The first bus trip....but surely not the last

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September 18th 2011

Published: September 27th 2011

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Genelle in HCMC

Night Market

Downtown Saigon, before Mui Ne

During the Vietnam National Holiday on September 2nd, I travelled to Mui Ne by bus with some friends from school. On the way up I took a 12 person bus that was rented out for the weekend, for approximately $25/person return. The way up took about 6/12 hours due to larger amounts of traffic leaving HCMC. I hear that leaving the city is usually bad on a Friday at 5pm, but since it was a holiday weekend it was even worse bumper to bumper traffic.
We arrived around 12am and checked into the Bao Quyen Bungalows. I couldn't really see where we were staying until the morning. It was very nice place to stay and I would recommend it if you are planning on travelling to Mui Ne. Of course you can stay cheaper, but breakfast was included and they have a great pool. The beach is directly behind the resort and next door is the Sailing Club (which is beautiful but outside of my price range).
Although, we did decide to splurge on a buffet with free flow South African wine for $24 US/person. There was a nice selection including steak, seafood, salads and dessert.

My second and third

Night Market

Downtown Saigon, before Mui Ne

nights in Mui Ne I stayed with some different friends in a slightly cheaper place down the strip called the Hoang KIm Golden. Again, it was nice place to stay, and is a little cheaper. We stayed in a bungalow, and at night I could hear the tide coming in because it was literally right beside the bungalow.

I went on a day trip to see the Red and White Sand Dunes, which were pretty unbelievable. It was truly a moment of "where am I right now?". It was confusing because if you looked one way you could see the ocean, and the other looked like the desert.
I personally enjoyed the white dunes a little more since it was less touristy. We were there for the sunset, which made it even more beautiful. If you like, you can rent a 4 wheeler to drive on the dunes...most of the people who went rented one. After taking a ride on the back of one with Greg I was good! I'm pretty sure he has no fear because he drove to the top of the peak and straight down the other side. It was worse than a roller coaster! The

Night Market

Buying a bracelet

best part is at the bottom we got stuck. I was just happy we made it to the bottom in one piece.

There were a couple other ay trips that people went on including the laying down Buddha and the Ferry Springs. Both seemed to impress everyone.

It was interesting to see a beach town combined with a fishing village. The boats they use look like a big bowl floating in the water. I'm still not sure how they direct it out in the waves.

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