Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest, Nature Reserve & Bird Sanctuary - Hau Giang Must-Do See
Updated August 2023: Seasonal birds have gradually returned to Lung Ngoc Hoang. Today, the reserve is once again a peaceful bird sanctuary, offering quiet boat trips through wild canals and untouched nature just one hour from Can Tho. Can Tho River Tour was the first local company to offer half-day experiences from Can Tho to Lung Ngoc Hoang, starting from just US$20, including birdwatching options.
Hau Giang Vietnam is another province in Mekong Delta. Lung Ngoc Hoang forest & nature’s smile, in Hau Giang, is not only known as the “green lung” of the Mekong Delta But also one of the most unique biodiversity conservation areas of Vietnam.
By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | Official Hau Giang Visitor Guide
1. Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve – Information & History
Over 120 years ago, the Hau Giang people (the former Can Tho people) came to Lung Ngoc Hoang for reclamation and established villages and new lifes. At war, Lung Ngoc Hoang became a solid revolutionary base and untouchable jungle during the period of resistance.
Since 1976, the land surrounding the Lung Ngoc Hoang became farm land, then move on to forest land. Many leaders recalled his predecessor and remembered (1983) that “they had to paddle and carrying an oil lamp, a knife and cooking utensils. But after only a short time, his brothers were self-produced, transforming the "Mosquito cried like blowing flute" became the romantic cajuput forest, the lush native trees, intermingled with the bank of tropical fruit gardens and the locals”
Nowadays, Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve, 2.805,37 ha, is located in Phuong Binh Commune, Phung Hiep District, Hau Giang province. This reserve also contributes to maintaining the ecological balance and increases coverage, ensures environmental security and sustainable development of the Mekong region. Additionally, Lung Ngoc Hoang wetland & flooded forest is an ideal destination for nature lovers. Explore and weave in the untouched wetland of Mekong delta by boat gives the best experience about wildlife and nature.
It’s like other strictly protected forests. Such as: Vo Doi (Ca Mau), Tram Chim (Dong Thap), U Minh Thuong national forest (Kien Giang), U Minh Ha national park (Ca Mau)…, until the end of October 2009 Lung Ngoc Hoang still being protected day and night. This is one of the protected areas that are less vulnerable to the fresh environment. In recent years, there have been no serious fires. Forests in the current lung are full of wetland ecosystems with diverse populations.
Beside rich and pristine sunken system combined with strictly protected cajuput forest. Lung Ngoc Hoang is suitable place for amphibians and shrimps to live abundantly. It used to be like the fish navel of the Hau River. Lung Ngoc Hoang currently has a varied flora and 300 species of fauna are abundant, including 76 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles.
2. Is it worth for nature lovers to pay a visit Lung Ngoc Hoang forest and nature’s smile
THE BEST Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve Tours (From Can Tho River Tour from US$20)
Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest and floating market halfday tour
Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84908169205
About 40 kilometers from Can Tho city, this wetland conservation is considered as one of Can Tho hidden gems for anyone who loves to see a real Mekong Delta beside Can Tho floating market and small canals. Endowed with not only natural beauty but one of the area’s most peaceful spots which belongs to the national specialized forest system in Southern Vietnam. In the Mekong Delta, Lung Ngoc Hoang is an ideal destination for ecological and scientific researchers, nature lovers and those who love wild animals thanks to its wonderful diverse wildlife and nature.
3. Best months to Visit Lung Ngoc Hoang forest
If you are a true nature lover, you would love to be in the nature any time like us! Best time to visit Hau Giang is in the dry season from December to April, but best time to visit this wetland is in the flooding and raining season when the fish, foods, birds come back & wake up the nature and wildlife. When the flood comes, the water lettuce covers the whole area of the forest and wild canals, this makes the destination such unforgettable landscapes. For other times of the year, especially during the dry season, visitors will see the nature’s beauty in different ways as a true nature explorers... Since 2016, 2017 the forest has attracted tourists. However, it wasn't until 2019 the local bridge and road official upgraded so much better. Top tip: The first week of November is top-notch.
4. Lung Ngoc Hoang Travel Blog and Helpful Tips And Tickets 2024
THE BEST Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve Tours (From Can Tho River Tour US$20)
Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest and floating market halfday tour
Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84908169205
The best way to experience the key sites of the forest is by using a motor-boat and a sampan (dinghy) as they weave through the forest. It permits a leisurely trip of all the significant sites throughout the ecological forest where have a lot of water hyacinths...and woo to listen to the magical music as performed by the birds (cormorant, stork, bittern, kingfisher…) of the forest and other jungle insects. Furthermore, passengers also see the stunning duckweed (water lettuce) that blankets the water’s surface which looks like an enormous emerald-green. Sometimes, the boat pauses and shows the tourists some huge honey bee hives that rest on the branch of the tree. After a short walk in the middle of the forest there is a bird-watching tower for a panoroma views and a vast green spread of cajuput trees, birds perched on trees and the stunning Hau Giang rice field as well. Top tip: Make sure you visit the forest at the right time for a cool #1 experience boat trip and light trekking in the forest with the local bird expert.
At the beginning of 2019, Lung Ngoc Hoang officially opened & offered the visit for tourists, Can Tho River Tour Company was the first company to support and opened this unique green experience for tourists besides the floating market. The tickets were VND 40,000pp. Now, the ticket in 2024 is VND 100,000pp which includes the flooded forest boat trip, watching tower and a forest trek. Top tip: There are many birds there, you should book a tour including the binocular and the bird experts who know all names and bird features to make your worthy tropical forest and wildlife tour. Take a poncho or umbrella in case of rain. The place is not for wheelchairs. This place is for all ages and pancake paths to trek/walk or boat again.
5. Amazing video flycam/drone of Lung Ngoc Hoang forest (4k)
6. Hotels in Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest
There are some local hotels, guest houses in Phung Hiep district. But you absolutely enjoy staying with a Giang Sen jungle hotel stays right in Lung Ngoc Hoang forest, this unique hotel is so convinient and easy to feel more about the nature by night. Top tip: Giang Sen is not a fancy jungle lodge, this is good enough to stay with soft bed, air con and safe from mosquitos. Bring your own insect repellent and cash.
7. Worth Birdwatching in Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest?
Birdwatching or birding in Mekong Delta, Lung Ngoc Hoang forest is one of the most beautiful places for birding in the early morning and afternoon, in the dry and the wet season. Scientists estimate that it is home to over 76 species of waterfowls and birds like asian openbill (dull bill with gap between mandibles, dirty greyish-white plumage with black tail, lower scapulars and flight feathers), milky stork, indian cormorant (relatively small, short, stubby, mostly pale bill, short neck, all dark with whitish chin), yellow bittern, chinese pond-heron, white-breasted waterhen, grey-headed swamphen, short-toed coucal, collared kingfisher (blue upperside with variable turquoise wash, white collar and underparts, faint creamy-buffish wash on lower flanks, mostly dark bill) and the most endemic species of any country in southeast Asia. Top tip: Contact vemekong.com for a perfect birdwatching tour with local travel expert.
8. Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve Tour from Can Tho or Soc Trang?
THE BEST Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve Tours (From Can Tho River Tour US$20)
Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest and floating market halfday tour
Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84908169205
If you have a limited time for Mekong holiday, no time for Tra Su forest. You can see Lung Ngoc Hoang forest instead. Top tip: Entrance ticket is 100.000 VNDpp.
9. Is it safe to visit it during the wet season?
The more you know about the wildlife the more you respect the nature and our rainforest in Mekong Delta. Totally fine! The forest opens all year round! There are even more elements to see during the wet time! As a real traveller, we believe that you will love nature in any time of the year.
10. The Solo Travel Guide to Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest
Visiting Lung Ngoc Hoang forest by yourself is okie. Budget travellers and adventure tourists can reach and visit the forest by motorbike as well. If you can, we do recommend doing so, because Hau Giang motorbike tours or Can Tho motorbike tours are very chill and off the beaten paths and can stop to explore some hidden gems along the way as well. You will enjoy more than others ways so much. Making it in the dry season will help more. If you have no guided tour, you need to know that the ticket for forest entrance has no local guide and rarely english speaking staff in Lung Ngoc Hoang spot. Sometimes it takes more time to work out how to spend time each spot with the translation app. Top tip: The wifi and internet in the forest is not stable to use online translation app. Take some water if you want to a light trekking!
11. What to see along the way to Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest?
Depending on what means of transportation you have! You book a tour, then follow it. But if you hire your own car, motorbike. You may see something more. From Can Tho to Lung Ngoc Hoang forest, there are so many hidden gems to unlock. Can Tho rice noodle factory, oganic cacao farm, Gian Gua giant tree, Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen monastery, Khmer pagoda, rattan and bamboo craft village and so on. Top tip: The more you stop the more you love. Make sure you have time as well!
12. What to Eat, Drink and Shop in Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest
There are two local jungle restaurants in Lung Ngoc Hoang where you can consider on fish, Mekong River specialties, rice rats (taste like… rabbit?), snakehead fish, frog, sesbania sesban flower – bong dien dien, water lily, river morning glory…are some “forest” foods you may give a try in the forest and nature. Not shops yet in LNH.
13. What Should you Wear to the Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest?
As a local travel expert. We may repeat your thoughts. Firstly, you should take long pants and use some repellents please, especially on the rainy days. Secondly, hats and shoes are a priority. If you plan to visit any pagoda, temple, please wear some things to cover your knees and shoulders. Top tip: Black color is “yummy” for mosquitos, and warm colors such as red, yellow, and orange may scare the wildlife.
14. Responsible Travel and Tour to Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve
THE BEST Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve Tours (From Can Tho River Tour US$20)
Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest and floating market halfday tour
Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84908169205
We are glad to see a lot of foreigners, expats and Vietnamese tourists paying a visit to this forest instead of the theme park or malls. Lung Ngoc Hoang forest, itself means a lot for responsible behavior and nature values. As a local expert travel guide, we would take a friendly-reminding of you that “leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time”. Top tip: One of the first local travel companies in Mekong Delta thinking, acting and running responsible travel is vemekong.com (very exclusive Mekong), feel free to support and book eco, responsible tours with them.
15. Incredible Tips for Photography, Specialists, KOLs, Media and Influencers
To get the best of the best for your unique writing and featuring. We do recommend you to have an expert the one who always gets more ground information and makes sure every single requestments is solved perfectly. Vemekong (very exclusive mekong) team is your priority choice. Email and have a private talk with them to customize your journey smoothly, personal and the most ultimately amazing.
16. Pro tips
You can stay in a homestay which is near the riverside, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself and I hope you have an amazing Mekong Delta river sunrise.
If you plan to extend your travel to Hau Giang homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Hau Giang or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Hau Giang responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Hau Giang food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Hau Giang cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Cau Duc pineapple, Hau Giang’s Bronze Featherback Fish Cake, Cai Tac’s Pork Organs Porridge…
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Hau Giang in the rainy season, as Hau Giang always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Hau Giang tourist attractions are magnificent itself, but if you have enough time, don’t forget to put other places onto your bucket lists such as Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest, Nature Reserve & Bird Sanctuary, Kittyd & Minnied Amusement Park, Truc Lam Zen Monastery Hau Giang, Vi Thanh Outdoor Farmers Market, Bo Tum Vong Say Khmer Pagoda, Like Coffee Shop in Hau Giang, Phung Hiep Bamboo and Rattan Craft Village, Tu Sang Bamboo Garden Hau Giang, Cau Duc Pineapple Fields, Tam Vu ecotourism area, Long My Stork Garden,Ba Bai Base, Chuong Thien Cultural & historic site, Vi Hung Church, Xa No Park – Xa No Canal…
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Hau Giang province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Thank you
