The climb up to the top is fairly steep but manageable - proper footwear helps. Once at the peak, the view is magnificent, the smooth velvety mounds cascade up and down like giant folds of silk fabric, leaving one to feel almost ashamed to leave footprints over the flawless formation. With the shift of winds, the dunes take on a different character at each visit. You can either slowly work your way down from the dunes or take the quick and fun way - slide down on a plastic sheet.

By day, Phan Thiet town is a vibrant commercial area for the fishing industry. The best time to capture the delights of this little fishing harbour is in the early morning when the entire place has a lively buzz - there are fishes of all shapes and sizes and the local housewives come to bargain for the day”s catch. The place is a little messy, noisy and the air smells fishy but still it is about the most action you will get in town. There are some good pictures to be taken as well, the colorful traditional boats that dock in the river right in the center of town or the man with his cart piled high with ice rushing for a timely delivery.

Tours

Walks on the beach The serene and beautiful White Lake is about 65 km north east of Phan Thiet. The lake is aptly named because of the white sand dunes that border around it. However the landscape has changed over the years and the white sand is now mostly covered by greenery. But the lake has a stunning display of Lotus flowers that bloom along the water”s edge, like pink icing on a cake.

Just 30 km south of Phan Thiet lies the graceful 49 meters long and 10 meters high reclining Buddha of Ta Cu Mountain. It takes a bit of effort to get a glimpse of this impressive statue so be prepared to hike up a series of winding steps guided by a forest of tall trees. After 1½ hours the spectacular view at the top is a big reward.

On the island of Khe Ga 45 km south east of Phan Thiet is the historical lighthouse built at the end of the 19th century by a French engineer. The lighthouse, prompted by the then increasing French army presence, was needed to ensure the safety of commercial and naval vessels. The solid 65 meter granite structure has stood the test of time and remains as the only prominent symbol of European influence in the region.

For an exciting and rugged way to explore the terrain of Phan Thiet, take a jeep. Fasten your seat belt and get ready for a bumpy ride from a trip to the Red Sand Dunes to a refreshing ride along the coastline.