Mui Ne Fishing Village photo credit: thesaigontimes.vn
From Saigon’s buzz to the sea breeze of Mui Ne
After saying goodbye to the lively streets of Saigon, we set off on a 3-hour drive to Mui Ne Beach in Phan Thiet. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City had treated us to the vibrant energy of city life, bustling streets and unforgettable traditional Vietnamese meals. However, now it was time for something different: breathing in fresh sea air and doing nothing more than relaxing by the pool.
As much as I love the beaches in the north of Vietnam where I grew up, I have to admit that the southern beaches have a special charm. They feature long stretches of powdery white sand and sparkling blue water.
Travel used to take much longer between Ho Chi Minh City and Mui Ne. Yet, with the new motorway, the journey is now quicker and smoother. Hiring a private car or taxi costs around £70-£80. We were lucky enough to be offered a comfortable ride with a driver by a friend in Saigon. It was just one of many moments where I felt surrounded by love and care in Vietnam.
Getting to know Mui Ne and Phan Thiet
Mui Ne is a coastal resort town in Phan Thiet, part of Binh Thuan Province in southern Vietnam. The region is famous for its laid-back beaches, thriving fishing community and warm weather all year around.
Binh Thuan is Vietnam’s largest producer of dragon fruit. My daughter was delighted to learn this as dragon fruit is one of her absolute favourites. Naturally, we enjoyed quite a few during our stay, both the white and the red varieties.
Phan Thiet is also renowned for its fish sauce production, a cornerstone of Vietnam cuisine. Its deep, rich flavour is celebrated across the country. Indeed, if you cook Vietnamese dishes at home, chances are you’ve tasted Phan Thiet fish sauce without even realising it.
Our stay at The Anam Mui Ne
First impressions
We chose The Anam Mui Ne, a small boutique resort right on the beach and it turned out to be the perfect choice. Despite arriving during peak check-in time, the staff were attentive and warm. We were invited to relax with a welcome drink while they handled everything. Ten minutes later, our check-in was complete and we were shown to our room.
Photo credits: theanam.com
Boutique bliss
Beach resorts in Vietnam can be sprawling, often requiring a golf buggy ride to get from one place to another. However, The Anam’s boutique size meant everything was within a short walk. On the way to our room, we passed the resort’s second swimming pool, a saltwater pool framed by the coconut trees. Beyond, the white sand beach and blue sea stretched out. The first pool sits near the reception, giving us the choice of two beautiful spots to swim each day.
Our room
Our first-floor room offered an ocean view from the balcony. Spacious and decorated in classic Vietnamese style, it features a super-king bed (large enough for the three of us) and beautiful high wooden ceilings. This made the space feel even more airy.
The bathroom was a true highlight. It had a large bathtub, separate shower and toilet area, dual sinks and plenty of space to unwind.
Relaxing instead of rushing
Before arriving, my husband and I agreed that this leg of the trip would be all about relaxation. We would enjoy the resort’s facilities and minimise travel in the heat. We didn’t plan much sightseeing. However, for those with more energy, Mui Ne offers plenty to explore:
Things to do in Mui Ne
- White and red sand unes – Try sand sledding or simply enjoy the surreal desert-like scenery.
- Fairy stream – A shallow stream flowing through red and white rock formations, walk barefoot for the full experience.
- Fish sauce museum – Learn about Phan Thiet’s most famous culinary export.
- Mui Ne Lighthouse – Offers panoramic views of the coastline.
- Fishing Village – See the colourful round boats and buy fresh seafood straight from local fishermen.
Dining in Mui Ne
Breakfast at The Anam
Another lavish breakfast buffet awaited us each morning. Alongside hot Vietnamese and international dishes, there was sushi, pastries and an impressive variety of tropical fruit. We enjoyed dragon fruit, papaya, rambutan and more. We sipped endless iced Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk while my daughter delighted in the popcorn stand (yes, popcorn at breakfast!).
If I had one small critique, it’s that the buffet layout could have been spaced out more to ease the flow of guests. Nonetheless, the food quality was excellent.
Poolside treats
We spent most days at the pool, ordering snacks and drinks as we went. Whole coconuts were a daily ritual – always with a spoon so I could scrape out the sweet, tender flesh. Our go-to snacks included grilled squid and sandwiches with chips – light, easy and perfect for poolside dining.
Dinner at Lang Viet Restaurant
On our first night, we dined at the resort’s Lang Viet Restaurant, located right by the beach. The sea breeze was lovely. However, if you sit outside, remember mosquito repellent. The food was delicious, with desserts standing out as highlights. The restaurant was fairly quiet, possibly because it’s pricier than local eateries. We thought it could benefit from brighter lighting in the evening.
Seafood at an affordable local restaurant – Oc 45
The next evening, we walked just outside the resort to a local seafood restaurant on the right-hand side. It’s called Oc 45. Friendly staff, fresh seafood tanks to choose from and simple, satisfying dishes: grilled mussels, steamed squid with vegetables, fish and chips (which my daughter loved), stir-fried morning glory and calamari.
We tend to prefer having two main meals a day while travelling, which means opting for an early dinner to beat the crowd. It’s a routine we love. We finish eating before the rush, avoid long waits and still feel light enough before bedtime. That evening, our plan worked perfectly. After dinner, we strolled along the beach and ended the night with fruit smoothies at the resort’s Saigon Bar. We watched the later diners head out while we relaxed in the breeze.
Pizza night at the La Riva
When a pizza craving hit, we were thrilled to find an authentic Italian pizza place just a couple of minutes’ walk from the resort (to the left) – La Riva Mui Ne. We were greeted by both the staff and the Italian chef. We watched our thin-crust pizzas being made fresh before us. It was a delicious taste of Italy on the Vietnamese coast.
Activities we missed (and why we might go back…soon)
Mui Ne beach is also known for its watersports, especially windsurfing, kitesurfing and parasailing. These activities offer a thrilling view of the turquoise water and long stretches of sand. My husband decided to give it a miss this time. But now he regrets it enough that we’re already talking about booking a return trip so he can finally tick it off his list.
Farewell to Mui Ne
Our stay at The Anam Mui Ne was everything we had hoped for – calm, comfortable and filled with good food. But soon it was time to say goodbye and continue our journey north to Cam Ranh – Nha Trang. This time we traveled by train, a new adventure waiting to unfold.
Please note: All photos in this post were taken by me and are copyrighted, unless credited otherwise.
