Certainly, you must have heard the familiar opening lyrics of the song 'New Shirt from Cà Mau.' The roads may be long and winding, but once you travel, you'll discover that the people of Cà Mau are incredibly charming.
The Journey to Cà Mau Cape
If handed a map and asked about the location of Cà Mau, most people could point out where it lies. It marks the final dot on the 3260km-long S-shaped coastline of our country. To reach the city of Cà Mau, one must travel over 300km from Ho Chi Minh City. From the city to Đất Mũi, travelers have to cover an additional 100km on the last stretch of National Highway 1A and Ho Chi Minh Road. A tip for those planning to drive here is to fill up the gas tank at the end point of National Highway 1A in Năm Căn town. From here to Đất Mũi is over 50km more, with both sides of the road covered in mangrove forests. Due to sparse population and weak geology, no gas station has been opened in this area yet.
To reach Đất Mũi, one has to cross numerous canals and various bridges. The common feature of these bridges is their short span, with no supports underneath but still built high enough for boats to pass underneath. Therefore, when crossing these bridge decks, even though the road is smooth, drivers should gently accelerate to protect the suspension system for cars and to avoid being thrown off motorcycles.
After over 50km braving the sun and wind, the Mũi Cà Mau tourist area comes into view. The entrance fee is quite affordable, only 30k for adults and 15k for children. The ticket includes an electric vehicle for an additional 2km journey to the first attraction: the last milestone of Ho Chi Minh Road.
Cà Mau Cape, the utmost point of Vietnam's territory
As someone who has set foot at Kilometer Zero in Pắc Bó (Cao Bằng), these landmarks hold a certain familiarity. Both milestones share a design, towering over 10m with intricate patterns depicting the essence of Vietnamese culture. Travelling from north to south, navigating diverse terrains and encountering various people, one truly realizes the richness and beauty of our country.
Đất Mũi Commune, the farthest point of the country
The endpoint of the historical Ho Chi Minh Trail
Adjacent to Kilometer Zero milestone, another equally sacred marker is the GPS Coordinate 0001 milestone. Alongside other coordinates at Lũng Cú Flagpole (Hà Giang), A Pa Chải Border Junction (Điện Biên), Mũi Đôi (Khánh Hòa), they signify the 4 extreme points of Vietnam's territory.
GPS Coordinate 0001, one of our country's four extreme points
Another iconic image is the stone boat named Cà Mau Cape. The panoramic scene was erected in 2003, inspired by the verses poet Xuân Diệu penned during his visit here:
Boat Bow – Cà Mau Cape
Cà Mau Cape's boat bow symbolizes the Vietnamese people's aspiration to reach far. While mainland Vietnam may stop at Cà Mau Cape, the people of Vietnam, with their strength and intelligence, can venture into the vast sea, standing shoulder to shoulder with friends from all continents. Yet, 'no matter how far you travel, your heart always yearns for Hanoi.' In 2019, a replica of the Hanoi Flagpole was erected at Cà Mau Cape, almost 1:1 in scale. This site is not only a nationally significant structure but also a miniature museum showcasing Vietnam's history. Climbing about 15 floors of stairs, visitors have the opportunity to witness Cà Mau Cape from a height of 44m, surrounded by the mangrove forests of the East Sea and the sandbars of the West Sea. In the distance, one can see Khoai Island about 15 nautical miles away, where Phan Ngọc Hiển led an uprising against French colonial rule. The district of Ngọc Hiển is also named in honor of this national hero.
Hanoi Flagpole in the heart of Cà Mau
Cà Mau Cape viewed from the top of the Hanoi Flagpole
Far in the distance lies Khoai Island
Typically, people visit Cà Mau Cape to check-in at geographical landmarks, forgetting that right next door, there is an incredibly unique ecosystem. Walking under the mangrove canopies, tourists can breathe in the fresh air and listen to the calls of seabirds hunting for prey.
The sun rises through the rows of trees
For a more immersive experience in this forested area, you can walk a few hundred meters to purchase tickets for a boat tour at the Mũi Cà Mau National Park. The ticket price here is 100k per person for a tour lasting about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Waterway Life in Đất Mũi
As the boat gracefully navigates through the crisscrossing channels, tourists can marvel at the diverse aquatic flora and fauna. Most notable are 27 out of 32 species of mangrove trees discovered in Vietnam. The mangrove rows on both shores are hailed as the 'coastal guardians,' with roots growing deep into the muddy layer, blending with the saline water. Beneath the dense, muddy water characteristic of the coastal area, small-sized fish and shrimp form colonies, creating a food chain for the natural life here, and sustaining the livelihoods of the local residents.
Swaying through the mangrove rows
Cutting through the dense forests, hidden within the thick clusters of mangroves, are the humble homes of the local people. Rarely facing storms in this area, the residents seldom construct sturdy houses. The only means of connecting with the outside world is through waterways, hence 40% of the houses along the canal lack doors, allowing convenient boat access. In areas with small water bodies, makeshift monkey bridges are erected, precariously linking the canal banks. Visitors can experience the thrill of walking on these bridges, a risky yet exciting endeavor.
Waterway Life in Đất Mũi
Experience Walking on a Monkey Bridge
At the tour's culmination, the boatman will guide tourists to the sandbars of the West Sea. Each year, this sandbar advances about 80-100m. It's also the habitat of crustaceans and a major seafood source for the residents of Đất Mũi village. If interested, visitors can pre-order to savor Cà Mau crab in a space surrounded by water, accompanied by the resonant tunes of traditional musical performances. Despite the geographical distance, the close-knit community of the local residents always makes visitors feel welcome, as if they are at home.
The Simple Shade for Fishermen during their Fishing Ventures
Ending the journey, the 50km stretch of mangrove trees on both sides of the road seems to stand in line, waving goodbye to the travelers. Farewell to the southernmost region of the Fatherland, see you again someday!
Mytour Golocal is a blog program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, part of the Mytour Go & Share initiative. This is an excellent opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualifying article, you will receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a Mytour Contributor. For detailed information about the program, visit: https://trv.lk/golocal