Mui Ne may be a place that most have never heard of. It is a beachside town four hours east of Saigon. But that’s just fine for the in-the-know travellers who migrate each year for the 16 km long stretch of white sand beaches opposite to a strip of beachside hotels, shops and eateries. There are few true five star hotels in this exciting area and the most awarded, and rightfully so, is the Anantara Mui Ne Resort.
Mui Ne is an excellent destination to stay for a week or for a few days excursion from Saigon. It’s wind and waves make it a top destination for all kinds of water sports and each day you’ll see the kite surfers flock to the beaches. There’s plenty of unique sightseeing experiences as well, including exploring the sand dunes which rival those in the Middle East. White, pink, and red sand dunes are a key attraction of this area and tourists can sled and sand ski or even just trek across for some cool photo ops.
A good way to explore Mui Ne is by motorbike driving up and down the coast. A short distance from the hotel you’ll come to the village and then the harbour filled with 100’s of boats. Each day you can watch the fishermen bring in the day’s catch and prepare them to ship all over Vietnam. A must have experience is the Bo Ke restaurants which are along the ocean and serve all types of sea creatures from the most exotic eels and snails to more predictable fresh lobster and fish. This is after all a fishing village and tourist area so the seafood is abundant and most are picked from the wall of water tanks.
In town there are also a number of markets and shops worth a visit. For adventure, many will choose the quad biking or a popular experience such as the Fairy Steam where tourists walk through a shallow stream on the sandy river bed past limestone rock formations to a high waterfall.
Anantara Mui Ne is an excellent respite to check out all that the area has to offer or to just stay at the property for some beachfront relaxation. The resort is designed to seamlessly integrate the local Vietnamese culture into a five star travel experience.
This is a low rise resort spread out over a large area with only three floors and 90 rooms and suites, so it never feels really crowded. The resort’s design concept is influenced by the traditional Vietnamese village and, as such, is built around a large pond. The grounds are filled with all types of beautiful plants and trees and bougainvillea bursting with vibrant pinks, oranges and white flowers as exotic birds call out and dart from tree to tree. At night it’s truly romantic to take a stroll along the beach and then through the dimly lit paths on the grounds of the property.
Beyond the pond there is a massive pool which overlooks the beach. There is a pool bar where guest swim up for the cocktail of the day as well as a beachside seafood restaurant, Thung. On the beach, guests laze about on reclining chairs or take a dip in the ocean while the more adventurous try their skills at kite surfing.
The resort is centred around the main building with a range of rooms and suites from the deluxe category to the two storey cavernous penthouse. All have a clean and tropical décor of lovely Vietnamese touches, dark teak floors, and attractive outdoor spaces. The bathrooms are exquisite, with dark finishes, sultry designs and deep soaking tubs.
Around the pond and the pool area are the villas which also provide another level of luxury. The One Bedroom Beach Front Pool Villa has a separate and spacious living area and bedroom and a deep soaking tub and rain shower in the bath. Outdoors is a wonderful living space with day beds, sunken lounge and dining pavilion and the private pool surrounded by a lush garden.
The dining experience at the Anantara Mui Ne is exceptional with their two restaurant options. Thung is their seafood restaurant on a deck terrace overlooking the ocean. Expect delicious and fresh seafood prepared with traditional and Vietnamese recipes. Not to be missed is the poached “Mui Ne” shrimps, local dragon fruit, shallots and tomatoes topped with passion fruit vinaigrette.
The all day dining serves intercontinental, Asian cuisine and has special themed nights. Breakfast is always a treat with a vast buffet of dishes including the Vietnamese soup dish, Pho as well as fresh fruits and speciality juices, and live cooking stations.
For another option with your sweetheart, try the destination dining experience where the couple can dine under a white gauze canopy on the beach in an authentic Vietnamese basket boat. Truly a memorable uber romantic experience.
Whether guests venture off property or decide to stay close by, there’s always something to do at the Anantara Mui Ne. Most will laze around the lake sized pool nestled in the towering palm trees and verdant and flowering gardens.
Others have a cool cocktail at the swim up bar or take lazy walks around the beach. For the more active they’ll have a work out at the fitness centre with the latest equipment and personal trainers or join a Yoga class.
Spa Anantara is well known as among the top wellness resorts and the Mui Ne is no different. The spa has five treatment rooms and the beautifully designed couple’s rooms really set the tone for a romantic holiday with your loved one. The couple’s room has a sauna and whirlpool Jacuzzi. A number of traditional and exotic treatments using local herbs and ingredients to make this time with your partner all the more special.
Most love Vietnamese food and so the resort also provides cooking classes so guests can try their favourite dish in their kitchen back home. For children they have an extensive kids club with fun and creative activities to occupy the little ones while the grown-ups dash off for some time away.
Anantara is a brand of hotels with each one unique and integrating the local culture experience into the stay. They have gained a reputation as amongst the top wellness resorts worldwide. The Anantara Mui Ne Resort is a key part of that hospitality tradition and provides an exceptional holiday in an exotic location for romantic couples, families and solo travellers.
