Mui Ne Beach, Phan Thiet

200-kilometres north of Ho Chi Minh City lies the fishing village of Mui Ne. However, there are a number of things about this wonderful location – other than its simply stunning and serene beach – that mean its fortunes are fast-changing. Vast, white-sand dunes nearby – which include lakes and swamps in the midst of the terrain – make for a captivating backdrop to hot-air balloon rides. Ruins of the Cham culture, native to southern Vietnam until it was defeated by the Vietnamese in the 15th Century, lie at nearby Phu Hai. And plenty of fisherman going about their daily business make for an interesting slice of daily life. Resorts have been popping up along the coast, but so far, the incredibly local atmosphere at this best beach location in Vietnam remains unchanged.