BlogU Minh Thuong National Park – one of the world’s leading biosphere reserves is an ideal destination for those who love nature and are passionate about discovery. With a unique flooded forest ecosystem, this place offers visitors the opportunity to experience the wild beauty, understand more deeply about the vast and diverse natural environment. Coming to U Minh Thuong, you can not only admire the vast cajuput forests, rich flora and fauna, but also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the indigenous culture and learn about the historical values here.
General introduction to U Minh Thuong National Park
U Minh Thuong National Park from above
U Minh Thuong National Park is located in An Bien, An Minh, and Vinh Thuan districts of Kien Giang Province, about 60 km south of Rach Gia city centre. This is one of the important nature reserves of Vietnam, recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve in Kien Giang province. This national park is considered one of the last important wetlands remaining in the Mekong Delta.
U Minh Thuong National Park is famous for its wild natural beauty and fresh air, along with a diverse ecosystem. The park owns a total area of 21.10 hectares, according to Decision No. 11/2002/QD-TTg dated January 14, 2002 of the Prime Minister. Notably, in 2012, the park was recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park, becoming one of the national parks in Vietnam to be awarded this title.
The ecosystem in U Minh Thuong National Park includes many rare species of flora and fauna, which is an important place for research and conservation of biological gene sources. These species are valuable in maintaining biodiversity, contributing greatly to the ecosystem of the whole region. This is an ideal habitat for many species of birds, animals and aquatic organisms, many of which are listed in the Red Book and need to be protected. In addition, U Minh Thuong National Park is also an attractive destination for tourists who love nature and exploration. With a rich ecosystem, open space and sightseeing activities, the park attracts thousands of visitors each year to admire the beauty of nature, participate in outdoor activities and learn about the ecosystem of this special wetland.
Natural and ecological characteristics of U Minh Thuong garden
U Minh Thuong National Park stands out with its unique ecosystem of primary flooded Melaleuca forests, one of the few remaining primary Melaleuca forests in Vietnam. The Melaleuca forest ecosystem here is formed on typical peat soil, creating an ideal habitat for many rare species of animals and plants.
Natural and ecological characteristics of U Minh Thuong garden
U Minh Thuong Forest has a dense network of swamps and canals, covered with a rich vegetation, in which the dominant tree species is Melaleuca. In addition, grass, reeds, duckweed, and ferns also contribute to the diverse and vibrant landscape of this flooded forest. These flooded plants create a complex ecological environment, providing shelter and breeding grounds for many wild animals. The fauna of U Minh Thuong Park is very rich, including 32 species of mammals, 186 species of birds, 39 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 34 species of fish. In particular, many rare animals here such as long-nosed otters, fishing cats, grey-legged pelicans, and Javan grebes have been recorded in the Red Book of Vietnam as well as the world. This shows the important role of U Minh Thuong Park in conserving biodiversity and endangered species.
Entrance fee to U Minh Thuong National Park
U Minh Thuong National Park is one of the attractive eco-tourism destinations in Vietnam, attracting a large number of tourists because of its diverse ecosystem and majestic natural landscape. To visit and experience the activities here, visitors need to buy tickets with specific prices as follows:
Visit the national park
Admission fee
Tickets to visit U Minh Thuong National Park cost 10,000 VND/person. However, this price may change depending on the decision of the park management board and any adjustments will be officially announced for visitors to follow.
Fares for other services
Ngoài việc tham quan cảnh đẹp, du khách có thể tham gia nhiều hoạt động thú vị khác, với các dịch vụ như:
In addition to sightseeing, visitors can participate in many other interesting activities, with services such as:
- Rent a three-leaf boat: Price from 30,000 VND/trip. This is a small boat, suitable for exploring flooded forest areas, providing an experience close to nature.
- Rent a motorboat: Price from 20,000 VND/person/trip. Each motorboat can accommodate up to 4 people, and the boat will only depart when there are enough passengers.
- Fishing ticket: Price from 40,000 VND/trip. This is an activity loved by many tourists, especially those who want to enjoy the relaxing feeling of fishing in the rich natural environment of the national park.
When should you visit U Minh Thuong National Park?
Visit the national park during August to November
U Minh Thuong National Park has a typical equatorial climate, with two main seasons: the rainy season and the dry season, offering different experiences depending on the time. If you are planning to visit this famous nature reserve, the best time to visit is from August to November every year.
During this time, U Minh Thuong enters the flood season, creating favorable conditions for sightseeing and exploration activities by canoe or boat. This is also the time when the natural landscape of the flooded forest becomes most vibrant and charming, with a dense network of canals and a rich ecosystem. Visitors will have the opportunity to fully enjoy the natural beauty of the national park, when birds, fish and other flora and fauna thrive in flooded conditions.
In addition, traveling by boat during the flood season also becomes easier, helping visitors access areas deep in the forest that are normally difficult to reach. Boat tours on calm water amidst majestic natural scenery create an interesting experience for visitors.
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Directions to U Minh Thuong National Park (from Ho Chi Minh City)
To travel from Ho Chi Minh City to U Minh Thuong, visitors can choose from many different means of transport based on their individual needs and conditions.
Travel by bus
If you want to save money and enjoy a comfortable trip, traveling by bus is a reasonable choice. In Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can catch a bus at Ca Mau bus station. Choose the route to Rach Soi, this is one of the popular routes serving passengers from Ho Chi Minh City to the area near U Minh Thuong. After arriving, you can continue to use public transport or taxi to enter the national park.
Travel by motorbike
For those who love freedom and exploration, motorbikes are a flexible means of transportation. Ho Chi Minh City has many places to rent motorbikes at affordable prices, suitable for long trips. From Ho Chi Minh City, visitors just need to travel along Highway 36 – a spacious and easy-to-travel route, suitable for even those new to backpacking. To make it easier to find your way, you can use Google Maps to track the route.
Travel by Taxi
If you are traveling in a group or want to move quickly and conveniently, taxi is not a bad option. Although the cost is higher than that of a bus or motorbike, taxis are comfortable and save time, especially for groups of tourists or families with children and the elderly.
Note for international tourists: For international tourists coming to Vietnam for the first time, traveling can be complicated if they are not familiar with the local area. Therefore, choosing to travel with reputable travel agencies is the best way to ensure safety and convenience. Tourists can refer to tours of Sinhcafe, one of the famous travel agencies in Vietnam for comprehensive support from traveling to sightseeing.
Great experiences when visiting U Minh Thuong National Park
U Minh Thuong National Park offers visitors the following unique experiences:
Explore the flooded Melaleuca forest ecosystem
Flooded Melaleuca forest ecosystem
U Minh Thuong is famous for its unique flooded Melaleuca forest ecosystem. When visiting, visitors will be able to admire the lush green Melaleuca forests stretching along with the winding canals. The natural landscape here still retains its wild and majestic beauty, bringing a sense of peace to those who experience it.
Wildlife Observation
U Minh Thuong National Park is one of the ideal places to observe wild birds. Visitors can encounter many rare species of birds and learn about their natural life. Besides, the forest is also home to other animals such as monkeys, turtles, crocodiles, creating a diverse and rich ecosystem.
Visit historical sites
U Minh Thuong National Park is home to many historical values. The national park has up to 15 historical sites recognized as intangible cultural heritage. The most prominent are U Minh Thuong base and An ninh zone IX historical site, which are two national-level sites. Visiting these sites helps visitors gain a deeper insight into local history and culture.
Historical site of Security Zone IX
Experience the local culture
When coming to U Minh Thuong, visitors have the opportunity to interact with the local people and learn about their unique culture. The friendliness and hospitality of the Western people always bring a warm and close feeling to visitors. You will listen to folk stories, share about daily life and learn more about the customs and traditions of this land.
Enjoy famous dishes
Western cuisine is one of the attractions that cannot be missed when coming to U Minh Thuong. Visitors can enjoy rustic dishes, typical of the river region such as grilled snakehead fish, stir-fried water fern or snakehead fish sauce. These dishes have a strong Western flavor, sure to captivate anyone who enjoys them.
Participate in other fun activities
U Minh Thuong National Park also offers many interesting activities for visitors. You can try fishing, rowing boats through small canals,… These experiences will help you understand more about the life and nature of the West.
Participate in festivals and special events
If you come to U Minh Thuong during the festival, you will be able to participate in folk cultural activities and traditional festivals of the local people. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about the cultural values of this land and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of special events.
Take souvenir photos
With its stunning landscape of cajuput forests, rivers and diverse ecosystems, U Minh Thuong is an ideal place to take memorable photos. You can capture memorable moments, from images of pristine nature to unique animals, to preserve memories of this trip.
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Notes when visiting U Minh Thuong National Park
When visiting U Minh Thuong National Park, visitors should note the following:
Bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent
Because U Minh Thuong National Park is located in a flooded forest area with a humid environment, visitors need to carefully prepare personal items such as sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and insect repellent. You need to protect your skin from the sun and avoid being bitten by mosquitoes or insects during the tour.
Wear comfortable clothes
When visiting the national park, you will have to move around a lot, exploring different areas, from mangrove forests to crisscrossing canals. Therefore, choose comfortable, easy-to-move clothes such as loose-fitting clothes and sneakers to ensure you can move easily.
Environmental protection
One of the important rules when visiting U Minh Thuong is not to litter and not to do anything that harms the natural ecosystem. Visitors need to follow this rule to keep the environment clean and protect the biodiversity of the area. Littering or interfering with the life of animals and plants can harm the ecosystem.
Comply with management regulations
Each reserve has its own regulations to ensure the safety of visitors and protect the environment. When visiting a national park, visitors must strictly follow the regulations set forth by the management board.
Sinhcafe – The leading travel agency in Vietnam will take international tourists to journeys to explore the vast Vietnam. With many years of experience in the tourism industry, Sinhcafe is famous for its professional and diverse tours, especially the journey to explore the Mekong Delta. Tourists will experience the unique culture, majestic natural landscapes, and the simple life of the people in the Mekong Delta. One of the highlights of the tour is a visit to U Minh Thuong National Park, where visitors can explore the rich wetland ecosystem, admire the diverse flora and fauna, and immerse themselves in the wild beauty of nature.
