Solo travel is scary & fulfilling. Fear of traveling solo or thrill of seeking adventure are two parts of the same coin. If one enjoys traveling solo then there is no better feeling.
Traveling on roads is a tough task. But, if you have your accessories is in place & there is no place better than Amazon to find travel accessories. There are many cheap accessories available on Amazon which are actually a steal.
With an amazing 4-star rating. The passport organizer is a must have to keep all the important documents at a single place. From passport to tickets & all the paper which somehow vanishes during the time of need. This is a must-have for the clumsy ones. Amazon basics are selling it at a very cheap price. Buy this now.
How often we miscalculate our luggage weight which results in a nuisance during luggage submission. But, not anymore a digital weighing scale is available on Amazon at a dirt cheap price. This product is among the best selling products. Don’t wait to weight your luggage. Buy this at the earliest.
Usually, occasion chose our shoe & carrying many pairs of the shoe has its problem. We walk around in shoes & it getting dirty can’t be an option. But the greater problem is how to keep shoes along with clothes. For that, you need a shoe bag. A bag which will keep your shoe with your clothes but won’t disturb it with the dirt. Buy shoe bag from here.
Breaking chains or robbing is very common in some part of the world. To avoid these mishappenings; people carry lock & key but it has its own drawback; what if you miss your keys or misplaced it somewhere. So, there is a number lock which is handy & useful. You just need to remember your lock combination & you are good to roll. Buy your lock from here.
Traveling on roads for longer duration & carrying all your toiletries just randomly is difficult to maintain. To avoid all such horrendous situation where something breaks & spoil your clothes you can buy a toiletry bag which will not only store your valuables but will also keep it clean & safe. Buy your bag from here.
Accommodation is the second step in planning a trip. I have already covered from where one can book cheap international flight tickets & you can also all the countries I have traveled to by using these search engines. Now, moving on to the second part. Accommodation booking, there are numerous sites from where one can book cheap accommodations. Further, booking a hostel dorm bed is way much cheaper than booking a 3-star hotel. But, this solely depends on user preferences. Some people want to enjoy a luxury stay while others want to book budget accommodation. So, based on your interests you can select either of the options. I am here stating various sites from where you can book your stay at a much cheaper price & with ease.
Hotels.com is one of the latest sites that have cropped up in this busy industry. Hotels.com has a wide range of hotels to choose from. This site is famous for hostels & if you can even check hotels.com recommendation to book best of the best. Further, throughout the year, one can find discounts & special offers. Thus, it is best to check this option.
Booking.com is one of the oldest sites to book accommodation. The listings on the booking.com are good & with basic filters in the place. This site is perfect for booking your next stay. The site is easy to use & if booking any accommodation in Europe. This should be your go-to site for sure.
Hostelworld is probably the largest collection of hostels in a wide range of countries. It doesn’t charge any booking fee. Thus, you might well save some bucks over there. It is popular in Europe & US. There is also an option of comparing hostels which is an added advantage considering your requirements. So, this can also be a great place to book some hostels.
Agoda is perfect to book 3 stars and above hotels in Asia. There are numerous offers going on throughout the year & some of the hidden deals can make your day along with substantially reducing your trip cost. Agoda is a great place to check various options. Agoda has recently started home stays as well, which is in line with AirBnB.
AirBnB is a place where one can book homestay. It is better to book AirBnB outside India as the properties are damn pretty & one can have a place to themselves. Further, I won’t recommend booking an AirBnB as a solo traveler. As the fun of traveling solo is maximized in hostels where you get a chance to meet other travelers
Couchsurfing is a site where host allows to stay at his or her place without charging you anything. Trust is an important aspect while booking Couchsurfing. But, before booking a place through Couchsurfing check the reviews first. Also, if you can manage to get a host; nothing beats free accommodation.
These are my go-to sites for booking hostels or hotels. I hope this will be a great insight for you to try on your next booking. I have earlier covered places to book cheap international flight tickets . So, if all the bases are covered what are you waiting for?
Rishikesh is one of the few places in India which sports River Rafting; an adventure sport. Since its operation started many years back, this activity has become a crowd puller. Rishikesh on the outset is considered as a holy place & sporting an adventure activity at this city was always a far fetched dream. But, not anymore. There are many vendors which are providing this facility to the customers. During my trip to Rishikesh in the summers of 2019. I tried this activity & here is my experience along with some essential information for you.
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Rafting Experience
I tried 16 Km river rafting cost of which was Rs 1000. The vendor will offer pick-up & drop services. Thus, there is no worry to reach the starting point. The starting point of 16 Km river rafting is at Shivpuri which also has a camping site.
The vendor picked 6 of us from our hostels & head towards Shivpuri. The journey of 16 Km from Rishikesh is not tedious but the construction work at some part of the road made it too uncomfortable. It took us 35 to 40 mins to reach the starting point. After reaching the point, safety gears were handed to us & were directed to reach banks of the river. Standing on the banks of the river, I touched the water which was very cold quiet contrast to the temperature which was soaring at 30 odd degrees.
The captain of our raft was a Nepalese born guy who knew his craft. There was a session of 10 mins regarding what can go wrong & how to overcome if anything goes wrong. During those minutes, he will ensure that our safety is up to mark & there are no loose points & once we get the green light we boarded our raft for a memorable & probably one in a lifetime experience of river rafting. I am saying one time as there is nothing as special as experiencing something for the first time. /div>
So, by saying our prayers we started out for an adventure. By talking with our captain we realized we have to cross 6 rapids out of which 2 are the best. Soon, we witnessed our first rapid which was just a glimpse of what is in the store. Few shaky moments were the only we witnessed. Soon, we reached another one which was far better than the first one. The water was smashing the rock & then flowing through its regular path. At one point of time, it seems that the raft will smash the rock. But, as soon as the raft reaches the rock, reversing waves come to our savior & maneuvered us to the correct path.
After crossing second rapid, the flow was stable & captain allowed us to jump into the cold water which we did. After floating for few minutes, it was time for the third rapid; which is one of the scariest ones. The water was smashing each other forming few low moments where the raft can submerge. But, there are other waves to rescue us from the depth of the water. It was a rare gem adventure. After crossing this there was one more rapid with such difficulty. After crossing 4th rapid the journey was pretty smooth.
While rafting from Shivpuri to Rishikesh. A resting point is dedicated where one can also do cliff jumping. The height of the cliff is approx 3 to 4 Mts. It is fun to jump in the water from such height. If you are done with all the activities you can also have snacks at this point.
Once we crossed cliff jumping point there was one more rapid. But, our body was too tired for the last one. So, we took it easy & reached the final point.
Is River Rafting Worth It?
After experiencing this activity, it was a mixed feeling, at the start the thrill of trying new activity was confining the mind; during those dangerous manoeuvers took the breath away & then the peace of river flowing to its destination. The activity lasts for 2.5 to 3 hours. But, it was full of different emotions. I would recommend trying this activity for sure & by far one of the best activities to do in Rishikesh.
Rishikesh is a yoga capital of World & even if you are not interested in this age-old art, there are plenty of other reasons why one should visit this place?. Some of these are river rafting, camping, etc. Rishikesh is not a costly place as many pilgrims visit this place on a tight budget.
Youth hostels are slowly but surely crawling in the hotel industry. Few years back people were handicapped of the choices. But, now there is no such worry. Nowadays, one can find plenty of options in different ranges to choose from. Rishikesh also has plenty of options to choose from & if you are on a budget, then this option can just be perfect for you.
This hostel is located near the famous attraction, Lakshman Jhula. The hostel is located near the prime location; all the famous cafes like German Bakery, Beatles cafe, Ganga Beach Cafe, etc are at a walkable distance. Further, the location is perfect to catch a vehicle to the city.
Why Choose This Hostel?
Location: Located approx 600 Mts from Lakshman Jhula, it makes this hostel place to stay. Further, there are many ashrams near the place which can further help you to rejuvenate & chill.
Hospitality: There is a reception & a common area where one will find helpers. All of the crew is nice & will help you in the best possible way.
Activities: You can book most of the activities from the reception & the rates will be as per the market. So, why to go around the market & bargaining for activities. They have collaboration with good companies which provide the best services. Also, they can help you get scooters with a meager rate of Rs 400.
Price: The cost of a dorm bed in an 8-bed room is Rs 300 which is slightly costly compared to more touristic destinations. But, looking at the place & room condition. The price seems to be appropriate.
Room Facilities: The room has bedsheet, bed curtains, bed light, AC & bathroom. The room condition is pretty good at the present time.
I stayed at this place during my trip to Rishikesh in Apr 2019. It was a decent place to stay & relax. You can book your stay from here Live Free Hostel
Hoi An by far is the best place in Vietnam solely for its beauty. The moment I searched for Vietnam . Hoi An is mentioned in literary each post. After seeing so many posts one feels obliged to visit the town. Hoi An can be reached from Da Nang on a motorbike. It is hardly 30 Km from Da Nang town. Da Nang is a modern city with all the modern infrastructure & perfect town city. Hoi An, on the other hand, is beautiful & will take you to vintage Vietnam. Small houses located beautifully around the river. So, here is my Hoi An Experience.
The Beach
The road from Da Nang to Hoi An is pretty straight & without any potholes. On the way to Hoi An, one will find lots of resorts & also marble mountain. The road is pretty scenic & the ride is enjoyable. The fun starts after entering the town. The old town (the most beautiful part of Hoi An) is a bit far from the city entry point. The beach is welcoming you to the city, clean beach with blue water is a great place to relax from the city’s hassle.
Once the person enters the Hoi An town, the roads are running through the lush green landscapes, at some point, one will witness lush green paddy fields, tree branches falling on the roads & if you are not amazed by the beautiful sites then you can also ride your motorbike on a path running parallel to the estuaries. The fun of riding a motorbike at such beautiful sites are always memorable. The tourists are riding cycle to enjoy these beautiful paths. If one has enjoyed riding motorbike or cycle. The most famous attraction of the place. Old Town is waiting for you.
Old City Hoi An
The best way to explore the old town is by walking across the lanes. There are 3 to 4 lanes which are beautiful & worth visiting. The old town is painted in the yellow color & sky is covered in colorful lanterns. The evening is pleasant & much more colorful. Different color of lanterns lits up during the evening which makes it much more pleasant & much more delightful. The beauty of the place can only be experienced. There is no better site than sitting at some roadside cafes near river & enjoying vibrant evening colors with local drinks. Sit in some cafe enjoy some random conversation or better enjoy nature. This can be one of the best things to do in Hoi An.
The old shops are beautifully decorated from both inside & outside. The evenings are much more beautiful & colorful. Shops are crowded with the tourists & once the lanterns are lit the view of the city is transformed to the good. Walk across the lanes & enjoy the pristine views & experiences.
The place is beautiful & a lovely getaway from even traveling. Enjoy local food, local cuisine & let your self to soak this beautiful town. You can check Hoi An Travel Guide here.
Here are few handy resources to help you in a better way.
Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.
Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.
Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.
Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.
Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.
Da Nang has all the making of an expat town. A riverfront, great beach, world-class hotels & fantastic nightlife. The place is not so populated compared to the cities like Ho Chi Minh & Hanoi but still has great infrastructure, to say the least. Even though the place checks most of the boxes for traveling. The place somehow is not in the traveling list of the people visiting Vietnam. Enough said about the place. Here is the list of things to do in Da Nang.
Marble Mountains:
There are five elements in the world & each element has a peak dedicated to it. There are many caves in here & if you are mentally strong you can climb to one of the peaks of the mountain to enjoy the beautiful views of the city. The place was used by the Buddhist monks to pray & glimpse of it still visible. The best cave to visit in Marble Mountain is definitely Huyen Khong Cave. Many people lit a candle at this place & offer their prayers. A nice place to enjoy some peace. The view of sun rays falling from small patches of the hole on to the ground is a memorable experience to witness. Do visit this gem of the place.
Hai Van Pass:
Hai Van Pass is a major tourist attraction near Da Nang. The pass is very picturesque & mesmerizing. An unending landscape on one side & mighty hills on the other side. The pass demand to be driven on. During the monsoon, the place gets as beautiful as it can get. There are few patches in the route which is a glimpse of the best of Vietnam. The whole to & fro trip from Hai Van Pass to Da Nang will take a few hours. So, take some out to witness this bliss.
Hoi An:
Most people spend a couple of days at this UNESCO world heritage site. The beauty of the place is hard to ignore & the pleasant evenings are memorable & will have a lasting impact on your life. Most of the people will sit near Japan bridge & enjoy the calming impact of the place. The place is too beautiful to be missed.
Lady Buddha:
A white sculpture of lady buddha can be seen from most part of the Da Nang the place is located at such height in Da Nang. A short drive to this hill will amaze you with its view. The whole city can be seen from the point & most of the people apart from paying homage to God, people click their next display picture. The beauty of the place is breathtaking.
Dragon Bridge:
Probably the most famous spot in Da Nang. As the name suggests dragon bridge got its name for its shape. The dragon breath fire & water during special occasions like Sat & Sun. The show is pretty unique to watch & enjoy.
My Khe Beach:
One part of the city is surrounded by the water & its clean & long beach is pretty popular among the locals & tourists. The water is clean & so is the beach. One can enjoy time at the beach.
Nightlife:
Da Nang nightlife is as good as Ho Chi Minh. The parties last till early morning hours & one will not be disappointed with the discs & pubs. Although the clubs are on the costlier side. But, one can have a great time during the nights.
Market:
There are a number of flea markets in Da Nang & is easy to find anything you are looking for. Con Market is locals delight, it is kind of a supermarket where you can find most of the stuff for daily use. So, if you are looking to shop in Da Nang this landmark will be important to you.
My Son Sanctuary & Hue are two more places that one can visit while staying at Da Nang. My Son is the site of ruins left of Indian Hinduism, the temples are estimated to be constructed between 4-13th century. A place for historic significance. On the other hand, Hue town was the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty.
These are the best things to do in Da Nang. This post is meant to help you plan your trip in a better & fulfilling way.
Do subscribe & comment on the post. This will help me to keep on working & publishing articles.
Also, A trip is incomplete without the pics. During the time of this trip, I had iPhone 4 which didn’t have a great camera. Hence, photos are bit weird. But, last year I bought iPhone 6 which drastically improved my pictures. So, I would recommend you buying a great camera phone to take some breathtaking pics.
Apart from a phone camera, I use GoPro an adventure camera to shoot video & click photos. The product is pretty handy & captures mind blogging videos. GoPro is easy & handy to use, which makes it a must buy.
Nha Trang is not very famous among the tourist visiting Vietnam. Many cover this destination while covering the major cities in between the two worldclass famous cities Ho Chi Minh & Hanoi. I started my journey from Ho Chi Minh & after that, I traveled to Mui Ne & Nha Trang was my third destination during the trip. Even I was skeptical about visiting this place. So, after staying for a couple of days does it was worth it?
Nha Trang Experience
Nha Trang boasts a terrific coastline & a wonderful ocean. Most tourists travel to this place to enjoy some water & beach. But, if you are into some quiet time at the beach then you will be disappointed. The beach is crowded most part of the day & it is really tough to find some peaceful space for oneself. So, the beach in the city is not an ideal place to spend some time. However, if you are willing to ride a motorbike. There is a nice beach available at Doc Let which is much more beautiful & pleasant compared to Nha Trang beach.
Nha Trang has a limited number of activities to attract tourists. Out of the group of activities the only activity which is worth doing is cliff jumping for those who have not tried this before. I particularly enjoyed the cliff jumping part of the trip. Apart from this, all the other activities were an ok experience. So, if one feels Nha Trang will ruin you with the choices then you will be disappointed.
Nha Trang offers delicious vegetarian food. There are many restaurants which are worth trying out. I have hardly seen so many veg serving places in cities outside India.
There was one minor incident which had an impact on my impression of the place. Other than that, the people were nice & very helpful. However, it is recommended to be careful to avoid any mishaps.
So, after considering all the points mentioned above was the stop at Nha Trang worth it?. For me, it was for two simple reasons first one was the cliff jumping. I wanted to do this since long & I was looking for the opportunity & Nha Trang provided me with that opportunity & second reason was the beach; even though the beach was crowded with the people. Beaches are the beaches you will enjoy the sunsets & also the breeze. A wonderful relaxing feeling is hard to miss by. Hence, I liked the place. But, will I travel again to the place? I highly doubt that I think one time was enough for me to get the feel of the place.
People often check reviews before visiting & it makes sense as nobody wants to spend money on a dull shits. However, the only problem with reviews is that it is based on the people perspective which might differ from your interests. So, I would suggest not to change decisions based on reviews. If someplace excites you even a small bit; just give it a try. Life is too short to not try the things you like. So, explore the unexplored, travel the less travel & make your own stories & be your own heroes.
Nha Trang is a coastal city & highly crowded during the festive time. The city dons a beach which is very famous among the tourists. So, not wasting any more time. Here is the list of best things to do in Nha Trang .
Best Things To Do In Nha Trang
Ba Ho Waterfall:
Cliff jumping is considered a dangerous sport & it is tough, trust me it is; especially if you are afraid of the heights & the depths of the unknown. But, if you have guts & love for adventure, do visit the place Ba Ho near Nha Trang. A great place to try cliff jumping. A series of 3 waterfalls appropriately placed in the middle of the jungle. So, what are you waiting for head towards this natural masterpiece & test your guts. Read more about Ba Ho Waterfall here.
Doc Let:
If Nha Trang beach is too crowded for you. Then, don’t worry head to Doc Let a place near Nha Trang. One needs to cross scenic landscapes to reach a secluded beach. The water is clean & the beach is crowded at only a few places, unlike Nha Trang beach. Doc let has a flurry of resorts. But, the beach is the main attraction here.
Mud Baths:
A unique experience is Mud Bath. There are numerous mud bath options available in Nha Trang. Mud baths are known for its organic & for therapeutic use. A great way to spend some time relaxing after a day’s hard work.
Nha Trang Beach:
The city has a terrific coastal line to boost off. But, crowds almost ruin the calmness of the place. Always crowded with the tourists, the place is always chirpy & vibrant. Evenings are the best time to visit the place.
Night Market:
All the girls, you have a perfect opportunity to buy something at this place. A local flea shop is an appropriate name for the night market. Located just opposite the beach is a go-to destination during the night. There are lots of options to buy, so if any one looking to buy some collectibles or articrafts can visit this place.
Other attractions:
Long Son Pagoda & Cathedral Church are two other attractions which tourists visit. These can be witnessed with ease & can be covered in few hours. Nha Trang as a city doesn’t have much to explore. However, these attractions can be covered in a couple of days.
Rooftops:
Rooftops are a luxury event in Nha Trang. There are numerous high rise buildings which organize rooftop parties. Great views, great music are the common features of the place. If craving for a more romantic & classy evening. Do visit some of the rooftop bars & pubs while in the city.
Scuba diving is one more activity which is famous among the tourists. However, I didn’t do it hence can’t say much about it. Further, the place is decent for one time visit. But, is not exceptionally placed on the list of great touristic destinations.
Above is the list of the activities you can do while your stay. The place doesn’t have a great nightlife. Although, good enough to keep you interested. I stayed for a couple of days here & then moved to the last destination of my trip. Da Nang. Before Nha Trang, I was in Ho Chi Minh City & Mui Ne.
If you like my work do comment & subscribe to my blog. Also, I click most of my pics from a phone camera & apart from that I use GoPro an adventure camera to shoot video & click photos. The product is pretty handy & captures mind blogging videos.
Mui Ne is a small town in Vietnam. Mui Ne can be reached from Ho Chi Minh or Nha Trang via a bus or train. I chose bus as my commutation option as it was the most feasible option for me. In my previous post, I have explained about my experience of this place. In this post, I will cover the topic things to do in Mui Ne. Usually, a place has several activities to offer. But, is it worth trying each & every one of them. For some trying each & every activity is must, but for some, it is not. I often shortlist the activities at a place & try to enjoy only them. So, here is the post on the offers by Mui Ne.
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Things To Do In Mui Ne
Mui Ne is a perfect destination for a day or a couple of days if one is short on time. However, if one is looking to spend some relaxed time. Then, the person can choose to stay for a week. I covered the activities in a day & on the next day, I was heading towards the Nha Trang. So, during that one day stay here is a list of activities that I experienced.
Red Sand Dunes:
Red sand dunes are the place that everyone should visit in Mui Ne. The best time suited to visit this place is just before sunrise. It is mesmerizing to watch the sun glowing to the fullest in the background & red sand slowly reflecting its true color in front of you. Nature gifts to human society. Red sand dunes got its name due to its red appearance. The sand is spread across the acres & is very beautiful to watch. I booked a cab from the hostel which took us to the place. If one wishes to stay for a longer duration then it is advisable to get their own vehicle. As the private tour cab only allows you to stay for an hour or so. Although, the time duration is enough to enjoy the place. But, in case someone wants to enjoy it more then its a problem. Red sand dunes are perfect for a pre-wedding shoot & there were few couples who came in a proper wedding dress & getting clicked. The scenes are too beautiful. The unending sand dunes & glowing sun makes a perfect blend for the eyes. Apart from clicking display pictures & photos. One more activity which is famous is sand surfing. A cupboard big enough to fit you in will be slid from the top of the dunes. I still wonder why people will try something like this. But, people do.
The cab driver will drop at the beginning of the entrance & from there one needs to walk to the top of the dunes. The walk is difficult & tiring if a person feels that he or she will not be able to make the walk. Then, they can choose to travel via a quad bike. There are plenty of options available at the entrance to take you to the top of the dunes. I preferred walking over a quad bike & reached the top of the dune in approx 30 mins.
White Sand Dunes:
Like the name suggest while sand dunes are named due to its white appearance. White sand dunes are located approx 20 or 30 mins drive from the Red Sand Dunes. It is amazing to see that both of these places located a few kms from each other. A natural phenomenon which is hard to explain. White sand dunes are not as famous as the red sand dunes however, it is worth a visit & like red sand dunes, sand surfing is also an option here. It is funny to watch people surf from the top of the dune. 20 mins are enough for this place, the main thing is to walk to the top of the dunes & enjoy the views of the ocean. There are few places which offer the best views to click some pictures. After enjoying red sand dunes, this place will find it hard to please you. Maybe after watching the magnificent sunrise from the red sand dunes, visiting this place hardly had any advantages. Anyway, the place is still worth a visit, just to see the natural variance at a single place.
Fairy Stream:
The name is exciting enough to try this activity. For the starters, there is no fairy in this place. However, walking on the stream of water is surely some scene from the fairy tales. The place is only for walking. A stream of water only covering your ankle or up to knee length at few small patches is walk everyone should take. The length of the stream is approx 1 or 1.5 km which cuts through the jungle adjacent to some rock formation which is an ideal location to click some pictures. The stream starts from the waterfall, which is the end point of the walk. Most of the tourists only walk till the rock formations & head back towards the entry point. The walk is refreshing for the tiring feet. There are few shops on the way which allows tea or coffee over the stream. A fancy experience to say the least. The trees overlooking the stream seems like the scene from the movie scene. I enjoyed my walk & I feel this should be experienced by everyone.
Fishing Village:
Fishing Village is the place to check out the local living. The village is located on the coastline overlooking the ocean. The moment you will enter the village you will witness a round shape boat trying to catch some fish. The site is perfect to click some pictures. Also, there are lots of restaurants which allows you to taste some local delightful fish sauce. Covering the place will hardly take 15 to 20 mins. I spent around 15 mins, clicked few pictures & came back to my jeep. Visit this place only to watch the local lives of the people of Vietnam. But, the most exciting part is watching those round shaped boats floating over the ocean to catch daily living. A pure joy to watch.
Kite Surfing:
Kitesurfing is a seasoned sport. Thus, checking the season is a must. The time I was visiting the place, the season was closed. However, I have heard that people came from different parts of the world to enjoy this thrilling sport.
Restaurants & Cafes:
The best part of any coastal city is its restaurants & cafes. Nothing is best in comparison to lazy afternoon sipping tea, coffee or beer & enjoying the breeze overlooking the unending sea. Traveling to beach city is a must on any trip; the reason for it is the thoughts that come into the mind. The whole journey just flashes in front of the eyes. Hence, I love visiting such places.
I spent one night at this place which I felt was sufficient to visit the whole town of Mui Ne. I am sure this post will inspire you to pack your bags & plan a holiday to Vietnam. Don’t wait anymore & make the bookings at the earliest. As there is no better time to visit the place than now.
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Mui Ne is a beautiful beach city in the Phan Thiet region of Vietnam. The coastline of Vietnam is much celebrated & it is a delight for the tourists & this city is located at one such region. The never-ending coastline with untouched nature is one of the things people look up to while traveling to Vietnam. Mui Ne extends the legends of Vietnam to another level. The place has few surprises which makes it a must visit place in Vietnam. Most of the tourists start their journey either from Ho Chi Minhor from Hanoi & travel to opposite direction via road. There are lots of operators who provide motorcycles on rent. So, finding a motorbike won’t be an issue. However, driving inside the city is not for everyone because of insane driving practice & no traffic sense. However, if you are willing to take chance & more than confident about your driving; you can try driving here.
Mui Ne is approx 4 hours bus drive from both Ho Chi Minh & Nha Trang. I started from Ho Chi Minh & reached Mui Ne via bus. Luckily my hostel, backpackers village was at the highway. Thus, there was no issue in finding my hostel. A coastal road running adjacent to the mighty ocean & overcast climate was my first impression of the place.
There are fabulous resorts all along the way & staying there is kind of dream for most of the people. The grandness of the resorts is hard to believe till the time one experience it. If I will visit the place next time, I will surely try to spend at least one evening at one of these megastructures. Some of the best property as per hostelworld.com are as follows:
These beach resorts are one of the best resorts available at your disposal. The mighty stay is worth it if you are in for some luxury travel. Mui Ne Vietnam is such a place where one can enjoy luxury due to its location & vibe. The city has great coastline & chilling is the prime activity here.
Sand Dunes:
Who would have imagined, that Vietnam will be having sand dunes?
Yeah!!! I was thrilled to learn about the Vietnam Sand Dunes in Mui Ne. At first, I thought it would be a small portion of the land which will be covered with sand. But, my thought soon vanished when I reached the place. I booked a trip from my hostel, it was an early morning trip as I wanted to watch a sunrise. The cab or jeep was historical in itself. The vehicle model was pretty vintage. The thrill of sitting on such a vehicle is something. I sat in the front & out journey to the sand dunes started. The driver had to pick a couple from a hotel. However, there was a huge miscommunication & we lost valuable time. It was 5:45 am & we were yet to start from the place. Finally, we were able to find the couple & started our journey. The sun was ready to break the shatters & sun in full flow. We could see light taking its course from the far. We rode till 40 mins before we took a left turn to the site. The red sand was just in front of us.
The Experience:
Red Sand covered the place for miles it seems. The light has totally muscled the darkness. However, the sun was yet to come out of the horizon. But, we have to walk to the hill to watch the beautiful sunrise. The distance itself was about 1 Km. First time in my life I touched the sand dunes with my bare foot. The softness of the sand can only be experienced & one more thing I experienced was walking on the sand which is a tough job. The power to climb the small hills is tough. After a difficult walk of 10 to 15 mins. I realized that walking on the already made path by other people is a better option than walking on a new path. So, I tried to walk on the footprints left by the other people. So, at least for this particular instance, the quote which states travel the untraveled route was not true :D. I continued walking & soon reached a relatively high point compared to the landscape. And just in the time, I was able to witness the sun shining fully. The image of sunrise is one of the beautiful sites one can ever imagine. Further, the location added to the beauty of the place. The redness of the sand can now be felt & its color was only getting bright. I sat there silently & enjoyed the view. I clicked few photos but I mostly sat quietly at the place & enjoyed the sceneries. After watching the sunrise, it was time to head back to the other points.
Other Experiences:
Red sand dunes are the prime attraction of the place. After that, we headed towards the white sand dunes, it got its name due to its color. No guessing required here. The place is not as big as red sand dunes. But, one thing is worth remembering which both these places are located a few km’s apart. So, one can say that nature has its way of showing magic & saying, Humans, you still need to grow. After the white sand dunes, it was time for the fairy stream. A walk over the flowing water, first I thought that it would be only for few meters only. But, once I started walking it took at least half an hour to reach the end of the stream. The stream crossed several beautiful places. It might seem childish at first to walk on the stream. However, after a few meters, you will start to enjoy it. The constant tickles of the water & beautiful surrounding landscapes add to the beauty of the place. After all these activities, I felt walking on stream & watching a sunrise from the red sand dunes are the things worth doing while staying in Mui Ne.
The Nightlife:
I only stayed here for one night, hence I can’t write much about it. However, like every coastal city, there are hardly any pubs or clubs here. But, one thing that keeps night happening is the live music. The restro on the beach, where people sit & enjoy the music in slow music. Live music in an open area has its charm, especially in the place like this where the city gets silent at 8 or 9 pm. These bars are the best options available to the tourists. Apart from these experience, there is nothing much to do. I went to one place, which had beach access & live music. The guy who was singing was perfect in his art. The songs he chose were of the best qualities & I enjoyed the place.
Sandy beaches don’t have much of a say here. As most part of the coastline is covered with concrete. However, there are few patches of sandy beaches which can be accessed by anyone. It is worth noting that most of the sandy beach has private access. The water is muddy & maybe not appropriate for a dip. But, don’t get disheartened as there are other places where one can swim.
Mui Ne is one of the towns which is perfect to relax. No rush, not crowded & coastline. A perfect getaway from the hustling & bustling city like Ho Chi Minh. The calmness in the air is much appreciated. This was my experience of the place.
I clicked the photos either from an iPhoneor GoPro. I rely on these two products while traveling. Both the products are handy & easy to use. Hence, makes it must have during the trips.
I have earlier written articles on the following topics. If you want to gain some experience, do read some of these.
