The Mysterious U Minh Forest in Ca Mau - Top Thing To See
If you love natural beauty, wilderness, and adventurous experiences, then The Mysterious U Minh Forest in Ca Mau is an unmissable choice. This area showcases an ecosystem with a unique characteristic of wetland on peat soil.
The most distinctive vegetation here is the melaleuca trees and various types of vines. The fauna is relatively diverse with species like freshwater fish, pythons, snakes, monkeys, deer, otters, and wild boars, promising to be an ideal destination for explorers.
Where is this U Minh Forest?
The U Minh Forest in Ca Mau possesses a distinctive ecosystem of wetlands on peat soil. The predominant plant species here are melaleuca trees, cajeput trees, and water ferns. In terms of wildlife, the U Minh Forest in Ca Mau boasts diverse species such as gibbons, monkeys, otters, freshwater birds, pythons, and turtles.
Located approximately 40 kilometers from the center of Ca Mau City, within the administrative boundaries of four communes in two districts, U Minh and Tran Van Thoi, the U Minh Forest in Ca Mau is one of the three core zones of the Ca Mau Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. Besides preserving the natural landscape, the U Minh Forest also plays a significant role in researching and developing valuable and rare genetic resources.
When is the best time to visit The Mysterious U Minh Forest?
The weather in U Minh Forest is characterized by two distinct seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season runs from May to October, while the rainy season spans from November to April of the following year. Based on travel experiences in U Minh Ha, visitors can explore this National Park at any time of the year.
During the rainy season, when water levels rise, moving around the mangrove forest by boat becomes easier. Conversely, the dry season, with its sunny weather and no rainfall, is more favorable for sightseeing. If you plan to explore the ecosystem or take some check-in photos, the dry season would be the ideal time to visit.
How to get to U Minh Forest in Ca Mau?
To get to U Minh Ha Forest in Ca Mau from Ho Chi Minh City, there are two common options: using a motorbike or taking a passenger bus, both favored by many:
- Motorbike: If you have some time to spare and want to explore beautiful natural landscapes, this is a great choice. To take this route, follow National Highway 1A across the Ca Mau Bridge, then onto Ngo Quyen Street, Vo Van Kiet Street, and follow the signs leading to U Minh Ha National Park. If you encounter any difficulties along the way, feel free to ask the locals for help.
- Passenger Bus: Currently, there are numerous bus companies offering trips from Ho Chi Minh City to Ca Mau. Some top bus brands in Vietnam to consider are Phuong Trang Futa, Ngoc Ha, Lien Hung, among others. Ticket prices range from 180,000 VND to 200,000 VND per person. After arriving at the Ca Mau bus station, you can take a taxi or a motorbike taxi (xe ôm) to reach U Minh Forest in Ca Mau.
What makes The Mysterious U Minh Forest in Ca Mau interesting?
1. Exploring the Flooded Forest
One exciting experience you shouldn't miss when visiting U Minh Forest in Ca Mau is taking a boat trip. This activity thrives during the rainy season, so make sure to choose a suitable time for your travel. The deeper you venture into the forest, the more you'll witness pristine and breathtaking scenes. Along the rivers and waterways, you'll encounter local farmers steering their boats to fish beneath the mangrove canopy, observing freshly caught seafood.
2. Visiting the Observation Tower
In U Minh Forest, there's an observation tower approximately 24 meters tall. Once you ascend to the top, you can extend your gaze to behold the entire landscape of this forest area. We are confident that you'll feel incredibly small in front of this vast and majestic natural panorama.
3. Learning about the Flooded Forest Ecosystem
There are about 250 plant species, 182 bird species, 40 mammal species, 20 reptile species, and various insects in U Minh Forest. Due to its favorable climate and compatible environment, this place gathers many species for habitation and reproduction. Recently, several rare and valuable species, notably the wild boar—an animal long considered extinct for hundreds of years—have reappeared in the U Minh Ha mangrove forest.
4. Joining Fishing and Honey Harvesting
You can rent a boat to venture deep into the forest for fishing. During the summer and weekends, many visitors from Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces come here to enjoy the forest's culinary delights and relaxing fishing activities. Each ticket costs 150,000 VND, and fortunate tourists might catch several kilos of fish such as perch or snakehead fish, sometimes even reaching two to three kilograms, which is not uncommon.
In U Minh Ha, there's still a considerable amount of naturally occurring fish due to the strict conservation of the forest. Depending on the season, you might join locals in setting eel traps, fish nets, harvesting edible fern shoots, water lilies, lotus stems, or horned water chestnuts.
5. Exploring the Glorious War History
During the resistance against French and American forces, U Minh Ha National Park served as a strategically crucial base. It was the living and working place for many high-ranking party command units. In 1954, right after boarding the train to head north, the Lê Duẩn alliance mysteriously returned to U Minh forest to command the Southern revolutionary tactics. Among them, Comrade Võ Văn Kiệt was perhaps the one deeply connected to U Minh Ha National Park.
What are the cuisines at U Minh Forest in Ca Mau?
During your exploration of U Minh Forest, you'll have the chance to indulge in freshwater specialties such as shrimp, eel, and crab. Below is a list of delicious dishes you shouldn't miss:
1. U Minh Ha Forest Eel Specialty
Eel from U Minh Ha Forest is renowned as the pinnacle of freshwater cuisine in the Ca Mau region. Its firm yet tender meat and delightful, fragrant taste are creatively transformed into various dishes. When visiting U Minh Ha, travelers must try the following eel dishes: braised eel in fish sauce, grilled eel with aromatic leaves and fish sauce dip, eel stew with lemongrass and chili, turmeric-infused braised eel, and sour soup with eel.
2. Specialties from Bees
U Minh Ha offers delicacies made from young bees harvested from the honeycomb after extracting the honey. These plump young bees are prepared into enticing dishes like bee larvae salad, battered young bees, young bee porridge with green beans, fermented young bees... all incredibly enticing and exotic.
3. U Minh Ha Free-range Chicken Specialty
Free-range chicken is another specialty worth trying when visiting U Minh Ha. These chickens raised in the open fields offer meat that's firm, aromatic, and flavorful. Delicious dishes made from U Minh Ha free-range chicken for your consideration include sour chicken soup, steamed chicken with banana blossom, shredded chicken mixed with banana flower and aromatic herbs...
4. U Minh Ha Forest Pond Fish Specialty
U Minh Ha Forest harbors various pond fish species like catfish, snakehead fish, climbing perch, carp, and gourami. According to some travelers' experiences in U Minh Ha, the best dishes include grilled snakehead fish, hotpot with forest pond fish and wild vegetables, fried catfish with ginger fish sauce dip, crispy climbing perch, and braised carp.
Some considerations when coming to U Minh Forest in Ca Mau
To ensure a perfect exploration of U Minh Forest in Ca Mau, here are some specific suggestions from Vietnam Budget Carrental:
- If traveling during the rainy season, wear long-sleeved clothes, bring insect repellent, and nasal ointment as this region has many mosquitoes.
- In the dry season, remember to carry a long-sleeved jacket, a hat, sunscreen to protect your skin, and an umbrella to shield against sudden rains.
- If you wish to experience a boat tour in U Minh Ha National Park, call and make reservations in advance with the management.
- Book your hotel room in advance to avoid price hikes during peak seasons.
- Absolutely refrain from hunting or harming rare animals within U Minh Forest.
This is all the information about The Mysterious U Minh Forest in Ca Mau that Vietnam Budget Carrental wants to share with you, so you can understand how beautiful and worth exploring this place truly is. Wishing you a safe and memorable trip to U Minh Forest!
>>Read more: Top 15 Best Things For You to Do in Ca Mau
