Tra Su Cajuput Forest
A flooded cajuput forest near Chau Doc, its canals carpeted in green algae and alive with storks and egrets, explored by small boat and canoe.
Overview
Tra Su Cajuput Forest is an 850-hectare protected wetland in An Cu commune, Tinh Bien district, An Giang province — 20 km south of Chau Doc and 10 km from the Cambodian border. The forest is dominated by cajuput (melaleuca) trees rising from flooded ground, their roots submerged for much of the year. Narrow canals thread through the canopy, and the water surface turns vivid green with duckweed during the flood months.
Visitors travel by motorboat or traditional sampan from the main pier, moving through water tunnels beneath the cajuput canopy. A 10 km bamboo walkway — opened in 2020 — runs through the forest with rest shelters at intervals and connects back to the boat pier, so you can combine walking and boating on the same visit. An observation tower near the restaurant area has a telescope with a 25 km range; from the top you can see the full forest canopy, birds in the treetops, and a Khmer village several kilometres away.
The forest supports 70 bird species, including two listed in Vietnam's Red Book: the painted stork (cò lạo Ấn Độ) and the oriental darter (cò cổ rắn). Birds are most active between 3–5 PM when flocks return to roost. The wider ecosystem includes 22 reptile species, 11 mammals, 23 aquatic species, and 140 plant species across 52 families, among them around 80 medicinal plants.
Flood season (September to November) is the best time to visit. Water levels are highest, the forest canopy is at its most accessible by boat, and the surface is covered in water lilies and yellow điên điển blossoms. Outside flood season the water recedes and boat routes shorten, though the walkway remains usable year-round. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and most active birdlife.
Opening hours: Daily 07:00–17:15.
Entry: Ticket required; includes walkway and tower access. Boat rides priced separately at the pier.
Get There
From Chau Doc (20 km): take Tân Lộ Kiều Lương road connecting to National Highway 91 toward Tinh Bien. After crossing Tra Su bridge in Nha Bang town, turn left and follow the Tra Su canal — cajuput trees line both sides of the road. Continue a few kilometres to the forest entrance. By motorbike the drive takes around 35–40 minutes from Chau Doc centre.
From Long Xuyen (around 90 km): head north on QL91 toward Chau Doc, pass through Chau Doc, then continue on QL91 → Tra Su bridge → DT948 to the forest entrance.
Most visitors come as a day trip from Chau Doc. Organised tours from Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh City also include Tra Su as part of Mekong Delta itineraries.
Hotels
Hotel recommendations coming soon.
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Food at the forest: The Tra Su restaurant has two seating areas — one along the forest entrance road and one in floating pavilions on the water near the observation tower. Dishes worth ordering include grilled snakehead fish (cá lóc nướng), linh fish and điên điển flower hotpot (available in flood season only), and mắm hotpot. Palm sugar (đường thốt nốt) and cajuput honey (mật ong hoa tràm) are sold at stalls near the entrance.
What to bring: Rain gear if visiting during flood season (September–November), which overlaps with the rainy months. Insect repellent and sunscreen for the walkway. A dry bag for cameras near the water. Mornings are cooler and better for photography; afternoons from 3 PM onward give the best birdwatching.
Near the pier: A pigeon square at the boat departure area is a popular stop — large flocks gather and visitors can feed them.
