A bird-eye view of a corner of the U Minh Thuong National Park. Photo: Thamhiemmekong

Located in An Minh and Vinh Thuan Districts, Kien Giang Province, about 365km South-West of Ho Chi Minh City, this is a friendly tourist destination with refreshing attractions for nature lovers. From a tourist site with simple services in 2004 like fishing, natural discovery and sightseeing trips, the park has expanded to provide accommodation, boat tours and souvenirs for tourists.

You will be impressed to find out that U Minh Thuong National Park is located in an area of ​​freshwater wetlands, including the peat swamp forest, seasonally inundated grassland. U Minh Thuong National Park is recognized as one of the three highest priority sites for Wetland Conservation in the Mekong Delta .

The core zone of U Minh Thuong National Park is surrounded by a perimeter canal and dyke system, with a series of gates, which are used to manage the water level.

U Minh Thuong National Park (Kien Giang) boasts a rich fauna ecosystem. Photo: Thamhiemmekong

Most of the fish species observed are native and the distribution of eight of these is restricted to the lower Mekong Basin. U Minh Thuong National Park supports large areas of peat layers and a complex system of canals that can store a large volume of water. It functions as a sponge that maintains the groundwater level and releases surface water to the surrounding areas, and supports production and daily activities of the local communities surrounding the Park. In addition, the Site is of significant spiritual, historical, archaeological, educational and scientific value.

This summer at U Minh Thuong National Park, tourists will have a chance to explore flooded Indigo forests, join recreational activities and visit historical relic sites and local communities.

Vietnam War: ARVN Rangers patrol in the U Minh Forest. Video by: Jensen Vietnam war video's Youtube Channel.

U Minh Thuong National Park is one of the last remnants of climax peat swamp forest in the biogeographic region and a home to distinctive flora and fauna including 32 mammal species, 187 bird species, 34 reptile and amphibian species, 37 fish species, and 203 insect species. ​

The National Park was being acclaimed Ramsar status on February 22 ^nd , 2016. This recognition marks U Minh Thuong as the 2228 ^th RAMSAR site of the world, and the 8 ^th one of Vietnam, together bringing more significant spiritual, historical, archaeological, educational and scientific value for the country and community. ​ ​

You can pay a visit to this destination all year round. However, it is highly recommended to avoid March and April as this is the dry season in this region when there are not so many activities available and people focus on prevent the fire as well as control for the forest.

U Minh Thuong National Park deserves to be on the destination list of anyone planning to travel in southern Vietnam!

Photo: Thamhiemmekong

The park has been popularized through the delivery of books, manuals, films, photos and discs on the park and the regular organization of meetings with travel agencies.Photo: Vietnambooking

Tourist taking a boat tour in U Minh Thuong park. Photo: Luhanhvietnam

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