Fairy Stream Walk in Mui Ne

Part of the Mui Ne travel guide — see every topic in All Mui Ne Guides.

The Fairy Stream, Suoi Tien in Vietnamese, is a shallow creek that runs down to the sea near Mui Ne. You walk in the water itself, barefoot, on soft sand. On one side are red and white cliffs carved by rain and wind into strange shapes. On the other side are bamboo and green trees. It is short, easy and cool, and it is a good break from the beach.

Walking in the stream

The walk starts where the stream passes under the coast road, between the main beach strip and the fishing village. You take off your shoes and step into the water. In most places it is only ankle deep, and the bottom is smooth sand, warm from the sun. The water is usually a light orange-brown colour from the red earth. Walk slowly upstream and look at the patterns the water makes in the sand. Wikivoyage says the walk to a small waterfall at the top takes about 20 minutes one way, but most people stop often for photos.

The red and white cliffs

The best part of the walk is the wall of sand cliffs on one side. Rain and wind have carved them into tall points, ridges and small canyons. The colours change in bands, from deep red to orange, cream and white. Some of the cliff edges are soft and crumble easily. Do not climb on them, because the sand can collapse, and climbing damages the shapes that make the place special. You can often find a small path up to a viewpoint from the stream. The view looks over the cliffs toward the dunes and the sea.

The small waterfall

At the top of the main walk is a low waterfall in a shady patch of trees. It is not tall or powerful, and in the dry season it can be only a thin trickle. Still, it is a cool and quiet spot to rest before you turn back. Some people walk further, but the stream becomes narrower and less interesting. The walk back down is just as pretty, and the light on the cliffs changes. Allow about one hour for the round trip with time for photos and a short rest.

Tips for your visit

Go early in the morning or in the late afternoon, when the sand and water are cooler and the light on the cliffs is best. In the middle of the day it can be hot and crowded with jeep tours. You can leave your shoes at the entrance or carry them in a bag. Wear clothes that can get wet up to the knee. There may be a small fee or parking charge at the start, and local people sometimes sell drinks and snacks along the way. Rules can change, so check at the entrance.

Fairy Stream Walk at a glance

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