Can Gio Mangrove Forest

Often called the 'green lungs of the city', Can Gio Mangrove Forest is a wetland biosphere about 40 kms from Ho Chi Minh City. The forest features more than 150 species of flora and fauna, and tourists can explore the swamps to catch a sight of the monkeys, crustaceans and fish there. There is also a restaurant and a swimming pool to refresh visitors.

Located in the coastal district of the southeastern part of Ho Chi Minh City, Can Gio Mangrove Forest is an initiative aimed at environmental conservation and preservation of natural habitats of various species of flora and fauna. With the meeting of Dong Nai and Saigon rivers, the swamp soil has given origin to mangrove forest that has the largest number of mangrove plants, mangrove-dwelling fishes and other creatures in the region. Can Gio is spread across an area of 75,740 hectares that houses more than 150 botanical species and over 200 animal species.

What to See at Can Gio Mangrove Forest

A day trip to Can Gio Mangrove Forest is the right deal where some the flora species that you can spot are Thespesia populnea, Rhizophora apiculate, and Acanthus ebracteatus whereas the faunal species of interest are the saltwater crocodile, spot-billed pelican, king cobra, fishing cat. Must-visit attractions here are the former military base from the times of Vietnam war, Rung Sac, and Sat Salt-Marsh Forest Ecological Tourist Center and enjoying a sumptuous Vietnamese meal at the Phuong Nam restaurant.

The highlight of the Can Gio tour are a visit to the Monkey Island that has a large population of macaques, cruise to the mangrove forest, a visit to the crocodile farm. On some tours, you might also stop by for bird spotting while a few others make a pit stop at a market by the river or a short trip to the Can Gio Museum.

How to Reach Can Gio Mangrove Forest

Fun-packed scooter trip in the serene surroundings of Can Gio, you must take the road to the Can Gio Mangrove Forest where there is no traffic to stall you every few seconds. While driving in Vietnam, make sure that you have all the necessary documents such as insurance, licenses, and of course, some driving experience. For those tourists who want to travel easy, they can simply hop on a fast ferry which traverses between the Reserve and central part of Saigon. If you want to take the adventure level up by a notch, go on a speedboat tour, starting from Saigon or ride in a minibus headed to the island and from thereon, take a boat from there.

For nature-lovers, a visit to the Can Gio Mangrove Forest is the ideal destination. However, when you are going on a tour, make sure that you pick the ones that lay their focus on the flora on the diverse habitats. You can plan your trip at any time of the year, just make sure, if you are a bird watcher, then the perfect time to spot and capture them in your lens is their breeding season in the months starting from November till May. Don't forget to pack your binoculars and camera to observe the most fascinating sights of the agricultural life of the Mekong Delta.