Mui Ne & Phan Thiet Attractions
What to See in Mui Ne & Phan Thiet
Vietnam’s landscape is a source of endless fascination, with a huge variety of climate and scenery ranging from long beaches and endless rice paddy to the cool mountains of the Central Highlands.
In the Mui Ne-Phan Thiet area alone, you can see stunning beaches, tropical forest, Sahara-like sand dunes, a beautiful harbor and ancient buildings such as the Hindu Cham towers and the Van Thuy Tu Temple.
All of these create unique opportunities for visitors to explore in and around the area.
Takou Mountain
Takou Mountain is a must for any visitor. About one hour’s drive from Mui Ne, it has its own special magic. Hike up the mountain or take the gondola through beautiful tropical rain forest full of birds and wildlife to the Mountain Pagoda at the peak. Here you can see tomb towers, a cave and what is said to be the largest reclining Buddha in Vietnam, measuring 49 meters in length.
Phan Thiet Harbor
Phan Thiet Harbor is at the mouth of the Ca Ty River (formerly known as the Phan River). The harbour, with its hundreds of colourful fishing boats, is a delight for photographers. Also, check out the bridges and parks around the harbor, which are delightful, especially at night. Exploring the town’s many good shops and restaurants will occupy at least half a day.
The Phan Thiet Water Tower
The Phan Thiet Water Tower was built between 1928 and 1934 and was designed by Prince Suphanouvong of Laos who, at that time, was chief engineer for the Vietnamese government. The elegant tower is the most important landmark in Binh Thuan Province.
The Prince’s Castle
The Prince’s Castle is on a hill overlooking Phan Thiet. The “castle” is in fact the ruin of a large French estate house built in 1911. On the hills in the same area are Cham towers (built in the late 8th century AD), a pagoda and the tomb of a famous poet. From the hills there are fine views of the town and the surrounding countryside.
Van Thuy Tu Temple
Van Thuy Tu Temple, built in 1762, has a special claim to uniqueness: it is the final resting place of more than 100 whales, whose skeletons are on display, the largest being 22 meters long. Whales were believed by local fishermen to be helpful and benevolent animals, and whenever one became stranded on the beach, its body was taken to the temple, which is on Ngu Ong St (Fisherman St).
The Sand Dunes of Mui Ne
The Sand Dunes of Mui Ne are the most important tourist attraction apart from the beaches of Mui Ne and Phan Thiet. Some 65 km northeast of Phan Thiet, the massive dunes range in colour from gold to white.
There are also red dunes to be found further south, close to Mui Ne. The best times to visit the dunes are at sunrise and sunset, when the light is perfect for photography.
Make sure you bring plenty of water; this is a small desert, after all.
Mui Ne and Phan Thiet are popular for their sandy beaches, which attract Saigon expats getting away for the weekend. A quaint, traditional fishing village, Mui Ne has a beautiful beach backing onto impressive sand dunes, along with excellent water sports facilities and attractive golf courses, including one designed by international champion Nick Faldo. Phan Thiet, too, offers tranquility and long stretches of palm-fringed beach. Small bungalow resorts like Sunny Beach Resort or Sunsea Resort have recently been joined by four-star properties such as Romana Resort or Princess D Annam Resort & Spa.
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Mui Ne and Phan Thiet are in Binh Thuan District, the driest in the country. The scenery consists of rocky mountains, sandy hills and beautiful beaches. Any trip to Mui Ne and Phan Thiet is not complete without a visit to the spectacular Mui Ne sand dunes where the wind creates ever-shifting works of natural art. Along the way, visitors can get, from their car or train window, fascinating insights into rural life and the hidden charms of Vietnam.
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