Mui Ne is often referred to as “quiet” and is considered to lack the buzz and nightlife of Nha Trang, a fact that can be off-putting to party-seeking travellers. While this may be true, the new kid on the block — Sankara — has certainly injected a bit of style and life into the bar scene.

View through Sankara to the beach

When I was last in Mui Ne, in August 2009, Sankara was little more than a shell, but already it had the promise of something special. I was glad to return and see that the promise had been realised. It’s a beautiful place. There are three main areas: the section nearest the road is undercover and has a more comfy, lounging-with-a-coffee-type feel to it, then there’s an open area around the main pool — pools are quite a feature of the place — surrounded by loungers and private booths and finally, the section next to the beach is comprised stools around the bar, some other high tables and a couple of sofas looking out to sea.

Back area at Sankara

As you might expect, it’s not a cheap place to drink. Small bottles of Tiger go for 40,000 dong, with a reasonable range of international beers on offer if you have more to spend, cocktails are around 115,000 dong — but apparently very good — wine is available by the bottle and a wide selection of teas, coffees, juices and milkshakes (try the Brooklyn: Oreo cookies, banana, vanilla ice cream & milk topped with whipped cream & chocolate syrup) are also offered.

Sankara at night

As well as an extensive drinks list, they also have a rather tasty-sounding food menu: with starters including bruschetta and crabcakes, fish dishes such as kingfish fillet and snapper, some juicy steaks, pizza, pasta and salads. I didn’t eat there but I heard good things.

What’s more, its location right next to the beach makes it perfect for daytime chilling, sundowners or evening drinking and it’s a good place to start the night off before places like Wax, a few doors down, get lively.
Sankara
78 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Mui Ne, Binh Thuan Province
Tel: (06) 2374 1122/3
Email: info@sankaravietnam.com
Website: http://www.sankaravietnam.com

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