Exploring Vietnam's most fascinating destination during “floating season”

During the annual “floating season” from September to November, Tra Su Cajuput Forest in An Cu Commune, An Giang Province, emerges as one of the most attractive destinations for domestic and international visitors.

The longest bamboo bridge in a forest in Vietnam is located in Tra Su Cajuput Forest.

Tra Su Cajuput Forest holds two Vietnamese records recognized by the Vietnam Records Organization (Viet Kings): “The Most Beautiful and Famous Cajuput Forest in Vietnam for Flood-Season Tourism” and “The Longest Bamboo Bridge in a Cajuput Forest in Vietnam.” The forest has become one of the typical wetland ecosystems of the Hau River region, attracting tourists.

A masterpiece of nature in the "Seven Mountains" region

An Giang Province is known as a special land in the Southwestern region and has long been referred to as the "Seven Mountains" area, comprising Cam Mountain (Thien Cam Son), Co To Mountain (Phung Hoang Son), Dai Lon Mountain (Ngoa Long Son), Dai Nho Mountain (Thuy Dai Son), Tuong Mountain (Lien Hoa Son), Ket Mountain (Anh Vu Son), and Nuoc Mountain (Thuy Tao Son).

Among them, Cam Mountain is the highest peak and is considered the "rooftop" of the Seven Mountains region. In addition to its impressive mountainous terrain amid the plains, the Seven Mountains region is home to many famous destinations, including Tra Su Cajuput Forest, the Cam Mountain tourist area, Hang Pagoda, and the Ba Chua Xu Temple at Sam Mountain, also known as Ba Chau Doc Pagoda.

Birds return to their nests after a long day of foraging in Tra Su Cajuput Forest, An Giang Province.

Covering nearly 850 hectares, Tra Su Cajuput Forest was formed decades ago on low-lying, acid sulfate soil. After many years of restoration and conservation, it has become one of the representative wetland ecosystems of the Hau River region, playing an important role in protecting the water environment and regulating the climate across the entire Seven Mountains area. The forest is also home to many rare plant and animal species within Vietnam's special-use forest system, particularly bird species. This rich biodiversity, combined with the distinctive characteristics of the floating season, has made Tra Su Cajuput Forest a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists.

Although late August is not yet officially part of the “floating season,” visitors to Tra Su Cajuput Forest can still experience the distinctive beauty characteristic of this riverine region. Those arriving in the morning or late afternoon can fully experience the vibrant life of the forest, as tens of thousands of birds return to their nests after a day of foraging. Their chirping calls create a distinctive symphony in the deep forest before it "sleeps."

Admiring the forest at sunset

One of the experiences visitors enjoy at Tra Su Cajuput Forest is exploring the forest by motorboat and small wooden sampan.

Tran Kim Vui, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, said, "This is my first time visiting the forest in the afternoon and experiencing the breath of the forest at sunset. Tra Su Cajuput Forest is quite different from other forests, with small canals winding through the trees, rows of lotus flowers, and especially the thousands of birds returning to their nests after a long day of foraging, which left a strong impression on me."

According to a boat rower serving tourists at Tra Su Cajuput Forest, the “floating season” in the cajuput forest lasts from September to November each year and is considered the most beautiful time to experience the forest's charm. The incoming water makes the trees lush and green, while layers of duckweed cover the water's surface, creating beautiful scenery. The “floating season” also creates favorable conditions for the growth and reproduction of fish and shrimp species and makes the forest an attractive destination for many bird species. In particular, November is the breeding season for many bird species, allowing visitors to see thousands of birds, including storks, flocking to the cajuput forest to reproduce.

Visitors explore the cajuput forest aboard sampans operated by local residents.

Tra Su Cajuput Forest is located about 30 km from the Ba Chua Xu Temple at Sam Mountain. Upon arriving at the cajuput forest, visitors can not only explore the deep forest by boat but also walk through the forest on the longest bamboo bridge in Vietnam, as recognized by Viet Kings.

Sharing his impressions after experiencing Tra Su Cajuput Forest, Nguyen Van Manh, from Tran Bien Ward, Dong Nai City, said his family visits Ba Chua Xu Temple in An Giang every year. After visiting the temple, the entire family continues its journey to explore Tra Su Cajuput Forest. He and his family greatly enjoy walking on Vietnam's longest bamboo bridge amid the vast green forest. However, wishing to fully experience Tra Su during the “floating season,” Manh has planned a trip to explore the forest this November.

According to local residents, Tra Su Cajuput Forest is at its most beautiful during the “floating season,” when the forest "dons" an entirely different appearance, with water levels rising around the trunks of the trees and lush green carpets of duckweed winding through the canals in the forest. In the trees, thousands of birds are also preparing nests for the annual breeding season.

By Ngoc Lien – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho