Can Gio Mangrove Forest

About this place

Can Gio is the great mangrove forest on Ho Chi Minh City's doorstep, spreading where the Saigon and Dong Nai rivers reach the sea southeast of the city, and UNESCO lists it as a biosphere reserve. The reserve covers about 75,740 hectares, most of its forest replanted after the war destroyed it, with more than 150 plant species and mudflats where migrating shorebirds stop. Visitors usually head for the Rung Sac tourist area in the middle of the forest: Monkey Island, where macaques roam free among the trees, small-boat trips along channels between the mangrove roots, a rebuilt camp that tells the story of the guerrilla war fought in this forest, and crocodile ponds. At the southern end, the seaside town of Can Gio has a market and seafood restaurants. The tourist area is about two hours by road from the centre, so it takes a full day, and most visitors go on an organised tour with transport and lunch. The monkeys are bold and snatch glasses, bags and food, so keep your things out of sight and do not feed them.