Unforgettable Moments in U Minh: A Must-Experience List

Aside from setting shrimp and fish nets, venturing into the forest for honey, a journey to U Minh in Cà Mau also allows visitors to indulge in authentic countryside delicacies.

Must-Not-Miss Experiences in U Minh

While U Minh forest may seem remote, with the right exploration, this place will leave you with many exciting experiences.

Follow the path of beekeepers into the forest for honey

Cà Mau Travel: When visiting U Minh, you can follow the path of beekeepers into the forest for honey. The beekeeping season occurs for a few months, from November to the end of May. Towards the end of the dry season, more bees return, and the honey is at its peak deliciousness.

Typically, honey-hunting expeditions start early in the morning and last until around noon. The tools for honey collection are simple, just a large bucket to hold the honey, a few bundles of smoke-producing twigs, a mesh face and head protector.

According to the beekeepers sitting in the boat navigating deep into the mangrove forest, you'll spot beehives hidden amidst layers of straw and dense clusters of reeds, resembling a giant cake. After using the smoking twigs, the swarm of bees is immediately smothered by the smoke, revealing honeycombs brimming with golden nectar. The beekeeper swiftly cuts away the honey-laden comb, collects it in a container, and then makes a quick retreat to avoid the bees' retaliation.

Venturing to the edge of the forest, you can savor a piece of young white honeycomb dipped in fresh, gleaming golden honey, akin to orange marmalade. The sweet and rich taste that tantalizes your taste buds will be a delightful experience.

Setting the Fishing Net

In U Minh, you'll delight in the thrill of setting fishing nets. Paddle your boat through the intricate channels, traverse the dense mangrove forests, follow the locals in netting, setting traps, and catching eels. The waters of U Minh Ha are teeming with a variety of fish, from snakehead fish to catfish, perch, and carp, visible beneath the surface of the channels.

In just one morning, including the time spent exploring the floating fields to gather wild vegetables, shoots of water lilies, wild ferns, bitter herbs, or crab claws, you'll have enough ingredients for a rustic feast with dishes that exude the timeless charm of the countryside.

Indulging in delectable dishes such as grilled snakehead fish, young bee salad, braised wild catfish, garden-raised chicken delicately sliced, and a bubbling pot that encompasses fish, shrimp, and various forest greens, while listening to the traditional tunes of the U Minh's tài tử music, will undoubtedly leave an unforgettable impression on travelers.

Leaving the sweet U Minh Ha forest land behind, visitors can immediately immerse themselves in the salt-marsh forests of Ca Mau. Cruising on boats through the coastal areas of Ngoc Hien district, passing through the lush mangrove forests filled with the sounds of birds, witnessing the tidal retreat, and the water sparkling in the sunset, travelers can wade through mud capturing mudskippers. These peculiar fish with legs enjoy leaping and darting across the water's surface, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

Night Paddling to Explore the Three-Knobbed Crab

Evenings bring an exciting adventure of paddling through the waters to explore the three-knobbed crab. The night forest is eerily silent, with the distinct sounds of paddles stirring the water, the occasional splash as a fish catches the moonlight, and the sporadic cheers from the group when they successfully capture a three-knobbed crab emerging from its hideout.

It's advisable not to be too greedy in catching too many; a simple basket carried along is sufficient for a group of nearly ten people. The late-night porridge by the flickering fire in a leafy shelter, a charcoal-burning stove glowing with a variety of three-knobbed crabs, fish, shrimp, clams... all types of fresh seafood always available. Afterwards, share stories over a triangle-shaped cup of Cà Mau's specialty liquor, gazing at the twinkling stars, providing a truly enjoyable experience for travelers.

Savoring Cà Mau's Culinary Delights

When it comes to traveling to Ca Mau, don't miss the opportunity to savor the local cuisine, including grilled snails dipped in spicy salt and pepper, firm and sweet crab, snakehead fish simmered in porridge, catfish cooked with a hint of bitterness, and fresh oysters. Farewell to Ca Mau, make sure to bring back a few crates of brick crabs, various delicious seafood, or many renowned dried varieties such as dried shrimp, dried snakehead fish, dried tilapia, dried catfish, and tiny dried shrimp. Among them, raw honey from U Minh forest is considered one of the cherished natural specialties loved by many.

According to Vnexpress

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour