Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne: Sand Dunes, Fairy Stream & Sunset Jeep

Summary

Mui Ne day trip with sand dunes fairy stream fishing village and sunset jeep ride

You’ll feel city worries melt away as you nap on a sleeper bus bound for Mui Ne’s wild landscapes. Wade barefoot through the fairy stream, bounce across white sand dunes by Jeep, taste local street food at sunset—then drift home full of new stories and maybe a little sand still stuck between your toes.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it feels like to wake up in Ho Chi Minh City and end your day with red sand under your feet? That’s how my Mui Ne day trip started — a little bleary-eyed at 7:50am, clutching coffee on Pham Ngu Lao Street, half-worried I’d miss the sleeper bus. The bus itself was a surprise: neon lights, soft seats you could actually stretch out in (I’m tall, so that’s rare), and this low hum as we rolled out of the city. I drifted off watching motorbikes fade into rice fields. Three hours later, Mui Ne just… appeared — all sun and salty air.

Our guide, Linh, met us with this big grin and a stack of bottled water. We had an hour to eat (I grabbed noodles from a street stall — still can’t pronounce what it was), then set off for the Fairy Stream. Shoes off, wading through cool ankle-deep water with these wild red-and-white cliffs on both sides. It smelled faintly earthy, almost sweet in some spots. Linh pointed out where kids used to slide down the banks after rain; I tried not to slip myself. Then we swung by the fishing village — hundreds of round boats bobbing near shore, fishermen mending nets or just squatting in the shade. There was this moment where an old woman handed me a tiny crab “for luck” (not sure if she was joking). I still have its shell.

The white sand dunes were next — bigger than I expected, almost blinding in the afternoon sun. You can rent an ATV or hop in a Jeep; we went for the Jeep because honestly, I didn’t trust myself on four wheels here. Wind whipped my hair everywhere and sand got everywhere else. The driver laughed when he saw me try to take photos while holding onto my hat (not very graceful). By late afternoon we made it to the red sand dunes for sunset. Everyone just sort of fell quiet as the sky turned orange-pink over those rippling hills; you could hear kids laughing somewhere far off and nothing else for a minute or two.

Dinner was simple street food back at Johnny Tours’ office — crispy bánh xèo pancakes and cold drinks while everyone compared sandy shoes and photos on their phones. Around 6:30pm we boarded our sleeper bus again for Ho Chi Minh City. I watched headlights flicker past until I dozed off, thinking about that silent moment on the dunes. If you’re looking for a day trip from Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne that actually feels like an escape (and includes pickup, local guide, dinner), this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Day trip from Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne

• Meet at 229 Pham Ngu Lao Street
• Take sleeper bus to Mui Ne
• Arrive in Mui Ne and have lunch
• Start tour from Johnny Tours office
• Visit Fairy Stream and wade through water
• Explore local fishing village
• Visit White Sand Dunes and optional ATV ride
• Watch sunset at Red Sand Dunes
• Enjoy local food dinner
• Depart Mui Ne by sleeper bus
• Arrive back in Ho Chi Minh City

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne?

The round-trip takes about 14 hours total including travel time; you depart around 8am and return by 10pm.

Is lunch included on this Mui Ne tour?

You have one hour free for lunch after arriving in Mui Ne; lunch itself is not included but dinner is provided.

What activities are part of the Mui Ne day trip?

The tour includes visiting Fairy Stream, fishing village, white sand dunes (with optional ATV/Jeep), lotus lakes, and red sand dunes at sunset.

Does this tour include transportation?

Yes, round-trip luxury sleeper bus transport between Ho Chi Minh City and Mui Ne is included.

Is there hotel pickup in Ho Chi Minh City?

No hotel pickup; you meet at 229 Pham Ngu Lao Street in District 1 for departure.

Are there restroom breaks during the journey?

Yes, there are stops for restroom breaks during both legs of the sleeper bus ride.

Can infants join this Mui Ne day trip?

Yes; infants must sit on an adult’s lap and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Is there an extra charge during Lunar New Year?

Yes; VND 460,000 per person holiday surcharge applies from January 29th to February 4th (cash payment only).

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip sleeper bus transport from central Ho Chi Minh City with pickup and drop-off at a meeting point office in District 1. You’ll get friendly guiding throughout all activities in Mui Ne by English-speaking locals from Johnny Tours Team plus free photo taking (and editing!), bottled water along the way, comfortable Jeep rides between sights like white and red sand dunes, plus complimentary local street food dinner before heading back home that night.