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A Few Tips About Mui Ne, Vietnam

For one day and a half, we headed to Mui Ne, which is 4-5 hours northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I saw photos about the place and I told myself that I wanted to visit it when I started my backpacking trip. As a reference, here are a few tips during our trip to Mui Ne, Vietnam. Please take note that the information is based on my experience.

Mui Ne, Vietnam

Transportation

Rode a bus going to Mui Ne from Ho Chi Minh City. The bus left around 8pm and we arrived around 1am. We asked the conductor to drop us at a particular stop in Mui Ne which was near our guesthouse. You have to stay alert because the conductor might forget. It’s a good thing that I woke up to ensure that we wouldn’t go beyond our stop. The tickets we bought came from the hostel where we stayed in HCMC. We took round trip tickets so be sure to keep the return bus ticket to avoid any problems when you go back to HCMC.

sleeper bus

“Go Go!” The jeepney driver motioned us to step off his vehicle fast. “Hurry before the sunset disappears!” He wanted us to witness the spectacle at the red sand dunes especially when this was the highlight why we took the afternoon tour of Mui Ne, Vietnam.

For tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun.

We just came from the white sand dunes and we were running out of time before it turned dark. Getting a glimpse of the sun still on the sky sparked hope that we could still make it.

The driver’s statements encouraged us to run faster. We didn’t want to let the opportunity pass knowing that we still had the chance to arrive on time.

could still make it

I haven’t published a blog post lately. Been busy the past month because of a new change which I’ll probably talk about in the next few weeks. Anyway, I just wanted to share a great surprise when I opened my mail the other day. soloflightEd.com won the Philippine’s Best Male Travel Blogger in Skyscanner’s Bloscars 2013!

SkyScanner presents Travel Bloscars 2013 – Philippines

One of the best spots I visited in Vietnam was the White Sand Dunes located in Mui Ne, 5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon: old name). After walking barefoot at the fairy stream and a quick stop at the fishing village, we proceeded to this beautiful destination and welcomed all the dust along … Read more

Quick Stop at the Fishing Village in Mui Ne, Vietnam

After our walking tour at the Fairy Stream, we rode our rented 4×4 jeep for a quick stop to see the fishing village in Mui Ne, Vietnam. You can’t miss this place as you can easily see this tourist spot from the coastal road.

Fishing Village in Mui Ne, Vietnam
February 8, 2012

Hundreds of colorful boats are lined up and anchored in the bay when you drop by this area. Since the activity is just a quick stop, this is going to be just a quick blog post. lol

Fishing boats in Mui Ne, Vietnam

quick photo op at the fishing village

Not a far distance from our guesthouse, the driver of 4×4 jeep we rented dropped us off at the Fairy Stream where we were going to start our half-day tour of Mui Ne, Vietnam. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon and we chose the afternoon package to tour the common places to visit. This is … Read more

Half-Day Tour of Places to Visit in Mui Ne, Vietnam

I was scanning through photos during the start of my backpacking adventure when I realized that I haven’t showcased Mui Ne of Vietnam. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to write about each experience fast, but here’s a quick teaser on what you can expect in a half-day tour of this destination.

According to my research (hahaha, yes, I researched!), Mui Ne is a well-known place for windsurfers and kitesurfers. I’ve been recommending this destination to travellers who planned on going to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). It’s just a 5-hour bus ride from HCMC and you can see so many beautiful places in this town already.

Half-Day Tour of Mui Ne, Vietnam

Fairy Stream
Fishing Village
White Sand Dunes
Red Sand Dunes

Instead of hiring a motorbike, we took a 4×4 jeep. I believe we paid 45 USD as rental cost for the whole trip.

4×4 jeep on the coastal road

herding cattle in Mui Ne, Vietnam

If you’ve only got one month to travel, the best locations to spend your time are the countries in South-East Asia. It’s one of the cheapest places in the world, with very inexpensive local airfares available in low-cost carriers like Air Asia. Although cross-border buses are cheaper, when you’re pressed with time, buying a planet … Read more

Backpacking Southeast Asia for 9 Months

I resigned from my corporate job last January 2012 because I wanted to go on a long-term travel adventure. I was able to accomplish it by backpacking for nine months in seven countries in Southeast Asia. Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand-Indonesia-Singapore-Malaysia-Philippines I haven’t exhausted all the places in Southeast Asia which I could’ve done simply by hopping on a … Read more

Cycling to the Town of Dungun in Terengganu, Malaysia

I always enjoyed cycling to the town of Dungun when I stayed at Tanjong Jara Resort in Terengganu, Malaysia. How come? Aside from biking being already a great exercise, I also have a marvelous view of the eastern coast of Malaysia!

Tanjong Jara Resort: Cycling to the town of Dungun in Terengganu, Malaysia

Tanjong Jara Resort bike tour

I was living in the resort for two months and I always looked forward to this physical activity. A perfect time since it was also Malaysia’s summer season.

I would start by borrowing a bike (thanks Peter!) and head my way out. On the left side, they have a smaller road where you will be greeted by pine trees as you begin the journey.

heading to a small road safe for cyclists

bike road

During my trip to Zamboanga City, I was able to visit the gorgeous Merloquet Waterfalls and spend the day at Pink Island. I also made sure to check out different food places to eat. Aside from these, here are other spots you can visit in Zamboanga City.

Zamboanga Trip: Pasonanca Tour, Fort Pilar, Paseo del Mar and City Hall

Pasonanca Tour

It was pretty hot in Zamboanga City and one way to cool off was to head to the upper area of the city. Going on a tour of Pasonanca is a good place to relax and walk. You can find the Pasonanca Park there. During my trip, Jana and I only dropped by the La Jardin de Maria Clara Lobregat which has different flower and butterfly species surrounding the garden. I wasn’t able to take pictures of the place because it was already night time.

metal teepees in Boy Scout Grounds

Boy Scout Grounds in Pasonanca

I had nine days to spend in Zamboanga City. Aside from visiting tourist spots, I couldn’t wait to have a food trip adventure. I didn’t spend my money by going to different restaurants everyday, but I made sure to taste the specialties of Zamboanga.

Zamboanga City Food Trip
December 2-10, 2012

Foodtrip in Zamboanga

The best way to travel in the city is by tricycle. These trikes don’t have a route so be ready to pay a minimum of 50 Php per ride, depending on the destination.

best to travel by trike

Aside from the Merloquet Waterfalls adventure, I was also excited to visit the famous Pink Island of Zamboanga. Aside from wanting to spend a day on the beach, I was curious how “pink” the sand was.

Zamboanga Trip: Sta. Cruz also known as “Pink Island”
December 7, 2012

I was told that the corals before were bigger compared to these corals now.

Prior to the trip, we went to the Department of Tourism (DOT) to inquire about the day tour to the island. I’ve heard that tourists need security escorts to avoid unfortunate incidents like kidnapping. To be honest, I was a little hesitant because of this; but we were assured that it’s safe so long as we had these military men with us.

We registered our names at the DOT for reservation. Alternately, you can directly go to the port in Paseo del Mar as walk-in clients.

security escort with his rifle to Sta. Cruz Island

nice day to be at the beach!

I have quite a number of reasons why I love Chiang Mai. One of the reasons, perhaps the most important, is the food. Thai food is good. I don’t need to convince anybody of that. And it is outrageously inexpensive, too! So I thought, what better way to celebrate this spectacular reason than with signing … Read more

A Few Tips About Mui Ne, Vietnam

Transportation

Chasing the Sunset at the Red Sand Dunes in Mui Ne, Vietnam

Skyscanner Bloscars 2013 Best Male Travel Blogger – Philippines

Happy and High at the White Sand Dunes in Mui Ne, Vietnam

Quick Stop at the Fishing Village in Mui Ne, Vietnam

Walking Barefoot at the Fairy Stream in Mui Ne, Vietnam

Half-Day Tour of Places to Visit in Mui Ne, Vietnam

Half-Day Tour of Mui Ne, Vietnam

What to Do with One Month in South-East Asia

Backpacking Southeast Asia for 9 Months

Cycling to the Town of Dungun in Terengganu, Malaysia

Zamboanga: Pasonanca, Fort Pilar, Paseo del Mar and City Hall

Pasonanca Tour

Zamboanga City Food Trip

Zamboanga Trip: Picnic at Sta. Cruz Island aka Pink Island

The Cooking School in Chiang Mai Experience