From HCM: Can Gio Biosphere Reserve & Local Fishing Temple
Can Gio, Vietnam
Cruise mangrove canals, spot fruit bats and wild monkeys, try crocodile fishing, climb a 26m canopy tower, visit a local Ong Thuy Tuong tomb in the fishing village, and trek a WWII jungle war zone.
Highlights
- Glide through mangrove canals in Can Gio, a UNESCO biosphere reserve
- Drift by sampan into Bat Swamp to see fruit bats in the canopy
- Climb the 26m Tang Bong tower and spot wild monkeys in Vam Sat
- Visit a local shrimp farm and the Tomb of Ong Thuy Tuong whale temple
- Walk the mangroves to Sac Forest War Zone and meet Monkey Island macaques
Description
Trade the noise of Ho Chi Minh City for a slower rhythm, one set by tides, mangrove roots and birdsong. This full-day journey takes you into Can Gio Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-recognized wetland and one of Vietnam's most biodiverse ecosystems, where nature and local life unfold side by side.
At Dan Xay Bridge, you board a traditional boat and wind through narrow mangrove canals. When the channels tighten, you switch to a small rowing sampan and drift into Bat Swamp (Dam Doi), where fruit bats hang in the canopy and the only sounds are paddles and wings.
At Vam Sat Eco Park, step deeper into the forest. Cross a suspension bridge through the treetops and climb the 26-metre Tang Bong watchtower for a wide view over the mangroves, watching for wild monkeys in the branches below. For a lighter moment, try crocodile fishing from a floating cage above a real crocodile pond.
At the Tomb of Ong Thuy Tuong, one of southern Vietnam's largest whale-worshipping temples, stand beside a 12-metre whale skeleton honored as the guardian spirit of fishermen. Carvings, fishing tools and seafaring customs offer a quiet window into a community that lives by the sea.
In the afternoon, cross to Monkey Island to watch its troop of long-tailed macaques (keep your belongings close). Then walk a 2 km trail through dense mangrove forest to the Sac Forest War Zone, a preserved wartime base once used by Viet Cong guerrillas, where the forest holds a quieter, more sobering history. Return by canoe along the waterways, tasting sweet nipa palm fruit as the day winds down, before the journey back to the city.
Includes
AC modern car/van
English-speaking guide
All entrance fees
One-way speedboat in Monkey Island
Round-trip transport to the crocodile camp
Tickets for conquering Tang Bong Tower
Vietnamese lunch
Mineral water
Excludes
Personal expense
Important Information
- Moderate fitness is required because the activity includes walking and a 2km trek through mangrove forest Bring insect repellent; the reserve has abundant wildlife, including insects
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
