Have you ever been to a desert by the sea? If your answer is no, then you haven’t been to the Mui Ne Sand Dunes! This little coastal town draws in travelers from around the world to experience an unforgettable sunrise over the Saharaesque landscape.
I have put together this complete guide of Mui Ne Sand Dunes including how to get there and what to expect!
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WHERE ARE THE MUI NE SAND DUNES & HOW TO GET THERE
Mui Ne is located on the Southeast coast of Vietnam. From Ho Chi Minh city, you can take a bus directly to Mui Ne and the journey takes approximately 4.5 hours.
Click Here to check timetables and book your bus in advance to Mui Ne.
Alternatively, you can book a bus to Mui Ne via the reception at your accommodation. Tip: You will have to book a bus to Mui Ne the day before you plan to travel.
The white sand dunes of Mui Ne are approximately a 20-minute drive from the centre of town.
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Mui Ne sand dunes
WHERE TO BOOK A MUI NE SAND DUNES TOUR
The best place to book a Mui Ne Sand Dunes tour is with a very reputable company called Mui Ne Go. They offer half-day Mui Ne sand dune tours starting from as little as $5.
You can book a tour via the Mui Ne Go website in advance or you can book in person at the Mui Ne Go tourist office upon arrival. The Mui Ne Go tourist office is located in the heart of town.
A tour operator from Mui Ne Go will pick you up from the front of your accommodation at 4:30 am to begin the sunrise Jeep adventure to the white sand dunes of Mui Ne.
White sand dunes Mui Ne
Jeep adventure at the Mui Ne sand dunes
WHAT TO EXPECT AT MUI NE SAND DUNES
After a 20-minute drive in the safari Jeep, you will arrive at the white sand dunes of Mui Ne just in time for an unforgettable sunrise over the dunes.
As Mui Ne is most famous for these oceanic wind-sculpted dunes, it is unfortunately flooded with tourists. But please don’t be put off by this as there are more than enough dunes to wander around on.
We veered off the beaten path a little and managed to find an epic spot all to ourselves while everyone else crowded around on one of the higher Mui Ne dune peaks for sunrise.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of features that are very simple to use!
After the sunrise, it is time for the ultimate 4WD sand dunes bash in the safari Jeep up, over and around the epic white sand dunes of Mui Ne. This was the most exhilarating experience and the highlight of the Mui Ne sand dunes tour!
If you want to take it to the extreme on your adventure at the Mu Nie sand dunes, there is the option to rent an ATV to thrash around in the desert dunes.
Additional Cost for ATV:
Drive by yourself: 20-minutes = 600,000 Dong, or 30-minutes = 850,000 Dong
Drive with operator: 45-minutes = 200,000 Dong
Mui Ne Sand Dunes
ATV in the sand dunes of Mui Ne
MUI NE RED SAND DUNES
The Jeep adventure continues to the Mui Ne red sand dunes, approximately a 15-minute drive back towards the main town. The red sand dunes are not as impressive as the white sand dunes but it is still worth a visit.
You can also rent a plastic sled for 20,000 Dong to surf the dunes from top to bottom!
The Mui Ne red sand dunes are packed with mobile vendors offering cold ice creams, traditional Pho (noodle soup) and refreshing drinks.
Also, be prepared to be approached by the friendly locals who will more than likely want to take a selfie or ten with you!
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Mui Ne Sand Dunes Vietnam
WHERE TO STAY IN MUI NE
Mui Ne has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay near Fairy Stream Mui Ne to suit budget backpackers, luxury travelers and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Anantara Mui Ne Resort
Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking.com
Mid Range: Four Oceans Resort
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Budget: Xin Chao Hotel
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MUI NE SAND DUNES – THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Although I visited Mui Ne sand dunes in July, they say the best time to visit is between November and March for optimum temperatures and great beach conditions.
I recommend being prepared with some snacks and drinking water before taking the early morning Mui Ne Jeep tour as you won’t get a chance to eat until after the sunrise adventure.
BEST VIETNAM TOURS
AIRBNB NEAR MUI NE SAND DUNES
Another option for accommodation near Mui Ne Sand Dunes is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals in Mui Ne.
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LONELY PLANET – VIETNAM
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Vietnam Travel Guide!
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MORE VIETNAM TRAVEL GUIDES
Vietnam Travel Guide: 4 Week Vietnam Itinerary
Ho Chi Minh City Guide: 7 Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh
Nha Trang Travel Guide: 3 Things To Do In Nha Trang
Hoi An Travel Guide: 4 Things To Do In Hoi An
Ninh Binh Travel Guide: 3 Things To Do In Ninh Binh
Da Nang Travel Guide: Golden Bridge Ba Na Hills
Cam Ranh Travel Guide: Things To Do In Cam Ranh
Ha Giang Travel Guide: 3 Day Ha Giang Loop Adventure
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WHAT TO PACK FOR MUI NE
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 years worth of content.
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MY SHOP
Before you go from this Mui Ne Sand Dunes post, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
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FINAL THOUGHTS OF MUI NE SAND DUNES
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about Mui Ne Sand Dunes, please drop me a comment below.
Happy Adventuring!
