Rough Guide to Vietnam - Jan Dodd [161]
Malibu Resort Ward 5 062/384 9669, www.malibu-resort.com. Located to the east of the main bay at Mui Ne, this place with smartly furnished and spacious rooms has an “away-from-it-all” feeling. US$31–75
Sunny Beach 64–66 Nguyen Dinh Chieu 062/374 1355, www.sunnybeachresortmuine.com. Rooms here have natural wood furnishings and are quite spacious, while the immaculately manicured grounds and huge, inviting pool add to the resort’s attractions. US$31–75
Thuy Thuy 123 Nguyen Dinh Chieu 062/384 7357. It may be on the opposite side of the road to the beach, but the beautiful garden, pool and spa, along with well-positioned and tastefully-equipped bungalows, make this an appealing place to stay. US$51–75
The south–central coast | The coastal road to Nha Trang | Mui Ne | Accommodation |
Expensive
Coco Beach 58 Nguyen Dinh Chieu 062/384 7111, www.cocobeach.net. This French-run resort has 28 tasteful, thatched wooden bungalows and some family-size villas, complete with verandas, Cham-style fabrics, a/c and all modern comforts, set among tropical gardens off the beach. The relaxed style and friendly staff have made this an established favourite. US$76–US$151 and over
Mui Ne Sailing Club 24 Nguyen Dinh Chieu 062/384 7440, www.sailingclubvietnam.com/scmuine.php. Delightfully landscaped resort, featuring rooms and bungalows with thatched roofs and mustard-coloured walls, plus imaginative interiors with good use of local textiles. Swimming pool, popular bar and restaurant too. US$76–US$151 and over
Phu Hai Resort km8 062/381 2799, www.phuhairesort.com. One of the biggest resorts at Mui Ne, with over eighty villas snuggled away behind lush tropical growth. Large pool with waterfall, tennis courts, fitness club and stylish restaurant. US$76–US$151 and over
Seahorse Resort km11 062/384 7507, www.seahorseresortvn.com. Spacious bungalows with traditionally tiled roofs and elegant furnishings in a well-landscaped garden, plus pool, spa and restaurant overlooking the beach. US$76–US$151 and over
Shades 98A Nguyen Dinh Chieu 062/374 3237, www.shadesmuine.com. This collection of just seven individual apartments is super-hip in design, and rooms include neat touches like double glazing, flat-screen TVs and kitchen facilities. US$76–US$151 and over
Victoria Phan Thiet Resort km9 062/381 3000,www.victoriahotels-asia.com. Fifty nine sea-view cottages set amongst tropical gardens; spacious interiors with tasteful European decor and all mod cons. Excursions arranged and free use of mountain bikes for guests. US$151 and over
The south–central coast | The coastal road to Nha Trang | Mui Ne |
The village
Much of the land in this region is barren and arid in the dry season, but as the road approaches Mui Ne, coconut palms form a shady avenue that passes behind the resorts and gives occasional glimpses of golden sands lapped by clear waters. After several kilometres of shoulder-to-shoulder resorts, the road reaches the small village and harbour of Mui Ne, where hundreds of fishing boats cluster together. On the left (north) side of the road just before the village are several small fish sauce plants, where you might like to nose around the pungent vats. Among these plants, a small lane beside 63b Huynh Thuc Khang (a few metres from a small bridge) leads to Fairy Spring, which is in fact a narrow stream running through a psychedelic landscape of white and red sand dunes, which are also accessible via a left turn at the village of Mui Ne. The softness of the sand makes the dunes difficult to climb, but the resulting views are ample reward. The sand can also get very hot, so it makes sense to go early or late in the day.
Though the number one activity at Mui Ne is relaxing on the beach, the place also attracts wind- and kitesurfers when the wind is up between August and April, and Mui Ne even hosts an event in the Asian Windsurf Tour each February. If you’d like a crack at windsurfing or kitesurfing, head on down to Jibes,