After being disappointed by the lack of a good beach walk in Mui Ne, I opted to do a river walk the next day. Resting at the bottom of the Red Canyon is the Fairy Stream. Famous for its red sand and barefoot river walk, it is often referred to as Vietnam’s Grand Canyon in miniature.
Arrival
I found the entrance to the Fairy Stream to the north of the main road leading into Mui Ne. Passing through a car park filled with colourful land rovers, I knew I was heading in the right direction. These vehicles act as taxis/tour guides for people who visit the area, but you’ll need to haggle if you want a good price.
When I reached the entrance I saw there was a small restaurant where you could enjoy Vietnamese coffee and local food while watching the river below. You could already here the trickle of the stream below the restaurant. I wasn’t thirsty, so I paid the 5,000 dong entrance fee, and a woman offered to take my shoes for me. I was confused by this offer, so I politely declined.
When I reached the bottom of the stairs leading to the river, I realised why they wanted to take my shoes. Sandbags were laid on either side of the stream to keep the water in place, and you had to walk down the stream to get to the waterfall at the end.
The River Walk
I opted to keep my shoes on, as I was wearing waterproof walking boots. Unfortunately nature won this battle, as the stream would get deep enough in parts to get into my boots. I took them off so I could go the rest of the way barefoot as I had seen others doing.
As soon as my feet hit the soft clay I knew I should have done this sooner. It felt like soft warm sand, a blanket around my feet. One of the main attractions to this place is being able to walk down it barefoot, and I had been ignoring it. I tied the laces together and flung the boots over my shoulders before continuing onward.
Trees, grass and other plant life lined the stream, glowing a bright green under the sun and contrasting orange-red river. There were a few places to take a rest, or for photo opportunities, including a swing beneath the canyon’s walls.
Limestone Cliffs
The plant life eventually gave way to impressive limestone formations embedded in the red clay cliffs. These were impressive to see up close and above ground. There was a large cluster of stalagmites that looked like small statues that had been weathered over the years.
After going past the limestone formations, the flora returned, lining the canyon with leaves. A small restaurant was set up here, but it was closed and empty on this day. Despite the cliffs being left behind, there were still signs of limestone, with small formations dotted around. One that stood out had a strange colour and looked more like a termite’s nest.
Waterfall
A sign indicated I was only 100 meters away from the waterfall at the end of the stream. I followed the sound of rushing water and got to the end of the canyon, where a small waterfall filling the pool below. This was the source of the Fairy Stream.
I wanted to get closer, but I was warned by a local that I would get swept under if I did. So, after a short rest I made my way back down the river.
Goat Encounter
On my way I came across a goat that had climbed into the canyon to graze on the leaves. It ignored me as I walked past, entirely focused on the delicious leaves that lay before it.
I walked past the entrance I had come in by, and found that there was another way into the stream. On the other side of the road was an entrance inside a restaurant, with people patiently waiting to collect the entrance fee.
I dried off my feet as well as I could, and went back to my hotel to clean my shoes. Next time I should remember to bring a towel.
Fairy Stream
| Location | At the bottom of the Red Canyon, north of the road leading into Mui Ne, Bình Thuận, Vietnam |
| Entrance Fee | 5,000 VND (2024) |
| Trail Length | ~1.3 km (0.8 miles) each way |
| Tips | – Bring sandals and go barefoot in the stream – Don’t wear expensive clothes – Bring a towel to dry off – Expect shallow water but occasional deeper sections |
| Best Time to Visit | – Early morning or late afternoon (avoid mid-day heat) – Avoid weekends as they get busy |
| Safety | Don’t go close to the waterfall due to heavy currents |
