Colourful scenery at the Fairy stream in Mui Ne
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The Fairy Stream in Mui Ne is known as Suoi Tien in the local Vietnamese language. It’s the perfect place for visitors to witness a clear contrast in the natural landscape here. It’s a quiet stream located near a tiny fisherman’s village and shows cascading red sand cliffs and a small flowing stream that you can walk along.
This is a tourist site that is often overlooked by visitors. This is because most people come to this region to see the giant sand dunes only a short drive away. But don’t let that put you off! If you happen to be in this coastal region I’d definitely recommend taking a quiet stroll through this unique scenery to really appreciate what Mui Ne has to offer.
The average daily temperature is 27 degrees (celsius) in Mui Ne so if you want a quick way to cool down during the heat, the Fairy Stream might just be the perfect outdoor stroll for you.
This is a good place to stop when visiting Vietnam on your south-east Asian gap year trip. You can check out one of the region’s most popular routes for backpackers which is known as the “banana pancake trail”.
| Country: | Vietnam |
| Currency: | Vietnamese Dong / VND |
| Do you need a visa? | Check here |
Travelling to Mui Ne from elsewhere in Vietnam? My recommended site to use is 12Go for overland travel.
Once you are in Mui Ne, the easiest way to get around if travelling independently is with a scooter. You can rent one here.
When to visit Mui Ne & the Fairy stream?
The best time of year to visit Mui Ne and the Fairy Stream is from December to April. This is when the country experiences its best weather. This is the same time as Vietnam’s dry season where the average temperature is around 27 degrees (Celcius).
These few months are also the most popular travel months for visitors to Vietnam so this will be a busier time filled with more tourists.
Since Mui Ne is hot all year-round, it is possible to visit the stream at any time of year, you just run the risk of being rained on if you go during the UK summer (June-August). The rainy season in Vietnam generally lasts from May until October each year.
If you visit during the dry season, much of the stream will have evaporated. If you happen to visit during the rainy season instead, the stream will be at its deepest (which is still only a little above the ankle).
Fairy Stream tickets
The Fairy Stream is located in Phan Thiet, Vietnam. The full address is:
40B Huỳnh Thúc Kháng, Phường Hàm Tiến, Thành phố Phan Thiết, Bình Thuận, Vietnam
As with most tourist activities, you will need to purchase a ticket before entering.
There are two ways to purchase your tickets to enter the fairy stream, either individually at the entrance or on a group tour from the centre of Mui Ne. This ticket allows you to walk the full length of the stream.
- Adults: 15,000 VND (0.57p GBP) per ticket
- Children: 6,000 VND (0.23p GBP) per ticket
If you’d prefer to join a tour group that visits the Fairy stream, here are some options for you to choose from below. Each of them covers more than one stop on the tour.
Amenities
Food & drinks
When you first enter the Mui New Fairy stream, you will notice the various food stalls and vendors that the locals have set up for visitors. There are multiple types of local Vietnamese street food available, as well as refreshments and some light snacks.
Some of these include meat skewers, various fruits & coconut water (served inside a coconut).
The day I visited these small stalls and vendors were only able to accept cash so make sure you carry some with you instead of only bringing your card.
Restrooms
There is also a toilet available for visitors near the entrance where the tickets are sold. During the busy season, you might need to wait in a queue in order to access one as it can get busy. But that would be the same at any busy tourist attraction.
Activities
- There are a few rope swings that hang from branches next to the stream and you can see a few of these along the trail. They are constantly being removed and put back up elsewhere so they might not be in the same place as before!
- You will also notice a handful of benches and tables in small inlets along the stream that you can use if you wish to take a break. These are often found near the few food stalls too.
What to expect at the stream
Since this is a stream, you will get wet. Luckily the water is only ankle-deep the whole way, apart from one section near the waterfall which can reach up to an adult’s knee.
There are no official rules on whether you need to wear shoes or not, but the majority of guests walk along the stream trail barefoot. This is because the bottom of the stream is filled with sand.
Pro tip: If you’re taking a bag on your day out in Mui Ne, consider taking a small towel. This way you can easily dry your feet after you’ve finished in the Fairy stream.
Since the trail is completely outdoors and opens to the elements, it’s also recommended that visitors bring sunscreen and sunglasses with them. This is because only one portion of the stream is covered by shade (provided the trees haven’t been cut down) so you will be in direct sunlight for the majority of the stroll.
What makes this landscape so special?
The Fairy Stream is part of the overall desert in this region of the country. Other than the sand dunes which we cover in another post, there are no other deserts in Vietnam! This makes this a unique destination because it truly is so different to the standard tropical vegetation that covers so much of the land here.
Due to its location, this destination is a popular weekend getaway for residents of nearby Ho Chi Minh and Da Lat.
Where to stay?
Since Mui Ne is only a small destination, there are only a handful of hostels available for visitors to choose from. There are currently no properties located in the centre of Mui Ne but there is multiple spread across the beaches here.
As you might know already, my go-to choice for accommodation is always a hostel due to the social aspect.
One hostel I recommend based on location is Eva Hut Mui Ne Beach Hostel. It’s conveniently located on the beach and only a 20-minute walk or 4-minute drive to the Fairy Stream.
If you would prefer not to stay at a hostel while visiting Mui Ne and a hotel or apartment is more your style, check out this link below instead where you actually have a lot more variety in accommodation types.
