Despite being less than 5 hours away from Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne is off the beaten path in Vietnam. We’ve spoken so much about the beaches and sand dunes in this part of Vietnam, but it is the early morning fishing market that is the focal point of this tiny fishing village on the Eastern coast of Vietnam.
Every evening local fishermen leave for a long night of fishing. They are effectively surrendering themselves to the sea because their small boats are ill-equipped to handle bad weather or rough seas. At dawn, the fortunate ones return with seafood by the kilogram and their wives take over.
The catch is meticulously sorted, cleaned, and sold to local restaurant owners and street food vendors on the spot. The frenzied rhythm of the market is hard to understand for a mere bystander but closer inspection reveals the method underlying the madness. We loved experiencing the chaos of Mui Ne’s fishing market and wanted to share it with you. This is the story of dozens of humble fishermen and their wives that makes Mui Ne special 🙂
Have these photos tempted you to visit Mui Ne? Read our article on the Top 10 Things To Do in Mui Ne to see how you could be spending your days in this part of Vietnam 🙂
Planning a trip to Vietnam? Don’t forget to read our tips on accommodation, street food, and sightseeing in Vietnam
Read about a natural wonder of the world in Mui Ne – The surreal White Sand Dunes of Vietnam
Looking for a place to stay in Mui Ne? Read about our experience at Pandanus Resorts
Absolutely stunning photos – the beach looks very unique with all of the shells embedded in the sand
Thanks Katie- we’ve never seen a beach quite like it. Chaotic, even smelly, but endlessly fascinating 🙂
Beautiful pics! I’m so glad I squeezed Mui Ne into my Vietnam trip 🙂
Thanks Karisa – we even stayed at the same hotel. What are the odds 😉
Absolutely amazing photographs and text. for a few moments, I felt transported to the life of one of the fisherfolk in Mui Ne. Please do more posts like these, giving a glimpse into the local lives of people in places that you visit?
Hey Amiya – will definitely take your suggestion onboard and do more posts like this 🙂 So glad to hear you enjoyed it
The first pic , Is definately a Nat geo Click 🙂
Thanks a ton Sonal 🙂
Beautiful shots from an amazing place. I did a similar set on the other side of SE Asia in Myanmar. These people work so hard. http://lifepart2.com/photo-essay-12-images-from-a-fishing-village-in-myanmar/
Loved your photos Jon – it’s amazing to see the similarities between the two countries’ fishing communities, wow!!
Such amazing pictures. wow!!
Thanks a ton 🙂
Beautiful shots ….so many colorful boats and their simple life captured by vid
but somehow i don’t like the smell of fish market but am tempted to visit Mui ne 🙂
Haha – yeah fish markets can smell rank. But there’s tons to do in Mui Ne besides the fish market too 🙂
Oh my goodness, these photos are stunning.
Thanks Leah – it’s a gorgeous corner of the world 🙂
Beautiful photos. Gran Canaria’s very much a fishing community too. Let’s see if the fishermen over here give us such great access as you received in Vietnam. Thanks for inspiring us so.
I’m sure the fishing community in Gran Canaria is vastly different Matthew. Have you written anything on the subject? Would love to read it 🙂
These pictures are beyond beautiful. I really wish I had seen Mui Ne but maybe one day in the future 🙂
Thanks Shikha – I hope you make it there soon. Mui Ne is stunning in a rustic sort of way 🙂
Stunning photos – and a fascinating glimpse into a lifestyle and tradition so different from my own. Such vibrant images!
Thanks a ton Katie – Mui Ne seems like a different world altogether. A lot of the amenities we take for granted in the Western world are missing, but locals seem to be happier (they’re perpetually smiling!) – food for thought eh? 🙂
Must say Video is a great photographer, he makes Mui Ne look really pretty. The local liquors in Mui Ne were pretty cool along with the bananas
Thanks a ton guys 🙂 Did you enjoy Mui Ne too?
Lovely article and some amazing photos as always… I love the way you give us a peek into the lifestyle and routine of places you visited.. So fascinating! 🙂
Thanks Ramya – That was the idea of the essay – yayy:-) So glad you enjoyed it.
I love every single one of these photos! That sunset look absolutely stunning and the boats are so colourful. The beach really does look unique with all those shells dotted everywhere. You have certainly tempted me to visit Mui Ne!
Thanks Catherine – Mui Ne is a really unique corner of the world 🙂
Such beautiful photos! I especially love the sunrise one. Looks like a very unique place!
Thanks a ton Nikita 🙂
Such luscious photos! Such a wonder of nature how the sea lures tourists and travelers with its beaches – and is the lifeblood for fishing villages like Mui Ne.
Thanks guys 🙂 The mighty sea is bound to make one feel miniscule. It’s amazing to see how human beings work in tandem with the sea to reap benefits in Mui Ne
Hey you guys, I am planning a trip to Vietnam pretty soon-next month to be precise. I really want to take the road less travelled;p So your post about Mui Ne caught my eye but I do not have much time to spare-I am planning to visit Saigon and the Mekong Delta and then head up north along the countryside squeezing Hoi An and whatever other World heritage sites as best as I can in my schedule all the way up to Hanoi, so is a trip to Mui Ne advisable I would like to ask. Thanks and your blog is really helpful may I add, one of the few going around;p Thanks again.
Hey there – thanks a ton 🙂 Since you have quite a packed schedule, just skip Mui Ne and enjoy the time you have in Saigon and Hoi An