Tra Su forest: the flooded bird sanctuary of the Mekong Delta
845 hectares of flooded forest where storks stroll across a carpet of neon-green duckweed and the only sound is a sampan paddle. A cajuput forest in An Giang province, 30 km from Chau Doc and about 250 km from Ho Chi Minh City.
Trà Sư is a cajuput forest in An Giang province, 30 km from Chau Doc and about 250 km from Ho Chi Minh City. People come for the birds, the quiet, and the longest bamboo bridge in Vietnam.
Cajuput (Melaleuca) is a white-barked tree that grows straight out of the water. In the flood season (September to November) the forest goes fully under and the trees seem to float, mirrored in a green sheet of duckweed. That is when thousands of birds — storks, egrets, cormorants — descend on it, and the forest turns into a noisy bird city.
- Tra Su Forest (Trà Sư): Flooded cajuput forest, An Giang — Entry 100,000 VND (~$4)
What you'll see: birds, duckweed and a bamboo bridge
Birds
Tra Su is home to more than 70 bird species. The headliners are white storks and grey herons, here by the hundred; cormorants, kingfishers and ibises fill out the cast. The lighter birds "walk" across the dense duckweed carpet without sinking — it looks as if they are running on water.
The best window for watching is early morning (07:00–09:00), when the birds are active and feeding. At dusk (17:00–18:00) they return to roost — thousands at once, wing to wing.
Beyond the birds: turtles, bats in the canopy and harmless water snakes. Some 20 reptile species are recorded on the reserve.
Duckweed and lotuses
The whole surface of the water is coated in duckweed — neon-green and dense, like a lawn. Between the trees sit water lilies and lotuses (peak bloom: June to August). White cajuput trunks, green duckweed and pink lotuses together make one of the most photogenic scenes in the Mekong Delta.
The ten-thousand-step bamboo bridge
Vietnam's longest bamboo bridge runs 10 kilometres. Suspended over the water, it threads through the whole forest, so you can walk it and see the woods from canopy level. The bridge is a relatively new addition that has become a draw in its own right, alongside the boat tours.
💬 "Gliding through the forest on a sampan is one of the most peaceful things you can do in Vietnam. Silence, greenery, birds — it feels like another world." — traveller reviews on Tripadvisor, 2025
What the tour is like
The standard format runs 1.5–2 hours in four stages:
- Motorboat (10–15 minutes) — along the wide channels to the heart of the forest. Fast, with a breeze.
- Switch to a sampan — a wooden boat paddled by hand by a local. You drift along narrow channels between the trees. Quiet. Only the splash of the paddle and birdsong. This is the main event — 30–40 minutes.
- Watchtower — climb up for a panorama of the forest and watch the birds from above. For an extra fee (50,000 VND / ~$2) there is a telescope.
- Motorboat back — return to the entrance.
Groups form on the spot. You usually wait 10–15 minutes for a boat to fill. A private sampan costs more but skips the wait.
It is physically easy: you sit in the boat and walk the bridge. Suitable for all ages.
How to get to Tra Su
The forest sits deep in the Mekong Delta, off the main tourist trail. The nearest town is Châu Đốc (Chau Doc), 30 km away.
| Route | Mode | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City → Chau Doc | Bus | 6 h | from 200,000 VND (~$8) |
| Can Tho → Chau Doc | Bus | 3 h | from 100,000 VND (~$4) |
| Chau Doc → Tra Su | Taxi / Grab | 30–40 min | ~150,000 VND (~$6) |
| Chau Doc → Tra Su | Motorbike | 30 min | rental ~100,000 VND/day (~$4) |
From Ho Chi Minh City the easiest option is a night bus to Chau Doc, then a taxi to the forest in the morning. From Can Tho it is even closer, just 3 hours. You can pair it with a trip to the floating markets of the Mekong Delta.
Organised tours from Ho Chi Minh City (2 days / 1 night) start around $80, covering transport, an overnight in Chau Doc and the boat at Tra Su.
Skip the airport queue in 5–10 min
In winter, immigration lines run 60–90 min. With Fast Track you’re met at the aircraft and taken through the priority lane. Arrange it before you fly.
Telegram managerWhen to go
September to Novemberis peak season. The forest is fully flooded, bird numbers are at their highest and duckweed covers the whole surface. This is the "floating season" (mùa nước nổi) — the signature spectacle of the Mekong Delta.
June to August — the lotuses bloom and the forest is green, but the water is lower. Fewer birds, still beautiful.
December to April — the dry season. Channels shrink and some stretches are off-limits to boats. The forest is scenic, but the impression is milder.
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SIM, visas, transfers, tours — our manager sorts it out for you, in English.
Message the managerPrices and practical tips
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Entry ticket | 100,000 VND (~$4) |
| Boat (motorboat + sampan, group) | 95,000–190,000 VND (~$4–8) |
| Motorboat only | 50,000 VND (~$2) |
| Bird-watching telescope | 50,000 VND (~$2) |
| Minimum total | ~200,000 VND (~$8) |
Prices current as of July 2026.
What to bring
- Sunscreen and a hat — it gets hot on the boat
- Insect repellent — the forest has mosquitoes, especially at dusk
- Binoculars, if you have them — the birds show up far better
- A waterproof case for your phone — paddle splashes happen
- Light long-sleeved clothing (sun and mosquitoes)
- Sandals — your feet may get wet boarding the boat
Tra Su pairs neatly with a wider Mekong Delta itinerary — the floating markets and orchards make a natural add-on from Chau Doc or Can Tho.
FAQ
Where is Tra Su forest?
In An Giang province in the far south-west of Vietnam, 30 km from the town of Chau Doc and about 250 km from Ho Chi Minh City. This is deep Mekong Delta, close to the Cambodian border. The nearest big city is Can Tho, roughly 3 hours away by bus.
How do I get to Tra Su from Ho Chi Minh City?
Take a bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc (about 6 hours, from 200,000 VND / ~$8), then a taxi or Grab to the forest (30–40 minutes, ~150,000 VND / ~$6). Total travel time is around 7 hours. A night bus works well so you arrive in the morning. Or book a 2-day organised tour with an overnight.
When is the best time to visit Tra Su?
September to November — the forest is flooded, the birds number in the thousands and the duckweed carpets everything. That is the peak. June to August the lotuses bloom, also lovely. December to April is the dry season, with lower water and a milder impression. Arrive by 07:00 — the birds are most active at dawn.
How much does it cost to visit Tra Su forest?
Entry is 100,000 VND (~$4), and the boat tour (motorboat + sampan) runs 95,000–190,000 VND (~$4–8). Budget at least ~200,000 VND (~$8) per person. A telescope for bird-watching is another 50,000 VND (~$2).
What is a cajuput forest?
Cajuput (Melaleuca) is a white-barked tree that grows in wetlands. In the rainy season the forest floods, the trees stand in water and narrow channels open up between them, which you explore by boat. Tra Su is the largest cajuput forest in the Mekong Delta and one of Vietnam's prime bird-watching spots.
Data current as of July 2026. Prices and conditions can change — check official sources before you travel.
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