Visitors are encouraged to take off their shoes and wade through the water during their visit to Fairy Stream as the shore can get rather hot to walk on, especially in the summer. With water flowing from Ham Tien’s Dinh Mountain, the stream is about ankle-deep for the most part and doesn’t get past your knees at its deepest.

Needless to say, wearing comfortable clothing and bringing an extra pair of shoes is highly recommended when visiting this unique attraction. Adventurous visitors can also climb to the top of the sand dunes and pitted rock formations, both of which offer breathtaking views of red-hued waters and intricate stalagmites.

Entrance to Fairy Stream is free of charge and it takes about an hour to reach the end of the stream. If you’re feeling peckish, several food stalls are set along the way while bars and restaurants are located upstream. Read more at: http://www.vietnam-guide.com/mui-ne/attractions/fairy-stream.htm?cid=ch:OTH:001

Location: Huynh Thuc Khang, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet – Mui Ne

Map of Fairy Stream

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Visiting the fishing harbour at dawn is a must-do as you’ll see local fishermen sorting out hundreds of fresh seafood such as crabs, scallops, groupers, and stingrays. While it remains relatively authentic, the growing numbers of visitors to Mui Ne Fishing Village has resulted in a number of gift shops and affordable seafood restaurants.

Mui Ne is also surrounded by unique natural formations, verdant mountains, and remnants of the ancient Champa Kingdom. The iconic Red and White Sand Dunes both offer a fun-filled day of riding ATVs and sliding down the slopes on plastic sleds while Fairy Stream is a photography hotspot thanks to its dramatic landscape of white and red sand dunes, verdant trees, blossoming flowers, and coconut palms. Another must-visit in Mui Ne is Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda atop Ta Cu Mountain, which houses Vietnam’s largest statue of a reclining Buddha.

The southern area of Mui Ne Beach is dedicated to swanky retail outlets selling quality beachwear, clothes, local handicrafts, and jewellery. There are also plenty of kitesurfing schools offering short courses and equipment rentals. Thanks to its rock-free waters, Mui Ne Beach is ideal for a day of swimming, kitesurfing, kayaking, and surfing. The best time to enjoy these activities are between the months of November and March, when skies are sunny with strong winds, resulting in optimum temperatures and wave conditions.

When it comes to dining in Mui Ne, you can find a diverse range of beachfront restaurants serving authentic Asian fare, regional specialities, and fresh seafood from the East Sea. If you’re craving something from back home, there are plenty of expat-owned and resort restaurants that offer familiar regional dishes from around the world.

Nightlife in Mui Ne is fairly relaxed compared to Nha Trang or Ho Chi Minh, comprising a handful of hotel bars, late-night restaurants, and hippy lounges set along the beach. Most of these venues have been operating for decades, hosting vibrant parties, cultural nights, movie screenings, bonfires, dance performances, and guest DJs from all across Vietnam and Europe.

Map of Mui Ne Beach

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We highly recommend making your way to the fishing harbour in the early morning that’s when the fishermen return from sea with their massive haul of live crabs, scallops, groupers, and stingrays. Once you’ve reached the southern end of Mui Ne Fishing Village, there’s a small inhabited site that’s covered by colourful seashells that have washed up on the beach over the years.

Numerous food carts and open-air restaurants are set along the beach, where travellers can sample traditional Vietnamese dishes such as beef pho, banh mi, banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake) and a wide range of grilled seafood at affordable prices.

Catering to the growing number of foreign visitors, there are plenty of tour operators in Mui Ne and Ho Chi Minh City that include a short visit to Mui Ne Fishing Village in their itineraries. If you prefer exploring Mui Ne according to your own time and pace, the village is easily accessible via car, bicycle or motorcycle. The best time to visit Mui Ne Fishing Village is in early morning or late afternoon to avoid the scorching heat.

Location: 7km north of Mui Ne Town, Mui Ne

Map of Mui Ne Fishing Village

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Located seven kilometres northeast of Phan Thiet City, the Po Shanu Cham Towers were built to honour Hindu deities Lord Shiva, Agni and Nandi. The main tower measures 15 metres in height, featuring an altar with several lingams of Lord Shiva while the other two stand at 12 metres and five metres respectively.

Archaeological excavation between 1992 and 1995 led to the discovery of several temples dating back to the 15th century, all of which were dedicated to Princess Po Shanu, daughter of King Para Chanh. If you explore past the towers, you can also find a fortress formerly used by French and South Vietnamese troops as well as a memorial in honour of revolutionaries who launched an attack on the fortress back in 1947.

Every year, the ethnic Cham community visits the ruins for religious festivals such Prayer for Rain, Rija Nuga, Damp Building Festival, and Abstinence Ceremony while local fishermen pray for safe journeys before they head out to sea every morning.

Thanks to its hilltop location, you can enjoy expansive views of Phan Thiet and the distant coastline. Po Shanu Cham Towers are accessible within a 15-minute drive from Mui Ne Town and a fee of VND 10,000 is required before entering. If you’re travelling by motorcycle, there’s parking available for an additional VND 2,000.

Location: Ong Hoang Hill, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet
Price Range: VND 10,000

Map of Po Shanu Cham Towers

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The former option is best suited for travellers with relatively good stamina as they need to climb a rather steep stairway followed by a winding footpath in the middle of the forest to get to the main pagoda. Along the way, there are several smaller shrines and a local restaurant to stop by for snacks and refreshments.

If you choose the cable-car, tickets are priced at VND 160,000 for roundtrip and the journey takes approximately six minutes to reach Ta Cu Mountain’s peak. Along the way, you’ll be greeted with vertigo-inducing views of Thuan Nam Town, Ham Thuan An Sea, and Ke Ga Lighthouse, as well as rice paddies and dragon fruit tree.

Set atop Ta Cu Mountain, Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda features several worship halls, three entrance pillars, intricate animal sculptures, primogenitor caves, and colourful paintings of deities. Built in 1879, its main attraction is a 49-metre-long statue of a reclining Buddha that’s hailed as the biggest of its kind in Vietnam. Not far from the impressive structure is a cluster of statues called “Three Buddha Postures”, all of which measure 7 metres in height.

Open all year, this well-preserved Buddhist pagoda attracts throngs of visitors looking to pay their respects during the Lunar New Year or simply enjoy the tranquil scenery of Ham Thuan Nam and beyond.

Location: Ham Thuan Nam, Binh Thuan, Phan Thiet – Mui Ne
Price Range: VND 160,000 return fare

Map of Ta Cu Mountain

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The villa originally spanned 536 square metres but due to a lack of restoration efforts, all that’s left today is its stone foundations as well as an old watchtower and several military bunkers that were used during the French occupation of Vietnam.

After exploring The Prince’s Castle, travellers can easily make their way to other prominent attractions on foot such as the Po Shanu Cham Towers, which were built by the Cham people to commemorate Lord Shiva during the 8th century. The tomb of Vietnamese poet Han Mac Tu is also located nearby the towers, who often praised The Prince’s Castle and its surroundings in his love stories and poets.

Ideal for travellers looking to escape the bustling town centre, The Prince’s Castle is accessible within a 15-minute drive from Mui Ne. Entrance to the French estate ruins is free of charge, but there’s a parking fee of VND 2,000 if you’re travelling by car or motorcycle while entrance to Po Shanu Towers is priced at VND 10,000.

Location: Ong Hoang Hill, Phan Thiet – Mui Ne
Price Range: Free

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Today, this small temple houses the skeletal remains of more than 500 whales that are over 100 years old, including a 22-metre long whale skeleton that’s believed to have been the biggest in Southeast Asia. Numerous artefacts from the Nguyen Dynasty are also displayed within the main hall of the temple, such as written decrees by 24 former kings, terracotta statues, incense table, lacquered boards, and an antique bronze bell.

Religious ceremonies such as Spring Festival, Whale Worshipping Festival, and Peace Prayer Ceremony are held at the temple every year, where locals gather and pray for smooth sailing, good weather and fishing harvest. Visitors can also expect an array of activities such as solemn rites, folk singing, and boat racing during these events.

A must-visit for history buffs and travellers looking to experience traditional Cham rituals, Van Thuy Tu Temple is a 15-minute drive from Phan Thiet Beach. Entrance fee is priced at VND 10,000 per person which includes a guided tour of the temple.

Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 – 17:00
Address: 54 Ngu Ong Street, Phan Thiet
Price Range: VND 10,000

Map of Van Thuy Tu Temple

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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.

The White Dunes of Mui Ne

The White Dunes are by far the larger dunes and are known by locals as Bau Trang or White Lake. There are quite a few small stands selling food and drinks to visitors within the area along with pine trees offering much-needed shade.

ighlights: All year round. Best time to visit is either early in the morning or late afternoon as the sand can get very hot during the day. Take lots of water.
Location: 26km northeast of Mui Ne Beach

Map of White Sand Dunes

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