Just in case anyone's heading this way, thought I'd share some impressions. Have been here about a week, staying up to another 3 weeks, and the place is not quite what I expected.

I had thought it would be fairly undeveloped, with lots of beachfront bungalows like some of the islands in Thailand. Instead, it's more like Vietnam's answer to Port Douglas. There are some huge and very expensive resorts, charging $100US and more per night for an average room. Most of the kite resorts are in the $40-80US price range - fine for a week's holiday but not a long trip (not on our budget anyway!). After some searching we managed to find a small, quiet place which only has 4 rooms next to the beach, and charges $16 per night. There are plenty of places on the other side of the road in this price range, however beach access can be an issue as the bigger places aren't too keen on you lugging wet sandy gear through.

As for the kiting it's been good but not outstanding. There has been wind 5 days out of seven, however 2 of these only hit around 15kts. It can be misleading as you see lots of kites in the sky, however half are learners and the ones who look powered up turn out to be 40kg Vietnamese guys!

The wind has been almost directly cross shore for the whole week - much of the sand dunes behind the town are now vegetated or developed, and the locals think that this has affected the micro-climate of the beach, changing the prevailing wind direction. This means that the launch is a bit sketchy, specially at high tide. It's not uncommon to see guys in amongst the sun loungers, almost at the bar, while the launcher is waist deep and struggling in 2-3ft swell. The first 300m is -more- gusty, and the cleanest wind is only found right out the back, 1/2 to 1km off shore.

There are some great kite bars, right on the beach, with compressed air, wash down areas, and loads of helpers keen to give you a launch. It's pretty nice to land your kite and be sitting in the shade 30 seconds later with a cold beer in your hand - and it's only cost 90c for a 450ml stubby! They also have good tunes, free wi-fi, and great food which averages about $4 per meal.

All in all, in my little opinion, it's a great place to come and we're really enjoying it, but not the sort of place you fall in love with and keep going back to. We'll be heading up the coast looking for quieter, less developed beaches.

We looked at those online visa services as well, and they seemed ok but on the other hand it would suck to get to the airport and get turned away. It is a communist country.

Haven't heard anything about Dengue fever here, none of the locals I've talked with have mentioned anything.

I'd say try to stay as far south on the beach as possible, that end gets the most wind and due to the curve of the bay it's also the most onshore. For example yesterday it was cross-off mostly in the middle area of the beach and so it was extra gusty.

Waves have been big enough to be a pain but too small to enjoy if that makes sense. .

kiteboy dave said...



I had thought it would be fairly undeveloped, with lots of beachfront bungalows like some of the islands in Thailand.

That was the biggest disappointment for me, too. I spent 3 and a half months there last summer, and what I really wanted was a bamboo hut for 5-10 bucks a night like in Thai...ended up paying $6 for a room with an outside bathroom, or up to $12 for a more decent room.

The wind was pretty good overall, plenty of 25-30 knot days but the food got boring fast and everyone is out to make a buck off you so it's a bit annoying at times. And it's just a tourist ghetto, no cheap local food etc unless you go far from the beach area.

Plus there were up to 100 kites and 20 windsurfers out on the good days, many of them just learning, and that makes for some hairy moments unless you can get upwind and stay clear!

Still, worth a visit and I'll go back for a month or 2 this year...

And BYO smoke cos the locals don't know a bud from a leaf, or if they do they ain't sharing!!!

Went there last February stayed at a little place called Bao Quynh next to the sailing club, had a great time be back there next Feb for two weeks.

A mate got an online visa recently and it worked fine. I'll find out the name of the company. I was doubtful too, so I've always made the trek to and from the consulate. How would you know which "online visa" companes were legit? Could ruin your whole holiday....OR you could get the online visa early, then phone the VN embassy to check the serial number was legit.

Kiteboy dave the wind season dos''nt start till December and then goes through the end of February.

GranG said...

Called both Sydney & Canberra Vietnam Embassy's. Both of them did not know about the online visa and said we needed a "real" visa.

They did not say the online visa is "fake", but I guess we'll play it safe.
Visa prices quoted in Sydney is $70 and $75 in Canberra.

We stayed in a hotel called California on the water for US$40 a night for a double bedroom (2 large beds - we were three). Quite happy with the hotel and right on the water. had some launching space just north.

So can you buy one on arrival or do you have to get one before going?

I love Mui Ne! I've been there 3 times when I lived in Thailand and it wasn't expensive at all. Gueshouses in Khaosan Rd, Bangkok would cost $10-20 nowadays. I stayed at decent hotel in Phan Thiet and it was US$12-20 per night, it had a/c, hot shower and dvd player.

This place is great for people who kitesurf;
http://www.sunshine-beach.com/
I remember, there were a few cheap accommodations around Jibe's (kiteshop) & Wax (Kiteshop).

I was one of thoes learners when I was there and I could hire beach boy for $10 a day! It's great for a girl who wants someone to watch her when she's out kiting. I guess boys don't need these help eh.

Bit of an update.. went to the 'secret spot' up north yesterday, and it was awesome. Proper surf up to about 4ft, clean cross-on wind, and only 2 other kites on the whole beach. Had a couple of great sessions there, well worth the $10 cab ride each way. I had been trying to get there on a scooter but fitting kite, bar, pump, harness, board & wife was a bit too challenging for me. Spent the day there and had some great fun in the surf. Finding a syringe with needle still attached in the beach rubbish was a slight downer though. Hired a bike today and found a place on that beach for 300,000 Dong which is about $28 per night, including breakfast delivered to the room.

Also be aware that a lot of prices are quoted in US dollars, and you can't get US dollars, you you have to pay in Dong. They convert it at the US->Dong rate so it ends up costing more than US->AU->Dong would (which is how we tend to work it out in our heads).

Tan you can't get a visa on arrival - you can for Laos/Cambodia/Thailand but not Vietnam or China due to being Communist I think.

Taxi, Feb probably has better wind, I can only report on what it's like now. Has been ridable every day for the last week, although it's a bit on and off. Most of the locals fly Ozones, 9 or 11m. They deal with the gusty conditions well.

As for accommodation, If you're only there for one week just stay at a bigger resort and pay the $40us per night. If not, just rock up and stay one night for $15us on the far side of the road, then hire a bike in the morning and scope out where you want to stay from there. The only time you'd struggle to find a room would be Mid Dec to end Jan (Northern Hemisphere hols).

hey Dave
I´ve been doing the mui ne thing for a while and unfortunatly u are there at the wrong time as the season only really kicks in about now if you are there jan feb u will get good strong wind every day!!, We usually stay at the Ngoc Bic on the beach side between the Siagon and the Swiss Village almost across the the road from the Rock Cafe its usaully 12 us dollars a night with AC fridge and cable TV and private bathroom and two double beds! I think they are putting a pool in at the moment too!! To kite if the wind blows NE which it should be doing soon Down wind to Phan Thiet golf course and get a bike ride back for 20000 about 2 bucks!! or if you egt a car go 3 or four hours north to the reefs as at the Rock Cafe how to get there!!
Good Luck

Dave it would be good to catch with you, there early Feb.

Good luck with egetting to the island u have to catch a boat from Phan Thiet but its six to 8 hours on the high seas I know some guys that went said very god but basic although maybe still no wind ( you could always hire a chopper for $400 bucks us, not sure what it will be like though!!!

Dave Thats tough...keep us posted on the wind.