The Dalat resort leaves no one indifferent. It is the capital of Lam Dong Province in the Central Highlands region, but it is not what you would expect from a typical Vietnamese city. It is located in the highlands and is surrounded by pine hills, giving it its own vibe, as well as lakes, waterfalls, a golf course and lots of nature. After exploring the area, plan a trip to the coast of Vietnam. The small tourist town of Mui Ne is a good option for sunbathing and relaxing or enjoying the water attractions available in the area. A popular weekend destination for Ho Chi Minh City residents, Mui Ne has a livelier neighborhood with hotels, restaurants, bars and shops, but never overcrowded or cramped. Read on to find out how to get from Dalat to Mui Ne.
Travel options from Dalat to Mui Ne
On the map, there doesn’t seem to be much distance from Dalat to Mui Ne, which lies to the south. The shortest road route is 155 kilometers. The journey wouldn’t be too long if you could take it on a motorway, but in this case the road crosses mountainous terrain with a few ups and downs, so the asphalt meanders along a route full of curves. So the journey from Dalat to Mui Ne takes much longer than you can imagine. Since there are no flights or trains connecting these cities, your options are limited to asphalt transport. There are both regular buses that run from Dalat to Mui Ne and private taxis.
From Dalat to Mui Ne by bus
As the prices are cheap and there are regular departures, buses from Dalat to Mui Ne are usually the preferred way for tourists to travel on this route. The two companies operating this tour are The SinhTourist and Hanh Café, both well known in Vietnam. To make your trip easier, you can book your tickets online through the travel website 12Go.asia. Enter your travel date and you’ll see all the options available from both companies, so you can easily compare their services and book online.
There are not many differences between these companies. In both cases, the buses they use are of the standard type with air conditioning, but do not have any other services on board. This means that the seats do not recline. For most travelers, this is enough, but if you are slightly taller than average, legroom may be too limited. With a duration of 4 to 5 hours, traveling on one of these buses should not be a problem.
Buses from Dalat to Mui Ne with The SinhTourist are usually slightly more expensive than with Hanh Café. According to the schedule, The SinhTourist takes 4 hours to travel from Dalat to Mui Ne, while Hanh Café takes 5 hours to reach its final destination. You can count on a similar duration with one of the two companies.
Departure times are also similar. Each operator has two options per day. SinhTourist leaves its Dalat offices at 7:30 AM and 1:00 PM, and Hanh Café leaves its offices at 7:00 AM and 12:30 PM. If you don’t mind getting up early, it’s advisable to take the first bus that arrives in Mui Ne in time to eat, check into your hotel and enjoy the afternoon in the city.
From Dalat to Mui Ne by taxi
A viable alternative to taking the bus from Dalat to Mui Ne is to take a private taxi. Private taxis have several advantages. Most notable is that they are completely flexible and can be booked to suit your schedule and plans. It’s a great solution if you don’t want the bus schedule to limit your plans. For example, if you want to do something in Dalat in the morning and take your time to catch the midday bus, you can book a taxi to pick you up from your hotel or wherever you are at a time of your choosing.
It is very convenient to be able to choose where you want to be picked up and where you want to be taken. Unlike the bus, which follows a fixed route, taxis can take you right to the door of your Mui Ne hotel, saving you the hassle of going to the bus stop and finding your way to your accommodation.
Taking a taxi from Dalat to Mui Ne also saves time as you can travel in smaller vehicles that move around easier than buses on mountain roads. The duration of the trip may vary depending on the different taxi companies. Some say it takes much longer than others, but it can be extra time for stops along the way or in case of traffic jams. You can walk from Dalat to Mui Ne in just 2.5 hours.
Private taxis can be booked in the same way as buses, through 12Go. You’ll be able to compare prices, vehicle types and trip durations on the same search page to make the best decision. You will see that the taxi from Dalat to Mui Ne is much more expensive than the bus. Perhaps you think it’s worth paying more for the benefits of a taxi. You can book a vehicle for several passengers and split the cost between them all. Taxis usually hold two passengers, but there are four-seater SUVs and even nine-seater vans. Dividing the total cost between nine people, the individual price is quite reasonable considering it is a private door-to-door service.
While taking a taxi from Dalat to Mui Ne doesn’t necessarily save you a lot of time, it’s much more practical as you can choose your departure time and place. Still, taxis are much more expensive than the bus from Dalat to Mui Ne. Therefore, if you are traveling on a budget, it is best to choose the bus.