One of Mui Ne’s main attractions are the Red Sand Dunes to the east of the village. The iron ore that makes up the sand gives it a red colour, which attracts many tourists to the site. A good time to visit is in the evening to watch the sun set over the dunes and the village.
If you drive east out of Mui Ne, you’ll find the red sand dunes right next to the left side of the road. The red sandy hills are impossible to miss. There are also some street vendors here, though they were packing up when I arrived.
The dunes were worth the short climb for the view. You are still in the middle of the village, but this large area has been kept free of development to preserve the natural feature. The dunes aren’t huge, but the area they reside in spans a large area.
The dunes aren’t barren. Trees grow on the area closer to the road, branches blowing in the wind. Among the dunes you will find clusters of green shrubberies. I didn’t see any animals here, but there were plenty of footprints indicating that other animals enjoyed playing in the sand as much as humans do.
Speaking of humans, there are many here. Being close in proximity to the village, many people come here, especially for the sunrise or the sunset. It is a crowded place, and like all crowded tourist sites, is an unfortunate victim of littering.
One part of the dunes is a large pit that is perfect for tobogganing. There were many locals here with thin pieces of flexible plastic, selling people rides down the pit. The vendors here were a little pushy, but many visitors were more than happy to pay for the experience.
It was getting dark, so I pressed on to the highest point I could see ahead of me. I wanted to get the best view of the sunset. When I made it to the top I saw that the dunes stretched out behind the village. It was as if they had been hiding from me the whole time I was here.
The wind howled as I watched the sky turn from bright blue, to yellow, to orange, and eventually the black of night. I turned around and made my way back to the road. It was harder to notice the colour of the dunes without the light of the sun.
It was a short visit, but it was time well spent. It wasn’t the main highlight of my trip to Mui Ne, but it was cleaner than the beach, at least.
Now it was time to head back to the restaurant near my hotel. I ordered a taxi and thought about the pizza that was waiting for me there.
Red Sand Dunes
| Location | To the east of Mui Ne, just as you are driving out of town. |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Tips | – Expect sand to get everywhere – Bring some paper cash if you want to try tobogganing |
| Best Time to Visit | – Plan your for sunrise or sunset if you want to enjoy the views – Avoid high noon as it can get extremely hot |
| Safety | – Vendors can get pushy, and I’ve read some tales of scams |
