U Minh Ha National Park is one of Vietnam's rare biosphere reserves — featuring melaleuca forests on peaty soil, pure wild honey, thousands of wild birds, and foggy mornings so quiet you can clearly hear fish splashing by your canoe. It's not a crowded tourist destination — and that is exactly why it's truly worth visiting.
What Is U Minh Ha National Park?
U Minh Ha is one of the two last intact melaleuca forest regions in the Mekong Delta (along with U Minh Thuong in Kien Giang). The melaleuca forest on waterlogged peat soil is an incredibly unique ecosystem, naturally existing in only a few places worldwide. To dive deeper into the experiential activities here, read more in our article What to Do in U Minh Ha Forest.
📊 Key Information
Things Found Only in U Minh Ha
Wild Honey Beekeeping — A 300-Year-Old Traditional Craft
U Minh locals have practiced the craft of gác kèo ong for hundreds of years — using sharpened melaleuca branches placed in the forest for wild bees to naturally build hives. During the season (February–April), they follow familiar forest paths to harvest honey. Joining locals and standing beneath a hive with thousands of non-stinging bees is an unforgettable experience. Book a honey beekeeping tour here.
Canoeing Through the Melaleuca Forest
During the flood season (September–November), the U Minh melaleuca forest is submerged in water, allowing you to paddle a canoe straight into the forest under the canopy of ancient melaleuca trees. Sunlight filtering through the leaves, the sounds of forest birds, and the creaking of the paddle — it feels like a nature documentary unfolding around you.
Watch Thousands of Wild Birds
The buffer zone of U Minh Ha features a natural bird sanctuary with tens of thousands of storks, night herons, lesser whistling ducks, and purple swamphens... At sunrise or sunset — the birds flock back to their nests in massive waves, creating a spectacular scene beyond words.
Endemic Ecosystem
U Minh Ha is home to many endemic species: snakehead fish, Malayan box turtles, reticulated pythons, cobras, and freshwater crocodiles (in the conservation area). This is also where wild melaleuca honey is produced — a type of honey considered the "liquid gold" of the Mekong Delta due to its high purity and medicinal properties. You can buy honey as a gift directly from the source after your tour.
How to Get to U Minh Ha National Park
U Minh Ha National Park stretches across 2 districts — tourists usually enter through one of 3 main gates:
📍 Vo Doi Gate
Tran Van Thoi District — most popular for tourists, about 50km from Ca Mau City, has restaurants and tourist boats
📍 Forestry and Fishery Enterprise Gate
U Minh District — further away but more pristine forest, suitable for groups who love deep exploration
📍 From Ba Ngoai Homestay
Departing from Tan Thanh Hamlet, Tran Van Thoi — local guides lead the way, no need to worry about tickets or transportation
🚗 From Ca Mau City to U Minh Ha:
- • About 50–70km from Ca Mau City (depending on the entrance gate)
- • Ride a motorbike or take a car along National Highway 1 → turn onto the provincial road towards Tran Van Thoi District
- • Travel time: about 1–1.5 hours from Ca Mau City
- • If you book a tour via Ba Ngoai Homestay: shuttle service provided from the meeting point
U Minh Ha Tour from Ba Ngoai Homestay
Experience Living Like an U Minh Ha Local
Not an ordinary sightseeing tour — this is an experience of living with locals for a full day packed with activities:
- ✅ Trek through pristine melaleuca forest along secret trails
- ✅ Wild honey beekeeping — learn to identify and harvest wild beehives
- ✅ Paddle a bamboo canoe along forest canals (flood season: deep into the forest)
- ✅ Catch wild snakehead fish and eels in the canals
- ✅ Grilled snakehead fish lunch in the middle of the forest with U Minh wild vegetables
- ✅ Taste fresh wild honey right on the spot
💰 From 590,000 VND/guest (groups >10 people, excludes transport from Ca Mau City)
Contact: 0919 244 834 (Zalo/Call) for group quotes
Tips When Visiting U Minh Ha National Park
- 1. Go early in the morning (before 7 AM): The melaleuca forest is cool in the morning, birds are plentiful, and the light is beautiful for photos. Afternoons are hotter and have more mosquitoes.
- 2. Wear long sleeves, bring mosquito repellent: The melaleuca forest has many mosquitoes and horseflies, especially during the rainy season. Bring high-concentration DEET mosquito spray.
- 3. Go with a local guide: The melaleuca forest can be disorienting if you go alone. Locals know every trail and safe location.
- 4. The best time is February–April: Dry season, the melaleuca forest is at its most beautiful, honey is abundant, and the paths are easiest to navigate.
- 5. Buy honey directly at the source: Prices are 40–60% cheaper than buying in the city. Guaranteed pure if bought from reputable local families. Or order Ca Mau specialties as gifts through online shops.
Reference Materials
The geographical, biological, and historical-cultural information in this article is referenced from the following official data sources:
- Ca Mau Province Web Portal (camau.gov.vn): Section introducing local administrative geography and scenic spots.
- Management Board of U Minh Ha National Park: Published documents on the biodiversity of peat swamp melaleuca forests.
- Decision No. 112/2006/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister: Decision to establish U Minh Ha National Park, Ca Mau Province.
- UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory: Dossier for recognition of Mui Ca Mau World Biosphere Reserve (2009).
- National Intangible Cultural Heritage Dossier - Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism: Document recognizing the traditional craft "Wild honey beekeeping" in Ca Mau.
Frequently Asked Questions About U Minh Ha National Park
How large is U Minh Ha National Park?
Can you camp overnight in U Minh Ha National Park?
How much is the ticket to U Minh Ha National Park?
Can I rent a boat to paddle into the forest myself?
Book U Minh Ha Tour Now
From 590,000 VND/guest — wild honey beekeeping, mangrove forest trekking, grilled snakehead fish lunch. Local tour guides ensure safety and an authentic experience.
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Article Author
Trần Bì (Founder of Ba Ngoai Homestay)
Mr. Tran Bi is an expert in indigenous culture, history, and ecotourism in Ca Mau, with over 10 years of experience guiding guests through U Minh Ha forest and Dat Mui.
Authentic Ca Mau Travel Experience
Join Uncle Ba Khia to explore Dat Mui, trek through mangrove forests, catch crabs, harvest wild honey, and stay at Mr. Bi's cool eco-homestay.