Singapore

Longing for a touch of novelty on your travels? Step this way Discuss this article

1

© ITP Images

View slideshow

• 
• Picture 1 of 2
• 

Take to the sand in Vietnam

Parched desert sands are not the usual landscape in South-East Asia, but Mui Ne, statistically the driest part of Vietnam, comes close to recreating a Saharan wilderness in the tropics. Forget about heading to the beach for kitesurfing or windsurfing – the Binh Thuan desert is the place to go for some adrenalin-fuelled action. Vast dunes melt from warm reds and golds to pure white as they meander through the landscape in the south of the country. It’s possible to make the 65km trip from local town Phan Thiet by motorbike, but hiring a jeep is a better option. This allows you to enjoy the scenic drive, with options to stop off at the local ‘fairy springs’, dunes and red-sand canyons, and to test your mettle with some four-wheel-drive off-road action. Remember to pack your bathing suit – the Bao Trang (‘White Lake’) area has three
lotus-bedecked lakes: Bau Ba (‘Lady Lake’), which is the largest, Bau Ong (‘Gentleman Lake’) and the smaller Bau Xoai (‘Mango Lake’).

The surrounding ponds offer the opportunity for a refreshing dip. At many spots you’ll find a small battalion of kids keen to rent you a tea tray-style sled and point you towards some of the steeper sandy slopes. They’ll also flog you cans of ice-cool soft drinks once you’ve exhausted your legs and sense of adventure, as you climb back up the dunes after each speedy trip down. Photographers should try to catch sunrise (5.30-6.30am) or sunset (6-7pm) for the most spectacular shots.
Gemma Price

Get There

From UAE: Fly Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com) to Ho Chi Minh City. Prices start from Dhs2,701, including taxes. Mui Ne beach and Phan Thiet town are located between Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City. Hire a car for the four- to five-hour drive, or take one of the twice-daily north-south buses from either direction (around US$6, Dhs22).