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Located 40km from Ca Mau City, U Minh Ha National Forest is one of the three core zones of the Mui Ca Mau Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. This area boasts a unique ecosystem of flooded land on peat. The most characteristic vegetation here is mangroves and various types of vines. The wildlife is relatively diverse with species like freshwater fish, pythons, snakes, monkeys, deer, otters, wild pigs... promising to be an ideal destination for adventure enthusiasts and nature explorers.
Best Time to Trek U Minh Ha National Forest
Cà Mau experiences two main seasons: the rainy season (from November to April) and the dry season (from May to October). During the rainy season, the water level rises, making it easy to navigate by boat around the mangrove forest. However, trekking during the dry season would be more convenient for moving around as the weather is sunny and dry.
Transportation
There are two ways to travel from Saigon to U Minh Ha forest: by motorbike or by bus.
- Motorbike: Follow QL1A - cross Cà Mau bridge - Ngô Quyền - Võ Văn Kiệt – follow signs to U Minh Ha forest (if unsure, ask locals for directions).
- Bus: From HCMC to Cà Mau, there are bus services like Liên Hưng, Mai Linh, Giáp Diệp, Phương Trang, Ngọc Hà departing from Miền Đông, Miền Tây, or An Sương bus stations. Bus fares to Cà Mau range from 180k – 200k per person. After arriving at Cà Mau bus station, take a taxi or motorbike taxi to U Minh Ha National Forest. If taking a bus from Cà Mau bus station to U Minh town, you'll need to take a motorbike taxi for an additional 20km to reach U Minh Ha forest.
- Directions to U Minh Ha forest
Activities at U Minh Ha Forest
1. Observation Tower
From the forest entrance (Ap Vo Doi, Tran Hoi commune, Tran Van Thoi district), a smooth asphalt road leads visitors gracefully to a 24-meter-high observation tower. Climbing to the top, one can cast their gaze upon a vast expanse of sky, abundant rivers, and lush landscapes stretching to the horizon.
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2. Boat Excursion through Mangrove Forest
Boat tour services in the national park offer visitors an authentic experience of exploring the mangrove forest. However, this service is seasonal, and if it coincides with high water or excessively dry weather, it may not operate. To be sure, travelers should contact the management office before going. Drifting on the waters of Ca Mau, you'll admire the incredibly diverse and abundant vegetation, some of which are endangered species, and immerse yourself in the legends from the time of the Southern Land's ancestors told by the locals.
3. Honey Fishing in the Forest
You can rent a boat to venture deep into the forest for fishing. During the summer and on weekends, many visitors from Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces come to enjoy the exotic forest cuisine and relax with fishing. Each ticket costs 150,000 VND, and lucky visitors may catch many fish, such as snakehead or gourami, weighing up to a kilogram or even two or three kilograms, which is not uncommon. In U Minh Ha, there are still plenty of natural fish due to strict forest conservation. Depending on the season, you can join locals in setting traps for eels, setting fishing nets, harvesting water caltrops, lotus stems, water lilies, or frogbit.
Under the forest canopy, diligent bees collect nectar from the flowers of mangroves to bring back to their hive, producing a large yield annually. During the bee season from December to June, visiting U Minh Ha forest, you will have the opportunity to follow the beekeepers into the forest to harvest honey. It's not only an exciting experience but also a chance to enjoy fresh honey directly from the comb, dipped in golden, sticky, and sweet nectar, a treat that tantalizes the taste buds.
The forest of U Minh is home to many other creatures:
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What specialties does U Minh Ha have?
After returning from the journey through U Minh Ha forest, sitting on the raised wooden platform under the cool shade of the trees, enjoying grilled snakehead fish or salted gun snake with spicy green chili pepper, along with many specialties of the mangrove forest such as braised freshwater fish in fermented fish sauce, eel cooked with nhau leaves, tiger snake stewed with green bean porridge, lemongrass stew or grilled everything, fried field mice, savoring the rich flavor of triangle fruit wine - known as the “jungle wine” of U Minh Ha - will allow travelers to fully experience the untouched and simple flavors of a riverside countryside.
Important Note
- If you visit during the rainy season, remember to wear long clothing or bring insect repellent as there are many insects here, especially mosquitoes.
- Bring a hat, cap, or umbrella for sun and rain protection.
- It's advisable to call ahead if you want to experience the sensation of exploring the forest by boat.
- Regarding overnight stays in U Minh Ha forest, there are no camping grounds or guesthouse services here, so after your visit, return to U Minh town or Ca Mau city for accommodation.
Information about U Minh Ha National Forest
– Address: Ap Vo Doi, Tran Hoi commune, Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province
– Website: vuonqgumh.camau.gov.vn
– Phone: 07803.910.070 or 0780 3 910 020
– Service Fees: Entrance fee is 10k per person, boat rental for tourism is 150k per person per hour.
Wishing you a delightful journey!
