We are talking about the two most popular resorts in Vietnam - Mui Ne and Phan Thiet. Why are they good and what are the disadvantages of resorts? Here are the reviews of tourists and prices for holidays in 2021.
Perhaps no resort has received such conflicting reviews from tourists as Vietnamese Mui Ne (Phan Thiet). Some scold him mercilessly, others admire him and gladly recommend him to visit. Let's try to understand the reasons for such ambiguous assessments.
Reviews about holidays in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet
Muine and Phan Thiet are often identified with each other, although these are different settlements located in the neighborhood. Phan Thiet is a provincial town with active traffic and other joys of city life, while Mui Ne is a quiet fishing village. Most often, tourists call Mui Ne a multi-kilometer beach area with hotels and restaurants, stretching from Phan Thiet to the village.
The busiest area of the resort is Ham Tien with Nguyen Din Chu street, on both sides of which there are hotels and restaurants, mainly on the first line. The beaches are equipped with umbrellas and sun loungers. The sandy strip is wide, with fine white sand, but closer to the fishing village it narrows, by the way, there are cheaper hotels, but the beaches are worse.
The disadvantages of Mui Ne and Phan Thiet, according to tourists' reviews for 2019-2020, include difficulties with the road: you need to fly to Ho Chi Minh City, and from there it will take a bus or taxi for a few more hours. But the sea caused the main displeasure of some tourists. In Mui Ne, winds blow most of the time, high waves rise on the sea, and swimming becomes extreme. It is better to get to the beach in the morning, after lunch the excitement only intensifies. The sea becomes relatively calm only in spring.
For lovers of kiting, Mui Ne is a real expanse, there are several good schools on the coast, where beginners can get training and get the necessary skills. In the evenings, the main entertainment of tourists is walking, shopping in souvenir shops and dinner on the seashore - seafood is excellently prepared here. If you get bored of a beach holiday, you can go on an excursion around the surroundings or go to Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang or Da Lat.
By the way, tourists who do not speak English will find it easy here - almost all signs and menus are in Russian, the staff are also often Russian-speaking. The second undoubted plus of Mui Ne and Phan Thiet, according to the reviews of tourists, is the affordable cost of rest, although, when compared with Nha Trang, the prices here are slightly higher.
It will also be useful for you to read reviews about the holidays in Vietnam in general.
Weather in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet
The warm climate of Mui Ne allows you to rest here all year round, without fear of sudden cold snaps and torrential rains. Around Mui Ne, a natural belt of sand dunes has formed, which create a special microclimate and protect the area from heavy rainfall. Even dangerous storms with floods bypass these places.
The average annual temperature in Mui Ne is kept at around + 30 ° С with a slight "winter" drop to +25 ... + 27 ° С. The warmest sea in summer is + 27 ... + 29 ° С, in winter it cools down to + 24 ° С. It is hottest in May and April, coldest in December and January. Nevertheless, many people prefer to come to Vietnam for the New Year.
The rains begin in June and continue until October, then dry and clear weather sets in. However, in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet, even in the low season, the showers do not last long - usually in the afternoon and evening, the relative humidity remains at 79%.
According to tourists' reviews about the weather in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet, in December - January, due to strong winds, it can be a little cool in the evenings, so jeans and windbreakers will be very useful. High waves rise on the sea. Read more about when is the best time to relax in Vietnam - we tell you about the weather in each month.
Prices for holidays in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet - 2021
Of course, kitesurfers will get the maximum pleasure from their vacation in Mui Ne, but non-sports tourists also have something to do. There are many massage parlors (spas), treatments cost from $ 15 to $ 30.
Gourmets are waiting for gastronomic pleasures: in the cafe you can order grilled fish, mussels, scallops, oysters, lobsters, as well as local exotic dishes from a crocodile or a snake. The best seafood is prepared in restaurants in the Boke area. The fresh catch is placed in the aquarium, and the guest orders what he wants.
According to tourists' reviews for 2019-2020, prices in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet are quite democratic - you can dine for only $ 5, dinner for $ 15 (it will be even cheaper in local establishments). A large glass of freshly squeezed juice costs just over $ 1.
In the vicinity of Mui Ne there are unique attractions that you can visit with a guided tour or on your own. In short, the top most interesting places looks like this:
- White and Red dunes... These are the main attractions of Mui Ne and a favorite place for photo shoots with newlyweds. The Red Dunes are easily accessible by renting a scooter, the White Dunes are located a little further. Near the Red Dunes, the Red Stream flows - due to the admixture of clay, the water in it turns red. Not far from the White Dunes there are hot springs and a very beautiful lake with lotuses.
- Cham towers... These towers are the surviving part of the ancient temple complex of the 8th century. The entrance is paid - 10 thousand dongs, or $ 0.5. The towers look especially impressive in the evening, when the backlight is turned on.
- Ke Ga lighthouse... A granite creation by a French architect and a very popular local landmark. The lighthouse is located on an island near Phan Thiet. To climb to the observation deck, you will have to show physical endurance and climb 182 steps inside the tower. The entrance is paid - about $ 1, in addition, you need to pay for the ferry to the island. According to tourists, the territory of the lighthouse was called the collapse zone, and they stopped letting visitors inside. Let's hope this is temporary.
- Mount Taku... Located 30 km from Mui Ne. At the top is the Reclining Buddha statue, the largest in the country. Its length is 49 meters, height - 11 m. You can climb the mountain by funicular or walk along the path through the rainforest past the temples and other structures of the monks. The cost of visiting with the cable car is 160 thousand dong ($ 7).
Prices for excursions from different companies may differ, on average - $ 25 per person, fishing - $ 15. Services are cheaper with single guides. As for shopping, in addition to souvenirs from shells and leather goods of reptiles, you can buy pearls, silk, tea, coffee, healing ointments and tinctures. Read about what to bring from Vietnam.
Hotel prices in 2021
Hotels in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet are slightly more expensive than in Nha Trang, but still quite cheap. The most inexpensive guesthouse on the coast in the spring of 2021 - $ 9 per day for a double room. Within $ 20, you can book a good room with a private bathroom, air conditioning and other set of standard amenities. For $ 13 per night, for example, there is a 3-star hotel with good reviews (usually they cost from $ 20). Prices for 4 * hotels in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet start at $ 30 for a double room, 5 * - from $ 90. According to tourists' reviews, hotels are no different from other hotels in Vietnam. If you are planning a trip during the high season, we advise you to book in advance on Roomguru.ru and always read the reviews and living conditions.
On a note. If you are at a resort during the Vietnamese New Year, keep in mind that hotel prices are going up tremendously and there are no places conceived in them - they are booked by the Vietnamese almost six months in advance. We encountered this when we lived in Nha Trang - we had to leave for Ho Chi Minh City, since the hotel on Tet where we lived was overcrowded, while others cost 2-3 times higher than the usual price. Tet is celebrated in late January or early February.
How to book a hotel? You can find a convenient accommodation option for yourself on the well-known Roomguru.ru service - the site compares prices of various booking systems and finds the best one.
Tips and tricks for tourists
In general, Mui Ne and Phan Thiet is a good alternative to Turkish and Thai resorts (however, you do not need to wait for the service corresponding to Turkish resorts), a place for an inexpensive and relaxing holiday, where the main entertainment is walking, beach joys, sitting in cafes and unobtrusive shopping. Fans of nightlife and divers have nothing to do here - there is no nightlife, and the water, due to constant waves, often mixes with sand, muddy and opaque.
According to tourists, the winter months are characterized by high waves and winds, so during this period you should not plan a vacation with children, but it is better to postpone it to March-April or November. At this time, the most comfortable temperature indicators, a very warm sea, and little waves.
Kitesurfers can go any time of the year, because the winds in Mui Ne are common, but the best waves here are from November to March. Those who want to save on cost can safely go during the low season: prices in hotels and restaurants are reduced, and climatic conditions make it possible to rest comfortably.
Compare Mui Ne and Phan Thiet with other resorts in Vietnam so you can choose the best vacation spot for yourself.
