south of vietnam – Rubicon Tours

MUI NE

Nguyen Thanh Van — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 07:17:21 +0000

Mui Ne has its roots in fishing, and it shows in the pace of life. It’s easy to lose track of time here, riding bicycles along the coast, spending afternoons by the pool, and dining on fresh seafood with the sound of the waves in the background. With ideal conditions for kite-surfing and windsurfing, brightly coloured kites are a fixture on Mui Ne’s beaches year-round. Over the years, this seaside retreat has evolved to offer guesthouses and resorts of every stripe. Come for the surf, stay for the mellow atmosphere.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN MUI NE:

Explore the fishing harbour

Most of Mui Ne’s appeal comes from the 12 kilometres of beach that run from nearby Phan Thiet all the way to Mui Ne proper, where the area’s original fishing village still remains. Down at the harbour, an army of brightly coloured fishing boats bob up and down with the tide. Come early in the morning to watch the fishermen unload their catch from the night before.

Try kite-surfing

Mui Ne’s dependable winds, which average above 12 knots for more than 200 days of the year, are no longer a secret. Kitesurfing schools are your best bet for finding professional instructors, and the town’s main beach is the safest area for newbies and anyone still learning the ropes. If you are an experienced or intermediate kitesurfer, you’ll find other bays and beaches sprinkled nearby.

Climb the sand dunes

Mere kilometers from the coast, a pair of massive sand dunes, one red and one white, are positioned like deserts in the middle of a seaside oasis. The red sand dunes are most accessible, however the white sand dunes, roughly 30 kilometres away, are more impressive. Try sand-sledding down the dunes, then make time to walk the freshwater Fairy Springs to see it strange natural formations, carved out of the sand by wind and rain.

Visit the Cham Towers

Mui Ne’s Cham Towers are worth a visit. Perched between Phan Thiet and Mui Ne, these thousand-year-old Hindu temples belong to the former Cham empire, a medieval kingdom which ruled much of the southern coast for centuries. From the top of the hill you’ll have a fantastic view overlooking Phan Thiet.

Dine on fresh seafood

Vendors set up camp every night along the seaside at a series of stalls with the catch of the day on offer. Just choose your fish and shellfish and tell the cooks how you’d like each one prepared. Steamed fish, grilled clams, and sweet and sour prawns are all surefire bets.

MUI NE ITINERARIES

24 hours

Take an early morning stroll down to Mui Ne Harbour, where colourful fishing boats float atop the waves. Stop to see the local market on your way. When you return, hang a right off the main road to visit Fairy Springs before grabbing a bite to eat. After lunch, hop in a cab or onto the back of a motorbike for a ride to the white sand dunes, and round out your day with a sundowner on the beach.

48 hours

For a two-day visit to Mui Ne, tack on a bit of extra R&R time at the beach in the morning, or try your hand at a water sport. In the afternoon, you can hire a bicycle and pay a visit to Mui Ne’s red sand dunes or make the trip out to the Po Shanu Cham Towers in the late afternoon for a view of Phan Thiet.

MUI NE WEATHER

You’ll find the weather is best between November and April, when a slightly cooler – but no less windy – dry season prevails. Even Mui Ne’s rainy season is fairly tame, making this a year-round destination. Tourist arrivals in the town reach their peak between November and January, and high season for kitesurfers is between November and March. It’s wise to book ahead during these months, as prices can change.

TRANSPORT TO MUI NE

Roughly 220 kilometres from Saigon, Mui Ne attracts occasional weekend visitors from Ho Chi Minh City, as well as travellers heading south from Nha Trang and Dalat. Tourist buses routinely stop along Mui Ne’s main stretch, while the local bus station lies just east on the edge of town. For train travellers, the nearest station lies in Phan Thiet, a 30-minute drive from Mui Ne.

MUI NE
Nguyen Thanh Van

7 must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City

Nguyen Thanh Van — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 01:53:14 +0000

7 must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City
Rubicon Tours.

While modernity has swept Vietnam’s southern capital, it’s not hard to find pockets here and there that celebrate its complex history. The architectural imprints of colonial rule still stand, alongside relics of the city’s commercial and oriental roots. If you’re a fan of history, here are seven top Ho Chi Minh City attractions in easy walking distance from the centre.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN HO CHI MINH CITY

War Remnants Museum

Piqued curiosities at the War Remnants Museum in District 3

The War Remnants Museum is a three-story museum holding countless artefacts and graphic photographs, including photographer Nick Ut’s Pulitzer Prize-winning shot, “The Terror of War.” Out-of-commission planes, tanks, bombs and helicopters decorate the courtyard. It is a sombre experience but one that leaves a lasting impression.

Admission: 15,000 VND
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 – 5 p.m. every day including holidays
Address: 28 Vo Van Tan Street, Ward 6, District 3

Notre Dame Cathedral

The area around the Notre Dame Cathedral is a solid spot for people-watching

The twin-spired Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception sits at the head of Dong Khoi Street, a peaceful oasis in the busy downtown area. Built entirely from materials imported from France, the construction of the cathedral lasted nearly two decades, from 1863 to 1880.

FUN FACT: The alabaster statue of the Virgin Mary perched in the centre of the square is said to have wept tears on a single occasion in 2005, witnessed by crowds there at the time.

Admission: 15,000 VND
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 – 5 p.m. every day including holidays
Address: 1 Cong xa Paris, Ben Nghe, District 1

Saigon Central Post Office

Send a postcard from the city’s impressive old post office

Opposite the cathedral is Saigon’s charming general post office. Take a stroll inside, where you’ll find a massive foyer flanked by rows of Victorian era wooden phone booths, historic maps on the walls, and a huge portrait of Ho Chi Minh. The architect of the building is sometimes incorrectly credited as Gustave Eiffel, however the design of the complex was based off his blueprints.

Admission: Free
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 – 5 p.m. every day including holidays
Address: 2 Cong xa Paris, Ben Nghe, District 1

The Reunification Palace

Peep the swanky helicopter landing pad on the rooftop.

On the site of the former Norodom Palace sits the Reunification Palace, also known as the Independence Palace. Designed by architect, Ngô Viết Thụ, the palatial estate was the residential and administrative quarters of the President of South Vietnam. These days, visitors can walk the halls and meeting rooms, upholstered in red carpet.

TIP: Don’t miss the former command centre and war rooms in the basement.

Admission: 15,000 VND
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 – 5 p.m. every day including holidays
Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Thanh, District 1

Nguyen Hue Street and City Hall

City Hall overlooking Nguyen Hue Street

Expansive Nguyen Hue St. has become the new stomping ground for pedestrian activity in Ho Chi Minh City. Skirting the perimeter are dozens of high rises, upscale restaurants, commercial arcades and luxury boutiques. Spanning from City Hall to the Bach Dang Wharf, this walking street is perfect for an afternoon stroll and is at its liveliest at sundown. At the northernmost end of Nguyen Hue sits City Hall, the administrative post of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.

Admission: City Hall is not open to the public
Address: 86 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe, District 1

Ben Thanh Market

The city’s most well-known commercial centre

Ben Thanh Market in the centre of the city is a timeless marketplace built atop a reclaimed plot of land which was formerly known as Bo Ret Pond. Today, the indoor market faces Quach Thi Trang Square. Inside, a matrix of aisles sells everything from fresh produce to conical hats, weasel coffee to lacquerware. Toward the end of the hall is a maze of food stalls selling sizzling bánh xèo and freshly assembled bánh mì.

Admission: Free
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 – 5 p.m. every day including holidays
Address: 32-30 Phan Boi Chau, Ben Thanh, District 1

Cu Chi Tunnels

EXPLORE 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR- CU CHI TUNNEL

A guide shows travellers the secret tunnel entrances in Cu Chi

Tunnel your way back in time during your visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Located on the northwestern fringes of greater Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi District is home to a network of over 250 kilometers used by the Viet Cong to evade American and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War. Enter the tunnels at either one of two entrances, Ben Dinh, which is 35 kilometers away, and Ben Duoc, which is 70 kilometers away. Getting dirty is part of the package, so dress accordingly.

5 HISTORIAL TUNNEL YOU SHOULD NOT IGNORE

Admission: 15,000 VND
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 – 5 p.m. every day including holidays
Address: Phu Hiep, Phu My Hung, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Source: vietnamtourismboard

7 must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City
Nguyen Thanh Van