Tra Su Cajuput Forest: Get Lost in the Green Wonderland
Sparkling sunlight, endless green, pleasant birdsongs – There is nothing like the feeling of having the whole natural world to yourself… Let’s get lost in the green wonderland of Tra Su Cajuput Forest!
The forest, as you see in many photos, is seemingly quiet but the lively world is further inside. The deeper you go into the forest, the more you will be enchanted by the beauty of flora and fauna here. A trip to Tra Su Cajuput Forest is always a good bet for any Mekong Delta tour you may want to make!
An Overview of Tra Su Cajuput Forest
The 800-hectare Tra Su Cajuput Forest is located in Tinh Bien, An Giang, one of several provinces in the Mekong Delta. This place has become a popular tourist spot in the South of Vietnam recently. Tra Su is definitely perfect for any traveler’s soul that is in search of freshness and peacefulness.
While the city vibes seem to please your day with busy streets, energetic markets and crowded attractions, you will find the pure beauty of the cajuput forest. No more car honks and no traffic noise to hear, there are merely nature’s sounds. Just close your eyes and listen to the wildlife and the splash of the boat as you cruise along this beautiful stretch of the forest.
Tra Su Cajuput Forest is home to more than 140 types of plants, of which cajuput overwhelms. In the Mekong Delta, cajuput trees, with pointed leaves and white, red or green flowers, blossom all year round. It is not unusual to see locals harvest bee honey from the beehives on cajuput trees. Not to forget that ferns exist in symbiosis with the cajuput trees, so it is not unlikely that you won’t see this ecotourism site turn green by the water ferns during the rainy season.
The best time to visit this fantastic green wonderland is between June and September (the lotus season) and between October and November (the flooding season).
Best Things To Do at Tra Su Cajuput Forest
Slip away from the city on an adventure in a traditional sampan. There’s more to Tra Su than the scene of cajuput trees. Don’t skip any of these things if you don’t want to waste your trip.
Stroll along the bamboo bridge
Visitors can get the rare chance to step on Vietnam’s longest bamboo bridge in the forest. Swap the city life for some footsteps and you will know how wonderful nature is. Seen from above, the bridge looks just like a mystical bamboo dragon with its length boasting up to 10,000 meters.
There’s no need to hurry! Enjoy every step on the bridge and capture every striking scene you see! You won’t want to miss a real treasure trove of photographic opportunities Tra Su Cajuput Forest has to offer.
Take a sampan ride
A visit to Tra Su Cajuput Forest isn’t complete without a ride on a sampan. One who loves forests would also be treated with a wide range of rare birds in addition to bats, fish, reptiles, and many endangered species to adore. Once you begin your journey, you will get on a sampan and then transferred to a paddle boat when you reach further parts of the forest.
Enjoy the panoramic view from the watchtower
To fully get the best bird-watching experience, you should get to the watchtower in the middle of Tra Su cajuput forest. From here you can admire a breathtaking view of the surrounding area and fill your eyes with miracles. That is the magical green stretching to the horizon, dotted with the white of storks flying in the sky. Beyond that, some Khmer villages come in, just like a finishing touch to complete this nature’s masterpiece.
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Other attractions in An Giang
Most tourists may think Tra Su Cajuput Forest is the most outstanding spot in An Giang Province. But An Giang Province, as the rising star in Vietnam itinerary, has some more fantastic spots to leave you in awe. Nature’s magnificence and the unique locals’ way of life will leave you in awe.
Chau Doc Floating Market
‘Mekong Delta Floating Market‘ has been a brand name of the Mekong Delta for so long. Though Cai Rang Floating Market is the most well-known floating market in the area, the one in Chau Doc still has its own particular features representing the Mekong Delta’s nature.
Like any other wet markets on land, Chau Doc Floating Market is always full of people. You will get to experience local products purchased from boat to boat day by day. From food, fruits, clothes, handicrafts, to coffee, this market is where you can buy almost everything.
Mount Cam
The locals often call Mount Cam ‘Dalat of the Mekong Delta’ where the mountainous scene is no less than majesty. At the height of 700 meters above the sea level, Mount Cam is really worth your trekking. But don’t worry if you are not an adventurous traveler, you can choose to reach its top by cable cars.
Many temples and pagodas are located on this sacred mountain. Two of the most noticeable sites you should not miss are Van Lich Pagoda with a giant Reclining Buddha and Big Buddha Pagoda with the largest statue of Maitreya Buddha in Vietnam.
Ba Chua Xu Temple
Ba Chua Xu Temple, located at the foot of Sam Mountain, is favored by many Vietnamese. You will find the place filled with a horde during Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival (usually from the 23rd to the 27th of the fourth lunar month).
The Holy Mother of the Realm Temple highlights the solemn architectural style with the three-layer blue tile roof in the shape of the blooming lotus. People have long believed that the Holy Mother gives everyone her blessing. Therefore legends about the Holy Mother have spread all over Vietnam, attracting millions of visitors to come and worship annually.
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Cham Village
Get lost in Cham Village where the beauty of Cham’s culture shines. You will see a totally different image of local people – men wear hats and sarongs, and women wear hair-covering caps and Cham-style long dresses. Don’t forget to buy scarves, sarongs and clothes featuring Cham people’s weaving techniques.
The most important impression of the Cham Village on visitors might be the three-pillar and three-tiled-roof houses. Unique mosques with one-of-a-kind architecture and meticulous décor are also worth your visit. Don’t miss out on Masjid Jamiul Azhar!
The mighty Mekong Delta always has something great to tell visitors. It is not all about floating markets or temples, you still have a mysterious Tra Su Cajuput Forest to highlight your experiences. If you really want something special to do and see, check out our Full Day Mekong Delta Tour, Three-Day Mekong Delta Tour or Best of South Vietnam Tour. For any other places you wish to be included, contact us now!
© Maika Tours
Trinh Tran written for Maika Tours
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