Last Updated on 2026 年 4 月 4 日 by Ching
This article is perfect for travelers who dream of exotic desert vibes and value cost-effective travel. In 2026, traveling from Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne is no longer a distant dream, with a brand-new highway reducing the journey to just 3 hours. This article details how to enjoy a stay at a five-star beachfront resort, indulge in affordable seafood feasts, and take a jeep ride to witness the sunrise over the white sand dunes and experience the Fairy Stream, all on a budget of less than $3,000 NTD.
How to explore Mui Ne on a free-and-easy trip? This guide provides a complete transportation tutorial from Ho Chi Minh City, a two-day, one-night itinerary, and a super budget-friendly checklist! Although the one-way trip takes about 5.5 hours, once you see the breathtaking scenery of half desert, half ocean, you’ll definitely shout that it’s worth it.
How did we manage to enjoy a beachfront resort stay, feast on a seafood dinner, and take a jeep ride to chase the desert sunrise and wade through the Fairy Stream, all on a budget of less than 3,000 NTD? If you’re planning a trip around Ho Chi Minh, this “Complete Mui Ne Guide” covering attractions, transportation, and accommodation tips is a must-save!
- Where is Mui Ne? A coastal town between Ho Chi Minh and Da Lat.
- Transportation Guide from Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne: Train vs Sleeper Bus
- Mui Ne two-day, one-night getaway! Here’s how to plan your Mui Ne itinerary.
- Mui Ne Desert and Fishing Village Experience
Selected Day Tours and Private Car Booking - Mui Ne two-day expenses
- Mui Ne Desert and Fishing Village Experience
Selected Day Tours and Private Car Booking
Where is Mui Ne? A coastal town between Ho Chi Minh and Da Lat.
Before heading to Vietnam, I was really unfamiliar with this city, you could say I had never even heard of it, and I didn’t know where Mui Ne was located. But after a quick online search, I was astonished and deeply attracted by Mui Ne’s scenery.
Mui Ne is located in Phan Thiet City, between Ho Chi Minh and Da Lat. It’s a coastal fishing village that, while lacking the bustling excitement of Ho Chi Minh and the magical madness of Da Lat, boasts serene and stunning sand dunes and affordable seafood stalls, making it a rising star in Vietnam’s travel scene in recent years!
Transportation Guide from Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne: Train vs Sleeper Bus
Visiting this beautiful town can be quite challenging. From Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne, it’s a journey of over 200 kilometers.
Driving yourself takes about four and a half hours, making it a long and arduous journey.
Therefore, when planning a trip to Mui Ne, most travelers, like us, choose to take the train or long-distance bus.
| Comparison Items | Bus (Sleeper Bus) | Train |
| Suitable For | People who want to save money, go directly to the hotel, and avoid transfers | Those who want to enjoy the scenery along the way and prioritize safety |
| Ticket Price (One Way) | Around $250 – $500 TWD (Depending on type: Regular Sleeper vs Luxury Limousine) | Around $250 – $400 TWD (Depending on seat: Soft Seat vs Sleeper) |
| Travel Time | About 2.5-3 hours (Depending on traffic and highway conditions) | About 3.5 – 4 hours (High punctuality, no traffic jams) |
| Departure Frequency | Very High (Hourly departures) Available from morning to night | Low (Only 1-2 direct trips daily) Usually departs in the morning |
| Convenience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Direct access to Mui Ne resort area (Some operators drop you right at the hotel entrance) | ⭐⭐⭐ Requires taxi transfer (Train station is about 20-30 minutes from Mui Ne city center) |
| Comfort | ⭐⭐⭐ Can lie flat, but limited legroom. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spacious, can move around and use the restroom. Smooth ride, no sudden braking. |
| Advantages | 1. Frequent departures, flexible scheduling 2. Many drop off along the resort street, saving taxi fare | 1. High safety 2. Beautiful scenery along the way 3. Onboard restroom, no worry about urgent needs |
| Disadvantages | 1. Easily affected by traffic jams | 1. Few departures, fixed schedule 2. Phan Thiet Train Station requires additional transport to Mui Ne |
| Recommended Booking | Futa Bus、The Sinh Tourist、Hanh Cafe | Vietnam Railways official website, 12Go Asia, Baolau |
Since we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City past noon, we didn’t have time to catch the train, so we chose to take the bus in the city.
There are several long-distance buses to Mui Ne. Given the long journey, it’s recommended to choose a sleeper bus. The price difference is only 50,000 VND (about NT$60), but it’s much more comfortable.
Mui Ne two-day, one-night getaway! Here’s how to plan your Mui Ne itinerary.
As Mui Ne is quite a distance away, it’s recommended to plan a two-day, one-night trip to make the journey more relaxing.
Mui Ne Two Days and One Night: A Relaxing Itinerary of Desert and Seaside
Our itinerary isn’t too packed, staying at a resort with a private beach, enjoying seafood feasts, taking a half-day jeep tour at dawn, swimming at the hotel, and indulging in a spa — it’s quite a leisurely getaway.
Does planning a trip on your own seem troublesome? You can also choose from the curated tours on KKday/Klook.
Mui Ne Desert and Fishing Village Experience
Selected Day Tours and Private Car Booking
Take the bus to Mui Ne
On our first day in Ho Chi Minh, we headed to Mui Ne. After landing, we took a taxi to the city to buy tickets.
There are many bus operators in Ho Chi Minh offering trips to Mui Ne, but during peak times or holidays, tickets might still sell out! Like our group of ten, we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at noon on Saturday and found several places sold out!
At that moment, we were really worried about not getting tickets, especially since our accommodations and itinerary were already booked. Fortunately, our group leader quickly found The Sinh tourist.
The Sinh tourist happened to have a few seats left on the Mui Ne bus. Although it wasn’t the sleeper bus I was hoping for, at least it wouldn’t delay our schedule. We were really lucky!
Mui Ne Bus
With the Dau Giay – Phan Thiet Expressway fully operational in 2023, the travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne has been significantly reduced from the original 5-6 hours to just 2.5 – 3 hours. It’s much faster to get to Mui Ne now!
The Sinh Tourist Ticket Prices
The basic sleeper bus costs about $200,000 – $250,000 VND
There were many travelers heading to Mui Ne that day, and the entire bus was almost full! There were quite a few foreign backpackers, and luggage could be stored below the bus. The bus wasn’t new, but it didn’t have any unpleasant odors and was overall quite clean.
Departing from Ho Chi Minh City, the journey takes about five and a half hours. It’s recommended to bring some food to eat on the bus, as many people buy a French baguette to avoid getting hungry during the trip.
Due to the long journey, it really takes a while. There will be rest stops along the way where everyone can get off to stretch and use the restroom. The rest stop is quite large, with a supermarket and some stalls selling hot food and fruit. If you’re hungry, you can grab a quick bite here. The restrooms are also very clean and well-maintained.
Check-in at The Cliff Resort & Residences
We arrived in Mui Ne a little after 7 PM, and it was already pitch black outside. Before boarding, the driver asked each traveler for their hotel location and dropped everyone off directly at the entrance of their respective hotels.
We stayed at a five-star hotel rated 4.6 stars on Google: The Cliff Resort & Residences. They offer 24-hour check-in, so arriving at night is not a problem. The staff were very kind and friendly.
We first went to the hotel to drop off our luggage and take a short rest. After all, traveling for over five hours left us sore all over. The room at The Cliff Resort & Residences is spacious, especially the King size bed, which is soft and comfortable for a good night’s sleep!
Hotel Review: Vietnam Mui Ne Accommodation Recommendation | The Cliff Resort & Residences Stunning Private Beach and Swimming Pool.
The Cliff Resort & Residences
Address: Zone 5, Phu Hai Ward, Bình Thuận, Vietnam
Phone: +84 252 3719 111
Earliest Check-in Time: 14:00
Latest Check-out Time: 12:00
Check Lowest Room Rates: <booking lowest rates>
Mui Ne Seafood at Bibo Seafood Restaurant
After checking in at the hotel, we asked the hotel to call a taxi to take us for a seafood feast. Indulging in seafood is one of the highlights of our trip to Mui Ne!
This BIBO Restaurant is a well-known seafood restaurant in Mui Ne, with booming business. As soon as you get out of the car, you can see the place bustling with people.
The dining environment in the shop is very similar to a Taiwanese stir-fry restaurant. On the day we dined with ten people, we ordered scallops, squid, one kilogram of crab, water spinach, garlic shrimp, seafood fried rice, and more. Additionally, we ordered a whole three plates of raw oysters!
Everyone was extremely full, and indulging in seafood was truly satisfying. The ingredients were very fresh, and the cooking was spot on and delicious, leaving us with an unforgettable taste.
When the bill came, we were even more astonished. For ten people, it averaged out to only 220,000 VND per person, which is just $300 TWD!
When visiting Mui Ne for gourmet food, don’t miss out on the fresh and affordable seafood feast!
Mui Ne Jeep Half-Day Tour
The next day, gather at 4 AM to embark on the Mui Ne Jeep tour. This is a must-do activity when visiting Mui Ne. Riding in a local jeep to explore popular attractions is a very interesting experience.
Mui Ne Jeep Tour: In-Depth Pre-Travel Guide
Mui Ne Attraction 1: White Sand Dunes
The most famous attraction in Mui Ne is the White Sand Dunes, a vast expanse of endless sand dunes.
Setting off from the hotel at dawn, you’ll see the entire stretch of white sand reflecting against the distant hills. The scenery looks gentle and elegant, truly stunning and unforgettable! It gives you a sense of freedom as if you’re wandering between heaven and earth.
Attraction 2: Red Sand Dunes
The Red Sand Dunes are closer to the city, and there are more vendors here. At the Red Sand Dunes, you can rent sandboards from local vendors to enjoy the fun of desert sandboarding. The rental price ranges from 30,000 VND to 50,000 VND.
Attraction 3: Fairy Stream
Next, we’ll visit the place where we spent the most time – Mui Ne’s Fairy Stream, which I find to be a very unique geographical feature.
Fairy Stream is an erosional landscape in Mui Ne. Visitors take off their shoes and walk barefoot through the cool stream water. On the left side, you’ll see spectacular red soil, making it quite a special experience.
Further reading: How to Explore Mui Ne Attractions | Stunning White Sand Dunes, Red Sand Dunes, Fairy Stream – Vietnam Mui Ne Itinerary
Enjoy breakfast & swimming at the resort hotel
After the half-day jeep tour, the group members went their separate ways.
Some went for a spa (you can choose a package with a spa when booking, which is much more cost-effective), while others went to the pool to experience the resort’s facilities.
I, on the other hand, went back to my room to continue napping after breakfast. Although I missed out on the beautiful pool and private beach, this is what vacation feels like!
Return to Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne trip ends
In the afternoon, took a sleeper bus back to Ho Chi Minh City, which was again a five-hour journey. This time, I slept soundly all the way!
The sleeper bus was quite comfortable.
You need to take off your shoes when boarding; the driver provides a plastic bag for your shoes. There are small pillows and blankets provided on the bus. The bus didn’t have any strange smells, but I didn’t feel it was very clean. As someone prone to allergies, I used alcohol wipes to clean before lying down XD.
Mui Ne two-day expenses
Finally, let’s tally up the expenses for two days in Mui Ne. Although Vietnam is known for being inexpensive, I expected it to be quite cheap! But after calculating, it was even more surprising that this two-day, one-night Mui Ne trip cost less than 3,000 TWD.
Mui Ne Trip: Actual Expense List
After years of inflation, if you follow the exact same itinerary in Mui Ne in 2026, you should budget around NTD 4,000 – 4,500.
This Ho Chi Minh City free travel trip was much more exciting because we included Mui Ne. Although the long drive was tiring, the stunning scenery and geographical landscapes, affordable fresh seafood, and relaxing vacation atmosphere make it, in my opinion, very worth a visit.
Mui Ne Desert and Fishing Village Experience
Selected Day Tours and Private Car Booking
更多胡志明相關文章
- 胡志明懶人包
- 胡志明
🇻🇳 越南精選行程：峴港/會安/河內/沙壩/胡志明
Ready to book?
Don't overpay for your trip
including sitewide discounts, buy-one-get-one deals, and tickets up to 30% off.
Grab your coupons before checkout — the smart traveler's last step.
