This Fresh-Faced Five-Star Is Another New Reason to Hit the Beach in Mui Ne

A brand-new expressway from Saigon means it’s way faster to get from the city to the sea than ever before, and The Anam has opened its new outpost in Mui Ne just in time. We checked in and got the lay of the sand, so to speak. Expect a lot more love for this beautiful beach town in coming years.

THE SOUTHERN VIETNAMESE RESORT town of Mui Ne ticks all the dream vacation boxes. Lazy stretches of soft white sands: tick. Adrenaline-pumping water sports: tick. Enchanting natural wonders that drift into the realms of ethereal: tick. Strong culture and heritage: tick. World-class golf courses: tick. The perfect year-round climate: tick.

If that isn’t enough to entice you, then the opening of five-star The Anam Mui Ne should serve as the definitive persuader. The Vietnamese hospitality brand opened its second property in the country in January, and what a welcome addition it is to the charming former fishing village that sits a stone’s throw from Phan Thiet.

I arrived after a four-hour drive from the airport in Ho Chi Minh City – a journey that has just been halved by the opening of a game-changing expressway. That’s good news for all the hotels in the area, including Adrian Zecha’s new Azerai Ke Ga Bay, which our editor in chief visited about an hour away. And of course The Anam Mui Ne, following a few years after the brand’s first property in Cam Ranh, north of here on the central coast, which transported me to a world that seamlessly blends old with new.

One-hundred twenty-seven rooms flank perfectly manicured gardens that race to the East Sea. With its roots deeply entrenched in the destination, the design evokes the crisp luxury of a bygone era, fusing chic Indochine charm with modern Vietnam.

If you appreciate art, pay attention to the fine details because the region’s rich artisanal roots are celebrated throughout. The timber furniture was crafted by local carpenters using wood sourced from north Vietnam, there are 200-plus paintings from established and promising Vietnamese painters, and the statues of goddesses and pottery are carved by artisans from a nearby Cham village.

Other echoes from the past can be found in the vintage tilework; a tribute to the French colonial villas commonly found in Vietnam during the Indochina era, when artisans in Hanoi were famed for producing the motif ceramic tiles of the time. Today, The Anam has tasked craftsmen to replicate these tiles using locally sourced stone.

I checked in to the private-pool suite, and my main complaint was it was so stunning that it was tough to tear me away. However, I managed. While Mui Ne is famous for its striking sand dunes that seem more suited to the Sahara than Vietnam, the lesser-known Fairy Stream should be a top attraction. While you won’t clock any fairies, it is akin to entering a magical world.

After taking off my shoes, I spent the next hour wading through ankle-deep waters that meandered through truly majestic searing red cliffs, bamboo forests, red and white sand dunes and nature’s art in the form of enchanting sand pillars that have been carved over time.

Of course, no trip to Mui Ne is complete without a visit to Southeast Asia’s mini version of Sahara’s sand dunes. The sea of startling white dunes seemingly rise and fall to the horizon, boasting spectacular views of the East Sea. Nature’s treat sees two freshwater lakes nestled among the dazzling sand hills. Sitting in stark contrast is the red dunes – a delight to visit during dusk when the fading light sparks spectacular hues of red and orange.  

Paying homage to the area’s rich Cham culture, with the Kingdom of Champa stretching back to the 8th century, I explored the three towers of Po Sah Inu. The ancient towers are locally treasured relics and often host religious rituals and festivals. Located at the top of a hill, they also deliver unparalleled views across Phan Thiet.

Squeezing in relaxing at my private pool, lazing on the beach and indulging in delicious spreads of local cuisine left me with little time to explore Mui Ne’s other delights. I guess that gives me the perfect excuse to return!

www.theanam.com/mui-ne; doubles from VND 3,024,000.

Images courtesy of The Anam Mui Ne.

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