The sand dunes of Mui Ne, the sole desert in Vietnam, stand out compared to the rest of the country which largely comprises of tropical and coastal landscapes. The white and red sand dunes of Mui Ne are spectacular to view, especially from late afternoon. There are many a few places to visit in Mui Ne and fun things to do as well. Here, we will take you through what Mui Ne holds for us.
How to Get to Mui Ne?
The sandy resort town of Mui Ne is about a four-hour ride from Ho Chi Minh City. The sandy attractions near Mui Ne include the White Sand Dunes, the Red Sand Dunes, and the Grand Canyon like Fairy Stream. All three lie in close proximity to Mui Ne.
Things to Do in Mui Ne - The Desert of Vietnam
1. The White Sand Dunes and White Lake
Near the White Sand Dunes in Phan Thiet, lies a lagoon known as the Lotus Lake or the White lake. The lake is accessible from both the Red and the White Sand Dunes and is divided into two parts overlooking the beautiful view of the white dunes. The lake is filled with pink lotuses throughout the blooming season, and the bright sunshine makes it a scenic beauty. One can take a long stroll along the lake, try a hand at fishing or even rent a boat to explore the lake.
How to get there: It takes around an hour from Mui Ne to reach the White Sand Dunes or the Bao Trang, as it is called. Taxis can be availed to reach the White Sand Dunes. Visitors can avail of an all-terrain vehicle as an activity for dune bugging.Things to do: Tourists can rent a quad-bike and have the experience for 1600000 VND per person. The place provides a surreal view especially at the time of sunrise and sunset.
Timings: You can visit White Lake from 4 AM to 6 PM
2. The Red Sand Dunes
Located across the beach of Mui Ne are the Red Sand Dunes covered with reddish-brown sand which are significantly smaller than the White Dunes. According to popular opinion, this place serves as a great spot for photography, especially during sunset and can be toured around for 30-45 minutes. Compared to the White Sand Dunes, the Red Sand Dunes are said to be less impressive as cases of pickpocketing are high and the dunes are littered with plastic.
3. Suoi Tien - The Fairy Stream
The Fairy Stream also called Suoi Tien, is a red canyon structure, similar to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. While the reason behind its name remains a secret many believe that this limestone structure serves as a hideout for fairies!
The visit begins with a walk through the shallow flatbed stream along with the red canyon structure. You are advised to walk barefooted for a good experience, services to deposit your shoes and belongings are provided at the entrance of the stream. A normal walk takes up to 10-15 minutes and is said to be calming and enjoyable. On the other side of the stream lies a red sand dune which again serves as an excellent spot for photography.
The best time to visit this place is from November to March.
Timings - 6 AM to 6 PM
Cost per person - 5000 VND
Mui Ne is a particularly peculiar place to visit in a country like Vietnam but has grown over the years, from an offbeat destination to a tourist favourite. The dunes of this desert in Vietnam are particularly photogenic during dawn and dusk and continue to provide one of the best touristy experiences in the whole country. Let us know your favourite experience while visiting Mui Ne, down in the comments below!