Mui Ne leads global tourism trends in 2026.

International female tourists enjoy a spectacular sunset on Mui Ne beach in March. Photo: Linh Huynh .

Global travel platform Booking.com has just announced its list of trending destinations for 2026. Leading the ranking is Mui Ne fishing village – the only representative from Vietnam to hold the number one spot – thanks to its "surreal beauty," peaceful pace of life, and status as a "paradise" for water sports .

In its official description, Booking.com writes: "Located on the sun-drenched southeastern coast of Vietnam, Mui Ne offers a blend of natural landscapes, local culture, and an adventurous spirit. From a small fishing village, it has transformed into a resort destination with golden sands, swaying coconut trees, and consistent sea breezes year-round, making Mui Ne the 'capital' of kitesurfing and other wind sports."

Just a four-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne opens up a completely different world with a series of rare landscapes: surreal red and white sand dunes, the Fairy Stream winding between cliffs and lush vegetation, and the bustling fishing village scene every morning. It's also the ideal destination for 40% of travelers seeking trips inspired by fairytale-like scenery – a trend known as "Romantasy Retreats" in this year's Travel Predictions study.

Bau Trang Mui Ne boasts impressive sand dunes that stretch like a desert and lakes resembling oasis. Photo: Linh Huynh.

Beyond its digital tourism platform, Mui Ne had previously received high praise from National Geographic , particularly for its wind conditions and marine sports ecosystem. The magazine noted that the area had undergone a "spectacular transformation" over two decades, becoming one of the leading water sports centers in Southeast Asia.

Besides its blue sea, white sand, and golden sunshine, Mui Ne is also the "capital" of windsurfing and kitesurfing thanks to the consistent and strong northerly winds at the end of the year. While many beaches in Central Vietnam temporarily suspend services, Mui Ne welcomes a large number of international tourists who come to practice and compete.

At Vietnam SurfTrip, the number of surfers increased by about 30%, with 60% being foreign tourists. Some tourists only stayed for 2-3 days, while many stayed for weeks to "hunt for the wind" and participate in intensive training courses.

From tranquil fishing villages to a series of unique nature-based experiences, Mui Ne has become a one-of-a-kind coastal destination in Vietnam. Photo: Linh Huynh.

With its rapid development, Mui Ne National Tourist Area now boasts over 600 accommodation establishments with nearly 18,000 rooms, concentrated along the "golden land" strip of the coast. The 8-kilometer-long Nguyen Dinh Chieu road alone is home to 53 resorts, creating one of the most bustling resort areas in Vietnam.

In Booking.com's 2026 trending destination ranking, Mui Ne is followed by other cultural cities and popular tourist destinations around the world such as Bilbao (Spain - ranked 2nd), Barranquilla (Colombia - ranked 3rd), Philadelphia (USA), Guangzhou (China), Sal (Cape Verde, Manaus (Brazil), Münster (Germany), Kochi (India), and Port Douglas (Australia). Mui Ne surpassing a series of established destinations to take the number 1 spot demonstrates Vietnam's growing appeal on the international tourism map.

Previously, in Google's Year in Search 2025 list for the tourism sector, Mui Ne ranked 3rd in the top 10 most searched destinations, after Da Lat and An Giang.

With its unique landscapes, distinctive fishing village culture, and opportunities for world-class adventure sports, Mui Ne fully deserves to be the leading destination for personalized, exploratory, and adventurous travel in 2026.

Source: https://znews.vn/mui-ne-dan-dau-xu-huong-du-lich-toan-cau-2026-post1610497.html