Mũi Né

Our 1-hour planning at the end of Thursday resulted in a trip to Mui Ne over the weekend. We knew that we wanted to escape the heat and noise of Sai Gon and be exposed to the clean air, warm radiance of the sun, cool ocean water and coconut trees, but were initially uncertain of our destination. Mui Ne suddenly became the only option as we found out that all means of transportation to Nha Trang were infeasible: the flight was too expensive, the train was completely sold out and the SinhCafe bus (with steep reclining chairs) seemed uncomfortable.

I wasn't too psyched about Mui Ne before our departure. Recalling my last visit to this coastal town, Huy and I didn't like the intimidating waves, the hotel service and the overall atmosphere. We found Mui Ne too quite, too serene, and too boring for our taste. But surprisingly, during my second trip, I actually came to appreciate Mui Ne's distinctive characters: from its gated beachside resorts with thatched roof bungalows that spread over 1 kilometer, its collection of sand dunes, which is particularly scenic under the glaring sunlight, its largely unspoiled beach to its overwhelming tranquility.

Mui Ne's hidden charm can easily entice any traveler in need of a place for deep relaxation away from the loud crowds. The fresh air can energize you, the water can refresh you, and the natural beauty can renew you.

Have I grown old, or has SaiGon's fast-paced life drained much of me?