HO CHI MINH-MUI NE 4D3N Crazy Adventure Trip ! 胡志明市-美奈 4天3夜 疯狂之旅

by - August 07, 2016

Xin chào, my dear reader ! Is been a week after my Ho Chi Minh(HCM) Trip and finally I have time to share my experience! First advice for people who plan to go HCM -If you want to have a more relax trip, I will recommend you guys travel there for 1 week.  Let me show you my adventurous 4D3N trip schedule with my BFF!!

Currency Exchange INFO 
Currency : Dong  [ Rate: 0.00018400] 
There was a few money changer in the KL : You may check Midvalley , Sunway Pyramid and Pavillion which had a better rate. 

Mobile Data:
When I reach the airport , I saw a great deal near the entrance of the airport ! You might need it if you go for a long vacation in Vietnam. There got 2 types of popular local sim card with a data plan which is Vinaphone & Mobifone . Vinaphone has an attractive deal for the tourists where 5GB data plan unlimited only costs 100,000VDN (=RM20) .For me, I did not buy the sim card as I just stay for 4days.

Plug:
They are a 2-plug hole which is different with Malaysia. So be prepare a universal adapter as some of the hotels would not have the adapter. 

**Sunscreen & Mask needed if you riding the scooter . The weather is hot and there will be insects flying during evening time. 

The Travellover’s Itinerary
DAY 1:
Airport → Check-in Hotel [Aries Benh Tanh Hotel aka Cititel Boutique Ben Thanh Hotel] → Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa法棍 → The Sinh Tourist → Highland Coffee → Saigon Square → Night Market Behind Benh Tanh Market → Supper
DAY 2:
Checkout → The Sinh Tourist 新咖啡→ Mui Ne → Check in Hotel [Joe’s Café and Resort] → Rent a scooter for half day → Depart to White Sand Dunes白沙丘[45min drive] → dinner @ Boke Mr. Crab → Sleep
DAY 3:
Breakfast → Fishing Village Mui Ne 美奈渔村Red Sand Dunes 红沙丘 → Lunch @ Mr Crab → Back Ho Chi Minh City → Dinner @ Nhà hàng Ngon → Night Market Behind Benh Tanh Market → Back Hotel[Aries Benh Tanh Hotel aka Cititel Boutique Ben Thanh Hotel]

DAY 4:
Hotel Breakfast → Notre Dame Cathedral 西贡王公聖母教堂Saigon Central Post Office 胡志明中心郵政局Benh Tanh Market Phuc Long → Take Vinasun Taxi to Airport → Malaysia


---MY STORYLINE ---

DAY 1:
What is My impression when I reach HCM ? I believe all will be the same!! The motorcycle is damn many on the road .
Credit to Google
I take the yellow shuttle bus from the airport to Pham Ngu Lao (20,000Dong=RM4). After checking in, we went to the one of Top 5 Banh Mi shop to fill up our stomach. Highly recommend sharing among 2 people as the portion is damn big!
We went to the Sinh Tourists to buy bus tickets to Mui Ne where the duration need 5 hours’ drive. 
We saw a lot Highland Coffee branch outlet and decided to give it a try since we were thirsty too. Their coffee tastes strong enough but just served with a little portion. We have a view of looking all the motorcycle on the road while having our coffee. 
Then, we departed to Saigon Square which is a stone’s throw away from the Coffee Shop. Saigon square was a 2 storey building and I can say that this is women’s shopping heaven. A lot of stuff from head to toe can be bought from here. I saw a lot of branded running top and bottom such as Hurley, Nike, Adidas and lots more. Remember you need to bargain the price to 50%.  
Our last stop of the day is the Night Market behind Ben Tanh Market.  The night market was quite happening whereby the place is the hotspot for tourist to buy souvenir and dining there. We take a stroll there and buy some souvenir.  During the way back to our hotel, we went to the local 24hours convenient shop to buy instant noodle for our supper.
---DAY 2--- DEPART TO MUI NE:
On the next day, we depart to the Sinh Tourist to take the bus to Mui NeOne thing worth to be mentioned was our hotel has prepared breakfast for us before their actual breakfast time. This is so sweet. 
After 5 hours, we had reached Mui Ne!  The bus is directly stopping us in front of our resorts.While waiting for checking, we were served by welcomed drink and enjoyed the sea view in front of our resort. 
After checking in, we planned to go for our adventurous trip. We rented for a scooter for half day. **Info will be at the end of this page

Tell you guys! Do not follow what we do ~ Actually both of us don’t know how to ride a scooter and even no international license. Haha..but we decided to try it and my BFF was my driver. This decision wasn’t disappointed us because the view along the road is damn awesome. A small incident has happened. We have met policeman beside the road. We just act innocent and luckily the policeman let us go at the end. After we went back the bike rental store, the rental guy told us we need pay 50 USD if get fined by the police.

We went to White Sand Dunes which is 45minutes drive from our resort. The view there is damn awesome. 
There was a lotus lake near the white sand dunes. A lot of activities like ATV Rides, jeep tour, and others can be found at White Sand Dunes. The price was not in our budget so we just took a stroll at the White Sand Dunes. 
It’s quite hard to walk on the sand with either barefoot or wearing shoes. We went up to hill part and having a 360-degree view. What I can say is the captivating view! I saw quite a number of brides shooting there too. Almost dinner time, we went back to our resort. The view along the road is damn awesome. 
We went to the Mr. Crab for our seafood dinner. The seafood there was quite cheap and fresh.  You will find a lot of Boke [restaurant] along the road.


DAY 3:
Morning! We had our breakfast prepared by the resort café.  We continued our adventurous journey to the Fishing Village Mui Ne which 13 minutes’ drive from our resort.  
And, fortunately, we had met the friendly Nanning teacher whom we met at the shuttle bus; we took photos together for sure. 
The weather at the Fishing Village was quite hot. So, remember to apply the sunscreen before going out or otherwise will get sunburn like me. The sky was blue and the sea was calm.  It was a kind of reminiscing view. I liked the Woven Bamboo Basket Boats so much because I had never seen this kind of boat before. This was one of the reasons I wanted to visit the Fishing village.  
The weather became hotter and we quickly went to the Red Sand Dunes which 6 minutes away from Fishing Village. The sand was so hot and we faster took some photo of it and left the place. The Red Sand Dunes is smaller than the White Sand Dunes but also have a nice view of the sea from the top of dunes. Perfect place to watch sunset/sunrise. 
**The sand is damn hot
After that, we rushed back to the resort for checking out. We planned to lunch @ Mr. Crab again because we haven’t their crab yet. Their foods never disappointed me because the seafood was fresh enough!  So sad, we had to go back HCM again. And we checked-in at the same hotel again and dinner at Nhà hàng Ngon which was highly recommended by the some of the travel bloggers. When we reached there, the restaurant was full of people, but we get our seat quite fast although we need to queue up. We had ordered 3 of the Vietnamese cuisine and their traditional Vietnamese coffee. 

The Orange Sauce taste superb!!
After that, we went back the night market again and helped my family to buy some stuff. Then, back hotel and rest. 

DAY 4:
We planned to go Notre Dame Cathedral & Saigon Central Post office. I didn’t go to the cathedral as it closed. The top structure design was almost the same with the Paris Notre Dame.  

While the Saigon Central Post Office which was in the yellow colour building and I had seen a group secondary graduate taking photos in front of the entrance.  I liked their school uniform which was their traditional costume -- Ao Dai.  
I had sent out my postcard as I had the habit that wherever I go I will send one postcard back to home as a memory. 
Then, we proceed to Benh Danh Market for final shopping. HAHA! But, I had only bought a small clutch while my bff bought the local famous coffee. 
Before we check out, we went to café named “Phuc Long” which was as famous as Starbucks in HCM to try their drinks. I had ordered their Signature Phuc Long Tea Latte. Nice !!

Wish to try the other flavor but have to back Msia again. So sad.  Bye Ho Chi Minh City ! BYE Vietnam !

--ACCOMMODATION--
Aries Ben Thanh Hotel [Current Name: Cititel Boutique Ben Thanh Hotel ]
Address: 7, 9 Nguyễn Trãi, Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Rate: 3 Star
Price: around RM120/night
How I book: Booking.com [Click Here]

My Review: I will recommend you stay here because the hotel room is damn clean, wifi strong enough, breakfast not bad, and the service is good! I’m satisfied with stay. The room picture is exactly the same in the website.
 
Joe’s Café & Garden Resort
Address: 86 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street,, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Rate: 2 ½ star
Price: RM 83/night
How I book: Agoda.com
My Review: This place is quite happening at night because all the tourists will come to the café enjoy the live band.  The room is still ok but the wifi is not strong enough in the room. Love the view of the sea when sitting at the café!
 
**Both of this hotel do not have universal adapter. Remember to bring your own.

--TRANSPORT—
1. Mostly walking in the HCM City
2. Bus to Mui Ne >>
The Sinh Tourist
--Only have 2 time to Mui Ne : 7.00pm /2.00pm
-- 2 types of bus : Open Sleeping Bus & Seating Bus
**If want to book sleeping bus, better book before 1 week you visit there.
Usually fully booked for weekend!
--Price: 298,000/2 way [around RM60]
3. Scooter Rental
 Du Lich Dia Phuong Local Tours
-- You book flight ticket , accommodation and tours with them
--Address: 125, Nguyen Dinh Chieu , Ham Tien , TP. Phan Their
--Tel: 0902 802 007  HP No:0163 3692 978
--Contact Person: Mr Thanh [He is a friendly person]
- Price for the scooter rental: 100,000 for one&half day [RM 20]
-Common Price for the oil/litre: 20,000 [RM4] We use 160,000VDN (RMQuite expensive for the oil [RM32]
[You may show this blog to him and maybe get some discount,haha]



This is how they pump oil ! Easily found at the roadside
4. Vinasun Taxi
--to airport
--cheap and the driver is friendly
--is around RM25/person 

--FOOD--

1. Banh Mi Huynh Hoa [Non-Halal]
>> one of the TOP 5 Banh Mi which looks similar like Subway
>> A lot of ingredients: VariousVege & Pork
>> Price: 33,000VDN [RM6.50]

2. Mr Crab , Mui Ne [Non-Halal]
>> Always full of people either day or night
>> Cheap and fresh seafood
>> First Day: Total 290,000VDN (RM30/pax) [Scallop , Big Prawn , Pork Fried Rice , Grilled Squid and 2 Saigon Beer] ** Saigon beer only cost RM2 for 450ml
>> 2nd Day : Total 500000VDN (RM50/pax ) [Scallop , Crab, Green Tea, Coffee]

3. Nha Hang Ngon [Non-Halal]
>>> Need to queue up but the service is quite fast.
>>> Try their local traditional food
>>> Price: Total 450000VDN (RM50/pax) [Vietnamese Coffee, Vietnamese rice pancake, steamed broken rice , spring roll]


--This is how I spend my 4DAY3NIGHT With my BFF--

There will be 2 mystery gift will be given away!

Just share this post from my FB Page [Travellover] at your FB *Public

&
Comment below WHERE YOU WISH TO TRAVEL & WHY? with your email address
The most interesting 2 answer will be chosen! 

--Follow me --
 https://www.facebook.com/travellover823/ [More travel updates]
  https://www.instagram.com/travellover23/ [More photos]


Shinmay

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84 comments

  1. Thanks for sharing all the details of your trip. Haven't been there yet but will refer to your blog should I plan a trip soon!

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    1. You are most welcome.. Hope you visit Vietnam soon! =)

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  2. hahaha, damn rush right 4 days! But surely damn fun!

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    1. yup..no choice ..we just realised that we are lack of time after buying tickets.. But anyway i still can relax and enjoy in this trip..

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  3. thanks for sharing dear! Might consider to visit Vietname next year! Enjoy reading your travel post:D do you used to eat the food there? I'm afraid of the food there might not suitable to our taste><

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  4. last time i went for Ho Chi Minh for work trip!!I wish to go again!!

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  5. Have not visit this place before. It seem transportation need to depend on public transport. Nice destination and I love the sandy place that you visit.

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    1. yaya..they do not have LRT there ..Mui Ne is a great place to explore !!

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  6. the sand is sooooo beatuful :) is it 4 days enough?

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    Replies
    1. actually not enough ~ but i had a lot fun .. =)

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  7. I love your itinerary to the city. Will plan my trip now.

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  8. Whoa! you make me miss Saigon...nice trip dear! I love that place too.

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  9. What a nice trip. I going to Ho chi minh also this thursday. haven't book hotel yet. My friend say go there & just walk in .. I think better book in booking.com/agoda like you, will be cheaper. Let me send your blog to let my friend see how you plan this wonderful trip

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    Replies
    1. you are right ~ it will be cheaper if you book earlier ~

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  10. I would like to travel to Notre Dame Cathedral to see the beautiful building architecture. It's quite unique and i love to see buildings like this. Email: lin200326@gmail.com

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  11. Looks nice leh this place. Perhaps I should join ur backpack plan! Must backpack and travel over the world when we r young :P

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    Replies
    1. welcome to follow my plan ..i'm sure you will enjoy ! You are right !We should do that while we are young

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  12. Vietnam is a vibrant country. its on my to go list too

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    1. And the girls there looks very slim and pretty .. i wonder what they eat ..hehe

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  13. wow... never been here. really llok amazing places. so wonderful.. tq for.sharing d tips and infomation..

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    Replies
    1. you should try to travel there..it won't cost you a lot ..hehe

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  14. I have never traveled to HCM yet, so yes, it might very well be on my list to go soon... especially after reading about your amazing experience here...
    mieratan@gmail.com

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    1. bring me & kak qaseh along ~ let her experience the feel crossing the road..haha

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    2. Hahahaha..... let's try plan... hahahaha

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  15. Wow! That is one comprehensive sharing of your travel. Gives me ideas on how to save for my next trip too. Thanks Travellover.

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  16. beautiful photosss....i want to go to ho chi minh too!

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    1. hehe..lets go ! I don't mind to be your guide ~haha

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  17. Looks so exciting! Am bookmarking it and will use it for planning my trip.

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    Replies
    1. yup ! i did enjoyed a lot ^^ Hope the info can help you for your vietnam trip!

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  18. I went to Hanoi recently, and yes, really impressed with their crazy traffic :)

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  19. ill take the shuttle bus anytime but busy road kena fikir 2x hahaha but love the round dingy

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    Replies
    1. haha..lets us go again and i bring you cross the road ! =)

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  20. crazy.. so many pics of places you've been too. tag me along la next round :D

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    Replies
    1. haha ~ actually a few only ..but kinda relax.. lets go we plan a blogger trip together ^^

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  21. We went to HCM few years back and loved the markets for shopping.

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    1. A lot of stuff can be buy there ..The only you need is money and know to bargain with them =)

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  22. Although is just a short trip to Vietnam, but it was crazy enough! You go so many places in 1 day!

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    1. Yup !! but i had a lot of fun ~ Actually i just went to several places in city ~

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  23. good stuffs at the market. I won't mind wasting my money there ahaha

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    1. ya, i'm agree with you ~ The quality of the clothes at Saigon Square quite nice ! But all you need is bargain and bargain ^^

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  24. wow really nice trip, with that budget! glad that you didn't get fined by police. lucky you and bff. :)

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    1. hehe XD...I feel i'm lucky and adventurous ! XD

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  25. Kinda miss the foods now, especially Bun Ga, yummy :)

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  26. You are making really desperate to go on a vacation dear...huhuhuhuh

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  27. looks like quite a fruitful trip, you managed to get alot of things done!

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  28. you are a serious traveller dear, going everywhere, is it enough to spend only 4D in ho chi minh i wonder.

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    1. Ya , thats why i call myself a travel lover ~ haha XD is not that enough to explore Ho chi minh for 4 days..

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  29. Hochiminh seems like an interesting city! hope to travel there one day!

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  30. Thanks for the detailed post. Will bookmark this as reference.

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  31. I was there last year but didn't get to visit the sand dunes. We went to HCM and Hanoi. Miss their iced coffee!

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    Replies
    1. You should go ! haha XD I missed the Phuc Long Tea ~~

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  32. I always wanted to go out travel oversea but too pack with lots of other things to do here. By the way, is it easy to find halal food there?

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    1. You can do it !! Is a not problem to find halal food there, dear ^^ I heard my Muslim friend tell me there is a street sold all Halal food ! =)

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  33. It was informative and would like to see ur updations in the site so that i feel comfortable while visiting over there..For more information adventures places in vietnam

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    1. Thanks ! Glad you like it ! I will update my travel post once i have time ^^

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  34. hi may i know how much is your total expenses (in rm) inc flight and accommodation? :D

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    1. Hi dear! my total expenses is around RM800++

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  35. Hi my bf and i will be heading to hcm next month.
    can u share with me what package did u book with THESINHTOURIST for your mui ne trip?

    xie xie

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    1. Hi Dear,

      The package i have booked was the seating bus at 7.00am. Actually i plan to book sleeping bus and it sold out very fast. i will recommend you to book online and choose sleeping bus. You will have a different experience which is same price with the seating bus.

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    2. thank u for ur reply

      i got 2 more questions, hope that u can help me

      1) Where did u book your Mui Ne tour package?

      2) Did you book your bus trip, resort and mui ne tour individually or it comes as a package from sinh tourist?

      zhen xi wang ni neng band de dao wo.
      xie xie (:

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    3. Hi Shu Hui,

      1) I didn't book package and we just rent the scooter near our resort as mentioned in my blog above. The scooter rental shop also provide jeep tour and you ask for a good price ..you may say i recommend you to go and get a discount price..haha XD If your bf know how to ride motorbike, it was great to use that way. More relax and cheaper.

      2)i only buy the bus ticket from the sinh tourist. Resort and mui ne tour i do it separately.. =)

      Hope this info could help you!

      Have a nice day =)

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    4. What's the Mui ne tour? Is it the scooter renting?

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    5. The Mui Ne tour is mainly about the explore of White Sand dunes, Red Sand dunes , Fairy Stream and the fishing village. There are 2 types of transport you can choose either by scooter or jeep. Scooter is by your ownself while the jeep is driven the tour agent.Renting a scooter is more cheaper than a jeep.

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  36. hi dear,
    can the vinasun taxi take from airport to hotel ? I am staying the in this hotel too.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Dear, of course can ..Just make sure you get a Vinasun Taxi instead of other metered taxi..

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  37. Do you prebook your hotel in mui ne ?
    What if not bus ticket to muI NE ? What time you take the bus to mui NE

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    1. Hi,

      1. Yes, i have prebooked the hotel before going there.
      2. There are 2 bus agency and they operate their bus everyday and i will advise you to prebook the bus ticket before you going to Ho Chi Minh City.
      3. My bus time to Mui Ne is around 7.30am if not mistaken ..but i'm sure is early in the morning.

      Hope the info above could help you =)

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  38. Hello, may I know the shuttle bus from the airport is it easy to look for?

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    1. Yes ! You will see the bright yellow bus right after you step out the entrance =)

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  39. Thank you very much for sharing information that will be much helpful for making coursework my effective.

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  40. Very informative. Just got back from a wonderful holiday in Vietnam. Lovely country and people.

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  41. hi. means you stay for one night then check out then head to mui ne and book 1 night again at there?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kathryn! You are right..we book separately. =)

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