Vietnam is home to a forest that has earned global recognition as a truly rare gem.

Discover U Minh Forest (U Minh Thượng & U Minh Hạ) – a truly unique and precious World Biosphere Reserve! Get our top tips for exploring by boat, trying your hand at fishing, and savoring the local specialty: cá lóc nướng trui (grilled snakehead fish)!
U Minh – Vietnam's vast and renowned forest, boasts a wild, majestic beauty and is globally recognized as a rare and precious ecosystem.
U Minh Forest is a vast and famous forest in Vietnam, located near the Gulf of Thailand, spanning both Kien Giang and Ca Mau provinces. The forest is divided into two main parts: U Minh Thuong National Park in the upper section and U Minh Ha National Park in the lower section. The Trem River and Cai Tau River separate these two areas.

U Minh Forest is a vast and famous forest in Vietnam.
Located approximately 65km southwest of Rach Gia City, U Minh Thuong National Park is one of three protected areas within the World Biosphere Reserve in Kien Giang province. It boasts a level of biodiversity and conservation that is virtually unmatched by any other wetland conservation area in Southeast Asia.
U Minh Forest is located about 65 km southwest of Rach Gia City. In Southeast Asia, no other wetland region can compare to U Minh Forest in terms of its ecological significance. This forest spans approximately 2,000 km2, serving as the 'green lung' of the Southern region and a vital biosphere reserve for Vietnam.
In 2009, U Minh Ha National Park was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve and a core zone of the Ca Mau Cape Biosphere Reserve.

U Minh Ha National Park was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve and a core zone of the Ca Mau Cape Biosphere Reserve.
U Minh Thuong National Park, on the other hand, features a pristine primary forest ecosystem, comprising mixed melaleuca forests and melaleuca forests on peatland, spanning nearly 3,000 hectares. Globally, U Minh Thuong is highly regarded for its extremely rare flooded tropical forest ecosystem.
The world highly values U Minh Forest, listing it as a distinctive, unique, and rare forest. Its landscape remains incredibly wild and majestic. Perhaps this is why filmmakers and tourists alike choose U Minh Forest as a destination for travel and exploration.
This area is home to 250 plant species, primarily melaleuca trees, 180 bird species, over 20 reptile species, 60 freshwater fish species, and countless other diverse flora and fauna such as wild boars, deer, monkeys, turtles, civets, and pythons. Furthermore, U Minh Forest is also home to many rare animals listed in Vietnam's 'Red Book'.
An Attractive Tourist Destination
In recent years, U Minh Thuong National Park has become known to visitors as an attractive eco-tourism destination in the Southwestern region, drawing an increasing number of tourists.
This is a land of unique ecological environments, rich in archaeological and historical sites. It has also been vividly depicted by renowned Southern writers like Son Nam and Doan Giay in their captivating, rustic works, making it a favored location for filmmakers as well.
The first destination visitors can explore is a lush, tree-covered mound where a colony of fruit bats hovers above the incredibly tall Cajuput trees. Among them are some large fruit bat species (Pteropus vampyrus Linnaeus) that are currently endangered.
Leaving the bat colony and venturing away from the canal, a vast expanse of water covered by soft water ferns appears before your eyes. This is a haven for numerous bird species, and visitors can easily observe or photograph them as they are quite accustomed to human presence.

Upon arrival, visitors have the opportunity to explore a rare example of a flooded tropical forest ecosystem and peat swamp, one of the few remaining in Vietnam and globally.
Alongside this is Hoa Mai Lake, a swamp shaped like a five-petaled flower, its surface beautifully carpeted with ferns. It also serves as the tourism hub of U Minh Thuong National Park.
Visitors can relax and enjoy themselves by pedaling swan boats on the lake, bringing a fishing rod to try their hand at fishing like a true local, or renting a boat to paddle along the lily-filled canals, searching for the perfect spot to cast a line.
Savoring the local specialties of U Minh Ca Mau right on the spot is an irresistible draw for visitors. You can follow local experts into the forest to harvest honey, or simply relax under the forest canopy, enjoying grilled snakehead fish, pickled 'bon bon' (a local vegetable), fried field mouse, and 'ruou trai giac' (a local fruit wine) – all incredibly delightful experiences.
When visiting Ca Mau, tourists can also explore many other famous attractions such as:
Ca Mau Cape
Ca Mau Cape National Park was established in 2003 when Dat Mui Nature Reserve was converted into a National Park within Vietnam's system of special-use forests. It is the largest pristine mangrove forest in Vietnam, bordering both the East Sea and the West Sea, thus influenced by two tidal regimes: the semi-diurnal tide of the East Sea and the diurnal tide of the West Sea. It serves as a spawning ground for many economically valuable aquatic species and a stopover for numerous migratory waterbirds during winter.See details

Bird Sanctuary
Ca Mau can be said to be the only province with a bird sanctuary located right in the heart of its city. This unique bird garden is situated within the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area in Ward 1, Ca Mau City, Ca Mau Province. With its spacious grounds, abundant green trees, and cool, refreshing atmosphere, the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area in Ca Mau is not only a place to commemorate Uncle Ho but also an attractive tourist destination for visitors from near and far.See details

Hon Khoai Island, Ca Mau
Hon Khoai is the name of an island cluster located southeast of Ca Mau Cape, belonging to Tan An Commune, Ngoc Hien District, Ca Mau Province. Hon Khoai is more than 6 nautical miles (14.6km) from the mainland and holds significant importance for national defense and security. It is likened to an outpost guarding the skies, seas, and southwestern strip of the homeland.See details

Khai Long Beach
Khai Long Beach, located in Dat Mui Hamlet, Dat Mui Commune, Ngoc Hien District, lies between the Nhung Mien and Khai Long canals. This golden sandy beach stretches from a few tens of meters to over 100 meters wide, extending for nearly 4km. The beach covers 230 hectares and continues to expand seaward each year. At low tide, the sandbar gradually widens, forming beautiful, long, undulating sand formations.See details

Nam Can Mangrove Forest
Ca Mau Mangrove Forest, also known as Nam Can Mangrove Forest, is a renowned mangrove forest in the Western region. This forest forms a robust protective barrier, preventing coastal erosion, helping to curb landslides, and maintaining ecological balance. Here, visitors to Ca Mau can not only explore but also participate in many other exciting outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and enjoying a close connection with nature.See details

Ca Mau 7170 view
Update day : 09/04/2024
Source : VTC News Affiliate links
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