Prices in Phan Thiet and Mui Ne in 2026
A bowl of pho for about $1.50. A scooter for the whole day, $5. A fan room for $6 a night. Phan Thiet and Mui Ne stay one of Vietnam's best-value beach destinations — cheaper than Phu Quoc and Da Nang, and roughly on par with Nha Trang. Here's what a trip actually costs, line by line. Every figure is in Vietnamese dong (VND) with a rough US-dollar guide at 26,000 VND to the dollar.
All prices below are current as of 2026. Each table lists the cost in Vietnamese dong (VND) with a rough US-dollar conversion at 26,000 VND to the dollar.
| Expense | Mui Ne / Phan Thiet | Nha Trang | Phu Quoc | Da Nang |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch (local eatery) | ~$1.20–2 | ~$1–1.70 | ~$1.40–2.30 | ~$1.30–2.10 |
| 3★ hotel (night) | ~$19–38 | ~$16–33 | ~$23–46 | ~$21–42 |
| Scooter rental (day) | ~$4–6 | ~$3–4.50 | ~$4.50–6.50 | ~$3.50–5.50 |
| Massage (60 min) | ~$6–11.50 | ~$4.50–9.50 | ~$7–13.50 | ~$6–11 |
Mui Ne runs about 10–15% above Nha Trang, 10–20% below Phu Quoc, and roughly on par with Da Nang. There is no "island tax" on food the way there is on Phu Quoc: a bowl of beef pho at an average eatery starts around 30,000–40,000 VND, not 60,000 VND.
Mui Ne and Phan Thiet get mixed up a lot. Phan Thiet is the capital of Bình Thuận province, a city of about 350,000 people. Mui Ne is the resort strip 22 km east of the centre. All the beach hotels, kitesurfing schools and tourist cafés are in Mui Ne; the bigger malls, larger markets and cheap accommodation are in Phan Thiet. A bus between them costs 13,000 VND (~$0.50).
Currency and changing money
Everything here is paid in dong (VND). Shops don't take foreign currency, though the gold-shop money changers will accept your US dollars to convert.
Current rate
Where to change money
The best rate is at the gold shops (tiệm vàng) on Nguyễn Tất Thành in central Phan Thiet. They give 1–2% more than banks or hotels. The airport is the worst option — rates there run 3–5% below the city.
Cards and ATMs
Visa and Mastercard work at hotels, restaurants and supermarkets, but small eateries, markets and bike rentals are cash only. ATMs cap out at 2,000,000–5,000,000 VND per withdrawal, with a fee of 22,000–55,000 VND (~$1–2). Carry enough VND for the day.
Exchange rates move daily. Check the live rate on XE.com. Data current as of 2026.
Eating out — cafés and restaurants
30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–2) buys a full bowl of pho, rice with meat or fried noodles with a drink. That's the going rate at eateries where Vietnamese eat. On the Mui Ne tourist strip you'll pay two to three times as much for the same thing.
Local eateries and street food
| Dish | Price (VND) | Price (~USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Pho bo / pho ga | 30,000–50,000 | ~$1.15–1.90 |
| Rice with seafood | 35,000–50,000 | ~$1.35–1.90 |
| Fried noodles (mì xào) | 30,000–45,000 | ~$1.15–1.75 |
| Vietnamese coffee (cà phê sữa đá) | 15,000–25,000 | ~$0.60–0.95 |
| Cappuccino | 25,000–35,000 | ~$0.95–1.35 |
| Saigon beer (bottle) | 12,000–20,000 | ~$0.45–0.75 |
| Fresh coconut | 15,000–25,000 | ~$0.60–0.95 |
Tourist restaurants
| Dish | Price (VND) | Price (~USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Pho bo / pho ga | 60,000–80,000 | ~$2.30–3.10 |
| Rice with seafood | 80,000–120,000 | ~$3.10–4.60 |
| Fried noodles | 70,000–100,000 | ~$2.70–3.85 |
| Grilled seafood (for two) | 400,000–800,000 | ~$15–31 |
| Cappuccino | 40,000–60,000 | ~$1.55–2.30 |
| Imported beer | 40,000–60,000 | ~$1.55–2.30 |
Seafood is the reason many people come here. At the Bò Kè fishing village, the crab, prawns and fish come straight off the boats. Dinner for two with a couple of seafood dishes and beer runs 300,000–500,000 VND (~$11.50–19). On the beachfront it costs double. One thing worth knowing: seafood is almost always sold by weight, so confirm the price per kilo before it hits the grill — otherwise the final bill can be a nasty surprise.
💬 "A big dinner for two — grilled octopus, skewers, fries and three beers — came to 250,000 dong, about $9.50." — traveller reviews, 2025
Daily food budget
Tipping isn't expected in Vietnam. At mid- and upper-range restaurants you can leave 5–10%, but no one will mind if you don't.
📌 Exactly where to eat in Phan Thiet and Mui Ne → our detailed food guide
Getting set up in Vietnam?
SIM, visas, transfers, tours — our manager sorts it out for you, in English.
Message the managerGroceries at markets and supermarkets
Mango at the market is 25,000 VND a kilo. At Lotte Mart the same mango is 69,000 VND — almost triple. It's the same story across the board: the market is 2–3 times cheaper than the supermarket.
| Item | Price (VND) | Price (~USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Mango (1 kg) — market | 25,000–30,000 | ~$0.95–1.15 |
| Mango (1 kg) — supermarket | 50,000–69,000 | ~$1.90–2.65 |
| Watermelon (1 kg) | 10,000–15,000 | ~$0.40–0.60 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 30,000–40,000 | ~$1.15–1.55 |
| Shrimp (1 kg) — market | 200,000–300,000 | ~$7.70–11.50 |
| Rice (1 kg) | 15,000–20,000 | ~$0.60–0.75 |
| Eggs (12) | 25,000–30,000 | ~$0.95–1.15 |
| Water (1.5 L) | 5,000–8,000 | ~$0.20–0.30 |
| Saigon beer (can) | 10,000–15,000 | ~$0.40–0.60 |
The markets
- Hàm Tiến Market (Hàm Tiến) — the closest to the Mui Ne tourist strip. Fruit, vegetables, seafood. Open 07:00–14:00.
- Fish Market (Chợ Mũi Né) — at the eastern tip of Mui Ne. Shrimp, squid and fish off the morning boats. Come before 08:00.
- Phan Thiet Central Market (Chợ Phan Thiết)— the largest in the region. Prices are below Mui Ne, but it's a 20-minute taxi ride.
Lotte Mart and Co.op Mart have fixed price tags — no haggling. What's worth buying at the supermarket: alcohol, packaged coffee (Vietnamese robusta beans from 60,000 VND / ~$2.30 for 500 g), toiletries and sunscreen.
Skip the airport queue in 5–10 min
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Telegram managerPhan Thiet shopping malls
Phan Thiet has two big malls — Lotte Mart and Co.op Mart. Both are in the city; from Mui Ne it's a taxi ride of 350,000–400,000 VND (~$13.50–15.50).
Lotte Mart
The biggest mall in the region. Three floors: a grocery supermarket with a food court, clothing and electronics, plus a cinema and entertainment. Coffee, alcohol and cosmetics are the good buys here, and cards are accepted.
Co.op Mart
Simpler and cheaper than Lotte Mart, with a smaller range. It sits closer to the centre, so it's cheaper to reach. Address: the corner of Nguyễn Tất Thành and Trần Hưng Đạo.
| Category | Market | Supermarket |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit, vegetables | 2–3 times cheaper | Pricier |
| Seafood | Fresher and cheaper | Frozen, dearer |
| Packaged coffee | Risk of a fake | Genuine, fixed price |
| Alcohol | Little choice | Full shelves |
| Souvenirs | Haggle, lower prices | Fixed, higher |
- Hàm Tiến Market (Fruit, vegetables, seafood): Closest market to Mui Ne. Open 07:00–14:00
- Fish Market (Chợ Mũi Né) (Seafood off the morning boats): Come before 08:00 for the best pick. 200,000–300,000 VND (~$7.70–11.50)/kg shrimp
- Central Market (Chợ Phan Thiết) (Largest market in the region): Produce, clothes, souvenirs. Cheaper than Mui Ne
- Lotte Mart (Shopping mall): Supermarket, clothing, electronics, cinema. Fixed prices, cards accepted
- Co.op Mart (Shopping mall): Groceries, appliances, clothing
Where to stay — from guesthouse to resort
The range is huge. A fan room in a guesthouse is from 150,000 VND (~$6). Anantara Mui Ne is from $190 a night. This is a place where a modest budget still buys you a spot by the sea.
Hotels and guesthouses — per night
Long-term rentals
| Type | Price (~USD) |
|---|---|
| Guesthouse room | from $150/month |
| Studio / apartment | $200–400/month |
| 2-bedroom house | $400–700/month |
| Villa | $900–1,200/month |
The season factor
| Period | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| December–February (peak) | ×1.3–1.5 |
| March, November (shoulder) | ×1.1–1.2 |
| April–October (low) | ×0.7–1.0 |
💬"For $150–200 a month you can find a fan room in a guesthouse. With air conditioning it's from $250." — long-stay reviews, 2025
Utilities
| Service | Price (VND) | Price (~USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity + water | 800,000–1,500,000/mo | ~$31–58 |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | 200,000–300,000/mo | ~$7.70–11.50 |
| Mobile plan | 100,000–200,000/mo | ~$3.85–7.70 |
For the weather and the best time to visit, see our Phan Thiet guide. For specific hotel reviews, see the Phan Thiet hotels guide.
Getting around — taxis, scooters, buses
You really can't do Mui Ne without a scooter. The resort strip runs 15 km along the coast, buses are rare, and walking won't get you far.
Local transport
| Option | Price (VND) | Price (~USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi (flag fall) | 10,000–12,000 | ~$0.40–0.45 |
| Taxi (per km) | 15,000–17,000 | ~$0.60–0.65 |
| Grab (Mui Ne → Phan Thiet centre) | 100,000–180,000 | ~$3.85–6.90 |
| Bus Mui Ne → Phan Thiet | 13,000 | ~$0.50 |
| Scooter rental (day) | 100,000–150,000 | ~$3.85–5.80 |
| Scooter rental (month) | from 2,000,000 | from ~$77 |
| Petrol (1 L) | ~22,000 | ~$0.85 |
Grab works, but drivers are scarce — expect to wait 10–15 minutes. The classic taxi firms (Mai Linh, Vinasun) cost a little more but turn up faster.
Getting there
📌 How to reach Phan Thiet from Ho Chi Minh City, and what it costs → transport guide and Phan Thiet guide
Tours and activities
The sand dunes are what draws people to Mui Ne beyond the beach. The Red Dunes (Đồi Cát Bay) are free and five minutes from the centre by scooter. The White Dunes (Bàu Trắng) are 30 km away, with parking at 10,000–15,000 VND.
| Activity | Price (~USD) |
|---|---|
| Dune jeep tour (per seat, group) | from $8 |
| Whole jeep (1–4 people) | $23–46 |
| Half-day (4 stops: dunes, stream, village) | $15–25 |
| Da Lat from Mui Ne (day, group) | $25–40 |
| Da Lat private (1–2 people) | $130–260 |
| Ta Cu Mountain + Ke Ga lighthouse | $30–50 |
| Kitesurfing (lesson, per hour) | $60–75 |
| Fishing trip | $30–60 |
| Fairy Stream (entry) | free |
Group tours are 3–5 times cheaper than private ones. The typical "half-day for $15" covers the White Dunes, Red Dunes, the Fairy Stream and the fishing village. Kitesurfing is Mui Ne's signature — the windy season runs November to April.
A word on the dune jeep tours: you can join a shared jeep by the seat (from $8) or hire the whole vehicle for 1–4 people (600,000–1,200,000 VND). The quoted price on the strip is almost always inflated, so haggling is expected — knocking off 20–30% is normal, especially if you book with the driver directly rather than through your hotel.
On your own scooter you can do the main sights for almost nothing. Petrol for the whole loop is 30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.15–1.90).
📌 What to see in Phan Thiet and Mui Ne → Phan Thiet guide
Spa, massage and beauty
An hour's massage is 150,000–300,000 VND (~$6–11.50). Back home that barely covers a foot rub.
| Service | Price (VND) | Price (~USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Body massage (60 min) | 150,000–300,000 | ~$6–11.50 |
| Foot massage (30 min) | 80,000–150,000 | ~$3–5.80 |
| Manicure | 100,000–200,000 | ~$3.85–7.70 |
| Pedicure | 120,000–250,000 | ~$4.60–9.60 |
| Women's haircut | from 100,000 | from ~$3.85 |
| Spa package (2 hours) | 300,000–600,000 | ~$11.50–23 |
| Mud baths | 200,000–400,000 | ~$7.70–15.40 |
Most salons line the tourist street Nguyễn Đình Chiểu in Hàm Tiến. Prices are posted on a board at the door. You can haggle, but rarely more than 10–20% off. Spas at 4–5 star hotels charge 2–3 times as much.
Trip budget — how much to bring
Two people — 10 days
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (10 nights) | ~$130 | ~$320 | ~$780 |
| Food (10 days, two) | ~$130 | ~$260 | ~$450 |
| Transport | ~$40 | ~$90 | ~$190 |
| Tours | ~$65 | ~$190 | ~$390 |
| Other | ~$65 | ~$130 | ~$260 |
Long stay — 1 month, 1 person
For comparison: a long stay in Pattaya (Thailand) at a similar comfort level runs $1,200–1,800, and in Bali $1,400–2,200. Mui Ne is one of the cheapest options in Southeast Asia.
Hidden costs
- Two-tier pricing. At some cafés and markets the foreigner price is 20–30% higher. Learn a couple of Vietnamese phrases — vendors immediately warm up and treat you as a regular.
- Electricity markup. Landlords often charge 4,000–5,000 VND per kWh instead of the official 2,000–3,000. Over a month with AC that adds up to 800,000–1,500,000 VND.
- Deposits. One month for accommodation. For a scooter, your passport or $100–200.
- Insurance.A doctor's visit without it is $20–50, hospitalisation from $500. Travel insurance for 10 days costs about $5–15.
7 ways to save
- Eat where the locals eat. Plastic stools and a fan = prices 2–3 times lower and bigger portions.
- Buy fruit at the market, not the supermarket. Mango is ~$0.95/kg versus ~$2.40 at Lotte Mart.
- Rent a scooter instead of taking taxis. ~$4/day vs $10+ for a couple of taxi rides.
- Book in low season (April–November). Discounts of 20–30%.
- Choose group tours. $15 vs $130 for the same programme.
- Haggle at the market. The starting price for foreigners is 20–50% high.
- Cook at home. A week of groceries from the market is $6–8 per person.
Connectivity is a separate cost, but a small one. A SIM with 4G data (30–50 GB a month) is 100,000–200,000 VND (~$3.85–7.70). Wi-Fi is in nearly every café and hotel. If you'd rather skip the shop, buy an eSIM before you fly.
For the full picture of the region, see the Phan Thiet general guide and the Vietnam prices overview.
Frequently asked questions
How much money should two people budget for 10 days in Phan Thiet?
From about $400 on the ground (excluding flights). That covers budget accommodation, meals at local eateries and a couple of tours. A comfortable trip is $650–1,300 on the ground. Count flights separately.
Is Mui Ne expensive compared with Nha Trang?
A touch. Accommodation in Mui Ne runs about 10–15% higher than a comparable place in Nha Trang. Food is roughly the same. Tours are cheaper because everything is close by. The gap is around $60–130 for two over 10 days.
Where do you change money in Phan Thiet?
The best rate is at the gold shops on Nguyễn Tất Thành in central Phan Thiet. Hotels are 2–3% worse. The airport is the worst option.
Can I pay by card in Mui Ne?
Visa and Mastercard work at hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. Small eateries, markets and bike rentals are cash only. Carry VND for daily spending and use ATMs for cash.
How much does a meal for two cost in Mui Ne?
A filling lunch at a local eatery is $2–4 for two. Dinner at a tourist restaurant is $10–16. Grilled seafood is $12–25. The average food budget is $12–16 a day for two.
How much is a taxi from Mui Ne to Phan Thiet?
A metered taxi is 150,000–250,000 VND (~$6–10). Grab is 100,000–180,000 VND (~$4–7). The bus is 13,000 VND (~$0.50) but runs infrequently.
Is it cheaper at the market or at Lotte Mart?
The market is 2–3 times cheaper for fruit, vegetables and seafood. Lotte Mart is better for alcohol, packaged coffee, toiletries and cosmetics.
Do you need to haggle at the markets?
Yes. The starting price for foreigners is 20–50% high. Show your price on your phone calculator, smile and take your time. If the vendor won't budge, walk away — they often chase after you and agree.
How much is a SIM card and mobile data?
A SIM with 30–50 GB of 4G data for a month is 100,000–200,000 VND (~$4–8). Carriers: Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone. You need your passport to activate. An eSIM bought before arrival is a hassle-free alternative.
Which extra costs are easy to forget?
Travel insurance ($5–15 for 10 days), a scooter deposit (passport or $100–200), sunscreen (150,000–300,000 VND) and bottled water. Set aside $40–130 for souvenirs.
Prices are current as of 2026. USD figures use a rough rate of 26,000 VND = $1. Costs may vary by season.
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