Tra Su Cajuput Forest - A Mekong Delta Tour

Tra Su Cajuput Forest, lying in Vietnam's An Giang Province, is a pleasing spot to take in views and an immersive experience deep into the heart of the extraordinary Mekong Delta ecosystem. Lying across 850 hectares of land, this flooded forest is known for its insanely green cajuput trees (yep it's very green indeed!) incredible bird varieties, and waterways.

If you are someone who is a ‘traveler’ rather than a ‘tourist’, then this is among the best places to visit in Vietnam while avoiding well known tourist traps of Hanoi and Nha trang!

Tra Su Cajuput Forest: Exploring

Tra Su is better explored by boat. For this, one can travel by motorized boats down the larger channels and transfer onto traditional rowing sampans for the smaller, more secluded areas. One is promised a trip, by crossing super-green duckweed carpets via a series of towering cajuput trees, toward the inner sanctum of the forest's quiet and biodiversity.

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Tra Su holds a dense mix of flora and fauna. Over 140 plant species have been found in the forest, and over 70 kinds of birds, including storks, herons, and cormorants, have turned it into a homing ground. Because of its diverse plant life and host avian population living in harmony with each other, it is an ultimate point for birdwatching and ecological studies.

Best Time to Visit

Tra Su is best seen during the flooding time, during the months of September to November. The water level will rise during the flood season, and the landscape gets beautiful with floating vegetation, making it exciting to see more birds. Visits during the early morning, about 7:00-9:00 am, and late afternoon, about 5:00-6:00 pm, will make your visits spectacular, as it is the peak time for birds' movement and the sun has shone softly, casting gold on the forest.

Activities and Attractions

• Boat Cruises: Take guided cruises down the waterways to see the flora and fauna of the forest.
  

• Bamboo Bridge: Go on the "Bamboo Bridge of Ten Thousand Steps," a 10-kilometer-long structure, amidst the shades to experience forest serenity.
  

• Observation Tower: A 23 m high observation tower fitted with observation telescopes offers striking panoramic scenes of the forest and allows one to get very close to birds.
  

• Delicate Local Fare: Regional delicacies include snakehead fish dishes, roasted chicken with cajuput flower honey, and sesbania flower sour hotpot, all served in rustic thatched huts in a natural setting.

Getting There

Tra Su Cajuput Forest: is some 30 kilometers from the city of Chau Doc. It takes about 30-40 minutes to get there by car or motorbike. It takes 270 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City to the forest. Some bus firms have trips to Chau Doc with ticket prices ranging from 180.000 VND to 300.000 VND. Google maps link for Tra Su Cajuput forest.

Traveler's Tips

• Duration: Spend at least 3 hours in the forest, taking time for cruising by boat, and visiting the observation points. 

• Clothing: Dress casually for comfort. And if it is a visit during the rainy months, do not forget to carry an insect repellent along.

• Taking Photos: It is Tra Su Cajuput Forest that is suited for photos because of various wild animals and beautiful scenes. You are gonna be instagram famous, we bet! If you have a DSLR then this is the spot to bring in all your lenses.
  

Summary

Tra Su Cajuput Forest contributes much to the beautiful landscape of the Mekong Delta and represents its ecological value. This place is considered a real contribution to Vietnam's biodiversity and culture-worth seeing for any visitor who would like to encounter the very essence of this country's nature.

Flooded forest, flooded cave

Tra Su is a flooded forest you move through by boat, and the water is what makes it what it is.

At the far end of the country the same principle runs underground. On the Kong Collapse expedition you rope into a doline in the middle of primary jungle, five days, small groups, on the national park’s daily entry quota. Our Kong Collapse expedition is the hardest thing we run.

Nothing alike except that in both cases the water got there first.

An Giang got bigger in 2025

On 1 July 2025 Kien Giang was merged into An Giang. Tra Su was already in An Giang and has not moved; the province around it is now roughly twice the size and includes Phu Quoc and Rach Gia.

Nothing about getting to Tra Su changed. Chau Doc is still the nearest town and the buses still run the same way.

It matters if you are reading an older itinerary: "An Giang" now covers a lot more ground than it did, so a plan that says "a few days in An Giang" may mean something quite different depending on when it was written.

Quick answers

When is the water green? The floating fern that makes the famous photographs is thickest from about September to November, in the flood season. Outside that the water is open and darker.

Is the boat included? No. Entry is 100,000 VND and the boat is separate. The boat is the visit, so budget for it.

Rowing boat or motorboat? The motorboat covers the outer channels and the rowing boat goes into the narrow ones where the birds are. Most people do both, in that order.

Can I do it from Ho Chi Minh City in a day? No. It is about six hours each way. Chau Doc overnight is the sensible version.

Is it worth it if I am not interested in birds? Yes, for an hour. The forest itself is the attraction and the birds are a bonus.