Lying within the flooded Dong Thap Muoi area in Cao Lanh District, Dong Thap Province, Gao Giong Eco-Tourism Park has become a popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourists to relax and enjoy meandering sampan cruises through the wetlands. The environment is an example of the region’s mangrove lowlands and the park acts as a ‘green lung’ of the Dong Thap Muoi region.
The way to the park is lined by green rice fields dotted with houses and small gardens and alluvial canals. The scenery embraces stillness and a deserted atmosphere.
Entrance to Gao Giong is VND10,000 per person including tea, lotus beans and a video introducing the park.
Before stepping into the Gao Giong bird yard, tourists will be taken to an 18-meter-high tower to catch a panorama of the bird yard and the endless cajuput forest. For another VND8,000, there is a boat cruise through cajuput forest to the bird yard.
The bird sanctuary covers 35 hectares with diversified species including egrets, sparrows, wild ducks and herons, and, especially a some rare species listed in the Red Book.
Tourists are enthralled by the sounds of the birds swinging on cajuput trees or perched on lotus flowers. At dawn and at sunset especially, the melodies are a nice background to the inherent stillness.
Drifting on canals shaded by cajuput trees, contemplating the hundreds of birds singing happy songs and getting lost in the poetic and deserted space, excursionists take home unforgettable memories of the Mekong Delta.
