Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve - Information & Travel Guide

Lung Ngoc Hoang nature reserve is a unique and fascinating natural reserve located in the Hau Giang province of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. This vast wetland area is home to an incredible diversity of plant and animal life, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and eco-tourists.

Lung Ngoc Hoang is a 2,800-hectare (28 km2) wetland located in Hau Giang Province, Vietnam. The area is divided into three zones: a strictly protected zone, an ecological restoration zone, and an administrative service zone.

According to legend, the name “Lung Ngoc Hoang” comes from the fact that there were once many herds of elephants that migrated and foraged in the area. The elephants’ movements caused the land to sink and collapse, creating depressions, pools, ditches, lakes, and streams.

“Lung” is a term for a low-lying, marshy area. It is said that the Jade Emperor (Ngoc Hoang) would occasionally descend to Earth and wander through this area, which is why it came to be known as Lung Ngoc Hoang. In other words, the name can be roughly translated as The Heavenly Emperor’s Marsh.

How to get to Lung Ngoc Hoang nature reserve

Nestled in the heart of Hau Giang province, Lung Ngọc Hoàng Nature Reserve is a hidden gem that no traveler to the Mekong Delta should miss. Located just 40 kilometers from Vi Thanh city, this sprawling 2,800-hectare reserve stretches from the west bank of the Hau River (Hau Giang) to the U Minh Ha region.

• From Vi Thanh: follow Highway 61 to Kinh Cung, then turn right and continue for about 12 kilometers.
• From Can Tho: follow Highway 1A to Cai Tac, then continue on Highway 61 through Rach Goi. At Kinh Cung, turn right and continue for about 12 kilometers.

Traveling from Can Tho? Book Lung Ngoc Hoang Tour now: Lung Ngoc Hoang half day tour – pick up from Can Tho city

Admission fees for a visit (2024)

• Adults: 60,000 VND/person ~ $2.42
• Children (6 years old and above): 30,000 VND/person ~ $1.21
• Children (under 5 years old): Free

Additional fees

• Boat rental: 50,000 VND/person

Bike rental

• 1 hour: 20,000 VND/bike
• 2 hours: 30,000 VND/bike
• 3 hours: 40,000 VND/bike
• Over 3 hours: 40,000 VND + 7,000 VND/additional hour

What to expect in Lung Ngoc Hoang nature reserve

Explore the Wildlife in the forest

The main vegetation type here is cajuput forest, which covers about 1,500 hectares. Other common plants include acacia, melaleuca, and various grasses and vines. The area is home to over 330 species of plants, including 56 newly discovered species.

This wetland is also a significant habitat for wildlife. Over 200 species of birds and mammals have been recorded in the area, including several rare and endangered species. The wetland is also home to a diverse array of fish species, including several of commercial importance.

Lung Ngoc Hoang wetland is a valuable natural resource that provides a number of important ecosystem services. The wetland helps to regulate flooding, filter water, and provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. It is also a popular destination for recreation and tourism.

Take an adventurous boat trip

Forget the usual tourist traps. This cajuput forest is where it’s at for an epic adventure. Picture this: you’re cruising through a secret world of towering cajuput trees, sunlight dappling the water like a million tiny diamonds.

This ain’t your grandpa’s canal tour. Navigate narrow channels, then open water stretches out before you, big sky overhead, water lilies like a giant’s paint splatters. Watch fish dart around like silver bullets, and you might even spot a curious otter peeking at you from the bank.

See more Pictures at Lung Ngoc Hoang: Gallery Images in Lung Ngoc Hoang.

Admire the beauty of bird species

Ngoc Hoang forest is like stepping into a real-life bird documentary, minus the stuffy narrator. Cruise through towering trees on a boat, sunlight sparkling on the water like a million diamonds. The air is filled with birdsong – listen for the loud calls of the sarus crane or the cute chirps of the black-capped kingfisher.

Keep your eyes peeled for flashes of blue from dollarbirds, or maybe a kingfisher with feathers that shimmer like a disco ball!

This isn’t just about ticking birds off a list. Learn a cool thing or two about their secret lives in the forest or by the water. It’s like a nature show you can actually be part of, way more fun than watching it on TV.

This place is not merely a birding destination; it’s a portal to a thriving ecosystem teeming with life. Your visit will undoubtedly foster a profound appreciation for the beauty and delicate balance of the natural world.

Turn into a Mekong farmer on the rice paddy field

You may find this place just for bird watchers and instagram lovers, but it actually offers more than just breathtaking scenery. Here, you can immerse yourself in the rustic charm of Mekong Delta’s rice fields, where vibrant green expanses come alive.If you visit during harvest, and witness the mesmerizing spectacle of farmers bringing in abundant rice stocks, creating an authentic and lively experience.

This forest isn’t just about taking pictures (although, trust me, you’ll get some epic ones). It’s about diving headfirst into a vibrant world, feeling the sun on your skin, and making memories that’ll knock your socks off. So, are you ready to trade the ordinary for the extraordinary?

Lung Ngoc Hoang awaits, a hidden paradise where adventure and tranquility collide. Pack your sense of wonder and get ready to be amazed!

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