On the way to Ca Mau, the southern tip of the country with more than 300-kilometers of coastline, tourists may catch sight of the harmonious picture of forest and sea. Located about 350 kilometers from HCMC, the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau is famous for verdant mangrove forests and bird sanctuaries. The provinces most popular tourism attractions are in the western districts of U Minh and Tran Van Thoi in Ca Mau Province.
The largest mangrove swamp in the country, which is found in U Minh Forest, is habitat to hundreds of precious fauna and flora species. It has 31 kilometers of coastline with two large river entrances, namely Khanh Hoi and Huong Mai.
U Minh is also famous for the 43-kilometer Cai Tau River, contiguous to Trem River. Cai Tau River was the site of well-known naval combats in war time. Today it is also renowned for an immense mulberry garden and two traditional crafts of knitting and mat weaving.
In 2006 Vo Doi,a forest of specific purpose, one of the sections of lower U Minh was turned into U Minh Ha National Park. Covering an area of about 8,268 hectares, U Minh Ha is home of 78 fauna species, 23 mammals, 91 birds, 36 reptiles and 11 amphibians, some of which are on the Red List (endangered) including pangolin, hairy-nosed otter and king cobra.
Currently, U Minh Ha National Park is an ideal eco-tourist destination, attracting 200 visitors a month in the rainy season. Tickets are priced at VND 8,000. In dry season, the park is closed due to danger of fire.
About 2.5 kilometers from the main road tourists can climb up to a 25-meter tower to enjoy a panoramic view of the immense cajuput forest stretching into the horizon, with channels knitting together like a chessboard.
A fishing tour, priced at VND100,000 per seven people, is recommended for fishing pleasure as well as an opportunity to experience the traditional cuisine of the southern tip region with outstanding fish dishes.
Not to be missed is the Hon Da Bac Island (the silver stone), nestled in Tran Van Thoi District, where the endless white sky blends with the reed flowers and the red color of channels.
In the past travelers had to take a boat at a price of VND10,000 per person to the island from the mainland, but nowadays there is a bridge built by Minh Nhat Company linking the mainland and the island. Visitors can stay in the Hon Da Bac Hotel for VND150,000 to VND200,000.
Hon Da Bac covers an area of 6 hectares, including a cluster of islands, namely Hon Ong Ngo, Hon Troi and Hon Da Bac. Hon Ong Ngo and Hon Da Bac are blanketed in tree shadows, mostly bodhi trees.
Hon Da Bac is a primeval flora floor. The island is formed from shiny granite rock of 180 million years old which make the shore sparkle in the sunlight. Some of them have weird shapes that people have named, San Tien (fairy yard), Gieng Tien (fairy well), Ban Chan Tien (fairy foot) and Ban Tay Da (stone hand).
The highest rock on Hon Da Bac is 50 meters. At the peak tourists can visit a temple having a 13-meter-giant whale skeleton placed on the altar for worship.
Every year the Fish Worship Festival takes over the island on the 23rd of the fifth lunar month. Strolling on Hon Da Bac, tourists can watch farmers find oysters or enjoy a view of the sunset on the sea, to get a lost to nature and discover its mysteries.
The largest mangrove swamp in the country, which is found in U Minh Forest, is habitat to hundreds of precious fauna and flora species. It has 31 kilometers of coastline with two large river entrances, namely Khanh Hoi and Huong Mai.
U Minh is also famous for the 43-kilometer Cai Tau River, contiguous to Trem River. Cai Tau River was the site of well-known naval combats in war time. Today it is also renowned for an immense mulberry garden and two traditional crafts of knitting and mat weaving.
In 2006 Vo Doi,a forest of specific purpose, one of the sections of lower U Minh was turned into U Minh Ha National Park. Covering an area of about 8,268 hectares, U Minh Ha is home of 78 fauna species, 23 mammals, 91 birds, 36 reptiles and 11 amphibians, some of which are on the Red List (endangered) including pangolin, hairy-nosed otter and king cobra.
Currently, U Minh Ha National Park is an ideal eco-tourist destination, attracting 200 visitors a month in the rainy season. Tickets are priced at VND 8,000. In dry season, the park is closed due to danger of fire.
About 2.5 kilometers from the main road tourists can climb up to a 25-meter tower to enjoy a panoramic view of the immense cajuput forest stretching into the horizon, with channels knitting together like a chessboard.
A fishing tour, priced at VND100,000 per seven people, is recommended for fishing pleasure as well as an opportunity to experience the traditional cuisine of the southern tip region with outstanding fish dishes.
Not to be missed is the Hon Da Bac Island (the silver stone), nestled in Tran Van Thoi District, where the endless white sky blends with the reed flowers and the red color of channels.
In the past travelers had to take a boat at a price of VND10,000 per person to the island from the mainland, but nowadays there is a bridge built by Minh Nhat Company linking the mainland and the island. Visitors can stay in the Hon Da Bac Hotel for VND150,000 to VND200,000.
Hon Da Bac covers an area of 6 hectares, including a cluster of islands, namely Hon Ong Ngo, Hon Troi and Hon Da Bac. Hon Ong Ngo and Hon Da Bac are blanketed in tree shadows, mostly bodhi trees.
Hon Da Bac is a primeval flora floor. The island is formed from shiny granite rock of 180 million years old which make the shore sparkle in the sunlight. Some of them have weird shapes that people have named, San Tien (fairy yard), Gieng Tien (fairy well), Ban Chan Tien (fairy foot) and Ban Tay Da (stone hand).
The highest rock on Hon Da Bac is 50 meters. At the peak tourists can visit a temple having a 13-meter-giant whale skeleton placed on the altar for worship.
Every year the Fish Worship Festival takes over the island on the 23rd of the fifth lunar month. Strolling on Hon Da Bac, tourists can watch farmers find oysters or enjoy a view of the sunset on the sea, to get a lost to nature and discover its mysteries.
By Cuc Tan/ The Saigon Times
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