If you think that traveling into the eco-forest areas would be monotonous with just trees and water, then you might be wrong. At least in the case of Tra Su Melaleuca Forest, where beauty, fascination, and excitement blend perfectly.
- Escaping the Urban Bustle to Explore Tra Su Melaleuca Forest! When it comes to tourism in An Giang, most of us immediately think of Ba Chua Xu Temple, Cam Mountain, Sam Mountain, the idyllic rice paddies against the backdrop of a picturesque sunset, or the bustling Chau Doc market, often referred to as the "Kingdom of Fish Sauce." However, we often overlook the captivating and exciting "young lady" named Tra Su Melaleuca Forest.
Tra Su Melaleuca Forest is located about 30 km from Chau Doc and only about 10 km from the Vietnam-Cambodia border. It is planted in the typical ecological system of the western Hau River region. When you come here, you will be captivated not only by the natural beauty of the lush melaleuca forest on both sides but also by the close encounters with a wide variety of waterfowl and rare wildlife. Tra Su Melaleuca Forest serves as a "shared home" for many tropical species living in the southwestern region of Vietnam.
Your journey to Tra Su Melaleuca Forest will take place on small boats with local female rowers who also serve as tour guides. They will take you through the melaleuca forest and introduce you to unique and rare features of this place. These guides are very friendly, so don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions or curiosity about the local flora, fauna, bird species, or the history of Tra Su Melaleuca Forest. They will gladly share their knowledge with you.
As an eco-tourism destination, Tra Su Melaleuca Forest is naturally abundant with aquatic creatures, birds, and fish. It is home to approximately 140 plant species, with melaleuca trees covering nearly the entire area. During your visit, you will surely witness the sight of flocks of birds soaring above vast water fields or birds resting on melaleuca branches. Many visitors particularly enjoy the image of white herons gracefully landing on the water to catch their prey, a moment of pure beauty.
Deep inside the forest, there is a tall observation tower that allows tourists to admire the panoramic view from above. Equipped with a binocular (with a viewing range of up to 25 km), you can marvel at the vast expanse of the melaleuca forest, the stretching greenery, and the nameless birds.
- Affordable and Limitless Exploration and Photography Opportunities Tra Su Melaleuca Forest is the perfect destination for those looking for a relaxing and tranquil place in nature that is far from dull or monotonous. This location is relatively close to Ho Chi Minh City and is suitable for short trips, ideal for those who want a quick escape from the city to embrace the beauty of nature.
To get to Tra Su Melaleuca Forest, people usually choose to travel by bus or motorbike. You can go straight from Saigon to Chau Doc, making it convenient for accommodation arrangements (if you plan to stay here for a few days) before moving to Tra Su Forest (about 30 km from Chau Doc). The bus ticket price is typically around 150,000 VND per person, which is quite affordable and convenient.
Alternatively, if you prefer adventurous trips or plan to return on the same day, you often choose to travel to Tra Su Melaleuca Forest by motorbike. This way, you have full control over your journey, allowing you to stop for exploration and "Instagram moments" whenever you like, and you can enjoy the trip with your friends.
The latest entrance and service fees at Tra Su Melaleuca Forest are as follows:
Entrance ticket: 100,000 VND per person (mandatory).
Rowing boat service into the Melaleuca forest: 50,000 VND per person (optional).
Tram transfer service: 50,000 VND per person (optional).
Observation service with binoculars: 5,000 VND per person (optional).
Upon arrival, you have three choices to explore the forest. From the entrance gate to the forest's entrance, there's about 1 km of asphalt road. You can choose to visit by motorbike or by bicycle (bike rental service is available). The road, although not entirely flat, offers an exciting experience, especially for those who like to take it slow, explore, and enjoy the fresh air of this eco-tourism area. The most common way, and the third choice, is to take a boat deep into the forest.
Once inside, you will transfer to a three-leafed boat, and this is when your journey to explore Tra Su Melaleuca Forest begins. Each boat can carry a maximum of 3 to 5 people.
Throughout the journey, you can enjoy the scenic beauty while sitting comfortably at the bow of the boat, experiencing the refreshing and serene atmosphere. You can observe a variety of water birds, some of which are resident species. You can see herons, storks, ibises, and more in this diverse ecosystem. Additionally, you might also witness many Khmer villages and their unique crafts such as beekeeping, making sugar from palm fruit, local crafts, and traditional handcrafts. The total cost for observation at the observation tower and dining is around 120,000 - 150,000 VND per person.
After you "docked," you can rest in a spacious and comfortable resting area. You can begin your culinary exploration with many local dishes. Some of the featured dishes include "canh chua cá linh nấu bông điên điển" (a sour fish soup with Vietnamese mint), "cá lóc nướng trui" (grilled snakehead fish), and "chuột đồng nướng" (grilled field mouse).
Affordability, combined with the beautiful scenery and the opportunity to enjoy both nature and food without breaking the bank, makes Tra Su Melaleuca Forest an ideal destination!
