Can Gio: mangroves and monkeys at the river mouth

A green world of mangrove channels and mudflats at the edge of the city, where long-tailed macaques rule and the sea breeze smells of salt.

Area

Day trips

Start from

District 1

Distance

about 50–60 km south-east

Time needed

1 day

Best season

All year; dry season for easier roads and boats

Difficulty

Easy

Transport

Private car, motorbike or tour; includes a short ferry crossing

Tickets & rules

Entry fees for the eco-park areas and boats

Why go

Hard to believe, but Saigon has a wild coast. Can Gio, the district that reaches out to the sea south-east of the city, is mostly mangrove forest, crossed by tidal channels and mudflats. It is a world away from the traffic of District 1, though only a couple of hours’ drive.

The main attraction is the mangrove forest itself. At the eco-park areas you can take small boats through narrow channels lined with roots, see birds, crabs and mudskippers, and walk on boardwalks above the swamp. On Monkey Island, a large colony of long-tailed macaques lives among the trees and the visitors, with cheerful disregard for both.

The day ends by the sea, at a simple beach town with seafood restaurants and a long view over the mouth of the river.

The story

Can Gio’s mangroves were badly damaged during the war, when large areas were destroyed by defoliants. After 1978, local people and the city government began a long replanting effort, and today the forest has recovered to the point that in 2000 UNESCO designated it as a biosphere reserve, the first in Vietnam.

The mangroves act as the green lungs of the city and protect it from storms and floods. They are home to many bird species, monitor lizards, crocodiles in a breeding area and hundreds of plant species.

During the war, the forest of Rung Sac in Can Gio was the base of a special forces unit that harassed shipping on the river. A reconstructed base, deep in the forest, tells this story in a measured way.

Can Gio is changing fast. A new bridge is planned to replace the ferry, and large urban projects are underway on the coast. For now, though, it remains a place of mud, wind and water, and a breath of fresh air for city dwellers.

Getting there

From the centre, drive south through Nha Be to the Binh Khanh ferry, which crosses the river in a few minutes. From there a long, straight road runs through the mangroves to Can Gio town. The trip takes around one and a half to two hours each way. Tours, private cars and motorbike rentals are all options; check whether the new bridge has opened.

A suggested plan

1. 7:00Leave Saigon early to avoid traffic.
2. 9:00Arrive at the eco-park; take a boat into the mangrove channels.
3. 11:00Visit Monkey Island and the reconstructed forest base.
4. LunchSeafood in Can Gio town or at the beach.
5. AfternoonWalk on the beach or visit the local market before returning.

Where to stay

Can Gio is an easy day trip, but a few simple beach hotels exist for those who want to watch the sunrise over the sea.

Good to know

• Bring insect repellent, sun cream and a hat.
• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting muddy.
• The local market sells dried seafood, a popular souvenir.
• Check tide times; boats and mudflats depend on them.