A Backpackers Guide to Mui Ne

Mui Ne is an idyllic beach towns in the south of Vietnam, approximately 200 km north of Ho Chi Minh City. It makes for a great weekend escape if you want to get away from the bustling city, or why not stay there for longer than a weekend and fully enjoy everything that Mui Ne has to offer. If you’re backpacking in Vietnam and your budget is limited, Mui Ne is the perfect place, because there’s plenty of things to enjoy here that are either for free or doesn’t cost much. Here is a backpackers guide to Mui Ne and how you can best enjoy it without spending all your money.

Vietnam visa

One thing that you do need to spend money on though, is acquiring a Vietnam visa. You have two online options – Visa on Arrival and E-Visa – which are by far the most popular way to get a visa because of how fast, easy and affordable it is. However, the E-Visa is only eligible for certain countries in the world and with a Visa on Arrival, you can only arrive to Vietnam by air. If you plan to travel to Vietnam in other means of transport, for example bus from Cambodia, you’ll have to get a visa through a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate.

When to go to Mui Ne

What’s so good about Mui ne is that the weather is mild all year round, so if you’re planning on a beach vacation in Vietnam, this is a safe bet. Rainy season is between April and October while dry is from November to March. But in comparison to other cities in Vietnam, it gets little rain here, even during rainy season, so make sure that you wear comfortable clothing. The best time to go to Mui Ne is during dry season, when you will be guaranteed dry, warm and sunny beach days. The winds are also strong, making it perfect for kitesurfing, kayaking and surfing.

Where to stay

There’s some new hostels that has been built in Mui Ne in the past years, due to a rise in tourism, so finding accommodation will be a piece of cake. Many backpackers prefer to stay in hostels due to lower prices, but also because of the social aspect, and there’s some really good ones in Mui Ne.

Mui Ne Hills Backpackers

Probably the best place to stay at if you prefer a more social hostel with various activities such as beer pong tournaments. They are a relatively new hostel so the facilities are clean and fresh, they have a big pool where you can swim in both during the day and late afternoon, you’re only about a 5 minutes walk away from the beach and they sometimes even have DJ sets. The best part? It’s probably one of the cheapest hostels in Vietnam. The prices start from 3 dollars a night. They also have a restaurant by the hostel, so you don’t even need to leave if you don’t want to. It’s the ultimate backpacker hostel.

Long Son Mui Ne Backpacker Hostel

If you think 5 minutes from the beach is too far, why not live right on the beach? You’ll go to bed listening to the waves and wake up just by the beach. There are daily activities there and even a restaurant which serves both local and international dishes. You can also camp on the grounds if you’d like to. If you wish to go to Mui Ne Town, there are local buses available closeby. This is not a party hostel though, but rather a place to relax and enjoy the ocean together with other travelers. And if you are really looking for a cheap place to stay, the prices here start at 2 dollars per night.

What to do

The beach is the obvious choice here in Mui Ne, if you want to enjoy the free things. But if you have some money to spare, make sure that you also either rent a motorbike and go independently, or with a tour, to the red and white sand dunes in Mui Ne. It’s one of the highlights in Vietnam. Go at dawn and wait on top of the dunes to see the sun rise behind the dunes. The colors of the sky is nothing but spectacular, shifting from orange to pink to red. Kitesurfing is also one of the main activities to do in Mui Ne, but is a bit more on the pricey side. So if you’re on a strict budget, the beach is always a good idea. Preferably with a book in your hand.