Everyone arrives in Mui Ne planning to photograph the sand dunes — and they should. But the dunes are only the opening shot of what this stretch of coast has to offer. Fishing villages, Cham towers, rock-strewn beaches and a lighthouse that's been standing since 1897 round out a camera roll that most visitors never get around to filling. Here are ten more spots worth the detour.
1. Mui Ne Fishing Village
Lined up on the sand each morning, dozens of round bamboo basket boats (thuyền thúng) create one of the most recognizably Vietnamese scenes on this coast. Arrive early, while the fishing boats are still unloading the overnight catch, for the most authentic shots — the light is softer and the village is at its most active.
2. Bau Trang (White Lake) and the DT716 Road
A short drive north of the main dunes, Bau Trang pairs a freshwater lake with rolling white sand dunes in a combination locals describe as having a "Western desert" look quite unlike the rest of the coast. The approach road itself, DT716, is a photo spot in its own right: flat black asphalt with long white lane markings cutting straight through sandy slopes on either side.
3. Chameleon Beach Bar
On the Nguyen Dinh Chieu coastal road, this open-air beach bar built around warm-toned round rattan chairs has become a favorite stop for a relaxed, stylish photo with the sea as a backdrop — especially as the light turns golden in the late afternoon.
4. Poshanu Cham Towers
Perched on a low hill with a golden-brown, sun-baked backdrop, this cluster of brick Cham towers offers a moodier, more architectural kind of photo than anything the beach can give you. The warm color of the hillside works especially well for portraits in late-afternoon light.
5. Co Thach Beach (Seven-Color Stone Beach)
Further up the coast in Tuy Phong district, this beach is scattered with multicolored stones in unusual shapes, backed by large moss-covered rocks. It's a longer drive from central Mui Ne, but photographers who make the trip — ideally around March, when the scenery and light are at their best — come away with some of the most unusual beach shots on this entire stretch of coast.
6. Ong Dia Rock Beach
Closer to home, in Ham Tien ward, Ong Dia offers clear green-blue water, scattered rock formations, and basket boats bobbing just offshore — a more unspoiled, natural alternative to the main tourist beach strip.
7. Ke Ga Cape and Lighthouse
About 30 km south of central Phan Thiet, Ke Ga's rock formations are said to resemble a rooster's head, and the beach around them stays notably quiet even in high season. The real draw for photographers is the lighthouse itself — built in 1897 and recognized as Vietnam's oldest and tallest — and the 360-degree panorama from the top. Aim to be there by around 5 p.m. for sunset, and remember that after 5 p.m. only boats run back to the mainland, so plan your timing before you climb up.
8. The Golden Casuarina Forest
Beside the Ham Tien–Mui Ne tourist strip, about 12 km from central Phan Thiet, a stretch of casuarina trees turns a striking gold color roughly from March to April, giving the coast a brief, unexpected backdrop that looks more like a K-drama set than a Vietnamese beach town.
9. Suoi Tien (Fairy Stream)
Most visitors already walk Fairy Stream for its red-and-white sandstone canyon walls, but it earns its spot on a photogenic list for one specific reason: the water itself runs a distinct red-orange color rather than the clear blue you'd expect, a quirk of the mineral-rich sand it flows through.
10. Son My Camping Area
For something more playful than scenic, this coastal camping spot near Phan Thiet is dotted with small, colorful tents — a popular, low-effort backdrop for group photos, barbecues, and sunset hangouts with friends.
Worth the Longer Trip
If you have an extra day and don't mind a longer drive, two more spots round out Binh Thuan's photogenic side. Phu Quy Island, a few hours offshore by ferry, offers clean beaches and untouched coastal scenery that feels far removed from the mainland's tourist strip — a favorite for travelers who want their photos to look genuinely remote. Closer to the mainland, Ta Cu Mountain pairs a cooler climate with a hilltop temple complex and distinctive architecture, reached by cable car or a hiking trail, and makes for a completely different kind of shot than anything on the coast.
Getting Between These Spots
A few of these — the fishing village, Ong Dia, Chameleon Beach Bar, and Fairy Stream — sit within easy reach of central Mui Ne. Others, like Poshanu Towers, Bau Trang, and especially Ke Ga and Co Thach, are a proper drive away and worth building into a half-day or full-day itinerary rather than squeezing in between beach sessions.
Explore Mui Ne With Tony's Mui Ne Jeep Tour
The best way to see Mui Ne's Red and White Sand Dunes, Fairy Stream, and fishing village in one unforgettable morning is with a local expert behind the wheel. Tony's Mui Ne Jeep Tour takes you off the beaten path in an open-top Jeep, with friendly English-speaking drivers and free hotel pickup in Mui Ne.
Call/WhatsApp: +84 819 711 858 | Zalo: 0819 711 858 | tonyjeeptour@gmail.com
135 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet
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