There is more to Mui Ne than meets the eye of the casual observer. Our guests have the privilege to venture on paths less traveled and discover that which is rare and beautiful. We only recommend responsible guides and tour operators or make arrangements for special interest, customized tours. The following lists some sites worthy of a visit.
Po Sha Inu on a hill overlooking the Bay of Mui Ne, 15 kilometers south of The Sailing Bay Resort, are towering remnants of the Hindu Cham Kingdom that once dominated central and southern Vietnam from the 7th century to 1832. The ruins, excavated between 1992 and 1995 date from the 15th century and believed to be part of a temple complex dedicated to a the Hindu deity Shiva in honor of a Cham princess of its name. Descendants of the Cham in the region still conduct rituals here every year that found their origins in supplications for rain in times of drought and peace in times of war.
The great orange colored Sand Dunes (Doi Cat) along the coast just north of the Sailing Bay Resort, stretch over half a square kilometer of 10 meter high undulations. Street smart children often slide down the sands and may offer help if you want to slide as well… but you need to be careful. Just stick with the guide our resort recommends. The dunes offer scenic views of the coast and sea and if you like to cycle, it will take 30-45 minutes if you don’t stop by the Fairy Stream along the way.
The Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien) is a small river winding through bamboo forests, boulders and sand dunes that sometimes looks like the Grand Canyon in miniature. It is no more than knee-deep with a sandy bed you can safely wade barefooted, albeit a little carefully. Upstream, a small waterfall cascades into waist-deep water for a refreshing dunk on a warm day.
Mui Ne market and harbour (Lang chai Mui Ne) is a little way down the road south from the Sailing Bay Resort. Hundreds of colorful fishing boats moored around the harbor is a photographer’s delight and the market gives a unique insight into the livelihood of the people. Local vendors steam crabs and shellfish you may eat on the spot and along the beach, fishermen sort out their catch.
Watch this space for more on Mui Ne’s popular and less known spots.