Where to visit in Can Gio District, HCMC?

Can Gio Mangrove Forest

During the war, Can Gio mangrove forest was an ideal place to hide from the attacks of the enemies, which sadly led to the American dropping a huge amount of dioxins on the area and significantly damaging the forest, in an attempt to maintain control. Moreover, the forest is dense and used to be filled with a lot of dangerous animals such as tigers and crocodiles. Now the forest has recovered and is protected by the government and international law. With over 2000 years old, Can Gio mangrove forest contains a high degree of biodiversity, including nearly 160 flora species, 137 fish species, over 700 spineless species and 40 vertebrate animal species. As a result, Can Gio is the first mangrove forest in Vietnam to be admitted to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in January 2000.

Motor boat rent fee: 500000 VND / 8 people

Rung Sac Military Base 

"Sác" is a Nôm word - a former logographic writing system of the Vietnamese language for mangrove forests on muddy beaches. With an area of 710km, this forest was built as an important base in the anti-French and anti-American resistance of our people since the area has very special natural conditions. Nowadays, Rung Sac Base has become a famous place, attracting tourists to visit. To get inside Sac Forest (Rung Sac), you will have to take a canoe to cross through the Mangrove Forest (as in the picture above).

30/4 Beach is the most popular beach in Can Gio as when most people refer to Can Gio's beach, they are mentioning 30/4 beach. It has broad sandy seashore with some restaurants and hotels along.

Can Thanh Beach is located in Can Thanh Town. Though not as wide as 30/4 beach, it is much cleaner and less crowded. There are some places to eat at the beach and some accommodation options as well.

Located along the coast of Long Hoa Commune, Thot Not beach is the least picturesque beach among these three. Yet, many tourists come here to relax in the famous Phuong Nam Can Gio Resort, which has 2 swimming pools, tennis courts, an upscale bar, a restaurant and a hotel directly above the sea.

Vam Sat Salt-marsh Forest Ecological Tourist Zone

Since its inauguration in 2000, Vam Sat tourist zone - Khu Du Lịch Vàm Sát has attracted many visitors’ interest with its artistic natural scenery. You can explore Bat Swamp to fish for crab or spot for bats hanging on tree branches. Giant pincers of crabs with succulent meat will add more flavors to your meals. The Bird Sanctuary here is home to more than 20,000 birds of 26 species, some of which are in the “Red data list” such as purple heron. There is also a crocodile farm where you can take a boat tour and join one of the most fearless activities: toss fish to the hungry reptiles.

Website: http://vamsat.vn/ (Vietnamese, English, Japanese)
Address: 15A Group, Ly Nhon commune, Can Gio District, HCMC
Tel: (+84) 9 3889 4008  –  (+84) 8 3887 6169
Admission prices: 35000 VND / Free for children under 6

Monkey Island

Monkey Island is one of the most attractive destinations in Can Gio which has more than 1,000 bold and astute monkeys of many different species. This is a very interesting place but you have to be careful with the monkeys. They are very naughty, usually rob food and belongings of tourists. Therefore, remember to keep a firm hold on your possessions. 

Address: Long Hoa commune, Can Gio District, HCMC
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (From Monday to Sunday)
Admission price: 30000 VND / adult/ weekday
35000 VND / adult/weekend

Hang Duong Market

Hang Duong market (Chợ Hàng Dương) is famous for cheap yet fresh seafood and you can also enjoy delicious seafood dishes on the spot. This market always attracts such great attention of local people and visitors from many places, mainly from Saigon.

Address: Thanh Thoi Street, Long Hoa Commune, Can Gio District, HCMC
Opening hours: 5:00 am to 9:00 pm (From Monday to Sunday)

Whale Mausoleum

Whale is a sacred animal in Vietnam and people usually worship them in mausoleums or temples. This mausoleum displays a 17m-long skeleton of a whale which drifted ashore in 1971. Every year, on the fifteenth of lunar August, people of Can Gio celebrate ‘Nghinh ông Thủy Tướng’ festival - Whale Worship Festival with many traditional customs about praying for good weather, hoping fishermen to go to work well. You should definitely come here and take part in this folk tradition.

Address: An Thoi Dong commune, Can Gio district, HCMC

Can Thanh Town

Located in the suburb of the city, Can Thanh Town is a whole new world where worries and anxieties seem to naturally disappear. The path to Can Thanh town is overwhelmed with shady canopies and yellow flowers of Phalaenopsis trees (Điệp vàng) along the road. Especially, in the blossom seasons, the road turns out to be beautiful and romantic.

Can Gio Park

Can Gio park is in Can Thanh town. At night, you can see Ha Long Road, Thuy Van of Vung Tau with sparkling lights.

Thanh An Island

Located east of HCMC separated from Can Gio District, the offshore commune of Thanh An - Thạnh An was once considered an important gateway of the former Saigon – Gia Dinh. The residents here earn their living from mainly fishing, salt-making and oyster farming. That is why there is a large salt-making area in Thieng Lieng hamlet which covers more than 400ha. Thanh An Island is also home to some species of mangroves. In addition to delving into the peaceful life of fishermen around the island, you can take part in kayaking activities to explore the mangrove ecosystem, go fishing and witness them catching seafood. And undoubtedly, the seafood here is really fresh as they are sold right after being taken from the fishing boat. However, at the moment, there are no hotels or motels on the island, so if you want to explore Thanh An island overnight, you can only stay at the locals’ homes or rent a boat to rest.
To reach Thanh An from Can Gio, you can take a boat. From the center of Can Thanh town, drive to Can Thanh ferry. There are 4 main trips at 6 am, 12 pm from the land and 2 pm and 5 pm from the island. Price per turn is 10,000VND and travel time is about 1 hour.