In summer, Mui Ne is served by an onshore monsoon from the south-west. This August in Mui Ne, the onshore wind blows almost every day from morning and sometimes gets stronger. During my stay, the waves were up to about shoulder-head in wind waves. There are two conditions to consider for surfing in Mui Ne in summer.In the middle of an onshore forecast or when the onshore wind has weakened near the shore. During onshore winds, the waves are bigger and stronger. When the onshore winds are intercepted, the size and power of the waves decrease.
A person cleaning Hon Rom beach. This beach has a small resident population, but because it is located at the end of the bay, rubbish from the surrounding area is constantly washing ashore. Even if the beach is cleaned, it will return to a beach full of rubbish just because of the rising and falling tides.
When negotiating hotel prices, always keep evidence of the 10% VAT tax included or not, otherwise you could end up with a 10% increase on the final bill. Responsibility can also vary from one place to another, so at least hold images to evidence with the staff member who negotiated the deal. The resort here costed VND 500,000 per night (about 2,500 JPY), including breakfast, was negotiated. For such price inclusive of breakfast, I think it was reasonable. There was no issue at check-out.
Accommodation hotel breakfast in Mui Ne. Satisfied with breakfast here.
A cat waits under the table for leftovers during hotel breakfast.
First time there, no wave information, no surfers. As we are travelling under these conditions, we want to stay at the beachfront as much as possible to experience the sea as much as possible. To catch a good wave, you need to get in rhythm with nature.
Mui Ne has beautiful sand dunes and trees. One of the best views in Vietnam. Good to see from a distance.
Orange sand is unique to Binh Thuan Province.
The road before asphalt was laid. This location is being developed on a large scale and the coastline is being blocked. The coastline of Vietnam has poor access to sandy beaches in many places.
We looked all around us to find a surf spot. The surf was not good that day. But I feel that the process of achieving what I wanted to do is meaningful. I have already started to fulfil my dream of living in a surf-free ocean.
Rocks of a colour typical of this location. Waves onshore.
Resort developments. Times when it is hardly acceptable to leave nature as it is.
The views here are also spectacular. There are a number of large scale spectacular views around Mui Ne. A good tourist destination for lovers of spectacular scenery. Except for the famous tourist attractions, all the other places are empty, so you can relax and enjoy the scenery.
Dunes here too. The whole land around here looks like sand dunes.
Same road signs and blue signs as in Japan.
Nha nghi checked while looking for a hotel in Mui Ne. Rural nha nghi often have no windows. Traveling in rural Vietnam is a challenge, as the noise of domestic life can be heard, doors and windows are full of gaps, hot water is unstable, and there is a risk of theft.
Butterflies are flying in this area, evidence that much nature remains. Flowers are also beautiful.
Local food is an essential part of Mui Ne life. Vietnamese food favourite banh canh. Basically, you can get toppings of your choice. This char siu pork was delicious.。
Get sugar cane juice from the usual stalls. The stalls are either one-man or family-run, so once you go there you can judge if the owner are the type of person who will rip you off.
Sugar cane juice for VND 10,000 (50 JPY).
Plumeria.
Traveller’s tree.
Many Vietnamese groups were at the inn today. It looked like a company trip. They were wearing the same T-shirts, the Vietnamese standard, and had a lot of fun with drinks and karaoke. It was the customary bombastic noise, but the strong onshore made those noises less bothersome.
Purchased from a lady who sells from a mobile market. A dessert that looks like tofu covered with honey. Delicious. One of my favourite Vietnamese dishes.
Seafood is sold in grams and quantities can be adjusted. Seafood is cheap because it is prepared directly by fishermen. We ate seafood for several days until we got bored, but after about the fifth day we were completely fed up.
The only restaurants around are Vietnamese. It has been difficult and very stressful to live outside of the familiar Japanese taste. That ordinary taste of rice balls and miso soup was actually a special taste. Japan has a very high level of cultural maturity.
In Vietnam, the beach is frequently seen to be used as a toilet and a dumping ground. Not only do they use the beach to pass urine, they also use it for defecate. Therefore, human faeces are also found lying on the beaches. It is as common as secret points. The act of urinating is an everyday sight everywhere in Vietnam. The practice is mainly carried out by men, but can also be seen in adult women. In addition, small children in the countryside routinely defecate on their doorsteps. They show their neighbours how they do their business.
Beaches that become inaccessible when the tide rises. It’s not pleasant when you go there but can’t get back. You always have to keep the tides in mind. The beach is full of rubbish here too. There is also a lot of fishermen’s rubbish.
Shell-studded rocky reef. This is probably the next most painful reef break pattern after the living coral reef. It seems to cut well.
Even in places where there are no markets, there are always market-like places in rural Vietnam. Business is mainly from early morning to late morning. I have the impression that many Vietnamese are very early risers.
Hon Rom Beach. Large amounts of rubbish reached the beach on the rising tide.
Cleaning up and keeping the beaches clean does not keep up with the amount of rubbish. Why is there so much rubbish? It’s because we keep throwing rubbish into the sea and rivers.
Low tide is time for cleaning.
Shall I surf here?
Rubbish that has just reached the sea. Rubbish in Vietnam is usually this colour.
Three cats live in the hotel.
Mui Ne shopping street. The centre of Mui Ne has a strong local atmosphere and the driving of motorbikes vehicles is rough.
Go to check wave, but it’s just hot and there are no waves.
Mui Ne beach with small waves breaking with no power.
I wondered if there was any sand build-up along the headland, but on the contrary there was no sand and the coast was eroding.
Although Mui Ne was not blessed with waves, the act of surfing alone in an unknown place is a battle against the ‘unknown’, and for me it was a series of small challenges.
This is the main winter surf spot area. During my stay, the spot was always available for a private surf session even though the waves were knee to waist high with no power. Or in other words, I think the whole Mui Ne area is always private or almost private during the summer months.
I would like to get away from the taste of Vietnam at least a few times a week. There was no Japanese food around. Ride a motorbike to an Indian restaurant dozens of kilometres away for a curry. An Indian curry can last for two meals if you eat until you are full.
On this day, I spent more than half a day just for food. I think more time than that was consumed due to the fatigue of travelling. There are many areas where the internet has reduced or completely stopped, but when it comes to food and shelter, the Vietnamese countryside has nothing to offer.
Tourist attraction Mui Ne sand dunes. This place seems to be popular with many tourists.
This is the last day in Mui Ne. Moving day, going up north. Lots of luggage.
Travelling in Vietnam, moving from one place to another for the first time. How long can we continue?
(Surf trip record: Mui Ne and Hon Rom, Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam – August 2019)
