The Tra Su Cajuput Forest is a seasonally “wet” forest on an 845 hectare wetland reserve. Planted in 1983, the man-made forest has played an active role in maintaining the ecological balance of the area and protecting endangered wildlife in Vietnam.
It houses 140 plant species, from paperbacks and aquatic plants to creepers and grass, providing timber, food, medicinal herbs and cajuput oil, Vietnam News Agency reported.
The zone is also providing shelters for 106 species of mammals, reptiles and birds, some of which are included in the world’s red list of threatened species, along with two fish species that are on the verge of extinction.
The forest began attracting visitors in 1999 but it took six years before it opened its doors to tourists.
Most visitors come during the rainy season between July and December, when the entire forest is submerged under two to three meters of water.
The rising water lets holidaymakers venture further into the forest by small boat and witness the vibrant world of wildlife.
Visitors can also fish and hand pick wild berries or herbs which will later be made into Mekong Delta delicacies, such as grilled fish, flower hot pots or wild chicken grilled with citronella and chili.
During the dry season paths open up for tourists to ride motorbikes or bicycles across the formerly wetlands.
Although Tra Su has become an eco-tourism reserve, it remains relatively unknown, due to its remote location, far from the main roads.
Tran Ngoc Rang, head of the Forest Ranger Station of Tra Su, said the forest has welcomed nearly 80,000 visitors since July this year.
More than 600 tourists visit the area every day, 20 percent of whom are foreigners, according to Rang.
The province has so far invested VND13 billion (US$727,558) to upgrade local infrastructure to provide visitors with easier access to the eco-tourism zone.
In September this year, the province also injected VND500 million ($27,988) to build an observation tower allowing visitor to have a panoramic view of the entire forest and a clear line of sight to the renowned 36 meter high Buddha statue on the top of the Cam Mountain.