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 to Mui Ne Sand Dunes including how to get there and what to expect!
QUICK ANSWERS – MUI NE SAND DUNES
Let’s start this guide with the essentials about Mui Ne Sand Dunes, from their location to getting there and more.
WHERE ARE THE MUI NE SAND DUNES?
Mui Ne is located on the southeast coast of Vietnam, around 4 to 5 hours by bus and about 3.5 hours by train from Ho Chi Minh City.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
HOW TO GET TO THE MUI NE SAND DUNES?
From Ho Chi Minh city, you can take a bus directly to Mui Ne and the journey takes approximately 4.5 hours.
Tip: You will have to book the bus or train 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 center of town.
WHERE TO BOOK A MUI NE SAND DUNES TOUR?
The best place to book a Mui Ne Sand Dunes tour is online in advance on the Viator website. I personally recommend the Mui Ne Sand Dunes Sunrise or Sunset Jeep Tour.
The tour includes an English-speaking guide, pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation, and a sunrise or sunset Jeep adventure to the white sand dunes of Mui Ne.
BEST MUI NE SAND DUNES TOUR
The best way to visit is to join a 5-Hours Mui Ne Sand Dunes Sunrise or Sunset Jeep Tour!
It includes the entrance fees, hotel transfers, drinking water, and a fun guide!
HOW DID MUI NE SAND DUNES GET THERE?
The Mui Ne sand dunes are the result of beach sand being transported inland by a potent combination of high winds.
As these winds blow the tiny grains of sand inland, they begin to accumulate and take form when they encounter various obstacles, such as the Jeep you ride on the tour.
Over time, this process has led to the formation of vast sand dunes that spread out over a considerable area, nearly 50 hectares.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Although I visited the 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.
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.
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 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
The BEST Hotel in Mui Ne
Need a place to stay? Anantara Mui Ne Resort is conveniently located in Mui Ne.
Whether you’re here to explore the sights or relax in comfort, Anantara Mui Ne Resort is a great option.
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.
Related Article: 4 Week Vietnam Itinerary
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!
BEST VIETNAM TOURS
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 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
Mid Range: Four Oceans Resort
Budget: Xin Chao Hotel
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR VIETNAM
When visiting Vietnam, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Hidden Money Wallet
Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!
Reusable Water Bottle
The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!
Travel Backpack
The Nomatic Travel Backpack has 20+ innovative features, perfect for everyday use!
Quick-Dry Travel Towel
The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!
Portable PowerBank
Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!
More Vietnam Travel Guides
Click the button below to view all articles related to Vietnam!
FINAL THOUGHTS – SAND DUNES IN MUI NE
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please drop me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
Search and book accommodation worldwide.
Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.
Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.
Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.
Search all rental cars in your next destination.
Need travel insurance for your next trip?
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.
Click here to find out how you can support the site organically.
Many thanks!
Hi Jonny, thank you so much for your sharing on the sand dunes. I will be in HCM in mid August which is supposedly a rainy month though they say it does not rain all day and likely to rain in the afternoons only. would you recommend a trip to the sand dunes during my visit or is it a no go? thank you in advance for your recommendation.
Hi Jean, I wish I could predict the weather on the day that you want to visit the dunes, however unfortunately I cannot. It’s definitely worth visiting during your visit to Vietnam so regardless of it being rainy season, I would take the chance to visit and manifest perfect weather! Enjoy!