Sand Dunes:
Mui Ne is famous for its vast red and white sand dunes, which we highly recommend discovering during your time in Phan Thiet. The White Sand Dunes, also known as Bao Trang (White Lake), range from a glittering gold to a pure white, whilst the Red Sand Dunes of Mui Ne, as you would expect, feature reddish-brown sands. The Red Dunes are smaller than the White Dunes and slightly easier to reach. We recommend visiting the dunes in the early morning or late afternoon to get the best pictures, as well as steering clear of the scorching temperatures as the sun rises above these Sahara like sands.
You will likely experience a hard sell from local children wanting to hire you a sand boards, and whilst this can be fun, do agree a price beforehand as some people have had unpleasant experiences. We also recommend trying out a quad bike or dune buggy for a slightly more adventurous dune experience.
Ta Cu Mountain:
Ta Cu Mountain is located 25km from Phan Thiet and a beautiful 2 hour trek (or 10 minute cable car ride) will take you to the mountain pagoda at the summit. Trekkers will be able to hike through beautiful tropical rainforest full of birds and wildlife before reaching the tomb towers, a cave and the white reclining Buddha (Tuong Phat Nam). Said to be the largest Buddha in Vietnam at 49m, the site has become an important pilgrimage centre for Buddhists.
Po Shanu Cham Towers:
These ancient towers occupying a hill near Phan Thiet are remains of the former Cham Kingdom, dating back to the 9th Century, and offer sweeping views over the town, as well as making for a fascinating visit for those interested in ancient history. For those looking to learn more about the Cham Kingdom, we also suggest a full day tour to Ninh Thuan, 2 ½ hours’ drive from Phan Thiet. A day tour here will allow you to visit a typical Cham minority village and visit the Poklong Garai Cham Towers, the heart of the remaining ethnic Cham community.
Activities in Phan Thiet:
Close to the popular resort of Phan Thiet lies Mui Ne, the self-titled adrenalin capital of South Vietnam. Mui Ne has no snorkelling or scuba diving but has some of the best surf in the area and has become a popular kitesurfing destination. There are a number of operators in town where you can book a course, and for those looking for something a little more relaxing there are some excellent golf courses (Sealinks Golf & Country Club) and sumptuous spas in the area.
