Mui Ne, Vietnam: kitesurfing in a place where summer never ends

Mui Ne sits on Vietnam's south-eastern coast, about 200 km from Ho Chi Minh City: a fishing village that turned into a resort strip, with red sand dunes behind the beach and kites over the water from November to April.

We have run a school and a beach station here since 2006. Here is the honest version of what the place offers.

The wind

The north-east monsoon works from November to April, peaking December through March. In peak season a two-week trip typically gives ten to thirteen rideable days — which is the number that actually matters when you are learning, far more than the maximum wind strength anyone quotes.

The wind is side-shore to side-onshore. You drift along the beach rather than out to sea, which is the friendliest possible arrangement for a beginner and the reason schools cluster here.

From May to September the monsoon reverses and kite days become rare. That is when the swell arrives and the same beach turns into a surf spot.

The water

Sandy bottom, gradual entry, standing depth for the first stretch. Water temperature 25–28 °C all year — no wetsuit, ever.

The sea is choppy in season: side-shore wind over open water builds a short swell. If you dream of mirror-flat lagoon freestyle, that is a different destination. If you want to learn, chop is not a problem — thousands of people learn here every season.

The spots

Malibu — the widest section with the most downwind room and the shallowest shelf. This is where we teach.

The central beach — busier and narrower, with currents worth knowing about. Fine for those who know it, poor for self-teaching.

The Cape, near the temple gate — the summer spot, where the wind holds longer when the village goes quiet.

What it costs

A private hour with an instructor is 55 €; the full 15-hour course from zero to independent riding is 600 €, gear and radio helmet included. Rental after that is 80 € a day or 330 € a week.

Off the water, Vietnam remains inexpensive: local food costs a fraction of European prices, and accommodation runs from guesthouses to beach resorts within a few minutes of the station.

Who it is for

Mui Ne is a very good place to learn and a decent place to ride. It is not the best spot on the planet, and anyone telling you otherwise is selling something. What it does better than most is stack up windy days in a row, at a price where a two-week trip is not the expense of the year.

If you are choosing dates, read the full Mui Ne guide — season, lessons, currents, visas and budget in one place. Ready to book, or want an honest opinion about your dates? Write to us.