Things to Do in Mui Ne over the New Year Holidays

A New Year break in Mui Ne is not only about wind and water. Around the village there are sand dunes, a fishing harbour full of round basket boats, ancient Cham towers and a lighthouse on a rocky islet. Here is what to do between sessions on the water — and when to go.

The short version

• Mornings are for the water or the dunes: in season the wind builds towards midday, and the dunes get very hot later on.
• Nearby highlights: the White and Red Sand Dunes, the Fairy Stream, the fishing village, Po Sah Inu towers, Ke Ga lighthouse and Ta Cu mountain.
• Getting around: scooter or Grab taxi.

On the water

December and January are peak wind season, so the main activity is obvious. Kitesurfing is what people come for — in a week most beginners reach their first independent rides. Surfing works on wind swell, best early before the wind picks up. Wingfoiling lets you fly above the water on a hydrofoil. On calm mornings, try SUP.

Sand dunes

The White Dunes (Bau Trang) are huge sand hills around a lake, about an hour from Mui Ne. Go for sunrise, when the sand is still cool and the light is soft; quad bikes and jeeps are available on site. The Red Dunes are right by the village and are the sunset spot. Bring water, a cap and shoes — the sand gets hot.

Fairy Stream

A shallow stream winding between red and white sandstone banks. You walk barefoot in ankle-deep water for about half an hour. A good morning walk, or something to do on a windless day.

Fishing village and seafood

In the morning fishermen unload their catch in the bay while basket boats bob nearby — a favourite with photographers. In the evening, eat seafood at the beachside restaurants: pick it from the display and they cook it for you. Try grilled scallops, squid, and the local fish sauce Phan Thiet is famous for.

Cham towers, lighthouse and mountain

Po Sah Inu is a group of brick Cham towers on a hill between Phan Thiet and Mui Ne, with sea views. Ke Ga lighthouse stands on a rocky islet south of Phan Thiet and is reached by boat. Ta Cu mountain has a cable car up to a pagoda and a large reclining Buddha. Each makes a good half-day trip.

New Year’s Eve

Hotels and beachside restaurants host dinners and parties on 31 December — book a table early. Plenty of people simply see in the New Year on the beach. Note that hotels charge festive rates for 31 December – 2 January, and Vietnam’s own Lunar New Year, Tết, falls on 6 February 2027.

A sample week

• 5 days out of 7: lessons timed to the wind, usually 1.5–2 hours a day.
• One morning: White Dunes at sunrise, Fairy Stream on the way back.
• One evening: Red Dunes at sunset, then seafood in the village.
• One windless day: Po Sah Inu, Phan Thiet or Ke Ga lighthouse.

Holiday packages with a beachfront stay and a kite, surf or wingfoil course are on the New Year in Mui Ne page. Getting around by scooter? See motorbike rental in Mui Ne.